Do you need the Intake Air Temprature sensor?

[SilviaSR20DET]

Im about to install a cold air intake for my 96 240sx. The intake im using is made for a 97 240sx but the only difference is the placement of the intake air temprature sensor. Do you need to put this inside the cold air or can you just leave it out and tape it to somewhere inside the engine bay? How does the IAT sensor work and what is it for? THanks for the help.

[Jeff240sx]

Make it fit... my Injen intake sensor mount wasn't up to par, and I had to recreate it. It just allows your engine to run at the peak hp it can, cuz it won't retard the ignition based on air temp (I think.)
-Jeff

[whateverjames]

I know my car ran very rich with the sensor disconnected. :eek:

[Danio]

Originally posted by SilviaSR20DET
Im about to install a cold air intake for my 96 240sx. The intake im using is made for a 97 240sx but the only difference is the placement of the intake air temprature sensor.

I thought they should be the same. If it's an Injen intake pipe, make sure when you remove the temperature sensor from the stock pipe/box (I forget where it went) that you remove the rubber piece holding it also, or it won't fit the hole properly. Otherwise, like what Jeff said, just make it fit.

[d240t2]

Everything I have seen/heard is that the IAT is NOT used for Air/fuel/timing calculations...only for OBD2 diagnostics. The DOHC S13s don't even have an IAT.

But you do need to keep it plugged in to keep from throwing a code. It doesn't necessarily need to be in the actual intake air stream...it can be in the engine bay someplace else.

Dennis