I was browsing some of the old magizine articles on this site, and one mentioned the Manifold Air Temp. sensor relocation kit.. It went on to say that the sensor located on the underside of the plenum can sometimes be inaccurate because the plenum acts like a heat sink and can indicate the intake temps are much hotter than they are, thus, reducing perfomance. The relocation kit plugs into the sensor plug and gives you a more modern sensor to place in the ducting closer to the air filters for a more accurate reading. The website for Howell engineering says there is a noticable improvement in summer conditions... Has anyone tried this yet???? Its only $35 so im gonna find out. Let me know if it's worthwhile.Howell Engine Developments Inc.
- Manifold Air Temp Relocation Kit

 

You can get the two connectors you need, and a new sensor for about the same cost, and you won't even have to disassemble the plenum:

MAT Sensor Relocation.pdf

 

Vader's "product" is cool (no pun intended) and I like the Howell version. I'd be more inclined to purchase the Howell if I knew where I could mount the sensor. I do not have the stock air filter can, nor do I have the MAP-style air intake..so..where in the rubber melee of intake hose do I mount it? Moreover, how would I mount it in rubber??

I'm not very creative either.
Eric

 

I looked at the howell version and from the picture it looks like the sensor they supply is different from the one used in our engines. My MAT has some bronze on it. And one of the connectors in the howell one looks different ??

 

I found that this mod did not really do much other than tell the ECM to run too lean.

 

thanks for the info Vader.... could you tell the difference while driving in warm weather? I've noticed that my car feels quicker when i drive it after it has sit for awhile (8hrs or so).. I know a cooler motor is better, but the performance seems to drop off a bit after 10 minutes of driving. My coolant temp is still at 165 at this point, and the throttle body is still cool to the touch. Thats why im thinking this mod will help. Im not saying that the car becomes a dog, just a noticable difference in throttle response and seat-of-the pants type grunt. I've owned this car for 8 years and noticed this, through much experience...

 

The fact that it changes as it warms up has less to do with the MAT sensor and more to do with the programmed fuel versus the coolant temperature and achieving closed loop mode. Relocating the MAT on a speed/density setup can make a minor difference. It seems to do little on a MAF car. My setup allows me to unplug the remote MAT and reconnect the factory MAT in about 20 seconds.

You're going to find a lot more satisfaction with reprogramming.

 

When you mention, programmed fuel do you mean that the fuel pressure drops in closed loop?