[Mrclean67]

Just received a email from ECS about a Idle air temperature relocate kit for the N52 motors. Wondering if anyone has done this or had any experience\thoughts on it. It moves the IAT to constantly see cooler temps.

[desertman123]

Wait do we have two IATs? I know the MAF has one

Here's the piece.

[Mrclean67]

I guess it's basically seeing colder air all the time so it keeps the air\fuel mixture leaner and timing advanced? What's everyone's thoughts on this?

[Mrclean67]

I guess it's basically seeing colder air all the time so it keeps the air\fuel mixture leaner and timing advanced? What's everyone's thoughts on this?

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by Mrclean67

I guess it's basically seeing colder air all the time so it keeps the air\fuel mixture leaner and timing advanced? What's everyone's thoughts on this?

desertman123 It seems to work by blocking off the wires to the oem temp sensor in the MAF and rerouting those wires to the new temp sensor.

My thoughts are the temp going past the MAF is likely as close as it needs to be to the temp of the air entering the combustion chamber. This new sensor is only a benefit for a heat soak type of situation where in theory you are sitting in traffic and the area around the maf housing is hot from sitting in the still air of the engine bay. So the maf area is warmed by engine heat and shows a higher temp than the actual air temp going into the engine.

Turner is saying their replacement sensor isn’t in the maf housing and will see cooler air closer to the actual snorkel inlet.

But looking at the picture of their relocated sensor it seems like it’s just as likely to be heated by hot still engine air? It’s moved closer to the block and oil filter housing than where it was originally.



They said they had dynos but they don’t show them. I’m not about to spend a dime on this yet I would need to see dynos. And it’s really only a benefit under a very specific set of “Heat Soaking” circumstances even if it does anything measurable.

[Mrclean67]

Very good point, I was thinking if I could move it to the other side of my AFE CAI if the results would be better. But yes I'd like to see some Dyno numbers first.

[The Nightman]

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

desertman123 It seems to work by blocking off the wires to the oem temp sensor in the MAF and rerouting those wires to the new temp sensor.

My thoughts are the temp going past the MAF is likely as close as it needs to be to the temp of the air entering the combustion chamber. This new sensor is only a benefit for a heat soak type of situation where in theory you are sitting in traffic and the area around the maf housing is hot from sitting in the still air of the engine bay. So the maf area is warmed by engine heat and shows a higher temp than the actual air temp going into the engine.

Turner is saying their replacement sensor isn’t in the maf housing and will see cooler air closer to the actual snorkel inlet.

But looking at the picture of their relocated sensor it seems like it’s just as likely to be heated by hot still engine air? It’s moved closer to the block and oil filter housing than where it was originally.


They said they had dynos but they don’t show them. I’m not about to spend a dime on this yet I would need to see dynos. And it’s really only a benefit under a very specific set of “Heat Soaking” circumstances even if it does anything measurable.

No joke, you could make the argument it's sitting right on top the alternator vents.

I just don't see how this is particularly helpful. The hot air still gets to the engine, just the DME thinks the air is slightly cooler (assuming this works as described). So now we're advancing timing, as if the IATs were lower than they actually are? Doesn't sound ideal.

I figure this would've been a thing already, given all the proper research done to mod these motors.

[Mrclean67]

Going to have to see a whole lot more testing and information before I would even consider it. I appreciate guys 👍

[Needbmwpartzz]

Looks interesting....but that location doesn't Look much better.
Maybe some temp shielding around existing sensor may do same....thoughts anyone?!

[Yangorang]

It seems like an interesting concept but like many others I remain skeptical. The real question is whether the OE temp sensor on the MAF is simply reading what it's supposed to or if it's getting heated up by the engine but the actual air inside the tube is cooler than what it reads.

[juld0zer]

This is not something that will show benefits on a dyno. It mainly benefits in a heatsoak situation such as heavy traffic, by maintaining consistency.

The choice of location is critical and they could have used a better sensor instead of that brass bodied one which will absorb and take ages to rid itself of heat. The location in the photo is also above the top radiator hose which radiates a lot of heat. You'd have to wrap some foil around the duct and encase it completely. A better choice would be the bottom of the airbox.

Having said all that, I've found the N52 to be quite driveable even in heavy traffic. The air snorkel is designed so that even if you have the AC on, the fan will pull in fresh air past the snorkel inlet. It does not bog or suffer a lot in hot weather. Unlike my 370z..

[Phyrexia]

I routinely see IATs of only a few degrees above ambient temperature with my Performance Intake. Even in SoCal summer traffic, it only takes a few minutes of driving before the heat soak is gone and IATs are back to a smidge over ambient. I'm not sure what benefit this would provide.