sensor (?) part on air filter unit

[DeltaZulu]

Previous ower of my 240SX 90 M/T (originally from CA) damaged driver side front fender area (repaired) and air cleaner unit is also damaged. It is not in a good shape and I am considering to replace it to an aftermarket airfilter assmebly (bolt-on corn type). Then I noticed that there is a sensor (?) part mounted on the air cleaner case which is wired to airflow meter. I have gone through my Factory Service Manual but cannot find what this part is. My questions are:

Does anyone know what this part is/does?

I looked at several after market (bolt-on) air filter assembly kits but they do not seem to have any mounting for this part. Am I missing something?

Thank you in advance.

[U12 2NR]

probably the air temp sensor. the ecu needs it to detect high intake temps to prevent detonation. You can always drill a hole into an intake and glue it on.

[DeltaZulu]

Thanks for clarification. It does makes sense. By looking at original set-up, I was wondering if this part should be mounted "before" airflow sensor (which means on the corn fliter of after market kit). It sounds like I can make a hole on air intake pipe and mount on this part "after" the airflow sensor.

Thanks again.

[U12 2NR]

yes..mount it before the maf sensor, if there's not room in the intake pipe itself you'll have to mount it into the filter.

[DeltaZulu]

Thanks again for clarification.

All after market kits are designed to mount cone filter immedately before the flow sensor so, I assume I have to come up with some means to mount the temp sensor on/in the filter or to make an extention pipe between the flow sensor and filter to mount heat sensor on.

Appreciate your info.