The $0.99 mod that works!!!!!

[pmkls2]

Okay guys now that I have your attention let me get some of the B.S. out of the way first. Some of you may remember a thread from about a month or so ago that I made about IAT specs. If you dont remember then I will refresh your memory a little. I was looking for the IAT specs on my '90 240 because I saw those little resistors on ebay for $20 advertising a 15-20 hp boost. All that they are are resistors that replace your IAT sensor and trick your ecm into thinking it is colder outside and giving the car more fuel and timing. Well, I finally found one that told the resistance values. Now before I tell you how simple it is to do this I must first claim no responsibility whatsoever for anything that may happen to your car by performing this mod. Okay, so I found out that the resistance spec to for about 40 degrees ambient outside temp is 4.7k ohms. It just happens that radio shack has resistors with that exact resistance. I went to my local radio shack and bought a 5-pack of 4.7k ohm 1/2 watt resistors for $0.99+tax. I opened my hood, unplugged the IAT, stuck one of those resistors in the connector, and closed the hood. As soon as I started and drove my car I noticed much more throttle response. I have put about 100 miles on my car so far with awesome results and no adverse effects whatsoever thus far. So, for anyone who is willing to try this incredibly cheap mod I say good luck and enjoy because it has surprised the hell out of me that it actually worked.

[pmkls2]

just an update, just put another 40 miles on it and its still going strong. P.S. I noticed that I get a lot more pops from my exhaust on deceleration..............cool !

[xonn]

I noticed that I get a lot more pops from my exhaust on deceleration..............cool !

Probably because you're running rich...

[crzycav86]

Yeah.. I guess the only adverse affects are having to pay more for gas, replace spark plugs more frequently, and have a gunked up exhaust system... I suppose more power is possible, but I'd never do that to my car.

[marshun]

uhh. thats a neat trick. but i'll stick to the more reliable, bigger injectors :P. neat trick though.

[niznos]

I am guessing you will have problems once the intake temp actually gets below 40 degrees. Since the ECU thinks it's warmer than it really is, it will lean out.

If you must do the resistor/ rich mixture trick, why not splice a 1k ohm resistor INLINE of one of those wires on the IAT so that the ECU always thinks it's just a little cooler than it really is. This way you don't run the risk of lean mixture when it's cold out.

I've got an A/F mixture gauge, and it seems that the ECU always runs rich beyond 2/3 throttle anyway.

[s13sr20chris]

1the iat is not for fuel control. the ecm only uses it to diagnose coolant temp sensor/circuit probs

2even if it was the ecm is in open loop at full throttle anyway.

[C-Kwik]

I'd like to see dyno numbers on this. I doubt it's anything the butt dyno can feel and I'd speculate it would be more of the imagination than anything else.

[SilviaS14KA24DE]

hmm, explain how to do that thing your talking about niznos, so it won't run lean below 40

[SilviaS14KA24DE]

mmmm lovely!

I want those in my room, STAT!

[pmkls2]

Well, it seems that I got a lot of people's attention here. So let me address all of thereplies one at a time. First the IAT DOES affect fuel and timing on ALL autos reguardless of make and model. Second, yes the car will lean out at temps below 40 and I have thought about this but you can just plug the IAT back in during winter months. Third,I have thought about splicing something like a 1k ohm resistor inline and I might someday to see the benefits, in fact I have a few different resistor specs that I am going to play with. Fourth, the car is running richer than before, but I'd hardly say it is running any richer that if you have a re-mapped ecm (trust me I have used them in the past and some cars will burn your eyes at an idle from gas fumes) so I cant see where it is cusing anymore damage than an ecm upgrade. Fifth, the butt dyno is what I am using here, anything past about 2/3 throttle you wont tell a difference, but cruising around town at part throttle is where you feel a slight difference. I am certainly not claiming to get a 20hp increase, but I can definately feel a difference ( hell of a lot more than my $40 k&n filter made ). So take from this what you may and think what you want but I am definately satisfied with the results and I still have a lot of playing to do.

[[s3]]

10 cent resistors are not a mod.

Do not use Ebay as a mods guide.

[pmkls2]

Like I said, think what you want Im perfectly happy with the results. I was just trying to pass on the info........

[TachyonS14]

Good job man, I'm glad you did your research and tested it on the streets for us. I might give it a try just for fun, I mean it's only a buck.

[pmkls2]

That was pretty much my thinking when I started looking for the right specs for the IAT,I mean Im not gonna cry over a dollar. I pretty much started with the expectation of being let down so I was pleasantly surprised when I started my car and it didnt act all wierd on me. Then when I started to drive I was really shocked at how well it drove. So I just thought I'd pass it along to the next guy because I am always looking for those low-buck tricks to do to my car to make it run just a little bit better. I dont have the money to put all that fancy crap on it.

[Dougster]

Interesting, keep us up to date on your mod...

[EnzoRWD]

good show! i might have to try that someday. i imagine i will try to use some connectors to allow quick switching, and test it on the track come july....ps- i see you picked up another 240, doug!-Enzo

[SilviaS14KA24DE]

yes keep us updated about the mod on the track

[WeldingHank]

why not just put it on a switch? so you can turn it on and off whenever you want to? one side of the switch for the normal temp sensor..one side for the resistor.

[pmkls2]

Well, I soldered on some terminals for quick removal, I also have a couple other resistors that I soldered terminals on to for testing later. I will eventually either find a way of splicing a resistor inline like was suggested earlier or putting in some type of switch, especially before winter comes. For now I have a lot of long overdue repairs to do on the car before I can get back to testing though. I'll keep everyone updated though and post if I find something that works even better.

[Dougster]

Hey David/Enzo,Yep, but she is a Auto transmission...I have been thinking of getting the Turbo kit and making her a lil faster and maybe a 5 spd conversion too...Hows yours going? I kinda wish I still had yours!

[pmkls2]

just another update, it seems so far that my gas mileage remains unaffected so far and I have run one complete tank through it now with the resistor inline

[tonynalli]

i feel really dumb asking this question but where would i find the terminal to plug the resistor into??

[EnzoRWD]

i ask too, i cant seem to find the correct sensor. hmm :-/my cars is doing fine, i hope to stick with the KA for some time...:-P-Enzo

[pmkls2]

Well, the IAT sensor is located on the side of the airbox. The connector is right next to the mass airflow sensor connector. It has 2 black wires coming out of it and going to the sensor, just unplug the connector and plug the resistor into tthe side going to the ecm.

[Twinchy]

sorry i still need help i couldnt find the mass airflow connector?

[pmkls2]

It's all right there at the air-box where the air filter is located. Just locate the air filter and you've found it all.

[Twinchy]

i think i know what your talking about.... but i have a hks intake on my car...... the stuff you explained is on the stock intake adapter right?

[pmkls2]

yeah, and to be honest with you I dont know where the IAT goes when you put a different intake on there, but maybe one of these other guys knows where it is. Anyways, you are looking for a 2-wire connector.

[Twinchy]

yea i still have my stock intake adapter. i found it on there. but i dont have it on my hks intake, is it worth putting my stock in take back on