What is it with SOHC owners disconnecting the coolant temperature sensor?

[sileightysomeday]

I've bought 2 SOHC S13's and both of them had the coolant temperature sensors unplugged or cut off. so when i first drove the cars they were running rich, and when i fixed it and got a new sensor, they ran great, so what's the deal? i've also seen some other SOHC's that had this done, is it some myth that if you make the car run rich that you'll get more power? from my experience it just makes your whole car smell like gas and exhaust, and makes your bumper black. what gives?