You know the hype on ebay where people sell stupid radio shack resistors for IAT sensors in cars to make the computer think 57F temperature is coming through the intake at all times? Well a good 2 months ago I bought into this, the fool that I was, and now some questions arrise...

If I recall correctly I think I did notice a difference in slight power when I installed it, but I'm sure it was all in my head or the cars computer reset itself. Which is strange since I've reset it many times since. Does anyone have an idea if this has any REAL effect? Tomarrow I'm going to remove it and install it again multiple times to see if I can logically feel any improvement in acceleration. Also I'm sure my 180 thermostat overpowers the effects of this little resistor. Any idea if this is really a terrible gimmick? Or if it actually has negative effects on the car?

You need to speak to will!

Ok, first, your Stat will have nothing to do with the temp of the incoming air. The IAT senses the intake air temp in order to guess at the air density coming into the intake. It works hand in hand with the MAF. Colder air is denser (better) than warmer. Hence the need for a CAI! If the air density increases, the PCM can deliver more fuel to keep the A/F ratio correct. This should translate into more power. Now, while all this is going on, you have an O2 sensor in your downpipe, and it'* trying to keep your exhaust clean. It'* looking for unburnt oxygen coming from the combustion chambers. If you don't get a clean burn, it adjusts your A/F ratio. Now, how much oxygen is left after the burn if you've tricked the intake? I dunno. I can tell you that it will run a little rich, but whether or not the car can compensate and nullify this through other means is another dunno.

I can tell you that you probably will see some slight gain. Every little bit counts, right? If I were to try this, I'd install a resistor in series with the IAT to lower the indicated temp slightly throughout the range of sensing. Installing a fixed resistor to tell the intake that it'* always 60° outside will only gain you power at certain temps. Keep in mind relative humidity increases also increase air density. Not to complicate things, or anything.

I think what it comes down to is that the MAF and O2 sensor probably cancel out the resistor in the IAT pretty well.

In other words, not worth it...especially that its below 57F everyday here in the northern Illinois area now.

Right on. Come summertime, it might help, but you can do it for a 25 cent resistor. Hey, when did the cent key disapper from my keyboard? Or was that the old typewriter.......

There are other ways to cause a timing advance.....ask me sometime