Some years ago on our Dodge trucks, we used to place a 10K ohm resister inline on the IAT sensor to make the ECU believe that intake charge was about 40* F cooler than actual. This had the effect of influencing the fuel/air ratio and timing. Essentially, the ECU believed it was cold outside, and would not retard timing or richen the fuel ratio as compared to the hot summer. Those ECUs depended on the IAT to prevent a detonation condition from occuring-- the ECU played it "safe" so to speak, and would retard timing and richen the fuel mixture, just because it though detonation MIGHT occur.
Naturally, detonation was a concern and was experienced by a very small number of folks in very, very warm climates. Most of us never experienced a problem, and the
mod gave us a better throttle response, better fuel economy, and a small boost in HP-- at least during the summer months. Some folks would even relocate the IAT from the hot intake manifold, to their CAI, just behind the filter.
Those Dodge engines were not equiped with knock sensors. The IAT was the only sensor the ECU used to prevent knock, so one had to keep an ear open for ping/knock/detonation. I personally had great success with it, and never had a problem... even in 95* F+ summer, pulling a 4000lb trailer, uphill, with my A/C on-- honest!
I understand the MINI has knock sensors? If so, then would the ECU then retard timing and dump fuel when it senses detonation from the sensors? And if that's true, could we not play with IAT on our MINI's and achieve a similar effect?
I'm tempted to experiement, but would appreciate anyone's feeback before I begin.
Cheers,
