Useful IAT sensor?

[6.5L]

So I have my Snow Performance controller for my water/meth kit mounted on the dash. For now it is just in display mode, so it displays my boost and egt but doesn't inject. Well, I only hooked the boost up since I wanted it boost referenced and didn't bother with EGT since I have a perfectly good EGT gauge already. But I have all the stuff to hook up an EGT into my controller. I was wondering if I could mount the probe into my intake to keep track of IAT's instead of EGT's?

 

[Will L.]

Just a thermocoupler, should be fine.

 

[6.5L]

I thought it would work. Don't see any reason it won't. Just wanted some 2nd opinions

 

[GM Guy]

will the controller allow settings that low?

will the thermocouple be accurate at that lower temp?

those are my only two questions.

 

[Will L.]

All thermocouplers work on a scale of indifference resistance. If it reads ambient temperatures accurate it will be accurate going up. It was designed to read above 1k, right? so measre what it is at room temperature compared to a couple of regular thermometers. If its good a >100 it will be good going up to it's designed range. Most of the cheaper designed couplers will read fairly accurate still, only out by 1 or 2 %, they just shutter or let it look like the gauge is sticking when in use. Just make sure any wiring changes you make you use the correct wire, and if multiwire, use the correct wire on its pole.

 

[3500_6.5]

Mine works from 0 degrees up. My pyrometer is digital and analog. The digital only reads in 10 degree increments though and the analog I would say isn't precise enough to be able to be used to know exact temps. But if your controller reads more precise than 10 degree increments, I would think it would work pretty good. Would probably work either way, would just be a "general" temp reading though if its like mine so you would only know what the temp is close to. But would still give you a good idea of what kind of temps your intake is running though.

 

[guybb3]

All thermocouplers work on a scale of indifference resistance.

RTDs work on resistance but thermocouples work on millivoltages created by the two wires being made of different metals and producing a millivoltage when the temperature changes. Most common thermocouple types, for our use, are "J" and "K" type.

 

[Will L.]

Thanks for the catch guybb3. I meant to type "indifference NOT resistance". Big oops in description there.

Rtds are nice that they are more accurate but too fragile for this application, at least the affordable priced ones are limited to a more restrictive working range. The more they keep building them for the vibration world though, they might get them to replace tc's all together.

 

[Burning oil]

Im giving away my million dollar idea here. A few years ago right after I started making the TBB's I wanted an IAT probe to, so I had made a long threaded mostly hollow rod. The hole only has a .005 -.010 material left in bottom before breaking through. It installs just like my TBBs do, in one of the center intake bolt holes on manifold. The thermocoupler sits in bottom and reads IATs. Its long enough that you can ajust the depth too.
I never developed it any further (to many other projects). Still have it laying around here and one day will install it.
So anyway just an idea for you guys.

BTW the bolt hole was EDMed and was very expensive over $200. I'd have to find a cheaper way to accomplish the same hole next time.

 

[guybb3]

Rtds are nice that they are more accurate but too fragile for this application, at least the affordable priced ones are limited to a more restrictive working range. The more they keep building them for the vibration world though, they might get them to replace tc's all together.

I agree with the RTD fragility issue. I work in the Metrology Lab of a giant defense company and the RTDs being fragile is an issue. They are far more accurate but you have to decide if +/-.2 degrees C (that thermocouples provide) isn't good enough.

 

[6.5L]

I am mostly just wanting it as a general ballpark figure. So I can see how much the WMI would drop IAT's during injection.

 

[Will L.]

Absolutely then. You want to have it Far enough downstream you don't have the mist spraying / evaporating directly onto it for an accurate reading.

 

[guybb3]

Absolutely then. You want to have it Far enough downstream you don't have the mist spraying / evaporating directly onto it for an accurate reading.

Sooo true

 

[6.5L]

thanks guys