by Scott@FP on Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:13 am
I think your response time issue is more due to the encapsulated sensor element, these are typically designed for use near the MAF area or inlet ducting and measure more on the ambient temp side of things, and don't require response speed.
After experimenting with small very fast response thermocouples in various locations on the intake tract (turbo engine with cast manifold) the 'heat soak' as described is REAL air temp. If you have two temp sensors, one in the upper IC pipe pre throttle body, and one as close to the intake valve as possible, when the engine bay is fully heat soaked and you are at low mass flow rates (idle, cruise) there is a HUGE temp delta as the air passing thru the manifold/head picks up heat. Once you go WOT and the mass flow rate increases, the downstream temp sensor shows temps getting cooler and cooler as the increased mass flow cools off the intake tract until both sensors are near equal.
What's my point? Well, since we are making compensations based on air temp, shouldn't we be trying to compensate for actual temp the engine is seeing? IAT locations prior to the head cause quite a bit of variance in required compensation based on other conditions because it is not measuring inlet temp accurately, IAT comps need to be fudged quite a bit, and they still aren't right. By using a small low mass (fast response) thermistor located as close to the valve as possible (without getting fuel spray) you can use a simple 2D IAT fuel comp that stays close to correct under all conditions. A 2.3mm glass bead thermistor potted in a 1/16" pipe thread nipple is unobstructive and can be located damn near anywhere.