12/21/24

Original Post with comments click here

Car: Kia Stinger Gt AWD 2019
Ambient temp: 33f
Weather: Snowing
Date: 12/21/2024
Time: 4:16am - 4:38am
Purpose: Testing potential mod
Mod Name: IAT sensor relocation kit (prototype)
For sale name: Kia stinger Gt Real IAT ( Jan 2025 release)
Car Mods: BMS BEF17, Takeda intakes, Megan secondary downpipes

The purpose of this post is to investigate whether relocating the Tmap (temperature + mass air pressure) sensor increases the Hp and torque on a Kia stinger or any other vehicle with this motor (3.3t). Why would someone want to relocate the Tmap sensor you ask? Because the Tmap sensor is attached to the intake manifold which heat soaks and this effects the minimum IAT the the engine will see. This effects timing, HP, TQ and Mpg. Typically the IAT sits between 20-40f above ambient.

The relocated location of the tmap sensor is actually the stock location for the map sensor on this motor. The Tmap sensor is located behind the throttle body and the map sensor is located on the charge pipe before the throttle body

Now beings the road test. Notice the Time in the top left hand corner of the screen shots.

Time: 4:16am - The temperature ambient temperature was 33f this screen shot is post pull (50mph -120mph). Notice that my lowest IAT (intake Air Temperature) temps were 39.2f. The peak IAT Temps were 48.2f. (Hp and torque numbers are estimated by the app)

Time 4:21am - I Pulled over on the side of the highway and removed the mod. Reset the app values and this is what the IAT temp shot to 60.8f. So now that I'm back to stock I will do another pull (next pic)

 

Time 4:22am- Notice the peak HP and Torque numbers (estimated) and compare them to the picture at 4:16am. (54-130mph pull). Also note that with the sensor relocation mod the boost levels are lower (idk why)

Time 4:31am - I pulled back over and reinstalled the mod got back on the highway and did a pull 111mph top speed (remember it was snowing).

Time 4:32am- Just cruising along and letting temps drop to see where they fall back down to.

Time 4:38am- Driving on the highway and checking to see if my mpg increases. Notice my min & max speed and also how low the IAT temps have dropped.

This finishes my testing for today and my thoughts on this mod are. More low end power in terms of just driving around, Better mpg (seemingly) and the car accelerates faster when I step on it.

The estimated HP and Torque numbers above:
Pull 1 (modded) : 421hp 470ftlb
Pull 2 (stock) : 414hp 429ftlb
Pull 3 (modded): 426hp 488ftlb

So estimated hp and torque gains of
7-12hp
41-59 ftlb

Not bad for a 5 minute mod.

 

12/24/24

More testing

1200seconds = 20 minutes
1800 seconds = 30 minutes

Speed limit: 55mph

Ambient temp - Intake air temp = 7.2f

What other mod gets intake temps this low ??

1/1/25

 

Exciting results from the real “IAT mod”

272 mile New Year’s Eve trip
Average mpg 28.5
106 miles of range left (car estimation)

The photos show my trip to destination at 2pm and my return trip at 2am

12.6f difference between ambient temp and Intake take temp on my afternoon drive.

10.8f difference between ambient temp and intake temp of my return trip.

Trip time :9693 seconds (2hours 41min)
Return trip time: 9862 (2 hours 4min)

 

1/3/25

 

First full tank of gas after installing the mod.

347.9miles
25.9 mpg average
New estimated range: 359 miles

How much range do you average per tank in the winter ?

1/4/25

 

I removed the “Real IAT mod” to compare the IAT results iv been seeing for the last 2 weeks.

25.2f above ambient when cruising on the highway at around 55mph for 5-7minutes.

1/5/25

 

A 90% production ready prototype being sent out to a fellow forum member for testing on their vehicle. Lucky him!

 

1/17/25

 

My draggy results from this mod + BMS BEF, BMS trans tune, Intakes and secondary cat deletes. 0-60 in the low 4s on 12.3psi (factory boost)

2/16/25

 

Why would the charge air temp change before and after the throttle body you ask?

It doesn’t. The issue is with the placement of the temperature sensing portion of the MAP sensor. The plastic intake manifold sits on top of an aluminum engine with 190-221f coolant running through it. The plastic intake manifold absorbs this heat and in turn the TMAP sensor begins to read elevated and artificial temperatures because the sensor body heat soaks as-well.

What do these elevated temperatures do? They effect timing which effects mpg and low end torque.

What does this mod do?
It changes the location of where the ECU collects intake air temperature readings. I call it the “Real IAT sensor relocation kit” because the readings obtained at the new location are nearly the “real” charge air temperatures coming out of the intercooler into the engine.


Concerning temperature spoofing. This method can work in specific scenarios like Terry mentioned.

Temperature spoofing or feeding the ECU artificial temperatures has it uses but also can have several negative consequences.

-Incorrect Fuel Mixture
The ECU relies on accurate IAT readings to adjust the air-fuel ratio. Spoofing the sensor can lead to a too rich or too lean mixture.

- Timing Problems
The ECU also uses IAT data to adjust ignition timing. Incorrect readings can lead to premature or delayed ignition, reducing engine efficiency and potentially causing knocking or detonation.

- Knocking and Detonation
Incorrect timing due to spoofed IAT readings can cause knocking, which over time can damage pistons, valves, and other engine components.

ECU Learning and Adaptation Issues
- Our ECUs are designed to learn and adapt to driving conditions. Spoofing the IAT sensor can confuse the ECU's adaptive learning algorithms, leading to long-term performance issues even after the spoofing is stopped.


Terry thank you for the info on how lower IATs effecting boost levels. I believe the JB4 has the ability to “re-correct” the drop in boost due to the near ambient IAT readings. I don’t own a JB4 so correct me if I’m wrong Terry.


Has anyone noticed drops in boost pressure after installing the mod?

If so even with the drop in boost pressure did your vehicle still pickup power?

 

3/7/25

 

I had a chance to get my car on the dyno this past Wednesday. My mods are as follows

Boltons: Tekada intakes, Megan mid pipes, 7thSonEngineering tmap sensor relocation kit, Fast reaction tmap sensor
Tune: BMS BEF19, BMS TCU
Gas: Wawa 93 octane
Cosmetic: Ark GT-S springs

Had to pull the AWD fuse to run the car on a single roller Mustang dyno.
381whp
510 ft lb

3x runs with pretty much the same dyno numbers. Any one else getting monster torque numbers like this on just a BMS BEF?

 

4/8/25

 

Pretty neat. Intake temps 8-12f about ambient

4/3/25

 

My dyno numbers don’t tell a lie. BEF19 only plus a few boltons

381whp ( this is expected)
510ftlb (this is very unexpected)

JB4 doesn’t reach that torque # until map 3 with intakes installed.


So I am now wondering, how much hp & torque will my vehicle make on map 3?

440whp & 600+ ftlb?