HRD Honda Fast Response IAT Sensor

Many turbo Honda builds use the OEM OBD1 IAT (Intake air temperature) sensor to read the IATs. While this is more accurate than using the factory MAF sensor that sits before the turbo, the OBD1 IAT sensor does have one major flaw; the response time. 

The principle of IAT sensors are all the same, in the core of the sensor lies a NTC thermistor that changes resistance proportional to the temperature. The ECU can then use the resistance value to determine the air's temperature. The problem with the OBD1 is that the NTC thermistor is shielded around plastic. Plastic is an insulator and does not conduct heat very well. This results in delayed feedback to the ECU.

HRD's fast response IAT sensor is hand made, using specially manufactured thermistors that are matched very closely to the OBD1 NTC resistance curve. This ensures that the ECU reads the correct temperature at an almost instantaneous speed.

Q: Why can't I use the GM IAT sensor? Doesn't that sensor read fast?

A: The OEM Honda ECU does not have the ability to change scaling on the IAT sensors. The GM sensors use a different resistance curve than Honda sensors, so it would read incorrect temperatures. However if you have a standalone ECU, such as a Motec or Haltech, you would be able to program the resistance curve to use virtually any temperature sensor.

This sensor has been scientifically tested against the OBD1 IAT sensor, and reads temperatures up to 1200% faster than the OBD1 plastic sensor.

Key Features

• Custom manufactured high precision (1%) thermistor
• Open thermistor design for near-instant response time
  
• Lifetime warranty against defects
• Titanium hardware included