Air intake temp sensor
I originally had mine stuck between the ribs on the cone air filter, but have since removed the sensor. I bought that "Ebay special" 99 cents for that "20HP MOD!!". It was not 20 HP as I suspected, but it is a capacitor that bridges the connection when you unplug your sensor. I wrapped the plug in electrical tape after installing the capacitor and taped it to the original clip on the intake tube above the MAF sensor.
Basically it works like this... The sensor, depending on intake temp, changes resistance (ohms). With the air temp at 68 degrees the sensor sends 2.1 - 2.9k ohms to the ECU. At 176 degrees, the resistance is .27 - .38k ohms. The capacitor sends a constant 3k ohm signal so the ECU adjusts the air/fuel mixture for a the intake air being steady 50 degrees. This produces a richer mixture and more power. I would recommend using a capacitor that would set your intake temp around 100 degrees unless you have a heat shield around your filter or a cold air intake.
I noticed a boost in power right away, and have had it like this for a good 20,000 miles with absolutely no problems or trouble codes. With the mods I've done (intake, exhaust, suspension, 'creative' tuning of the timing and idle mixture screw (which raises and lowers the power curve in the RPM range) and a bunch of suspension work), my car is considerably quicker than stock, extremely reliable, and when driven sensibly (RARE!!) it gets an average 40 MPG!! I usually hit the canyons (ludicris speed 6000 RPM+) daily and get into many stoplight and freeway sprints with all the Hondas and BMWs around here (90% I'll win too). I still get between 32 and 35 MPG!! I have put 65,000 hard driven miles on her and other than routine maintenance, replaced only a small hose going from the power steering pump to the resevior. Which was a failed clamps fault, not the hose.
So far, everyone I have shown off the car to has been either extremely impressed or were scared to death and will never sit in my passenger seat again!! I used to race the old 1st generation RX7's and other than the thrill of drifting, I am much happier with my 1996 200SX SE.
I hope my ramblings have helped!!
Keith "Canyoncruzin" Foster
1996 Nissan 200SX SE
128,000 miles
Partial list of work done:
Shielded cone intake, Magnaflow cat back, all the best NGK parts and synthetic fluids, AGXs, Eibach Proline springs, Stillen sway bar kit, Stillen strut tower bars, Potenza re950 tires, a handfull of cosmetic mods and hours of fine tuning.
SEE YOU ON MULHULLAND HWY!!