air temp sensor vs air mass sensor

[madmanstiff]

I currently own the 1.6 miata and I've been toying with the idea of modifying the engine. Inlet and exhaust for the time being as I will be building a separate engine for use later obviously an on going project due to cost. One thing I had mentioned to me was that the air mass sensor could be swapped for an air temperature sensor. I'm wondering if there is any truth in this and if so a how to would be handy and the would allow me to remove the excessively long and windy induction pipes.
Cheers for your help.

[DVandrews]

I doubt it, they have very different functions and responses.

Dave

[MX-5 Lazza]

Not on the standard ECU. If you use a standalone programmable ECU you can use a MAP sensor and air temp sensor instead of the AFM.

[CaptiV8ted]

That's a big no no. Air temp sensors use a completely different algorithm than a flap type flow meter (well, that's what Megasquirt tells me!)

The problem with MX5s is that they're not very tuneable by traditional methods. Even with a throttle body setup and after market ECU you won't see much over 130hp on a 1.6. Not a huge gain for a lot of outlay. That's why most people go forced induction.

This is available...

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.asp...

... it moves the airflow meter to the front of the engine with a direct air feed. Expensive though.

Even cams and head work aren't particularly effective. Go forced induction!

[madmanstiff]

Forced induction is going to be the end result hopefully but that will be after the second engine is built as I would rather have peice of mind. I don't want to risk blowing the engine and taking the turbo with it. So for now it is naturally aspirated mods preferably ones that can be carried over to the turbo.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Unless there is a problem with your engine or you are planning to go over about 260bhp/lb ft then you don't need to build a new engine. MX5s have a very strong engine and can cope with a lot of abuse.

[Richyvrlimited]

CaptiV8ted said:

The problem with MX5s is that they're not very tuneable by traditional methods. Even with a throttle body setup and after market ECU you won't see much over 130hp on a 1.6.

Not strictly true anymore. BLiNK are doing some n/a packages which are very impressive. 130bhp from a 1.6 on a Dynapaq (equates to more like 165bhp on a 'normal' dyno).

http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1...