i will go with that. just take the factory sensor that is already programed with the truck and use it. buying a resistor from radio shack does not seem like a good idea. the sensor needs to read variable air temp. if it keeps reading the same temp it might through a code.

 

A fixed resistor value for IAT will likely lead to errant fault codes.

Most PCMs/temp sensors on modern engines have rationality or plausibility faults. Meaning that at start up two or three sensor values are compared to each other to make sure all values are 'rational or plausible'. For example if the IAT , Battery Temp & Coolant Temp are not within 20 Deg F of each other after a long shutdown then a fault will be set.

Thus the value you pick of resistor may correspond to a much cooler value than the coolant or battery temp will be in mid summer. This could cause a fault for rationality.

In addition there are faults called 'in range faults' which are caused when a sensors value appears not to be changing with changes in engine operational characteristics. If the PCM sees a static value it will likely set one of these type of faults.

For the cost of a temp sensor, this would be a much better option.

 

BTW,

Does anyone have any real data on this change. I know its not much effort, but this seems like a very unsignificant impact to me. The air temperature can not be that significantly different based on the location change alone?

Just (skeptical) curious!

 

The metallic K&N tube gets pretty hot from engine heat needless to say. I may be wrong,but it seems to me that a relocated iat near the filter will pick up substantially cooler air than further down the tube, at the oem location. As far as the fixed value resistor is concerned, I agree that you would be risking major trouble. Absolutely stay with the variable value stock sensor. I am definitely going with the dual sensor idea and doing a summer/winter swap.

 

I guess it depends on what you mean by 'substantially'. My guess would be 5 -10 degrees max.

Its not a significant distance of change and its not a 'manifold' temp sensor so I don't anticipate a significant temp difference between the two locations. In addition on a natuarlly aspirated engine the air is not going to have any compression to generate much heat. Theres not a significant change in restrictions so I don't see how the moving air is warming that much in the short distance between the filter and the throttle body.

Furthermore, tricking the PCM into thinking the intake air is colder allows for advanced timing and possibly more fuel injected. But if the air isn't really cooler than the engine isn't likely to be able to take full advantage of these changes. You are howevere likely to have an adverse effect on emissions.

All of the above is just my opinion.