brucepick

How hot can the intake air get, safely?
Is there a point where the sensor is damaged or the engine won't run right?

This is a fuel economy thing. Car is a '97 Civic HX. Warm/hot intake seems to be getting better me mpg but I don't want to go too far. I see IAT's of 160ºF coming in summer weather - based on seeing 120ºF in 60-degree weather this past weekend.

Yes I know all about CAI helping hp. BTDT on my previous car. This is for fuel economy so I'm fine with reduced get up and go.

newtron63h

the iat should be fine for whatever heat range you could put to it. but im not sure how high it will read.

the main thing about higher intake temps is the combustion temp. if you go too far with it you could run into detonation or preignition problems. since that engine is designed to run lean anyways(lean is hot) this might not be a good idea. holes in pistons will ruin your day.

Sr420Det

It distributes (atominizes whatever) the fuel better when its hot. I think i've seen my reach like 180 on hondata (the motor was actually about to overheat (including coolent) and it was turbocharged on a long trip). About being safe I would say 160 but I really have no clue. How are you viewing the temps anyways?

brucepick

ScanGauge shows intake air temp, coolant temp, and more via the car's OBDII connector while driving.

It does this to protect itself from lean burn high combustion temps: lean burn only occurs up to throttle position (TPS) 32, on a scale of 9 - 89. Beyond that is open loop and no lean burn.