All vehicles will lose some degree of performance due to heat soak under the right operating conditions. Engine management systems constantly monitor operating conditions and modify parameters based on sensor inputs. BMW integrated the intake air temp sensor in the MAF housing several models, including those powered by the N52. Absorbing excess heat from its surroundings, the MAF can’t shed it fast enough, and the ECU reads an inaccurately high intake air temperature. Compensating for this false hot air measurement, the ECU pulls timing and runs a richer fuel mixture, resulting in a significant loss of torque.

What can you do to get rid of this heat soak? Turner designed an IAT relocation kit that moves the intake air temp sensor to a cooler location. Mounting the sensor further away from the heat source and isolating it from the MAF housing, it can both resist the effects of heat soak longer and respond to temperature changes more quickly. The result is you’ll experience reduced torque loss and more consistent power output when you’re pushing your engine hard.

The Turner engineering team was initially skeptical of the claimed performance benefits of this modification. They first set out to validate the functionality and performance benefit of a temp sensor relocation. Replicating stop-and-go traffic heat soak in a 2006 330i was a simple task in a controlled environment - their dynometer. First the car was heat soaked to simulate being stuck in traffic or moving at low speeds by running the car four times on the dyno with the dyno's cooling fans disabled. The fans were then turned on for three more runs to observe the recovery rate once air flow was reintroduced. The test: following this procedure once with a stock IAT, and once with their relocation kit in place.

The Turner engineering team designed a complete plug and play kit (unlike all other options on the market) that makes for quick, easy, and reversible installation. Weather-sealed connectors keep out the elements, while sheathed wiring offers a clean appearance underhood. With a harness nearly 3 feet long - the Turner IAT relocation kit offers flexibility in positioning, but not too long that you're left with unsightly excess wiring. Turner recommends positioning the sensor in a location away from engine heat, but still within the intake ducting to achieve accurate intake temp readings - such as the far side of the base of the airbox. Vehicles with cold air intakes with cone-style filters can even position the sensor in the end of the filter. Simply drill a hole in your (cool) location of choice and plug in the harness.

Turner includes everything you need to relocate your IAT and cut out heat soak today.

Not for sale or use in the state of California on any pollution-controlled vehicle as per the California Air Resources Board.