Cadillac STS-V: MAT vs IAT2 vs IAT Advance

I am continuing to study the effects and behavior trends for intake air temperatures (IAT) versus after the intercooler air temps (IAT2), versus Manifold Air Temps (MAT).

This graph is a tuner discussion taken from an .hpl download in this thread.  It is not my STS-V, just interesting to see the data from this run.  In the run the author was studying the relationship between MAT, IAT2, and the effect of IAT on timing advance (IAT Advance).

HPTuner Dashboard from a web example

What this dash shows is a moment in time as the STS-V is about to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear at 6188 RPM and 64 mph.  The IAT incoming air temperature is 79F, so a mild day.

The IAT2 is 117F, taken off the sensor.  The MAT is a predicted value for the actual manifold temperature as follows:

ok there is some hidden logic here you cannot see, the IAT2 PID displays the raw IAT2 sensor reading. The IAT Spark table uses a prediction from the IAT2 reading that is meant to compensate for the slow moving IAT2 sensor. To predict IAT2 temperatures faster than the IAT2 sensor can actually measure them. Now for the happy coincidence: The MAT value is calculated from this predicted IAT2 value (using the usual Bias and Filter tables) and for your application the bias tables are all 0. Meaning MAT = Predicted IAT2.

So in other words, the IAT2 is useful, but the MAT perhaps reflects the value that the IAT Advance will use.  What we see here is that the MAT temp of 109F the IAT Advance is 0 degrees.

Later in the run as the MAT goes up to 212F the IAT Advance falls as low as -3.2 degrees.

Hp Tuners test drive snapshot example2

Summary:

MAT is perhaps as important as IAT2 in understanding the LC3 Supercharged V8’s responses to temperature over time.  After adding MAT to the Table display in HP Tuners one can select F instead of the default of K degrees, and same for the gauges so that MAT shows apples to apples with the IATs.

Generally the MAT changes much more rapidly than the IAT2 value, which as described is the purpose of its use.  It swings higher than the IAT2 max, but also recovers faster to lower temps.

 

 

A MAF is a MAF, Right? Well…

The Mass Air Flow sensor measures the mass of air entering an engine.  The fuel injection uses this and other information to predict the correct fuel/air mixture.  The MAF sensor used on the Cadillac STS-V and several other GM vehicles is the ACDelco 213-4222, GM p/n 15865791.

Looking up the intake tube at the MAF

Looking up the intake tube at the MAF

This sensor is actually made by Hitachi.  It is a combined sensor, and measures the mass air flow as well as the temperature of the air passing through the sensor.

The Camaro Community has discovered that not all examples of the same part number have identical responsive properties.  Summary.

This MAF is a card type MAF, which allows use of the same low-restrictive flow MAF sensor in a variety of intake diameter systems.  The Camaro and the STS-V for example use the same sensor.

What the hu-bub is about is that some lots of the sensor are –while working correctly — less responsive, and some lots are more responsive.  Although the part numbers are the same, the more responsive examples have a letter-number lot code along the side of the device, as opposed to a single-letter designator for the less responsive examples.

My STS-V MAF sensor is a “D” model, so I have ordered a cherry-picked letter-number model from Apex Motorsports to replace the current one.  I hope to swap to the more responsive MAF next trip to the dyno.

 

Adjustments for the Spectre Intake

After some discussion I have made the following adjustments to the intake install:

After install at the dyno with change notes added

Re-route hoses under the corner of lines:

New MAF clocking closer to 11:00 when viewed from passenger side:

Next headed out to do new temperature comparison runs.

 

Update:

I reclocked the bottom of the intake (changed the relative orientation of the pieces) to ensure clearance away from the fan shroud.

It would be handy if the parts had indicators that showed the correct relationship.  I also had a great deal of trouble getting and keeping the circular gasket gasket in the hole.

HP Tuners Dashboard monitoring IAT1 during cruise

My initial results looks promising in that IAT1 during cruise now goes near ambient as expected.  After I reset the battery the Scanned Ambient went to 32F, slowing coming up to 52F by the end of test 2.  I assume it has a delaying function since generally ambient temperatures don’t change very quickly.