IAT modification using resistor

I was wondering if anyone has seen advertisments for a computer chip(a couple cent resistor) that you use in place of your IAT sensor(temperature sensor mounted in you air intake). As far as I know the IAT sensor allows your computer set your fuel to air ratio according to the temperature of the air comming into your engine. The air molecules are more condenced in cold air then they are in hot air, which is why someone would install a intercooler. What this resistor would do is tell your computer that you were constantly getting cold air. Which would thereby increase the amount of fuel to the amount of air going into your engine, or Fuel to Air Ratio. The problem I see is the effects from running on a high fuel/air ratio made for cold air, when your actually getting hot summer air. Most companys an ebay will advertise it and garantee that it will boost your hoarsepower by 20+. Even if it was only a couple more horses it would be worth it sense there is practacly no money or labor involved in this modification.

If someone could elaborate on this subject it would be greatly appreciated. Anything as to engine harm, other sideffects, actual BHP increases, fuel milage results, emitions effects, ect. Thanks a lot!

Its going to make it run rich, which is going to hurt performance and milage. It may also trigger a check engine light and run in limp mode if the signal never changes and the computer notices it.

It will Absolutely not increase "HP by 20".

Depending upon the size of the resistor they provide in the kit it will do nothing other than make it run slightly leaner, richer or nothing at all. It would be theoretically possible to adjust it to a slightly leaner condition than stock at WOT and give you a bit more HP. But you won't see anywhere near 20 unless your existing thermistor is broke.

Jim
SR