As many of us have come to realize the ACT sensor can cause some dramatic changes in performance on our cars. This becomes even more evident when switching to metal cold air intakes or while driving in extreme ambient temps. Being that they affect so many different aspects of our computer it's obvious it is pivotal to have a ACT sensor that is both clean and accurate. I, as well as a couple others have experimented with different resistors and such to replace the ACT sensor. Some have seen advantages as well as disadvantages to trying to fool the computer. While I saw benefits from such resistors, I never felt comfortable about not having the flexibility of the computer being aware of adjustments in temperature. Because of this I have since switched back to the typical ACT sensor.
Currently in SoCal we are seeing ambient temps over the 100* mark. This again began to spur some additional thought in regards to this topic. Over the years of replacing and switching sensors I remembered that not all sensors were alike. I remembered that some of the sensors I had used were made solely of plastic, while others were made of metal where it screwed into the intake track as well as the casing that protected the sensor. I couldn't help but ponder the effects in this realm further in regards to idea of heat soak which many show concern about with the metal cold air intakes. I came to the conclusion that a metal sensor casing would only heat soak the reading furthermore, than what the actual reading from the element should be.
This began to change my previous thinking. Before I had thought a metal casing was indicative of a stronger, longer lasting, higher quality, and more accurate sensor. And while technically this may be the case, in real world setting I began to think this wouldn't hold quite as true. After coming to this conclusion I searched through my Mustang-Pile-O-Extra-Crap and found a ACT sensor I had replaced solely because of the fact I had previously looked more favorably on a metallic one. I may be crazy
but I think the entirely plastic sensor actually makes the car perform far better in extreme heat. We'll see how it reacts over the next few days but I'm happy with the switch so far 
I don't know what brand or type of sensors many of you use, but for those who are concerned about this subject, this may be an additional consideration when looking into the effects of the ACT sensor on performance. Thanks for listing to my ramblings.
- Justin
Currently in SoCal we are seeing ambient temps over the 100* mark. This again began to spur some additional thought in regards to this topic. Over the years of replacing and switching sensors I remembered that not all sensors were alike. I remembered that some of the sensors I had used were made solely of plastic, while others were made of metal where it screwed into the intake track as well as the casing that protected the sensor. I couldn't help but ponder the effects in this realm further in regards to idea of heat soak which many show concern about with the metal cold air intakes. I came to the conclusion that a metal sensor casing would only heat soak the reading furthermore, than what the actual reading from the element should be.
This began to change my previous thinking. Before I had thought a metal casing was indicative of a stronger, longer lasting, higher quality, and more accurate sensor. And while technically this may be the case, in real world setting I began to think this wouldn't hold quite as true. After coming to this conclusion I searched through my Mustang-Pile-O-Extra-Crap and found a ACT sensor I had replaced solely because of the fact I had previously looked more favorably on a metallic one. I may be crazy
but I think the entirely plastic sensor actually makes the car perform far better in extreme heat. We'll see how it reacts over the next few days but I'm happy with the switch so far I don't know what brand or type of sensors many of you use, but for those who are concerned about this subject, this may be an additional consideration when looking into the effects of the ACT sensor on performance. Thanks for listing to my ramblings.
- Justin
