Intake Air Temperature
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 670
Intake Air Temperature
On a NON-supercharged/intercooled LS3, what are the typical IAT's when moving?
On my A&A supercharged LS3, the ECM shows around 2-3 degrees higher than the outside temp. Yesterday, it was 80F outside and my IAT showed 82-83F.
Just curious if the intercooler keeps IAT's lower than a non-boosted application?
On my daily drivers, the IAT is usually 10-15 degrees higher than the outside temps.
On my A&A supercharged LS3, the ECM shows around 2-3 degrees higher than the outside temp. Yesterday, it was 80F outside and my IAT showed 82-83F.
Just curious if the intercooler keeps IAT's lower than a non-boosted application?
On my daily drivers, the IAT is usually 10-15 degrees higher than the outside temps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 726
From: New Jersey-ish
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
ZR1 here, IAT1 is always ambient or 1-2 degrees within. It’s measuring/reading temp from the mass airflow sensor, I believe, regardless of C6 model. An intercooler won’t have an effect on that specific reading. IAT2, yes.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 670
Thank you for the info. Looks like the LS3 uses a good "cold air" setup for the IAT to remain within a few degrees of outside.
Most of my other daily driver cars struggle to stay within 10-15 degrees of outside temps when moving. Mainly due to the air intake on those cars being in a location where a lot of hot air is introduced before going into the engine.
On a supercharged application like mine, doesn't the air get compressed and "heated up" prior to passing the IAT when in boost?
Most of my other daily driver cars struggle to stay within 10-15 degrees of outside temps when moving. Mainly due to the air intake on those cars being in a location where a lot of hot air is introduced before going into the engine.
On a supercharged application like mine, doesn't the air get compressed and "heated up" prior to passing the IAT when in boost?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 726
From: New Jersey-ish
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Yeah, that'll show as IAT2, if you're using a ZR1 MAP or something along those lines. Also, if you sit still long enough, IAT1 shoots up. The second you get moving, it plummets, at least for me.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 220
i was just looking at the same thing. What I think is happening is that while yes, at idle/cruise the air is being heated by the compression, its so little compression its negligible. further, its actually moving a lot of air through the intake tract so its always cooling it, and near ambient. I noticed when i was not boosted, the IAT would be 20*+ in really stop and go traffic. Probably because the intake tube heated up and didnt have enough airflow to cool down.
Sidenote - get into boost at higher RPMs and watch the IATS make a run for higher temps.
Sidenote - get into boost at higher RPMs and watch the IATS make a run for higher temps.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 728
Likes: 399
From: WI
Sure, but since your IAT (part of your MAF sensor) is located after your intercooler you won't see the IAT reflect the hottest air coming out of the blower. If you do a long pull you'll see the IATs climb a bit.
Last edited by DarkC-6; Apr 1, 2026 at 09:22 AM.
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