Water temp sensor placement for SR20

[JarredSX]

Just confirming the correct placement for an aftermarket water temp sensor is in the top radiator hose (as I have seen this done multiple times). I assume this is as it is the water temp as it is leaving the engine? Also rough measurement shows the adapter size is 36mm, correct?

[JarredSX]

Confirmed in workshop manual that water leaves the block via the top radiator hose, cheers.

[JarredSX]

See attached shot of the water circuit.

[2Fass240us]

I tapped my thermostat housing for 1/4" NPT, then used a 1/4" NPT male - 1/8" NPT female fitting:

[2Fass240us]

In other words, radiator hose adapters are for suckas.

[Def]

Brass plumbing fittings are for rednecks.

[HybridAndy]

I run an HKS fan controller and I just wired it to read the stock ECU temp sensor (blue plugged sensor in the pic above from Andy).

I actually tapped it to the sensor wire running down by the ECU rather than run another wire through the firewall. I found an ECU pinout diagram online and just traced the wire back from the ECU and tapped it there (I believe the second wire on the sensor is just a reference ground).

I don't know what water temp gauge your using or what it's sensor voltage ranges are but you might try just piggy backing on the stock sensor rather than introducing another failure point.

[JarredSX]

Long story...

My Power FC displays the factory water temp sensor. I also have a Pivot Super Fan Controller that displays water (wired to factory sensor) and oil temp (seperate sensor in the sump).

I don't need the Pivot Super Fan Controller for fan control anymore and I am on a mission to reduce the amount of crap on my dash and what I need to monitor while on track. I am not looking for bling dash accessories.

So I picked up one of these multi-gauge displays since I already have the compatible wideband gauge.

http://www.plxdevices.com/multigauges.html

So the unit allows the display of up to 4 different readings, does peak values as well as an intelligent warning function.

I already have the wideband (1 reading), so I picked up an oil pressure module (1 reading) and I picked up a temperature unit (capable of two sensors, I chose water and oil).

Since the extra sensor was only $20 I just wanted to put it in to sanity check the factory sensor as well as provide the warning feature and have everything displayed in the one gauge. I am not just trying for the easy way out but I thought the top radiator house was a decent option for mounting.

On a side note the sensor modules seem pretty cool, they have analogue voltage outputs that I can wire into my power fc datalogit for datalogging and if the warning display isn't enough I can wire up a voltage switch to trigger a buzzer. I think flashing red display is going to be enough for now but.

[spent]

I tapped my thermostat housing for 1/4" NPT, then used a 1/4" NPT male - 1/8" NPT female fitting:

Wouldn't this give you temps much lower than engine temps, being that you're basically measuring temps coming out of the radiator?

[Preston]

No...thermostat opens from engine into hose to radiator...temps off the housing are engine temps.

[2Fass240us]

No...thermostat opens from engine into hose to radiator...temps off the housing are engine temps.

beat me to it

[CodyAce]

No...thermostat opens from engine into hose to radiator...temps off the housing are engine temps.

I'm pretty sure that's wrong (and if I'm wrong then I've been wrong for a long time). The upper hose is the return/outlet. When thermostat opens, it allows the coolant in the radiator to enter the engine, and pushes the hot water out of the engine and through the upper hose into the radiator.

I personally use a CustomSteel Upper hose outlet adapter. Easy to install, looks factory. Same piece can be used on FWD's. Pat also makes them with a -6 fitting for those wanting to use it for water supply to turbos (again popular with FWD, similar to S14 lines)






With Water feed: