koogala

I did a thread a few months ago about the need for a pyrometer in a truck
with a 100 hp chip. I said that in normal driving conditions I did not think there was a dire need for it. Needless to say, I RAISED the ire of the pro gauge "Bling" crowd, as one amusing fellow commented. I suppose what really
raised thier ire was the way I started it, and, to say the least it was rather
brash. To the "Gaugers" I offer my sincere apology. I respect the right of freedom in "Dieseldom"....

After much thought & response to my thread, I installed a Autometer pyro,
mainly because of all the comments I got a little worried because I couldn't
afford to be wrong. I said I would report back in on what I found. I do this mainly for people who, like myself a year or so ago, knew absolutely nothing
& were just coming in here reading about dangers of egt's and going thru the roof & such.

My findings are as follows: If you are modded out,stacking boxes & maxxing
out, YES, its a no brainer...you need it. In my truck, the only mods being a swiss cheese airbox, a flow thru design glass-pack performance muff & a
100 hp chip the ONLY time I EVER see hot readings approaching 1200+ is
when you are still laying on it AFTER the truck is in OD. The temps will raise
like crazy; VERY fast in OD if you are still hittin the juice. Once you stop
& maintain a speed the egts will run 6-800 depending on how fast you're cruising (70-80 mph)

One fellow told me he "Could not IMAGINE running a 100 hp chip without
a pyro"

I cannot IMAGINE a person who drives an EMPTY diesel pickup so hard he
regularly hits 1200+ and HIGHER.. After I put the pyro in I didn't change my driving: I would still get after it on the freeways every now & then & also squeal the tires OCCASIONALLY...I'm not a Puritan, after all. I NEVER approached 1200...1100 sometimes...USUALLY between 1000-1100.

Curiosity being what it is, I wanted to see what it took to get to 1300-1400
area..ONCE. I nailed it for everything my right foot would do & got to
around 1350 & let off....No wonder everything winds up broke & burned up.

The only area I see egts get high on a 100 hp box is fueling AFTER shifting
into OD, pure & simple... Even spirited driving only gets to around 1000 or so
...still, very safe egt.

ohyeahfriday

This is interesting information that you bring to light. I too see it like you did when you bought the gauge. Can't afford to be wrong. I would rather have the gauges to tell me that it is time to get out of the skinny pedal, just in case I have a severe mental lapse and don't do it automatically.
I will be honest, I know VERY little about these animals, but based on what I have read here, and learned in regards to soooo much else in life, "It is better to have and not need than to be without and needing."
Besides, they look cool, how much more crucial can it get

koogala

Glad you liked it...People like you are exactly the group I wanted to reach
with what I found. I just want newbies to know they won't melt in the driveway if they don't have a gauge, EVEN with a hi-perf box....Just remember
TOWING, I've read, IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT ANIMAL. Back down on the lower settings for that

jrussell

Find a hill...

ohyeahfriday

now, now...

P.J

So, I guess you might as well just uninstall the gauge(s) and go about your merry way then, right?

No sense in having any "Bling" gauges if you already know your "chip" is not taking your EGT's to high.........

jrussell

It doesn't really make a lot of sense. First he said gauges are not needed, then said he needed one to be sure of that, and now that he has one he's back to recommending no gauges.


koogala, I wouldn't go around telling people they don't need gauges just because YOU don't while driving around empty on flat roads. Weather, tires, inclines, and loads all play huge roles in EGT's. For example many many people here (including myself) have seen their EGT's get over 1300-1400* with a stock unloaded truck. It's not just in OD either, I hit 1500+ just by doing a short 15' burnout from a stop and I never hit temps that high in OD.

If you leave your truck 100% stock do you need gauges? Probably not.

Are gauges good to have anyway and do you need them with a modded truck? The answer is always YES!

carharttfarmer

i can hit 1350 just getting on the free way but its not spikes you worry about

TX_Diesel

I think some of you might be a bit too hard on Koogala.

I say that because 90% of the stuff on this site is opinions. And like jrussell was talking about, there are too many things that consitantly change to say if you have a box you must have gauges or vise versa. All Koogala was doing was giving his opinion and stating what he saw.

I would say if you drive your truck hard then it's a good idea to get gauges, if you have a modded truck.

If you baby your truck, never run it hard then you probably don't need gauges even if you have a modded truck.

And as far as hitting high EGT's on a stock truck. I'm fairly sure that they can take it, if they couldn't then DC would put a gauge in and say something like if you reach this temp back off or we won't honor your warranty or something like that. If not, these guys you see pulling backhoes weighed down with 20K lbs going 80 down the road would have their trucks in the shop 24/7.

Thanks for the info Koogala, it will be helpful to some people.

Just my 2 cents on the matter...

P.J

I hear what you are saying TX Diesel, but are you really that confident in DC's ability to decide what/who needs a gauge? What about the hundred thousand or so people (self included) that drove around with zero fuel pressure and killed their VP's on the older trucks? I would have though Chrysler would have got the point after the first 10,000 warranty claims..........?

koogala

LIKE I SAID..............

My findings are as follows: If you are modded out,stacking boxes & maxxing
out, YES, its a no brainer...

One fellow told me he "Could not IMAGINE running a 100 hp chip without
a pyro"

I cannot IMAGINE a person who drives an EMPTY diesel pickup so hard he
regularly hits 1200+ and HIGHER.. ............People like you are exactly the group I wanted to reach
with what I found. I just want newbies to know they won't melt in the driveway if they don't have a gauge, EVEN with a hi-perf box.........

TX_Diesel

LOL,

I'm one of the people that would suggest gauges. With a modded truck.

I just wanted to remind everyone that in the end, read all the opinions and make your own decision.

Somtimes i think those DC people are really smart and sometimes I just have to shake my head.

I do feel sorry for the people who have a lot of trouble with stock trucks...

koogala

So you know more than DC?......

P.J

Apparently so. I had the sense to take steps to MONITOR my engine/fuel system. How many people rolled out if the service bay, ran out of warranty and then wondered (AGAIN) why their truck was sputtering............


I just generally don't like your attitude towards the members here, it's like you ask for advice, take it, then complain about how in the end you really didn't need to after all?

Or am I missing something?

35" 05'

I just want to say something on the whole "if you're stacking you need a gauge but not if its just 1 chip." It all depends on what you're stacking. Bddl or smarty & tst definately! But if you put a downloader with a quad or boost fooler, you will see lower temps than with just a downloader. My bullydog alone will reach dangerous temps FAST. bddl with the quad, Im doing something major to see 1300* with a stock charger. Just common sense. more timing, minus 100*. More air from boost, another 100+.