Gauges are on order (tranny temp, tach, pyro, boost). Once I get those installed I plan to start my tuning and tweaking. It seems like most guys just tune the injection pump to EGT's at WOT and the amount to smoke at idle & cruise speed. Is that right?

Since I plan to use mine for towing (4000 lbs trail rig on 2000 lbs trailer) and towing puts more load on the motor - that means I should technically tune with that in mind, correct. So does that mean I should load up the trailer and find a steep hill / mountain pass to test the EGT's at WOT or a steedy highway speed? or is there some average reduced EGT number that I can use on flat ground to try not to exceed, So when I tow over mountain passes, I don't have to constantly watch the pyro???

Anyways - I'm just trying to figure out the best way to do this since I'm a noob at diesels...

Is there a tuning guide? I've read the articles on how to tweak the pump, but there doesn't really seem to be a guide to know when to have reached the best setting for your needs?

 

Loaded egts would be better. When you get the gauges installed, load up and get some baseline numbers for "stock". Then when you tweak, test unloaded, then test loaded as not to get too high egts testing the 1st time after mods.

 

If it won't go over 1000 empty, it will be pretty close to the max your setup will handle when you load it down - if you want to be able to tow with your foot on the floor.