My truck is stock, and will essentially stay that way. I have no plans for aftermarket tuner boxes or performance parts. I only tow about 5,000#; mostly at high altitude (>5,000' ASL) But I'm sure the truck is up to the task right out of the box.

I'm thinking about adding gauges. In particular, looking at the Quadzilla Commander. I was reading the installation instructions, and that brought up questions about Exhaust gas temps.

1. For the EGT pyrometer, it says to drill and tap a hole in the top of the exhaust manifold. The engine should be running, so no chips go into the engine. Won't the chips then go into the turbo? Why doesn't that cause a problem with the turbo?

2. Or, drill and tap a hole in the down pipe - after the turbo. Engine off, chips end up in the muffler. How secure is the probe when its just drilled into exhaust pipe? I guess you could build it up with JB Weld.

3. Which temp should you be monitoring - before or after the turbo? And what should those temps be?

Do I really need to be monitoring these things? Doesn't the ECU monitor trans temps, fuel pressure, etc?

 

You probably do not need guages for that load. I live a little n of you and we pull our 12k tt th up thru Woodland Park during the summer among other mtn destinations. I definitely have to keep an eye on the egt's for that load whether I am stock or tuned. I am sure there are quite a few farmers and ranchers that have stock trucks and no guages.
However, if you are going to get them the egt probe should be installed pre turbo in the exhaust manifold between the 3 and 4 ex port. With the Commander I think you only have to "drill" the ex mani and the rest of the info comes from the computer via plug n play connector. I did not do mine, for the 100 bucks it cost to have it done I thought it better.
I have a Bully Dog outlook monitor that is similar to the Commander if you are interested send me a pm. My truck is an 06 5.9

 

Pre turbo is preferred. You have more knowledge of what the temp is where most important, the cylinders! Pistons start to melt at 1350*. My truck stock would get to over 1400* if I keep my foot in it. Now it runs much cooler and I don't have to keep my foot in it nearly as long to get up to speed. There are several methods to installing the probe in the manifold all have worked, but I have had good success several times by using a center punch to mark the hole, then applying high temp grease to a proper sized drill bit. The cuttings will be held in the grease. Just don't fool around reaming the hole with the drill. I then coat my threader (die) with the same grease and thread the hole. I run a magnetic tipped tool around the hole and inside to gather up loose chips but usually never get any. Install the probe and guage and your done. If you have the motor running it shakes, makes noise and distracts you, could get you hurt, when it is not necessary. I have installed at least 6 like this and never a problem. Oh and most have over a 100000 miles on them now with no turbo issues and one was even a dirty-max!!

 

I drilled my manifold per commander instructions. Turn the truck off and dip the drill bit in grease as you drill. When your done drilling and tapping use a pen magnet and get everything out of the manifold you can. I have done several trucks like this with no problems. Quadzilla is coming out with a new moniter that looks to be better than the commander, its called the scout.
http://www.quadzillapower.com/produc...ex.cfm/p/Scout

 

Thanx for the information. I'm an old school kinda guy. Gauges make me happy, and idiot lights make me nervous. Especially if I'm running the equipment pretty hard. But I don't think 5K# is much of a load for this truck. And I'll certainly never race it.

But mountain passes and heavy head winds can increase the load significantly. Last time I towed across WY, I was bucking a 48mph head wind! That sucked some fuel. My poor little Dakota was struggling to maintain speed.

I'm led to believe that the ECU monitors all those things - except EGT. If they get outside of the parameters, the CEL will come on. Then I'll know to pull over and let things cool down and "rest".

Am I correct in that thinking?

 

Not sure on the 07's, but I get no CEL from high EGT's.
Stock should not need a gauge but like you say... nice to have.
Tapping the manifold while running at idle lets pieces fly through the turbine housing on the turbo with no harm done.
Put some tacky grease on drill bit and you will catch most of the shavings anyway.
Definately install it pre turbo!

RJ

 

I think gauges are a good idea stock or modified...why they don't come with them from the factory...? I don't know.

I prefer the analog gauges because you can reference where the pointer is at to determine things, instead of trying to read a number while you are driving down the road.

EGT gauge should be read before the turbo...if nothing else it lets you know when your truck is cool enough to shut down after a long haul with a load.

A boost gauge can be used to help you with MPG.

Transmission and Fuel Pressure Gauges are great as well.

As usual, there are more than one way to do things.

Personally, I would never have a vehicle running while working on the exhaust manifold...

Drill bits are designed to push shavings "out". Putting grease on them keeps the shavings stuck to the bit, and then they can fall off in the hole, but a lot of people seem to have success with it, so whatever you feel comfortable with.

Use a good tap and cutting oil, then clean out the hole with a small magnet.

 

I've done EGT probes on at least 10 trucks. If you tape off 3/4 of your exhaust pipe, and drill while she's running, there will be no chips getting into your exhaust wheel... they will blow back... in your face... wear GLASSES. Drill slowly and you will be fine. I tap with it running to. I have never had any problems with any of them

 

I've done a few, and prefer to drill on the top of the manifold where there's a horizontal section of manifold below where any chips that didn't get caught by the grease could be picked up by a magnet.

Generally there might only be a few flecks that would have been harmless, anyway.

Even with a stock truck and that load, an EGT gauge is worth having IMHO.

My stock 03 with about 11k of 5th wheel could hit 12000 and a bit above in pedal to the floor runs up a grade. It is just nice to know what the engine is doing, and it also takes the guesswork out of turbo cool down...

I'll put an Isspro in an SRT-10 A pillar in the 06 when I get time, even though it will stay stock (but tows a much larger 5th wheel).


Also, I'm starting to think that people might be overly paranoid about drill/tap chips. I've read a lot of forums and there is lots of discussions about various methods, but I have never seen even one thread where someone claimed to have installed a pyro and trashed the turbo from chips.

I could see how it could happen, if you left a big honkin curly shaving sitting in the manifold to get blown into the turbo while it's at speed... but I think if you are at all careful that won't happen.

 

Drilled mine with the engine running and exhaust pipe mostly taped, did not find it to hot or shaking or dangerous, just seen lots of chips flying out which made me feel better but I'm sure those small chips won't hurt a thing either way. Safest way is to remove the turbo. I personally believe you cannot hurt the engine with such a small load, I recently towed 6k (with lots of wind resistance) 4,000 mi thru all kinds of conditions, and at times tryed to get the EGT's to climb, and could not get above 1300 no matter the grade or wind.

http://www.dieselmanor.com/diy/CMS3-gauge/G3image1.htm

 

no the computer will not do anything i had excessive egt temps on my 07 and the truck didnt care never showed a code and it was reaching 1500 preturbo and it was stock