Hello..........First time to post a question and I need some advice. I am new to the diesel world and I am wondering on the installation of the EGT gauge......pre-turbo or post-turbo.
I have read a few threads here and other places about the pre- turbo being more accurate but I am very concerned about drilling and any foriegn material making it through the turbo and causing me more problems. Is this something to be concerned with or should I go with a post turbo set up?
I do have a 30' TT that I have pulled once-------I just got this truck a few weeks ago. Any help would be appreciated

Thanks
JIM

 

I guess it all comes down to how you want your gauge to read. I went pre-turbo because i wanted a more accurate reading. When you drill and tap the hole you wont have problems sending stuff through the turbo and damaging it. its not enough to hurt the turbo.

 

Jim,
A big welcome to our party. Bring your hat and toys and come sit a spell - - we have fun.
Pre-turbo seems to be the place of choice. If you loosen your turbo right below the manifold, you can get enough space to slide in a piece of plastic or thin cardboard to catch anything that might drop down in while drilling. The hardest part of that is getting at those two back nuts. Load up the drill with grease while drilling to keep the cuttings on the drill. Clean it often and regrease. Some guys do nothing - - just drill it. I paid too much for this sucker - - I was going to do everything possible to keep stuff out of that little turbo thingy. It is suggested by most to drill the manifold toward the rear of the manifold where it turns down to the turbo about 2" above the flange. Don't drill it in the middle - - there is a splitter in there.
Good luck,
Bob

 

I just installed my pyro gauge a week ago and was worried about drilling the exhaust manifold too. It wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be. I greased the drill bit and tap. I also had a little flexible magnet to go in the manifold and fish the shavings out. It was actually fairly easy if you take your time and do it right.

 

I have thought about doing this mod also, but am concerned about the warranty on my new truck. I know any mods run the risk of voiding the warranty on that particular portion of the vehicle, but I don't want the engine warranty voided. Has anyone run into a warranty problem after installing a EGT gauge? Thanks

 

[quote author=eswartz link=board=20;threadid=20857;start=0#msg195756 date=1065917566]
I have thought about doing this mod also, but am concerned about the warranty on my new truck. I know any mods run the risk of voiding the warranty on that particular portion of the vehicle, but I don't want the engine warranty voided. Has anyone run into a warranty problem after installing a EGT gauge? Thanks

[/quote]

Same here. Hooking up a boost gauge requires no drilling, but EGT does. I would hate to have my warranty voided over an EGT probe.

 

I sure can't see how they could void a warrenty for guages.
Pyros come stock on many diesel powered over the road trucks. All the guage does is protect yours and their interest in the well being of the engine.
From what I remember reading about the warrenty, they have to have reason to believe what you did directly caused what ever failure you are trying to warrenty. The only thing I can come up with for an EGT guage, would be the exhaust manifold cracking due to the hole drilled into it.
I can see them able to void warrenty on driveline stuff and engine if you change the power level.

 

Hello All,

Does anyone know if the triple-guage A-pillar pod is available for the 2004 Ram? I am thinking of installing EGT, trans. oil temp, and boost. I am looking at the Autometer 2-1/16" white guages to match the dash. What ranges do I need (more than 250 deg. on tranny? how much boost/vacuum?)

Thanks,

Tom

 

Tom,

I would suggest thinking about installing a fuel pressure guage....I realize that you have a "new" 04 but that doesnt mean that all the fuel system problems of the previous models are completely fixed.....its always a good idea to monitor the output of the lift pump, IMO....

 

I used duct tape to tape my Shop Vac hose right next to my drill bit and you should have seen that thing sucking the shavings out of the hole faster than I could make them. Worked great for drilling and tapping. I have good pics of EGT and boost fitting locations in my member's photo gallery..check them out. Also have a couple decent pics of the X-Monitor digital gauge...three gauges in one and you get to keep your grab handle.

 

If the '04 is like the '03 in any way, I can get gauges for it, but As I have not installed gauges for this truck yet (My first install is scheduled Feb 2nd...) I could not help you much with where to tap for diming control over the gauge lights, or a "key-on" source for power. I'm sure here on DTR there is plenty who can help.

You won't need a vacuum gauge. You will need a 0-30 or 0-35 Boost gauge. (Diesel's do not generate vacuum in the intake, nor do they need to maintain an Air:Fuel Ratio)

You'll need a 0-~1600 EGT gauge,, although, you shouldn't be going above 1250*.

You'll need like a 100-250* Tranny temp, or a 150-300* something close to that.

Fo fuel pressure, you could use a 0-15 or 0-30. Your Lift pump should put out about 15PSI. I'm not familiar with the '03-'04's yet on how LP pressure falls with more RPM.

Private message me, or e-mail me LPD@stx.rr.com and we can talk some more if you would like. My phone # is in my sig


Merrick

 

Thanks for the help, guys.

I'm reasonably handy, but the EGT sensor install scares me. Even using the recommended procedure (doing drilling/tapping while engine runs with plugged tailpipe, to create blow-out in the sensor hole) it seems hard to believe that on a big 7/16" hole no shaving will fall in. Thereafter, any engine problems that could be related to shavings in the turbo flow may be rejected by Dodge WRT warranty. I can just see me showing up with a plugged injector, or worse, and be given the bum's rush, even if the install is perfect.

This procedure I downloaded showed the sensor on top of the ex. manifold, in front of turbo. Is it possible to mount it somewhere on the exhaust pipe (to put only cat. conv. and muffler at risk) and somehow scale the readings for this (cooler?) location?

Tom

 

Tom,

You can get a 3 pod A-pillar mount from this site... they (Geno's) are a high quality company and have great customer service:

http://216.167.41.9/CoastalData/show...ectGroup_ID=86

The pod fits up pretty well (I had to trim mine just a touch) and goes over the factory A-pillar after completely cutting off the handle. If you buy the gauge kit from them they will send pretty good instructions. Merrick listed the normal ranges for gauges, but I would get a 0-50 or 0-60 psi boost gauge... just in case The idle FP on the 3rd gens is about 7-8 psi and will drop to 5-6 underway and 3-4 at WOT. Drilling the manifold is very straightforward, and any debris that falls in the turbine housing will get blown harmlessly out the exhaust when you first crank the truck. I always grease the drill bit and suck out through the hole with a shop vac, but have never had a problem with it. I would highly suggest not drilling while the truck is running.


EDIT: I just noticed the Genos site lists that pod in black only, but my pod came molded in the off white/gray plastic to match the factory pillar... no painting required!

John

 

Banshee - did you get a FP gauge?

 

I was thinking of adding gauges to my truck too and have been saving pictures of where to install that pyro probe. Here is a picture I saved from TDR from some one that has done the same thing. Hope it helps

If the picture doesn't so up you can go to my web site here
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fau...&.dnm=e68c.jpg