I am not exactly "gentle" on my trucks, and other toys. I tend to test their limits. I am also very understanding and accepting when they inevitably become injured, or otherwise incapacitated.

Today however, as I was drilling and tapping my manifold for my egt gauge, I was not as calm when I heard the tap begin to succumb to the stresses of its intended use. That alone would have been enough to initiate the launching of hand tools into the atmosphere, but it had to happen on the final turn. I was finally able to get it out, and look at the damage. One side of the tap was missing. I looked into the manifold, and didn't see anything. I was placing the thermocouple in front of the #5 cylinder, and right above the turbo flange. I knew where that missing piece had ended up.

I went in the house, and tried to convince myself everything was going to be ok, but it wasn't working. I was kicking myself for waiting until the last day of my vacation. I did not need to be without my truck.

My girlfriend was unable to ignore her curiosity. She had to see what I had done. She had to see the aftermath. A few minutes later she comes back in and asks me to explain to her what was wrong. She didn't quite understand the problem. After a long-winded, emotional explanation, she smiled and held out her hand. In that soft, sweet, beautiful hand was that small piece of metal. It was the most wonderful thing I had ever seen. It was that missing piece of the tap.

She said she walked over and looked over the fender, and saw something shimmer below the truck in the driveway. She assumed it was the part I was talking about, but wanted to see me sweat a little.

Sometimes I wonder what good deeds I performed in my past life, because I have sure needed all of the karmic help I have gotten.

 

I'm going to be doing mine and another guys in a few weeks, well as soon as the USB version of the Commander ships. Post some pic if possible, of the EGT install and of the Commander. Where did you mount your readout?

 

And people scoffed at me for dropping my turbo slightly for my pyro install...this is the reason I took the extra precaution. My tap didn't break but I was more concerned about the what ifs so this story is a prime example...only exception is you got very lucky by finding the extra broken piece.

As for locations for mounting the pyro...check my gallery as I have several pictures of my install.

Cheers!

 

I put it on the steering column as a temporary location, but I think I will leave it there. It seems to be a great location. I put the thermocouple right at #5 exhaust port. I just wanted it a little closer to the back, and close to the exhaust port. Other might suggest another location.

And next time I will drop the turbo. I have done ~15, and never had a problem. I will not have another scare. Definately not worth it. You never know when you will get a bad tap. It was a brand name, american made tap. It was just defective.

 

marry that girl!

 

....my tap work was less stressful; I dropped the turbo and put the rag back into the manifold before drilling... the pieces that came out on the rag weren't very big, but - how big does one have to be to hammer the turbo? Pretty small, I'm guessin'....

 

I have decided to drop the turbo also. A lot of guys have taped the exhaust and let the chips blow out, but for peace of mind, I'm going to drop it. Yea, better marry that girl. I can see it now, his and hers creepers and mechanix gloves..