Q- I am looking at getting your XZT towing module. I am bare stock 03 no Cat. I know that most people say that gauges are a must and even nice if totally stock. Is it truly necessary for gauges? I really don't want to spend a lot of money on performance (too many other hobbies and places to spend) What do you recommend for a good set up at an inexpensive price without possibly damaging anything. I am not into drag or pulling, just towing performance. Thoughts? straight pipe? cool air intake? thanks--in advance for your time.

 

Jezzhuntin,

Look at the DTR store at the QUAD XZT standard and RECON monitor. Looks like about $650 and you have it all. I love my Quad RACE BOX and wouldn't even think of running a box without gauges or a monitor system. It will suprize you how fast your EGT will get out of line. With the monitor or gauges you always know where you stand.


http://store.dieseltruckresource.com/qurexzt.html

 

Dumb question, but what do you do when EGT, etc get way out line? shut it down? I understand the concept, but how do you keep from doing damage when things get abnormal?

 

You'll find that simply letting off the throttle slightly will lower the EGT. If you're towing on a grade it may be as easy as downshifting to raise RPM. No need to stop and shut down.

This is why you need gauges or a monitor. It's easy to control the way you work your truck when you can see what it's doing.

Other Mods like intake and exhaust will also help keep your EGT's down but for what you say you want I would just start with the monitor and a Box like the QUAD standard. You'll be amaized how much difference 100HP makes

I'm sure that others here with more experience will be chiming in soon with more info as well.

 

Quads Commander (and other units out there also) will defuel for you when temps reach a user set point. Eliminates most of the chance for melt down.

 

I don't think the Recon will defuel but the whole setup with it would be cheap. The xzt doesn't seem to be very hard on egts. Even set on 100 I have to be in it hard to hit 1000* empty and 1100 towing with the stock muffler on. I went by Quad's and had the Commander put in I set it to defuel at 1300 degrees and went home to Big Spring (later, I was at a rodeo in Stephenville) Pulling a 3horse trailer with 8'short wall and 7' tall walls (only one horse) I hit Ranger hill in 6th and could have gone all the way up without dropping a gear if it wasn't for the traffic jam and I never got to 1250* and that was set on 100hp before I put the muffler back on.

 

Without knowing what you are going to do with your truck it is hard to say if you have to have gauges. Gauges are always cheap insurance and if you ever get gauges you will not drive another truck without them.

IF you are running around empty and even doing some pretty good runs empty with the XZT you will not ever get EGT's where it will hurt your truck. IF you haul stuff then the best bet is to get some sort of gauge. It only takes a few trips of hauling with EGT's a little out of whack to hurt something.

On your truck a 4" exhaust would be the best thing to reduce EGT's. An intake will help but, not near like the 4" exhaust will.

As mentioned we have packaged the ReconXZT with the XZT modules for around $520 retail. This is a stand alone gauge set with a stand alone module. The gauge will read egt, boost and transmission temperature.

WE also have it packaged with the Commander for around $150 more or so. Obviously it has a much larger and nicer display (not knocking the REcon) and has the ability to actually control the module and defuel it as well as a host of other options. You also need to budget some money for a pillar mount if you use the Commander as the pillar mount is awesome.

I guess to answer the original question if you are on a strict budget I would get the XZT. IF you are hauling or can handle a couple hundered more dollars get the REcon to go with it. You can then make the decision if you need to 4" exhaust if you have egt issues.

Also as mentioned EGT's are directly related to your right foot. You can drop egt's several hundered degrees in a matter of a second by backing out of the throttle. You can also raise them as quickly up to a point where it will level off. Both EGT and Boost are constantly moving and changing.

A lot of people relate gauge with a water temp gauge and think they will be boring or useless most of the time but, egt and boost are very entertaining to watch as you drive and you can learn a lot about what is going on by watching them.


Quad