Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Dumb questions about gages

[TenBensel]

Just installed a used Edge EZ for a trip to Oshkosh, WI pulling a 9000# trailer. (I had already put in a 4" exhaust. ) Thru the steep WV mountains, on some grades I had the pedal to the floor but couldn't hold the speed limit. A couple of these times I smelled the turbo? getting hotter than usual, since I had added the EZ. So, I think I should buy some gages. I have a standard transmission, so what gauges do I need besides the EGT? Boost? Where can I get them for a good price? A local shop in Charlotte wants $450+ for installing a couple gages.



This brings up another question. I talked to an RV owner at Oshkosh who said that some people run the Cummins 5. 9 (I don't know what model) with the wastegate permanently shut either mistakenly or on purpose and that the Cummins mechanics said that they have never seen a problem result from that. If that is true it makes me wonder why we need a wastegate or a boost gage?



One more dumb question: What does BOMB mean?

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

BOMB - Better Off Modified Baby



I use a boost elbow on my truck, this still allows the waste gate to operate but makes it operate at a much higher pressure. In stock form my truck would make 20-21 psi of boost, now I can hit 38-39 psi with an Edge Comp and the boost elbow. Did your EZ come with a boost elbow? I have also run with a plug in the actuator port during testing with no adverse effects, this essentially makes the waste gate inoperative.



Pulling 9000 lbs in the mountains with any modifications I would want at least an EGT gauge but also a boost gauge to see any problems. You will find by searching the threads around here that holding it to the floor while climbing hills and towing a load can have bad consequences like melting the #6 piston. I personally have EGT, Boost and fuel pressure ISSPRO EV gauges and bought them on line. You could buy all three gauges for less than $300 total and install them yourself. Geno's garage has guages at good prices.

 

[TenBensel]

Thanks. No, the EZ didn't come with a boost elbow, so any instructions on that would be appreciated. What does the fuel pressure gage tell you about how the engine is running?

 

[RabidRam]

The FP gauge tells you whether your VP-44 (injection pump) is getting enough juice. The pump is lubricated by the fuel... so if you don't have enough going to the pump, then it will eventually die of starvation. If you see on a FP gauge that you have 0 or 1 PSI, then chances are your lift pump is dead/dying and it is starving the VP-44.



Clear as mud?



Dave

 

[mediccummin]

BOMB = Bring Out More Bucks

 

[jeepit]

I had installed guages a few weeks ago and was surprised how easily the egts went up going up a hill w/o a load. Thursday I will be going up same hill with with Jeep on trailer. Can't wait to see the readings You need guages, period.