EGT Gauge

[ARedmon]

I want to install an EGT gauge on my 2005 Dodge 2500 4X4 diesel. What brand do you guys recommend? Any installation tips? I'm going to mount the probe post-turbo on the advice of Cummins. They said that many turbos have had to be replaced at owners expense due to probes breaking off and ruining the turbo on pre-turbo probe installations. My main reason for wanting an EGT gauge is so that I can take the guess-work out of the "how long do I idle the engine before shut-down" question. My wife refuses to drive the truck for fear that she'll guess wrong and damage the turbo. My main question, then, is allowing for the post-turbo installation of the probe, at what temperature is it safe to shut off the engine and not have to worry about turbo problems?

 

[JApol]

I have DiPricol gauges and am happy with the setup. There are several name brands out there and are mostly the same, just changes in how they are wired.

Asfar as shut down temp. I shut down at 350*. MOst shutdown some where between 300 and 400*

Hope this answers your questions.

 

[DGStrate]

Where to put your probe ...

I have an X-Monitor and I am very happy with it... Sure - the digital display washes out in VERY bright light, but it is only when it is directly in the window and on the gauge - no problems 98%+ of the time. I like the fact it flashes warnings if you exceed parameters that YOU set, and it also retains MAX values for each thing monitored.



If your truck is stock, you are not at _as_ much risk as many of those who are pushing fueling boxes, etc on their rigs, but I think an EGT Gauge is absolutely a great idea!



Now - as far as pyro mounting...

I would be VERY cautious about mounting post-turbo, as you are essentially guessing what the EGTs are prior to the turbo. Also, as been mentioned many time on these forums, the rear bank (cylinders 5&6) tend to run hotter than the front cylinders (which is why many people mount their pyros in the rear-most part of the exhaust manifold for more accurate or "worst case" readings).



I would be very curious as to how many people have actually had a probe grenade a turbo? More people than have fried a turbo as to running it too hot by guessing with a post-turbo EGT gauge.



Most TDR members run probes ahead of the turbo (pre) and there is collectively millions of miles doing this successfully. I think the biggest factor is the correct mounting of the pyro probe. If you are not confident, let someone put it in for you and pay a few bucks... I did! (Mine was installed by the dealer, purchased by my wife as X-mas present for me [now THAT is a good woman!])



The choice is ultimately up to you where you put your probe , but I think if you probe the front of the spinner :-laf you'll be happier than probing the rear of the spinner... :--) (C'mon - that's kind funny?!?!?)

 

[WStephens]

I had my thermal couple installed up stream of the turbo in the exhaust manafold. the closer the thermal couple is to the head the closer it is to the actual temp inside the head. the exhaust cools as it travels down stream. Geno's Garage has a varity of gauges to choose from. My boost/EGT combo gauge is a Westech with a white face to match the stock gauges and the fuel pressure and transmission temp gauges I bought. the Westech gauge is hard to see at night because the needls are also white accept for the tips which are orange but are so fine there is not contrast so they are hard to read at night. The othe two gauges are Di-Pricol Optix gauges and they are back lit with LEDs and are very visible at night.

 

[dpuckett]

I hav yet to hear of a B series engine grenading a turbo because of putting the t-couple in the manifold. The guy at Cummins was feeding you a line of dog squeezings. It may not make that much of a difference in the 11-19 liter engines, but smaller engines dissipate heat faster, hence the need to put the probe ahead of the turbo to get a quicker, more accurate reading. Between the spinning of the blades having somewhat of a fanning effect, and the fact that the cast iron housing can absorb so much heat, you sometimes see a 4-500deg difference in 4" of exhaust flow path. You may plan to leave it stock, but if I buy a truck with the probe post turbo, my first question is, "How hot has this thing REALLY been?"



Daniel

 

[ARedmon]

Thanks for the replies guys. The guy at Cummins (by e-mail) was pretty adamant about NOT placing the probe pre-turbo. He could be more familiar with the bigger Cummins engines but I told him what I had. Anyway, I have food for thought. I really think that I'm going to leave the truck stock. It seems to have plenty of power as is. I recently retired and traded my '91 Dakota for the diesel Ram because we plan to buy a 5th wheel as soon as the wife retires in about a year. It is my first diesel! Even my farm tractor is a gasser! So far though, I really love the torque! We are looking at 26 - 28 ft 5th wheels so I believe we will have plenty of tow-go with the Ram as is. My main concern was when to shut down the engine without harming the turbo. I really don't like uncertainty. I don't understand why Dodge doesn't install a "wait to shut-down" light on these trucks similar to the "wait to start" light that it has. But, of course, Ford and Chevy don't either, so maybe I'm just making too big a deal out of it. Anyway, I'm sort of leaning toward the ISSPRO because it is said that it is a close match to the dash gauges. I'm thinking of ordering the SRT-10 A-pillar to mount it in. Anybody done this installation? Any tips?



2005 Dodge Ram Diesel 4x4 G56

 

[donnier]

I think that the SRT-10 is a good idea if you only plan on the one gaugePersonally, I opted for the two gauge mount with EGT and boost.

Soon to add transmission Temp.

 

[WBusa]

EGT gauges are always nice, but there are folks who absolutely need them and folks who perhaps don't. You need one if you tow, if you mod your Cummins, or if you live in hill country and have a lead foot. You and your engine can both live a long and happy life together, I suppose, without a gauge if you don't tow and you drive a stock engine mostly on the flat at sensible speeds. The first owner of my Dodge, who put 150,000 miles on it, seems to have done just fine without a gauge, but I couldn't live without it; I just like to know what's going on in my engine.



Under regular driving conditions, the cool-down time required to get me to 350* is quite consistently equal to the amount of time it takes me to get my ducks in a row... find my cellphone and cigarettes sliding around on the seat, gather up my papers, kill the headlights and radio, unlatch the seatbelt. So I guess you can adequately cool down without a gauge just by the seat of your pants; just be sure to add extra time if you park right after working the Cummins hard on a hill or when towing or something.



I've known an awful lot of folks with pre-turbo probes in their CTDs (and have mine there, too) but I've never heard first-hand of anyone grenading their turbo with one. I wonder if maybe such stories come from folks who installed el-cheapo probes, 'cause I think you'd need a cutting torch to break my DiPricol. Stick with a name brand and avoid habitually red-lining the EGTs and I have to believe you'll be fine. Tapping my old manifold to install the probe was one of the scariest days of my life... I was terrified I'd crack the manifold... but I just went slow, didn't force anything, followed directions, cleaned up compulsively, and it was fine.



Nowadays, driving a CTD without an EGT gauge would feel a lot like walking around the house with my eyes closed: I could do it if I had to, but it sure wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[jeffshafer]

I have an X-Monitor and I am very happy with it... Sure - the digital display washes out in VERY bright light, but it is only when it is directly in the window and on the gauge - no problems 98%+ of the time. I like the fact it flashes warnings if you exceed parameters that YOU set, and it also retains MAX values for each thing monitored.



If your truck is stock, you are not at _as_ much risk as many of those who are pushing fueling boxes, etc on their rigs, but I think an EGT Gauge is absolutely a great idea!



Now - as far as pyro mounting...

I would be VERY cautious about mounting post-turbo, as you are essentially guessing what the EGTs are prior to the turbo. Also, as been mentioned many time on these forums, the rear bank (cylinders 5&6) tend to run hotter than the front cylinders (which is why many people mount their pyros in the rear-most part of the exhaust manifold for more accurate or "worst case" readings).



I would be very curious as to how many people have actually had a probe grenade a turbo? More people than have fried a turbo as to running it too hot by guessing with a post-turbo EGT gauge.



Most TDR members run probes ahead of the turbo (pre) and there is collectively millions of miles doing this successfully. I think the biggest factor is the correct mounting of the pyro probe. If you are not confident, let someone put it in for you and pay a few bucks... I did! (Mine was installed by the dealer, purchased by my wife as X-mas present for me [now THAT is a good woman!])



^^^^ know what you are saying about having one that is good WOMAN- got my new rig because my new live-in girlfriend- encouraged me to follow my dream- girls who dig trucks are way friggin cool- she loves to drive my new rig- thanks for the info about the mounting of EGT GAUGE. Stumbled across this thread ansd got the infor I needed



Jeff

 

[DGStrate]

^^^^ know what you are saying about having one that is good WOMAN- got my new rig because my new live-in girlfriend- encouraged me to follow my dream- girls who dig trucks are way friggin cool- she loves to drive my new rig- thanks for the info about the mounting of EGT GAUGE. Stumbled across this thread ansd got the infor I needed



Jeff

Jeff,



Glad you got some helpful info! That is what the whole TDR is about!



My wife likes my rig, the only thing she is not really ok with is since I straight-piped it from the Cat back... She claims it sounds like a ricer!!! :--)

I asked her to show me a ricer that:

1) made a deep growl like that

2) could tow 10-12k without breaking a sweat

and

3) could go where my truck has gone (snow, mud, etc)... :-laf



That is cool that your live-in likes rigs so much...

Just be careful... when you start bombing it, she may decide that she "needs to drive it" more than you... You will either end up driving her vehicle, or with 2 CTD payments ...



L8r,

-DG

 

[CRuth]

Funny cummins is so adamant. I'd say thats a lot of cya just in case something was to happen. Do a search here, you just dont' see pre turbo installations causing a problem.



Normally on flat ground, 30 secs is plenty of cool time, but I've been surprised when I didnt think I was pushing it but it took a couple mintues to cool down.

 

[pwknapp]

Pre turbo, because that is the temp you are worried about. Do a search on here and find the shut down timers where you can set the temp you want the truck to shut off at or spend $2. 49 @ Wally World for an egg timer and never shut down warm again. If you are running stock you just about can't hurt em !!!. JM$. 02

 

[DrDiesel]

The info, rule of thumb that I know of is a 200 degree change from pre turbo to post turbo. 1300 pre-turbo relates to 1100 post.

 

[TDHunter]

After Reading Some Of The Posts, Which I Find Very Informative, Kinda Got Me Thinking About A Wife And/or Girl Friend... ..... if I Had Both They Could Chip In And Get Me A Double Dog, Or Is It Triple Dog? Be Nice Now Ladies Just Kidding. Thank You All For The Advice. It Will Help Alot When I Purchase/install The Module.

Just Bought The 2006 2500 Dodge Ram W/cummings 5. 9l Really Happy With It And Want To Protect The Engine Components. Donot Plan To Do Much Towing Though, But I Still Want A Some Protection.

Happy Cruising,

Tom H.

 

[DGStrate]

After Reading Some Of The Posts, Which I Find Very Informative, Kinda Got Me Thinking About A Wife And/or Girl Friend... ..... if I Had Both They Could Chip In And Get Me A Double Dog, Or Is It Triple Dog? Be Nice Now Ladies Just Kidding. Thank You All For The Advice. It Will Help Alot When I Purchase/install The Module.

Just Bought The 2006 2500 Dodge Ram W/cummings 5. 9l Really Happy With It And Want To Protect The Engine Components. Donot Plan To Do Much Towing Though, But I Still Want A Some Protection.

Happy Cruising,

Tom H.

Hmmm... Wife and/or Girlfriend, double or triple, RAM, cummins, probe, protection...



Are we still talking trucks here??? :--) :-laf

 

[JMarketos]

Wife ? Girlfriend ?

Free advice- Just buy the gauges (and whatever other add-ons you want).

It will be FAR cheaper



Seriously, though-

I added a dash top pod with IssPro EGT gauges.

I think I'm one of the few who chose to add both pre and post turbo EGT.

(Truck is bone stock- I'm just an engineer and aviation enthusiast who likes lotsa dials).

I've been very happy with the IssPro units. I installed the stuff myself, including

probes, including drilling the exhaust manifold. About 9 mos ago. No problems.

BTW if you want to install one post turbo, it's pretty easy to remove the cast 90 degree

exhaust elbow after the turbo, drill and install probe there, and reinstall.

Good to have 2 people, and plan to get your hands black.

 

[telliott]

i usually shut mine down at around 350. usually anwhere between 350-400 i'm pretty comfortable with.

 

[telliott]

oh yeah, and as for the probe, if you really think you will leave it stock, post will probably be alright. but if you have a few extra pennies you could always do both pre and post. i dont think you would really have to worry about the probe breaking off pre.

 

[RAlberg]

I think I'm one of the few who chose to add both pre and post turbo EGT.

(Truck is bone stock- I'm just an engineer and aviation enthusiast who likes lotsa dials).

What temperature difference are you experiencing between you pre and post turbo guages? I recently installed guages (including a pre turbo egt) and have regularly seen over 1400* while towing. My motor is stock. The general consensus seems to be 1200* max and don't worry about it if you have a stock motor. I am Thanks for your comments.