Gauges Installed!!! Now - What's Normal!!!

[Hunter4x4]

Finally got 'em installed!! AutoMeter tach, boost, pyro, and transmission temp. Dash mounted the tach and used a triple dash pod for the other three - looks great!



Thanks to all the TDR members who've posted in the past - I picked up a lot of great info that helped with the install. Even though I've installed gauges in at least a dozen and a half rigs over the years, the boost and pyro were new experiences (and turned out very well!).



Here's a couple observations and comments from my install experience:



1: I didn't use the 'T' on the transmission temp gauge, just swapped out the new sending unit for the factory sending unit, and zip-tied the factory sender up out of the way. The reason for this is that the only thing the PCM does with the transmission temp info is prevent the transmission from going into overdrive when the temp reaches +270*. 270*?!?!? If your transmission's running 270* your already in trouble!!!! I'll be kicking it out of overdrive manually and backing down when I start seeing temps in the 220's/230's!! Everything I've ever been taught about automatic trannys says that 250* is the MAX and above that things start frying and cooking!!!!



2: The pyro sending unit was a no-brainer!! I used a vacuum to gather up shavings as I drilled and tapped the hole, and cleaned up with a magnet. Worked great! I mounted it pre-turbo in the exhaust manifold on the aft port about 1. 25" from the flange.



Now my questions! I did spend the last hour looking at other people's experiences, and based on what I read I think I'm OK, but I'd like to bounce my numbers off of some of the other TDR folks and see if you think my truck's numbers are OK!



As you can see from my signature block, except for tires the powertrain is a bone stock 91. 5 intercooled truck. It's a regualr cab long bed with 3. 55 gears and 518 transmission. The oil is changed every 3k, fuel filter every 2nd or 3rd oil change, and the valves were just adjusted last month.



@ 45 MPH I'm pulling 0 PSI Boost, and about 600* EGT.



@ 67 MPH in 3rd gear (no OD) at WOT (read: floored!) I'm pulling 5 PSI Boost and 900*EGT, and 2,600 RPM.



@ 70 MPH (in OD) I'm pulling 3-4 PSI Boost, 900* EGT, and 2,100 RPM



From a dead stop at a moderate acceleration I get 5-6 PSI boost at 800* EGT.



From a dead stop and pedal to the floor I get 8-10 PSI boost and about 850* EGT.



The highest boost I've seen is 11 (maybe 12?) PSI.



The highest EGTs I've seen so far (no trailer load) just hammering the throttle has been about 1050*.



Sound about right for a '91. 5?? Or does any of your collective experience read anything special into the numbers??



Thanks in advance for any input!!!!



Mike

 

[EZGZ]

Sounds dead on for stock. Thats what mine did before I switched to 16cm housing. That caused everything to up a bit. Including the corners of my mouth

 

[dusthomps]

Sounds pretty accruate, now that you have your gauges its time to throw a bit more fuel at the old girl. #ad




Dustin

 

[Hunter4x4]

Thanks for the input guys!! It's good to know everything looks good!



Not having run 'diesel' gauges before I wasn't sure what 'normal' was, but I'm not afraid to admit when I first fired her up and nothing happened on the boost gauge I was just a little concerned! As you know (and I know now!) that boost gauge doesn't move much 'til you get out on the road!



You're right about geting more fuel into her now - I have a set of Power Wagon injectors, 14cm housing, and a BHAF on the workbench waiting to go in next!



Thanks again!!



Mike

 

[REDDODGE]

i had guages after i did the mods. but i see the same numbers cruising and when you stab it the pyro drag races the speedometer and boost will peak around 33psi. keep me posted after your install

 

[bgilbert]

Mike, might as well go ahead and install that BHAF, it only takes a couple minutes to remove the factory airbox, then put the BHAF onto the intake hose. Super simple install, injectors, 14cm housing now thats more of a 'when I get time' weekend type job. The bigger filter will show about 2psi more boost. It did with mine, compared to a K&N inside the factory airbox.

BTW to all, I've gone from the 30psi boost guage to a 60 psi, and I'm hitting 34psi empty but I havent pushed it too much yet so I dont know how much more I can get.

Also BTW to all don't buy a 30psi boost guage-go bigger! Bill

 

[JDMills]

Mike,

Where did you put your tach in the dash? I am thinking that in dash gage placement would be the least obtrusive option for mounting gages.

Jason

 

[dpuckett]

Hunter4x4- sounds to me (from my experience of a boost gauge on every pickup I've had) like your boost is a hair low. Lowest I've seen with a CPL 1351 engine (91. 5-92. 5 w/21hsg) is about 15psi. Need to add more fuel. Try turning your AFC diaphragm to the max or a hair under it. A 14-16 cm housing will wake that old pig up!!!



Your numbers sound about right as far as cruise, moderate acceleration, etc.

Daniel

 

[Hunter4x4]

JD -



When I said 'dash mounted' I meant on top of the dash directly above the speedo cluster. Didn't mean to be misleading! I'll try to get some pics and post 'em.



For the record, I tinkered with a couple other locations, but settled on the dash just 'cuz either I couldn't get a solid mount, it blocked other gauges, or it just plain looked awkward! (More awkward than the middle of the top of my dash!) It was sort of a 'lesser of two evils' decision!!



There's a post out here on TDR (can't remember who, though) where the tach was mounted on the steering column leaning towards the left side of the column. I tinkered with that but I couldn't find a solid enough area to mount the tach in that location. The plastic in that area dedn't seem very substantial.



Hope this helped!!!



Mike

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

I'm kinda leanin with Dan on this part..... your general boost numbers are just a tad low... . not alot... .

under full throttle/OD you would normally expect to see about 12-14psi, no more than that. . even allowing for "wear and tear and mileage".

Just do a checkup on the rubber boots/clamps on the turbo, intake horn, intercooler etc. It can't hurt to pull them and do a real good visual inspection. Roll the rubber between your fingers and watch for signs of dry rot or cracking like an old tire. If they show signs of that, then you can bet that they are not long from being pooched on ya...

The airfilter change will help you a bit...

Your temperatures seem right in the zone...



The boost numbers you show for the 3rd gear and OD are about right too...



In 3rd gear (1:1 ratio) you are not loading it much and that is reflected in your boost numbers and your EGT's... OD is more of a load and your numbers reflect that.

You note that 2600 RPM is were she stops... this is about right for a generally stock truck that has not had the governor tuned a bit.

It probably falls on it's face (accelerations wise) at about 2300 RPM.



pb.

 

[Hunter4x4]

Thanks PB!



You're right - she does tend to go flat as I push through 2300/2500. Peak PSI seems to be around 12. When it peaked out at 2600 I was just a little concerned (not too much, though, 'cuz it sounded and felt OK), but I'm glad to hear it's within normal ranges. Of course my last truck was a 2003 CTD 2500 Quad Cab HO/5-Spd that wound out to 3200 RPM!!



I'll check out all the boots. I've had them off for some maintenance but didn't pay too much attention to their condition - just a cursory look.



I haven't done anything to the pump/govenor yet - that's all brand new to me!! I'm finally getting up to speed on the gauges/readings/BHAF's/injectors/etc. /etc/. The VE pump will be my next 'study course'!!



Thanks again for the feedback!



Mike

 

[dpuckett]

Originally posted by Hunter4x4

The VE pump will be my next 'study course'!!

Read the sticky here in this forum. I didnt have the advantage of having all the pics and deep discussion of the internal functions when I started BOMBing these things. ALso check out Dave Fritz's Ram Tech page, and TST's site. Good diagrams of how stuff goes and works.



-DP

 

[MRickard]

If you are wanting to learn about the VE pump I am working on a page on the VE pump (technical). There is nothing really there now but it will be at http://mebonty.monobasin.net/vepump.html



But there is nothing really there now though - check it in a week or so



Also note that it will be generic, and applying to the pump in general, not the specific one used on the CTD. It hopefully will help out people understand it though.