Towing temps, what to expect ?

[NSperduto]

Just finished putting in guages for trans temp and EGT and I'm leaving Fri morning for a vacation towing my 34 foot camper.

What kind of temps should I expect them to read and at what point is it too hot ?

The EGT probe is in the manifold next to cylinder # 3 and the trans probe in the back of the pan in a mag hytec deep pan.



and what egt should I shut the truck down at.



I looked through the FAQ and the first 4 pages of the forum and couldn't find and answer.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[BHolm]

I think it might depend a little on which engine you have. The 305/555 or the 325/610. On a stock truck just towing down the highway I would expect to see about 800 degrees on the pyro. If it is a 305/555 I would back out of it at 1200-1300, the "600" engine can take a little more, sustained temps of 1450 if I am not mistaken. Trans temps over 250-270 can start to degrade the trans fluid. You shouldn't see that unless you have to pull a long grade with the convertor unlocked.

 

[JHofmann]

Well, can't tell ya what trans temp to expect... I have a 6 speed. But on the exhaust side I usually run 600 to 900 on the average. Start pulling some grades it will get to 1200 pretty easily. I usually will back off at 1250.



I have a full 4" exhaust with an MBRP muffler which dropped my temps some. I have to run it really hard to hit 1250 on a grade. This is pulling @14,000 pound toy hauler. YMMV.

 

[p-Bar]

expect to see 1400 max on the pyro, trans temp 190-200 towing, the hills will raise the temp, I think "cook off" is around 230-240 degrees . In other wards change the trans fluid.

 

[SBeretz]

I have my pyro post turbo, in the exhaust brake, and I see up to 850-900 on hard pulls, and around 500-600 cruising down the road. I shut down at 350 or less, usually within a minute of idling I am at 350 or less after a hard pull. Can't help you with the transmission, as I have the 6 speed also. Scotty

Also, if you are stock, I don't think you should really worry about EGT's run it hard and see what you get for a baseline, should be good for once/if you ever add power to the truck.

 

[NSperduto]

Thanks for all the answers guy, I'm plain stock 5. 9 HO motor for that year, I think it's the 550.



I just want to monitor and make the thing last as long as possible. At the price these trucks are, I won't be buying another one for quite a long time.



Nick

 

[Troubleshooter]

I installed the Mag-Hytek double-deep transmission pan on my '01 and it usually stays between 140-180*F while towing. If they make one for your year/model transmission, then it might be just the ticket for you.



And because of the drain plug, it's one heck of a lot easier to change transmission fluid w/o getting it all over yourself!

 

[BHolm]

SBeretz makes an excellent point. You will not be able to do any damage to it stock. I fitted boost and EGT gauges to my '06 Mega that was stock and towed up to and over max ratings though the biggest mountain passes in the US. It would run as high as 1050-1100 max (post turbo) but normally never got that high with a big load. The trans will downshift, bringing rpms and airflow up, and EGTs down without you even having to think about it.



It is an excellent way to get a baseline, and obviously just makes good sense as far as keeping an eye on how the truck is functioning. With the auto trans though, you pretty much do not have to worry about ever backing out of it, I never had to:-laf Manuals are a little different in that the driver can hold too tall of a gear which can run EGTs up. There were times with the Mega when I was towing heavy for hours into the wind running 30 psi of boost and a 8-900 degree EGT. The hard running undoubtably helped increase my MPGs too.

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

Well, I have been seeing a lot of posts at 1250 or so max, I have the probe pre turbo and in the rear half of the manifold (cyls 4-6).

I have seen 1100's to 1250 in a headwind or up a hill on the highway.

if I hit 1200 I try to downshift, having a 6 speed.

Can't help with the trans either. 6 speed.



Good luck!

 

[SBeretz]

Most guys out there have stock trucks and no gauges, and I know they do not baby them. I would drive it for all it is worth and record your findings, that way you will know what the normal readings are, might make it easy for future mods or diagnoses. . Scotty