Why are EGTs so high

[CRHardie]

As foolish as is may be,and me being a diesel mechanic,I finally installed some gauges in my truck. I got a great deal on VanAiken digital set (new in box,$1 on ebay shipping was $20) that Im very happy with. My question is how can my egt be so high. Stock settings I see 1200 degrees towing. Icant tow with either the Quadzilla or Van Aiken in there lowest setting. With either box in high setting I can see 1500 degrees and stacked for a very short burst I saw 1900 degrees and 42 psi boost. I have checked the outside of the manifold with a infra red temp gauge and get simaler readings as in the cab. It just doesnt seem posible that Im giveing it enough fuel to create such high egts. It also take forever to get it to cool down below 300 before shut down even when driveing empty. Also Im not towing heavy, 18' alum. 3 horse slant GN horse trailer. Any input would be great. Thanks Craig

 

[HBarlow]

1200* sounds fairly normal.

I don't know about the 2003 engines but the 2004. 5 through 2007 engines produce EGTs of 1425* at full load, full throttle, factory stock. They were tested at those maximum temperature levels and will withstand them. I put 230,000 miles on an '06 pulling commercially, often pulling heavy, and with DiPricol gauges it was fairly normal to see sustained 1400* temps on long, hard pulls.

There is a possibility that your bargain gauges are inaccurate. A sure way to know is to borrow a pyro gauge and install it temporarily to compare to your own.

 

[JJPage]

On an 03, that's about right. Dishman Dodge installed an Edge EZ on my truck brand new, before it ever left their lot, EZ was set on 3. I drove the truck about six months before I installed a set of gauges. I was very shocked to see my egt's hitting 1500*+ with an empty truck!



I never towed with it, thank the Lord, as 03/04 trucks have a tendency to drop valve seats at those temps. When I towed my 5th wheel, EZ off, I could still almost reach 1300*.



One of the first things I did, about 2 years later, after reading an article in one of the TDR magazines, was to change the cast elbow on the rear of the turbo and the downpipe, to a 04. 5+ design. They are closer to 4" than the stock 03/04 design that necks down to about 3 1/2". That lowered my egt's by 80*/100*.



I purchased those items from Rip at Source Automotive, he had several sets of take offs at his shop, from folks installing twins and whatnot. It took me most of the morning to get it done, but I believe it was well worth the effort.



If you undertake this chore, remove the right front inner fenderwell, it is easy to do, about 8 screws and it slides right out, access is much simpler.



Jess

 

[SRadke]

Those numbers are correct. Quad and Van Aiken boxes run warm anyway. A lot of power for a little turbo.

-Scott