Hi,

I just received my new X-monitor and read the instructions. It says to drill and then weld on the 1/4" NPT fitting to the turbo charger down pipe.

Many of the posts that I've read on the subject stated that they just drilled and tapped the pipe.

Is welding on the fitting really necessary?

I have a drill and tap set as well as a gas and MIG welder but I'd rather not go welding on this thing if I don't have to.

 

The Auto Meter kit has a large stainlrss hose clamp and a gasket to hold the probe in the 1/4" hole it instructs you to drill

 

For an accurate reading you should really put the probe in the exhaust manifold before the turbo. The numbers you will get from taking the temp reading in the downpipe are only somewhat helpful. The important number is the pre-turbo reading.

 

Remember though there is risk accociated with placing a probe - pre turbo, in that the probe may break off and go through your turbo, destroying it. That is why all the down pipes have bungs and why most recommend installing post turbo.

 

Tap and thread the probe...Bob is right about pre turbo...

 

Most people agree that yes, there is no risk to mounting the probe post turbo, but you also don't get an accurate reading. A lot of companies suggest you mount it in the exhaust manifold. A post-turbo probe is better than guessing, but it gives you an educated guess rather than fact.

 

There is no way in hell that you are going to run an engine so hot that you are going to melt off a probe. If you are, you're engine is shot anyway.....

The MOST ACCURATE way to get EGT readings is PRE-TURBO!

 

There are temperature variations from cylinder to cylinder and right to left. The people who suggest the manifold also suggest two probes, one right and left. Most of these suggestions were made with the Cummins and 7.3 in mind. In those engines a probe could go through the turbo with little or no damage. With the 6.0 most agree the risk is too great, certainly greater than the risk of frying the turbo. People who are thinking about running the ragged edge trying to milk the last horsepower need to access the risk and place their probe accordingly. For my truck, I will never push the envelope that hard. The no risk post turbo placement plus the use of an average brain should reduce the small risk of frying the turbo.

 

There is plenty of data supporting the fact that many of the probes break off due to vibration and metal fatigue from thermal expansion. No one I know of stated that they melt off.

 

But don't we all agree that pre-turbo and post turbo are some fixed figure different ????
say 200 degrees ???
if so, I could put the probe post turbo and KNOW that it is 200 degrees warmer pre turbo and account for it...
some of the gauge manufacturers TELL you to set your safety margins on these digital gauges with warnings to two different temps if pre or post turbo....

and my simple mind seems to think how accurate does it REALLY have to be ??? am I going to keep pushing it if I see I have 3 degrees before melt down... I'm not... if it HINTS at too hot - say within 50 degrees... there is nothing that important that I wouldn't stop and cool it

UNLESS, of course, it was my wife's hair appointment we were late for

or worrying that someone in a lessor truck my beat me

 

Without measuring both pre turbo and post turbo tempertures, there is no way to know how much temperature difference and also important, how much time lag there is. We are not pushing the envelope like some people. If we start stacking chips and running propane and larger fuel pumps and tube headers and bigger turbo, some where in those modifications we will want to have two pre turbo probes and gages, one for each side.

It is likely that the stock EGT is safe and we are not exceeding that by 100 degrees at this time. We will need to moniter the temp this summer when the air temp is 105 deg.

 

Like Bob said it's more the vibration and the fatigue of the metal that is the concern...I doubt these probes are going to just melt away,but if the did they'd be soft and possibily still in liquid form and probably not damage the turbo....

 

My 2 penny's worth. If you install the EGT probe Pre-Turbo you will need to remove what ever you are drilling to prevent the shavings from going through the Turbo and destroying it. Post-Turbo = Drill your hole, weld, install EGT probe, and your done. Someone made the coment about "if your pushing your engine, Propane etc" Go Pre-Turbo. If You Are pushing your engine That Hard You need to install several Temp probes. One on each exhaust manifold and one post-Turbo. If youve got the money for all the fancy gizmos what's a few hundred more to help you keep them all together. For the average person Post Turbo will be good enough. Just remember that the temp you see is about 200* lower than the face of the Turbo.

Do a search on this topic! someone gave numbers. Actual Temps from Ford, "I think" But overtemps add up. Just because the temp is back down does'ent mean everything is good. the damage is done with NO recovery. One long overtemp or several short ones = One Big Bang $$$$

Post-Turbo is a bit cheeper, faster install and good enough for most.

 

Thanks, that was a good post well thought out.

Does anyone know at what temp there will be turbo damage?

 

PLUS...

If your pushing the envelope of "Heat" that far, you'd have to have "one eye" on the road as well as "one" on the EGT gauge.. So where does that leave you with the "remaining"gauges!! Gives me a headache!! Gonna install my EGT gauge this weekend, and I'm waffling back and forth, PRE/POST.. I like the idea of truely accurate measurment, but a radiator clamp setup (which I'm sure is sound enough) that could vibrate, come loose/wear, and or damage the probe is a possibility in my mind, especially if mounted in the pre turbo piping.. Not gonna drill my manifold yet..(Warranty issues remaining).. The variables (not just the math) seem to be the amount of heat lost/difference between the two readings (Pre/Post), and of course the possiblity of the gauge/s being off a smidge!! I guess it's always better to error to the side of caution, and "HEY" you/I can always move it if your running it that close to critical mass, and have a need to know!! If I ever got to borderline temps, I would relocate it for sure... Hate to see the Turbo sitting on top of the block like a piece of gum on HOT pavement on a summer day