So, I have been agonizing over gauges for a while now. The bottom line is that I want to keep to what can be contained in a pillar pod for now, and this limits my options a bit. Fortunately, I have no intentions of going beyond mild SCT tuning (at least not until the warranty & I part ways). But, this brings to question which gauges to stuff into those three or four spots. I know our usual suggestion for folks making similar inquiries is to look at getting boost, pyro, and transmission temp gauges.

However, I drive an '06 which comes with both a boost gauge & a transmission temp (marginally functional) gauge. The boost gauge is relatively accurate & real-time. So I have no qualms with relying on it for my boost measurements. The transmission temperature gauge is dampened, but after some lead-footing through certain [steep] sections of the Rocky Mountains, I think the OEM transmission temp gauge will suffice for now. And, quite frankly, my truck sees very limited duty. I tow a 4,000lb trailer around a couple of times a year. The rest of the time it is pretty much unloaded/empty.


I have defintely been looking at getting fuel pressure gauge. I remember reading somewhere (6.0L Bible?) that the fuel regulator valve opens at 60psi +/- 5psi. Now is this within the range of normal operating fuel pressure at the point where the sensor would be installed? If so, that pretty much means that I would need a 0-100psi fuel pressure gauge. Am I correct in my logic here?

I definitely want at least one pyro, but I am leaning towards a pre- & post-turbo setup given some of the better explanations of the differences between the two temperatures (special thanks to Blackhat620 & npccpartsman for some of their posts regarding this). Granted, I do not currently do anything even remotely related to heavy towing & hauling, but this would be partially for a bit of future-proofing and partially for the sheer informative value.

The gauges that I am looking at basically offer two pyro gauges within the expected temp ranges: 0-1,600 & 0-2,000 ranges. So, in either position (pre- or post-turbo) is there any specific logic/reasoning behind getting a gauge with one or the other of these temp ranges?

As I am leaning towards a four-gauge pod with dual pyros (unless convinced otherwise), what do I put in that last opening? Water temp? Oil temp? Oil pressure? Transmission temp (because stock just is not good enough!)? They each have their own merit, but space is of a premium!

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

i personally think that it would be more benefitual to have a tranny temp gauge instead of getting two pyro gauges. you are right and can get away with skipping the boost gauge because you already have the stock boost gauge that is pretty accurate (mine is always within +or- 1 or 2 psi) I am sure others will have there oppinions and will chime in on other gauges to fill the pod. good luck with what ever you do.

 

Deluxe05,

For a 4-place pillar pod, Fuel pressure, EGT, Water or Oil Temp and Trans temp if you have room.

Now there are a couple of ways to go on the pre & post turbo EGT gauges, you can install separate gauges or you can install a Dual gauge. Westach makes dual gauges, and Geno's garage carries Wetach gauges (they sponsor FTE). Model 2DC2-6, Genos should be able to order this gauge for you.
www.genosgarage.com/products.asp?dept=96
www.westach.com/

Westach has been making gauges for the Aviation industry for years.

 

I vote for (and have) oil temp, tranny temp and EGT. See photo in my gallery. Stewart-Warner gauges.

 

okay, if you tow at all, you should get a tranny temp gauge, as the factory one is not really a guage at all, it has no "sweep" to it. simply has a normal position, a cold position, and hot position.
a dual pyro in one gauge sounds cool, but could be confusing to watch while driving. the post turbo is not really necessary as long as you know that you should still wait a minute or 2 before shutting down when the preturbo pyro reads cool enough.
Fuel pressure seems to be an important one, you wanna make sure you maintain at least 55psi.
your factory boost gauge should be good like you say.

as for the pyro question: you will usually lose about 3-400 degrees when going thru the turbo. so if you are not running a HOT program you can get away with a 1500* pyro preturbo and a 1200* pyro post turbo. ISSPRO makes these that are color coded and look nice. if you are running a pretty powerful tune you should opt for the 2000* pre turbo and the 15-1600* post turbo. when cruising down the freeway i would regularly see (depending on load and grade) around 1000* preturbo and 700* post turbo. however when idling down, the preturbo will cool off sooner.

so here's my recomendations for a 4gauge pod:
PYRO 1600 or 2000 depending on power levels
Tranny temp
Engine Oil Temperature
Fuel Pressure

 

So where do you mount the tranny temp sensor in the 5 speed auto?

 

There's a port with a plug in it from the factory located driver's side towards the front of the tranny, high. There are pictures in here somewhere...do a search.

Never mind, I did it. Look here: http://www.dieselmanor.com/diy/PSD3-...60gauge-p1.htm

 

Perfect thx!!!!