Are gauges really needed?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
From: Charleston SC
Originally Posted by jhorton
Thanks guys. Now I am confused and not sure what I should do. I had a budget to work with and purchased the items I listed in the start of this thread. Totally forgot about the gauges. I drive 10 miles to work and very seldom pull a trailer. Once a year I pull a 23 foot redline from Nashville to Charlotte. I wanted a tuner so that I might be able to run more efficiantly and have that added punch when needed. I really don't want to burn anything up so I guess I better wait until I can raise the funds for the gauges before putting the 60hp tune on it. Any other advice is appreciated.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Well I just ordered mine from Deisel Manor. I have a 6 spd so I passed on the Trans temp. jhorton, I was in the same boat as you for along time. And I must confess I did a lot of good pulling with a low end superchip for a while. But now that I have the exhaust, and an edge evo (I know there is discussion about if it is any good or not) and the high likely hood that I am going to be playing with the tow setting while pulling a heavy trailer on long trips, I just went ahead and decided I better not gamble anymore.
And don't worry about the money issue... they'll probably take a check! (just kidding... old Jeff Foxworthy joke came to mind, and I had to say it)
Can't wait to see what kind of temps I'm running... Extreme setting, here I come.
And don't worry about the money issue... they'll probably take a check! (just kidding... old Jeff Foxworthy joke came to mind, and I had to say it)
Can't wait to see what kind of temps I'm running... Extreme setting, here I come.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 1
From: Montana
I have the same tuner you have and normally run it in the 60 tune. but when I road trip, I bump it up to 85, cuase I get better fuel mileage. I dotn tow much at all and only a few times I have gotten warm.
so really its up to you.
if you want to keep a closer eye on your motor, then get them. if you are going to go by the stock temp guage just know that things can happen and it would be hard to pinpoint the problem is there is nothing to watch. I even have the Quadzilla commander that has 4 (on screen view) works for me so far. but if I were doing it over I would put in analog. but its just opinoin
so really its up to you.
if you want to keep a closer eye on your motor, then get them. if you are going to go by the stock temp guage just know that things can happen and it would be hard to pinpoint the problem is there is nothing to watch. I even have the Quadzilla commander that has 4 (on screen view) works for me so far. but if I were doing it over I would put in analog. but its just opinoin
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
From: Middleton, Idaho
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Cabot, AR
Originally Posted by strokin_it7.3
If you don't tow, or dont work it hard, no you don't really need gauges. they are only to watch. You "should" add them to the list, but have fun adding power now. To be honest i've never let out of the pedal or switched a program due to too much boost, higher EGT or transmission temp. Rarely tow a trailer, or work it hard, and you dont need it. Hook up a trailer and they are mandatory!
How many pounds are yall talking about before needing guages?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
I towed a 4100 pound trailer to the junk yard, in 50* weather without a cooling fan, and the trans temp got up to 180 at the junkyard, its normally 120ish and no fan made it worse. EGTs in 80 econo got up to 1300 quick because i dont let out of the pedal for a measely hill.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,993
Likes: 2
From: Bend, OR
Originally Posted by 95Z71
So if i rarely tow anything, i won't need guages? I figue i won't tow more than 5-6 thousand.
How many pounds are yall talking about before needing guages?
How many pounds are yall talking about before needing guages?
Really guys... if you add power, get gauges. Is it worth a 10k bill to fix a melted piston because you didnt want to spend $300 on a set of gauges? I am telling you, my first motor I cooked, from a superchips on tow safe and a post turbo pyro... 6k to fix it... This motor (due to an injector O ring) cost over 8k.
Just get the gauges...
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,993
Likes: 2
From: Bend, OR
Originally Posted by DaveWilliams
They are easy to read at a glance and when at rest, they all lay in the same clock position. Just one of my pet peeves but I like standardization (old military flight training coming out again)...easy to glance at and see what you are reading......Don't leave home without them...just my pennies worth..Dave
Thought you might like this...LOL All the temps are on the overhead, pressures on the underdash and pyros and boost/manifold on the A pillar... Its my mini fighter...
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: South Eastern MN
We have a truck with a hole in the piston sitting in our shop waiting to be torn down, maybe I can get a picture and post what no guages can do to your pistons???
"this is your piston..." "this is your piston on crack..."
"this is your piston..." "this is your piston on crack..."
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: TN
Originally Posted by Izzy351
Don't let the wiring scare you off. Run power & ground up to the pillar (if you putting them on the pillar). Connect all reds & blacks to those. Run the lights wire to the switch, and tie into the brown wire (double-check me on that -- I've slept since I did mine!!). Then it's a simple matter of running to the boost tee with the tube, the tranny temp pickup that just plugs in, and the EGT pickup, which also just plugs in. I did the wiring one night after work, and did the gauge install the second night. Not too hard of a job, really.
Izzy, I was looking at the diesel manor site and noticed a lot of drilling and tapping. Are you saying that a person has the choice to either drill and tap or use a factory plug? I can handle the tranny plug and the boost "T" fitting. I just don't want to drill and tap anything.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
I have virtually the same truck. I do tow a TT (9K), I have seen going up hills in third, the EGT's can really climb in a hurry. I back off at 1200. So if I can get that high with a stock setup, think how bad it could get with "goodies".
I feel the gauges are well worth the money.
Frank
I feel the gauges are well worth the money.
Frank