ok guys,, i have no gauges at this time,, other than whats on the truck stock. oh and i'm sure yall know by now,, 2005 F250. I plan on doing some mods and yes, its my daily driver. I"m gonna talk to Eric for the fun part and gonna install what i can to help maintain the motor, etc. And yes,, even tho its my every day truck,, i have no problem with lifting it, and doing whatever so that it stays fun. , i think i've asked this before and I got my answers but me being a newbie, I didnt really understand. So what gauges do i need, and what do i need to be aware of?? I know the dreaded head gaskets are coming and "oh well",, i'll just deal with that when it happens. But when we talk about temps. and stuff, what is the magic number and what takes places on the truck that makes me need to back off it or just say "oh shet",.... . Sorry for the long post, just trying to stop problems if possible. I know tons of ponies under the hood is enough to worry about but I dont have a clue whats too hot,, or not enough pressure,etc..., all i know is when it out of fuel... thanks guys.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-pressure.html

Minimum recommended gauges:
fuel pressure
boost
coolant temp
oil temp
voltage

Also important:
EGT
Transmission temp

I REALLY like the DashDAQ (but then again, I have recently been told that I like bling ). It can be set up for verbal warnings at user set conditions, it reads and clears codes, easy to install, and it is compact. Just be aware, it does not read fuel pressure and EGT without spending a bunch more $$ (and it is already expensive).

 

I went with the Edge Insight. It's the less expensive option but still gets you most of what you need, has EGT capability if you get the optional probe, and has mounting options. You'll still need a fuel pressure gauge to monitor that function but you'll have all the other monitoring functions. It's also easy to install and reads/clears codes.

I just installed my EGT probe this weekend. Now I just have to get a fuel pressure gauge and then I'm set.

 

so this "edge insight" can tell me this with a push of a button,,, but not like several gauges mounted???
and i know this is dumb,, but is the "edge" considered one of the sct tuners??

also,, i was wondering about the boost gauge.. is that different than the one stock on the dash??

 

The earlier model years did not come with the stock boost gauge.

 

The Edge Insight is an engine and powertrain monitoring device made by Edge. It is not a tuner. It is a great way to monitor many parameters easily at a reasonable price. It will not do fuel pressure from the OBD port. I like mine a lot

 

The Insight has a total of four screens that you can set up to monitor from two to six (maybe eight as I can't remember just now) functions at a time. You can page through the screens as needed. I have Screen #1 set to monitor EGT, Trans Temp, ECT, EOT, Boost, Voltage. These are digital readings. I have Screen #2 set to monitor ECT and EOT. This is setup as a bar graph. I have Screen #3 set to monitor Injector Pulse Width, Commanded EGR, IAT, IAT2. These are digital readings. I have Screen #3 set to monitor Fuel Level, Codes, Load, and RPM. These are digital readings. I generally have mine set to Screen #1 and this is what I monitor most of the time. I occasionally page through the other screens just to see what's going on with the other stats. This is easily done with the push of a button. The readings are real time just like an analog gauge. As a result, I have one digital monitor that replaces multiple analog gauges.

As far as your tuner question goes, the Insight is not a tuner. It is strictly a monitor or gauge package. It also has code reading/clearing capability, data logging capability, and performance measurement (0-60 times, etc). I haven't checked out the data logging or performance measurement capabilities just yet so I can't speak intelligently about them at present. Now Edge does make tuners (Evolution and Attitude are two). However, I don't recommend them for the PSD or Torqshift as I've read too many negative comments about them from credible sources on this board. One of the main negative comments is that the Edge tuners are very hard on the transmissions and can lead to tranny problems. I plan on getting an SCT X3 in the next couple months now that I have adequate monitoring capability and my warranty is about out. I'll also be getting custom tunes from either Eric at Innovative or Matt at Spartan. Based on everything I've read on this board, that's what I'd recommend.

With all that said, I'm not trying to steer you to the Insight over the Dashdaq. Both are good products and I recommend you research both. Go to their websites and study their products and draw you own conclusions as it's your hard earned money to spend. However, price and EGT monitoring capability is what lead me to the Insight vs the Dashdaq. You might also want to check out the Phalanx tuner offered by Spartan Diesel Technologies. This is basically a Dashdaq with custom tuning capabilities built in. However, it is very pricey. Good luck with your search.

 

thanks so much,, i really appreciate you taking the time to tell me all that,, it was exactly what i was looking for. I really like the look of the gauges but in reality it would be hard to have a dozen gauges in the truck where as this product makes that happen. Im about ready to start looking seriously, and make some decisions. Im a builder, so just waiting for a check to come it..lol. thanks again. herb

 

Yeah, I like the look of 3 or 4 A Pillar gauges too. It took me a while to warm up to the electronic monitor. But once I started looking and comparing, it really was an easy decision for me.

 

Frank what version of the Insight do you have? I had the CTS and don't have any pages that can be setup with different valves.
Greg

 

What about the SCT Livewire, you get tuning and data/gauges in one package. I'm looking to buy one this week, just looking for input.

 

LiveWire still has a couple of bugs that as of yet don't have a true fix for them. Screen freezes, dots on screen(dead pixels usually), won't power on or off at times(when screen freezes).

Now, not all have those problems, but it seems to be pretty 50/50 on getting one that does have those problems versus getting one that doesn't.

Like I said, there is no true fix for it(as of yet), so more then likely, if you get one that has it, they will have to send you another(hopefully that one won't have that issue either).

 

i guess this is for "powerstroke_wannabe.. but others please jump in too. You are a great saleman. I really like all your info on this product.
So let say I get all this (and I am), and when talking about the dreaded head gasket problem.. is it any one screen or i should say "gauge" that i need to be more aware of, or watching that if it goes funky on me i can say,,"oh grap,, getting ready to blow a gasket". I guess thats silly,, but mainly trying to learn what is causing a head gasket problem. And maybe what not to do. I know a high horse power tuner will be the reason for tearing the motor apart but what do you look for.. like too much boost,, running too hot, etc.. thanks.

 

Blowing head gaskets often times happens a little at a time. The bolts are "torque-to-yield" so when they stretch (usually from high cylinder pressure) they will weaken a little at a time. Eventually it is bad enough to notice!

I posted a link to the temperature and pressure limits. Not all of them relate to head gaskets, but IMO fuel pressure and "oil Temp vs coolant temp" are as (or even more) important. The boost limit can easily be exceeded by a stuck turbo. That can lead to blown head gaskets. If your EGR cooler leaks, then you can initiate things that can blow head gaskets. It is all important.

 

Ok, y'all have talked me out of the Livewire. I think this is my next plan. Order the SCT X3, to turn my CEL off (with 1 of 3 custom tunes, current Ford program and no EGR). Then save alittle more $$ and order the Insight CTS. It's a little more money but, i think you get more bells and whistles in the long run, right? I just want to do it right the first time.