Cheap EGT gauges + max temp 1hz PRE turbo.

[crunk81us]

I have a cheapie egay EGT gauge:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/EGT-EXHAUST-TEMP ... 1c0fcd547c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyone used these? Think there will be problems, or seriously inaccurate?

I installed the probe in the manifold about 1 inch from the turbo.

Fuel was a bit rich before the turbo (bit of black smoke, not lots) and I haven't wound it up yet. currently hitting 12psi without intercooler, will be adjusting that down to more like 8psi at least till the IC is in.

Took it for a drive maxed out at about 520 degrees (might get higher will take it up the range another day)
I can't find anywhere that says what pre turbo temp i should be running with engine longevity in mind.

Any help/ideas/doubtful points?

[keencdk]

I had a similar (looked the same, different brand name) eBay special EGT. It seemed to work fine, the 2 things that annoyed me was that it started at 300 degrees so often it just sat on the 300 low mark, I would rather it start at say 100 so I could see the EGT's moving at all temps. The second thing was that it ran up to way higher temps than I ever expected to see, where I would rather have had it run to say 800 and had a bigger gap between increments.

Mine was pre-turbo as well and with normal driving she sat in the 300-500 degrees range. When pushing it up hills in 5th it would get up to the 600 mark and from what I had read people reckoned keeping it below anything from 650 to 700 especially for longer runs was mandatory.

In the end the best thing I found with having an EGT guage is you get to see what is happening with EGT's eg start pushing it up a big hill in 5th and the EGT starts to climb pretty quickly, change down to 4th on approach and use more revs and the EGT's stay lower for the climb.

That is what I used it for, adjusting my driving style to what was best for keeping EGT's lower and more consistent. Heads tend to crack when you are heating and cooling quickly so running up to a hill at 300 degrees, pushing her up to 600 for 30 seconds then rolling down the other side at 300 degrees is not going to be the best for the motor.

[crunk81us]

Agree with you on all points.
not real happy at the start temp, or the increments, or how high it goes.. mind you looking over and seeing 1000 degrees would be a once in a lifetime event!
I'm also not real sure on how accurate it is, so unsure i want to use it for tuning purposes, I'm happy enough for now with how it goes power wise, so i will just use it to monitor the best way to manage the temps. I really can't afford to kill the engine and always do my best to be good to it.

which reminds me it needs an oil change..

Also picked up a ARB turbo timer out of a wrecked Paj for free. not quite sure how to wire it into the 100 though. It has the chipped ignition key, not sure if there is something weird in the wiring because of that..

How long has yours been turbo'd? how many k's you done? how's it holding together?