Offroad-Express

Hi Yah All

Just ordered a EGT gauge and thermocouple from the states.
While its comming I am seeking info on where you guys and gals out there have put the probes..(Be nice!)
Photo's say a thousand words.
I want to put it pre turbo for accuracy.
I thought about utilising the blanking plate I used to block off the EGR on the exhaust manifold...But you would really only be monitoring #4 cylinder...Which should be the hottest being stuck down the back.
Otherwise just up from the flange where the turbo meets the manifold.

Any suggestions, observations, warnings, welcome.

Cheers
Calvin
KZJ78 Prado.
1KZTE, 35's, lift, winch, bars.........and other bits

What did the gauge and probe set you back? What sort (still got to do this to mine, but havent found the gauge cluster I like yet).

Took a photo for you today but have forgotten how to put it up and cant find where my old gallery photo folder is. So ran out of time and decided I will post the shot later when somebody has helped me. HELP!

Both Mike and I put Pyros in the exhaust manifold at about the same time two years ago. Neither of us, I think, have connected them to a gauge yet!

I got mine from Parrots in Chch and one day I will get the VDO gauge to go with it. That was 50k ago... Mike did the same.

The head was being replaced and I spent a week improving the port flows, and then decided I should put a pyro in.
It is installed thru a large hole I holesawed thru the heat-shield. It is about 50mm above the manifold to Turbo flange and sits horizontally into the flow of all the gas. The probe is at 90° to the crank line.

The probe tip is adjusted to be in the centre of the bore, i.e. the fastest moving part of the gas. Very easy to install when the manifold is off, just drill and tap to NPT, and then clean out.

Hope that helps and you are very right in wanting it pre turbo.
Cheers Johnno

Johnno

Thanks for the info....
Would like to see the photo's.

Heath

Here is the link where I purchased the gauge and thermocouple.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0421204953
All up its $145 NZ inc shipping. I looked at various analouge gauages here in NZ but they want far too much for them.
This one can be used for different sender units if I change trucks or application, ie boost, water temp, etc etc.
They also do a 24V version.
Its got alarm set points and can trigger a switch if required.
A chap is Aussie also used this unit with good results.

Cheers
Calvin

That looks like what I want. Nice and small, has an allarm and can be fitted anywhere (almost).

Let me know what you think when you get it in your hands, if it's all good I might just do what you did and shop offshore.

So how do you buy from ebay?

I take it you set up an acct like on trademe and what is paypal? Any hassle getting stuff shipped here?

EGT unit arrived in the mail today.
Only 6 days from the USA.
Looks the part and the display unit is compact.
Will fit up this weekend all going well....


To use ebay, set up an account (register) and I have linked / used Pay Pal......(register with Paypal)
Pay pal uses your credit card to charge / pay...Acts like an in between..

I have done a few international purchases form USA, China and Hongkong also UK..... either via Ebay....or the sellers website and paid Paypal.
No issues thus far.

Some sellers wont ship international...
If they dont specify you can ask if they do and costs.

Cheers
Calvin

kbushnz wrote:EGT unit arrived in the mail today.
Only 6 days from the USA.
Looks the part and the display unit is compact.
Will fit up this weekend all going well....


To use ebay, set up an account (register) and I have linked / used Pay Pal......(register with Paypal)
Pay pal uses your credit card to charge / pay...Acts like an in between..

I have done a few international purchases form USA, China and Hongkong also UK..... either via Ebay....or the sellers website and paid Paypal.
No issues thus far.

Some sellers wont ship international...
If they dont specify you can ask if they do and costs.

Cheers
Calvin

If it looks the part (and I am too lazy ), maybe I'll be cheeky and pay you a commission if you buy one in for me .

I put mine here...probably not ideal as it doesn't pick up all cylinders but seems to work ok

Thanks 2MEKE

Nice photo...Will try and put mine in the junction before it heads down to the turbo just above the flange.
Gunna be a B@T$H to drill but workable.
And in car....

Cheers
Calvin

Put probe in maifold today...
Easy as with a right angle battery drill.
Taped the thread.....
Currently it is jury rigged in the cab...
Looks the part.....Will go for a drive over the weekend..

Question..
What temps do you normally expect to see....
And what is the max temp I want to keep under?

Cheers
Calvin

How did you go with the spalling from the drill and the tap? Engine running or off? Any tips for the unwary?

Oh and any pics?

Photos of thermocouple and gauge...
Gauge just sitting on dash, will mount properly later.

Drilled with engine running.
Put grease on tap, and cleaned and changed every turn.
Then ran with hole open....

Also put high temp gease / thread lube on stainless fittings on assemble.
Stops it picking up threads...Stainless does that.
Lub is good to 800C

Calvin

Cant seem to get two photos up on one post.
Here is the probe.

IcedJohnno wrote:Took a photo for you today but have forgotten how to put it up and cant find where my old gallery photo folder is. So ran out of time and decided I will post the shot later when somebody has helped me. HELP!

Both Mike and I put Pyros in the exhaust manifold at about the same time two years ago. Neither of us, I think, have connected them to a gauge yet!

I got mine from Parrots in Chch and one day I will get the VDO gauge to go with it. That was 50k ago... Mike did the same.

The head was being replaced and I spent a week improving the port flows, and then decided I should put a pyro in.
It is installed thru a large hole I holesawed thru the heat-shield. It is about 50mm above the manifold to Turbo flange and sits horizontally into the flow of all the gas. The probe is at 90° to the crank line.

The probe tip is adjusted to be in the centre of the bore, i.e. the fastest moving part of the gas. Very easy to install when the manifold is off, just drill and tap to NPT, and then clean out.

Hope that helps and you are very right in wanting it pre turbo.
Cheers Johnno

heh yeah we really should get those gauges I feel more comfortable having the sensor there than not though

Gauge now all fitted and wired in.
Fitted in dash recess. Tried to mount it above speedo and between Hi beam and open door lights using an alloy angle bracket. Its bolted thru plastic shroud. Heaps of room above for wiring and nuts.
When in driving position it doesnt obstruct speedo and also is in your line of sight... No looking away to see what its doing.
Also its wired to dim display when lights are on.





Cheers
Calvin

Looks good Calvin. I like the way it is small and sits in your instrument cluster. Nice.
I looked up the info that you sent me about the gauge. Looks very impressive.

One question I have is; do the digital figures keep whirring up and down so fast that you cant read them? Typical of digital displays. Or do they just move in sets of 10° increments or so? If the latter then I may by one, cos you will be able to read the display easily.

If all good then I may get one as a water temp reader too, possibly oil pressure as well.

P.S. I like your well used and muddy steering wheel, obviously the truck is used as it should be!

Mine usually looks like this, foot well carpets covered in gravel and damp from river crossings, oil stains in the rear area from engineering gear etc.

Last weekend I was carrying wedding guests up to 1550m, to our day lodge at Broken River. I decided my truck should have its first major spring clean in the 7 years I've owned it.

For a weekend it was all sparkly having had seats and carpets out and the rug doctor in action. I also cleaned up & protected, the vinyl dash, trim and transmission cover etc. I even got unsolicited comments on how clean it was from people I had never met before

A week later and many k's on dusty shingle roads down around Lake Tekapo for work, full of tools, recovery gear and theodolites. The trucks now starting to look its usual self!
Hmm may have to get the vacuum cleaner out again.

One question I have is; do the digital figures keep whirring up and down so fast that you cant read them? Typical of digital displays. Or do they just move in sets of 10° increments or so? If the latter then I may by one, cos you will be able to read the display easily

The readout is nice and steady.... Definately readable while driving. You can set its sensitivity. I haven't changed it from getting it out of the box.

I have a digital boost gauge (free so why not use it) And it flickers about the place....

The alarm light is bright.. Cant miss it....and you can set it to switch a audiable alarm or somethng else.

Might have a go at a video and post the link.

Cheers
Calvin

PS Yeah truck not used daily anymore. Was Family transport (4 kids) but have van for that now and was also my main drive to work and home. (Little Mazda 121 for that now cheap as chips to run)....So its now my full time play truck. Carpets are out and slowly getting it the way I like it. And after a weekends play it can sit all dirty and wait till I am ready to clean her. All the gear can stay inside.....

Okay, its been a few weeks hows it going? I am going to take you up on your offer I think (just got to get funding approval - yeah I know, I'm whipped ).

Been trying to figure out the best spot in mine for the install. Where did you get the bracket from, looks nice and tidy there?

Might have to splash out on a new cheap stereo, replace the double din with a single din with a blank, so I can fit gauges there (still looking for a boost and temp gauge).

So why the tapped version and not welded?

IcedJohnno wrote:If all good then I may get one as a water temp reader too, possibly oil pressure as well.

I must have missed something (must reread specs) can these run those too? Hmmmmmmm

Heath wrote:Okay, its been a few weeks hows it going?
So why the tapped version and not welded?

Install going well....Have a trip into Woodhill forest tomorrow. Will see what it pulls when in Low Range...

On road it was interesting...
Basic round town driving temps were good.
Give it a bit up hill and they start climbing quickly.

Have set a max of 700C.

As for tap v's weld.
I could tap it myself and it only took 30 mins.

If I had to weld, access is very tight on engine. Then there is the question of tring to get it off...

So I took the easy way out with it still in truck.

Make some time and come around for a looksie...

PM me and I will give you my contact details.

Cheers
Calvin

Heath wrote:

IcedJohnno wrote:If all good then I may get one as a water temp reader too, possibly oil pressure as well.

I must have missed something (must reread specs) can these run those too? Hmmmmmmm

Hi Heath

The same unit can read various sensors... But only one at a time.
As they are small, you could have three or four set up for different readings.
They have three colours for display screen.

Check out the web site.. http://www.auberins.com/

Cheers
Calvin

kbushnz wrote:

Heath wrote:

IcedJohnno wrote:If all good then I may get one as a water temp reader too, possibly oil pressure as well.

I must have missed something (must reread specs) can these run those too? Hmmmmmmm

Hi Heath

The same unit can read various sensors... But only one at a time.
As they are small, you could have three or four set up for different readings.
They have three colours for display screen.

Check out the web site.. http://www.auberins.com/

Cheers
Calvin

Ohhh I missed that info.

Looks the ducks nuts dont they. Any NZ importers here or just deal with the company direct?

Heath

kbushnz wrote:

Heath wrote:Okay, its been a few weeks hows it going?
So why the tapped version and not welded?

Install going well....Have a trip into Woodhill forest tomorrow. Will see what it pulls when in Low Range...

On road it was interesting...
Basic round town driving temps were good.
Give it a bit up hill and they start climbing quickly.

Have set a max of 700C.

As for tap v's weld.
I could tap it myself and it only took 30 mins.

If I had to weld, access is very tight on engine. Then there is the question of tring to get it off...

So I took the easy way out with it still in truck.

Make some time and come around for a looksie...

PM me and I will give you my contact details.

Cheers
Calvin

Was out woodhill on thur/fri doing a 4wd course, had a great time and with todays weather it wont be as dusty but the mud will be superb!!!

guess what arrived in the mail today.


Now just got to get them fitted and figure out what the best use of the second one is.

Thats great Heath... Now you have to fit them...

I will leave some feedback for the Ebay trader..

Cheers
Calvin

Fitted into dash above radio (fit perfectly) and I am having the probe (EGT) and water temp sender fitted tomorrow. Also having a good clean out of inetrcooler, etc while its in bits. Oh and a new lower temp thermostat (may as well as they are taking the cover off anyway).

Picked up the wagon tonight (thought that was quick) and climbed under for a look as I couldnt see the probe from up top.



They put it in the exhaust after the turbo (after the dump pipe even)! Not happy and said as much, but needed to calm down a bit before discussing options (getting it put where I wanted it) and who pays etc.

I had thought when we discussed how they would take it the exhaust manifold out of the vehicle so we could drill and tap and remove any burrs so they didnt go into the turbo. And when the mechanic then said he would have to order in an exhaust manifold gasket too, we were on the same song sheet.

BUT NO!

They then said they have never fitted one pre turbo before and manufacturers all fit them post turbo.

Will give it a few hours and then have a chat tomorrow morning I think.

But on the bright side I have the water temp probe in the right place (didnt change the thermostat yet - will save that till I have a few extra $$ as I had to replace a tierod end for WoF ), will wire them all up this weekend (going to throw a fuse in before the gauges just in case too).

Sorry to hear it didnt work out.
I would have hit the roof.....
It will work but not as acurate as before turbo. And the temps will be lower. Have a troll thru forum for typical temps post turbo.

This is why I am very reluctant to send jobs out to so called Tradesman....
They dont listen. Had it happen to me on another job.
I didnt want my exhaust routed a certain way because I was going to do some mods.
However they just did it the easy way. Even after telling them exactly where and why while it was up on the hoist.

Dont get me wrong the workmanship was good. We ended up negotiating a lower price and I did it myself later. Lucky I had a good neighbour with a MIG welder I could borrow.

Hope you sort out a suitable solution.

Calvin