Pyrometer numbers

[Tovar]

Just installed a pyrometer on the passenger side exhaust manifold on the flat spot. What kind of numbers should I get? It really seems to jump up there upon acceleration.

 

[schiker]

All depends on load, fuelrate, temperature, and RPM (and or speed depending). I don't even pay much attention until I am looking for a problem or towing. It will climb upwards upon load pretty quick that is normal.

Load being anything. Example sustained headwind or speed 70mph or more with hill on interstate it can climb 800F + unloaded with sustained boost and fuel. Pyro is best used in conjunction with other indicators too.

 

[Husker6.5]

You can see anything from 600°F at idle to 1100°F WOT from a stop up a freeway on-ramp to 75MPH. 900°F at highway cruising is normal. It is sustained high EGT temps of 1200°F+ combined with elevated ECT of 210°F+ that are cause for concern. Warwagon has some thoughts on EGTs and ECTs that are quite relevant.

 

[Will L.]

X2 on above. Watch it and learn the patterns. Think of it as an early warning system. Long hills and the egt is higher than normal, watch for the ect next. Slight changes in one engine to the next will be a couple hundred degree differences, no exact number is "the answer".

 

[Tovar]

O.k. Thanks for the information. Rig is running properly. Now, to install the AT turbo and Kojo tuned ECM.

 

[JayTheCPA]

After those two changes look for:
> ~280 F at idle.
> 500 - 700 F cruising flatlands near sealevel ~70 -80 mph.

Have yet to see much over 1,200 F when pulling the RV (low rider profile).

Another benefit to the pyro is waiting for EGT's to cool down enough and not cook the oil in the turbo on shut-down. Typically I wait to cross under 300 F.