EGT's ??? and towing

[TMS]

I have stock '03 Duramax and a Jayco 27FBS ....loaded weight of the TT is 8750#. In about 3 weeks I am heading west, over Monarch Pass at about 12,000 ft.

My question ......As I read posts on this forum, people seem very concerned about EGT's when towing and/or when they have "powered up" their diesel. Pulling stock over that elevation, do I need to worry??? If so .... should I consider an upgrade on the exhaust ??? Would that help ??

[drgracr]

the highest egt i could get on my 02 was 1125 in 5th gear 60mph pullin 11000#, average cruise @65 approx 800-950 runnin 6-10#boost depending on wind. truck was stock

[More Power]

Most stock trucks produce a max of about 1250-1300 degrees while towing up a steep grade.

You should be able to safely maintain these temps for the time it takes to pull any hill with any rated load on any interstate or public highway pass/grade.

I once saw a Duramax go past 1700 in competition, but I get a little fidgety at 1400 or beyond.

MP

[TMS]

If EGT's are so critical, why doesn't GM include that gauge as part of the standard package on diesels??

[TMS]

If EGT's are so critical, why doesn't GM include that gauge as part of the standard package on diesels??

Also, any one have an idea about whether the 4" exhaust is a good investment if I don't "power up" with a chip or programmer?

[Colorado Kid]

You won't have to worry about EGTs on Monarch because you can't make any speed up that road (too curvy). What will warm things up is Vail Pass and the approaches to the Eisenhower and Johnson tunnels on Interstate 70. Long grades and gentle enough curves to allow 70 MPH easily add up to making a lot of power for a long time, and your stock D-max won't hurt itself even there. If it would mine would be limping, and it isn't. :cool:

[NETMINDER]

I've got a Jayco 298 bhs (approx same weight loaded) and got it up just pass 1000 1 time on a 300 mile trip. Avg speed 71mph. Avg temp was between 800-900 degrees

[Bellrule]

I think the theory is that if an engine is set right from factory specs, you won't get too high of EGT's. A lot of semi's and farm tractors don't even come with pyro's. It is when you start adding more fuel and air than factory that you can get into danger areas. One interesting thing I read in my caterpillar engine manual about max egt's. It states that to determine what you should consider max EGT, pull the truck loaded up a steep grade and find the max EGT and then use 100 degrees cooler as your maximum operating limit.

[TMS]

Thanks to all who have responded. I was thinking of "chipping" my Duramax and running it at the lowest setting without 4" exhaust or a pryo. Hope that is safe !!! As money becomes available, I will probably add the latter two upgrades !!

Thanks again......

:D