I have a 99' Cummins and am thinking about putting a boost and pyrometer gauge in it. Exactly what am I getting into, and can I do it myself? I Have a little bit of mechanical knowledge but it is very limited. Is it worth the trouble?


P.S. I have an EDGE EZ Module chip on it.

 

If you don't have a fuel pressure gauge, I would start there. The stock lp is junk & when they go bad, you will not have enough pressure/volume of fuel which starves the vp44 injection pump & causes it to go bad. The vp44 can cost $1000-$1200 just for a stock model. If you get a fp gauge on & see that pressure isn't atleast 10psi idle & no less than 7-8psi wot, your vp44 is suffering & a new fuel pump should be your next step. Don't just put another stocker on, there are much better choices out there, but you need to choose how far you are wanting to go as far as performance to know which pump is gonna be right for you.

 

I agree with J Lent. A fuel pressure gauge is probably the most important gauge to have, or at least a Low Fuel Pressure Warning Light at the bare minimum. Then pyro and boost gauges.

Installing the gauges your self is pretty easy. The most difficult process (maybe) would be the drilling and tapping of the exhaust manifold for the pyro probe. After that, everthing should be so basic. Be sure to also get a 'boost bolt" for the boost gauge. That way hooking into the intake manifold is way easy.

 

I've had GREAT luck with this cheapo little FP gauge:



Less than $20, too. No vibration or rattling, and no isolator needed.

soldhere

 

I have a cheapo FP gauge too, mine is not liquid filled though. I too would suggest getting FP gauge first and not to fret to start working on gauges. They are not difficult at all.

 

Gauge installs are pretty straight forward.

You might find a fellow enthusiast in your area to give you a hand.

Dave

 

Hohn looks like a good little gauge for the money do they have a light in them or can one be added? With them being small in diameter it should be no problem to find a spot to install it. Are they a little hard to read with the smaller diameter?

 

While you absolutely need the monitoring, especially of fuel pressure, you may want to consider something different than gauges. I got tired of gauges. I love having a monitor. I really like the Quadzilla Commander. If you're going to do a three pod pillar, for not much more money you could do a Commander and get way more info. I have had gauges, and now a monitor and I like the monitor much better. JMO.

 

3 gauge pillar pod... FP, boost and egt. im not a huge fan of the monitors but to each is own, sit in your truck and think about what you would rather look at. all i kno is you need SOMETHING especially since you are running an edge. good luck.

 

I have both the monitor and the pillar gauges. For me, it's the analog gauges hands down.

It must be the old racer in me.

Dave

 

Me too, Dave! I much prefer the regular analog guages.

If i wanted digital, i have to say I'd prefer a dual guage setup like the SPA technique gauges over a monitor, per se.

jmo

 

i just have my edge set to warn me if it drops below 10 psi fp

 

I would like to thank all of you for the info and knowledge. I bought a dual pillar with a pyro and boost guage (before I realized that the fuel pressure was that big of a deal). I am know going to get a fuel pressure guage(maybe just a warning light?) and figure out a place to mount it.


Thank you for your help!

 

I would get the gauge, but a light will work too. I just don't like using dummy lights ever since my 64 impala's 409 blew up because the dummy light burnt out. I guess I was the dummy.

 

Very good advice. Our group has a big pool of knowledge to pull from locally.