Ok, I have just ordered:

Quadzilla XZT+
MBRP 4" Exhaust
Isspro Gauges - Fuel Press. , Boost Press. , Tranny Temp. , & Pyrometer

Truck is as is - as per signature right now. The above items are on the way . . .

The exhaust will probably go on right away, and I was planning on hooking up the XZT+ after that. The gauges would have to wait until I had time and a helping hand from a willing member

My question to you all: Would I be ok to run the box without gauges for a while? I plan on having the gauges in and fully functional by at least mid-summer.
OR
Should I get the gauges working correctly before hooking up the box?

Anything else I should think about before doing this (besides a LP upgrade)?

Anyone have any links handy for some GOOD gauge install threads?

Thanx,
Jason

 

do the gauges before cranking the fuel.....you can burn it up and never know till its too late. Gauges are easy, stuffed mine in on a saturday mornin in three hours start to finish. trans temp took the longest. only special tool required is a 1/8npt tap (not that special) for the pyro. the manifold drills easy i just used a 14.4 v cordless. pyro IMO is THE most important gauge. at least make sure that's working before the box. Course you have the vp44......fuel pressure gauge is pretty important too. boost and trans temp are not bad to hook up. I went to a hydraulic hose and fitting shop and got a compression tee to mount my trans temp. the boost I just pulled a plug out of the intake air box and screwed the fitting right in.

 

Except for not knowing your fuel pressure you would be fine running the xzt without gauges. The xzt doesnt fuel much so the egts are not high but I would recommend fuel pressure on a stock truck. Dodge would have saved alot of money if they would have installed one from the factory. It shouldnt take any longer to hook up gauges than to swapp exhaust and the xzt takes 15 minutes so I would just make a weekend of it and button it all up.

 

I ran an xzt+ with the same mods as you on my '98 (plus RV275's)....with issopro gauges. The only time it would get a little hot was pulling my 18K lb. trailer uphill on a really hot day, shifting down cured it right away.
If you're not pulling or not pulling heavy, you're good to go.
the install instructions that come with issopro gauges are all you'll need, if I can do it with those instructions, anyone can.

 

I agree. If you're pulling a trailer just run it in timing only or turn it off and you won't have to worry about temps. Highest I've seen is *1200 and that was pulling a 1mile long grade pulling my TT with the cruise on and she downshifted before things got toasty. I never run fuel/timing when hooked to anything because my jammers put down enough power to do anything I need. Also, I wouldn't do any WOT runs with it in fuel/timing because I had mine get pretty hot (*1300) when I was ******* it. Just take it easy and you won't have any problems.

 

Regardless of whether you NEED the gauges to be safe, I'd run the truck with the gauges first to establish a base line for the fuel pressure and EGT. Then after add the exhaust and see if the EGT drops. Then add the box and see what happens to fuel pressure and EGT.

 

good to know the gauges didn't take you guys too long to throw in. i think the hardest part will be running the lines/wires to keep them out of sight and looking like a factory finish in the cab and under the hood. i chose to go with a dash top and steering column pod - so i may have to pull the dash back a bit to do it right.

also, i know i'll be anxious to hook up the xzt+, but i think i'll hold off until at least the gauges are in. maybe i'll do gauges - exhaust - xzt+ . . .

for those that have or are running RV275 with the xzt+ - how did or are you liking it? i am thinking about this injector due to it's low cost, combination of mileage/performance, and ability to run it safely without having to do major airflow upgrades.

thanx for all the replies.

 

I have what you are starting and ran without gauges for about 2 weeks. If you want good instructions go to Dielselmannor.com and go to the instruction list and look at the ones for your truck. They put together pictures and all. Worked good for my installation. I may be slow but it took me 6 hours to get all installed in the A-pillar and everything wire tied and protected going through the firewall. I am old and slow but the fuel banjo was a killer for my 2002. All works great and looks outstanding now.

 

cool, i was actually just reading your thread before i read this post of yours. i will check out dieselmanor's instruction section and look through it while i await the arrival of the gauges. i was expecting at least a 1/2 to full day of work to get everything installed.

did you have to go out and get any special or odd tools? did you have a helper? have you ever done this before?

thanx,
jason

 

Had to get the bit and tap for the Pyrometer into the exhaust. Had my son come over and help. I found it better to take out the instrument cluster to route wires. The boost and fuel were not bad but the plug on the pyro was a pain. The stock gage surround just popped out and the speed o had about 6 screws and un plugs from the dash and have all kinds of room to work then. I also had to drill through the firewall because I had a clutch that went through the rubber plug they describe in the instructions so I used a 3/4 cone bit and that worked fine. Good luck.

 

[QUOTE=Doj Dewd;2483087]for those that have or are running RV275 with the xzt+ - how did or are you liking it? i am thinking about this injector due to it's low cost, combination of mileage/performance, and ability to run it safely without having to do major airflow upgrades. QUOTE]

I liked the 275's for towing.
Better for mileage, but not a huge difference.
You really won't have the "WOW, these are cool..." if you put them in because they don't add add a lot of hp.
Only reason I put them in was I because I was already installing a new vp44 at 186K miles..."might as well, while I'm in this far"

 

that's about what i expected from them. i don't think i want injectors bigger than that until the turbo gets upgraded. for now, i'm just looking to put together a strong running truck that is still quicker than most on the street. i think the rv 275's and the xzt+ will do that, but i'm not expecting really great things considering the total cost. i'll expect really great things when i start spending the big dollars on the truck. the extra mileage would be nice too - a little is better than nothing!

 

IMO, independently I think you'll notice a more "wow" factor from the XZT+ w/the 3K tune than the RV275s. The combination of the two should make you smile but as we know you'll always want more. I'm trying to save for the Mach 1.6s as these seems the best for towing and mpg improvement.

 

what is the 3k tune?
if it is really aggressive, then i don't want it. my tranny is still 100% stock and i have yet to invest in any fuel system upgrades . . .