Recently installed a Bully Dog Triple Combo in my otherwise stock '01 D/A 2500 to help towing through AZ and CO mountains. Works great in 'tow' setting on flats and easy climbs but in really steep/long climbs, it exceeds the default EGT setting of 1,250* and automatically resets itself to stock.

Can I safely set the EGT limit to say 1,450*? What mods are most effective in keeping EGT down? Intake mods? Four or Five inch exhaust system.

Please help a diesel newbie. Thanks

Exhaust system will help a ton, Even more if you remove the cat converter. Over 1400 is pushing it for a long period of time IMO. Keep them below that and you should be just fine..

 

Many thanks. I would not exceed for more than a few minutes but the exhaust system thing sounds like a better solution.

 

The reason we're watching EGT's is for the turbo mostly, correct?

 

I dunno?

The reason we're watching EGT's is for the turbo mostly, correct?

I thought it was so we didn't melt the pistons and heads up. (only pyro probes)

 

The reason we're watching EGT's is for the turbo mostly, correct?

I thought it was so we didn't melt the pistons and heads up. (only pyro probes)

I think you're both right.

 

I thought it was so we didn't melt the pistons and heads up. (only pyro probes)

EGT's are only part of the equation. Intake charge air temps play a role, metalurgic tolerance, gasket abilities, ring collapse, coking, etc. EGT's are only a fraction of the issue, but easily observed. Personally, I feel 1400* towing is higher than you need to be, 1250* non sustained would certainly be safer. Some can argue, but they are also not going to pay the repair bill should a problem occur............

 

aluminum melts at 1360 deg sustained for five minutes. The heads and pistons are Aluminum. Thats the biggest reason to watch EGTs. GM sys that the stock softeware won't allow above 1192deg, but my 03 will go to 1450 in stock mode while towing, so I watch mine closely. I would prefeer to keep those pieces inside rather than droolling out of the exhaust pipe

 

aluminum melts at 1360 deg sustained for five minutes. The heads and pistons are Aluminum. Thats the biggest reason to watch EGTs.

A point to mention is: EGT temps of 1250* for example do not mean the pistons are seeing that temp. Remember there are cooling factors in play, same goes for the chamber of the heads. There is a boundry layer that exists.

 

Many great replies.

Consensus seems to be CAI first (realtively cheap and easy) and then exhaust system (looking at several now). I also see there is a BD exhaust manifold that takes out some flow reducing parts that GM apparently saw as a 'benefit'. Like tuners, there are a bunch of choices (and prices).

Am most appreciative to CoolMyDuramx and Kennedy Diesel for their strait forward and 'non-commercial' responses. We need more guys like that.