GM
Juice/Attitude
Manual
Edge
Products
14
EGT
EGT stands for exhaust gas temperature, and is the single most important
indicator of how a diesel engine is performing. Unlike a gasoline motor, a
diesel motor will continue to make power as more fuel is added. As more
fuel is added, heat will be generated until the motor just gets too hot and
things start to melt. This is a situation you want to avoid. Exhaust gas
temperature is the ideal measurement of how hot the motor is, since
temperature fluctuations in exhaust gas are almost instantaneous. Just so
you know, it is possible to generate excessive EGT on a stock truck,
particularly if you are towing. This is why we always recommend installing
an EGT gauge, and why we built the Attitude monitor, which monitors EGT
and will automatically defuel your truck when EGTs get too high.
In our experience 1350 degrees is about as high as you want to let your
EGTs go. Keep in mind, the stress on your engine created by the heat is a
function of both temperature and time. A brief spike to 1400 that lasts a
second is not that big of a deal. Pulling up a hill for several minutes at 1400
is far worse.
As you drive your truck in the various power settings, keep your eye on the
EGTs. Depending on how you drive and where you drive, you may find a
particular power level is more suitable to your power needs.
The Juice Module and your Transmission
The automatic transmission has a fluid-filled clutch-like device called a
torque converter. This device uses the spinning motion of the motor to drive
the transmission which drives your wheels. As the truck speed stabilizes,
the torque converter engages a mechanical connection which locks the two
halves of the torque converter, so the output shaft is going the same speed as
the input shaft. This mechanical linking of the two halves is called
Transmission Lock-up.
If the motor produces too much power, this
mechanical lock-up can start to slip. When this slipping occurs, the Juice
module reduces the power output to allow the transmission to function
properly. This is a great feature that provides an extra level of protection for
your vehicle. Please keep in mind however, that if you run in level 4 or 5,
the additional power is so great that it is possible to overstress a stock
Allison transmission if you drive too hard.
