Everyone says to get gauges if you get a programmer, why?

[Dan"gerous"]

I guess I don't see the point of gauges. Is it so that you can see if you are pushing the engine too hard? If that's the case I don't want a programmer that puts my engine on the ragged edge. I would like more power and better economy sure but not at the cost of engine life.

Do these programmers setup the engine to run so high strung that if you run the truck too hard you can damage things? Sure it would be fun to get the hole shot at a light every now and then but that would be about it for me. So I don't see a need for gauges in my situation........Does this make sense?

[stump0331]

do you haul anything?

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

yes it is to make sure you not going too hot.... and also your stock tranns temp gauge is very inaccurate. i f you want more hp and MPG but dont want to use some gauges stick with a superchips on the tow setting... that will never get you hot enough to do any damage....

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by Dan"gerous"

I guess I don't see the point of gauges. Is it so that you can see if you are pushing the engine too hard? If that's the case I don't want a programmer that puts my engine on the ragged edge. I would like more power and better economy sure but not at the cost of engine life.

The reasons for the gauges is to prevent engine damage. Even with out the programmers and tuners, and chips it is possible to cause damage to your truck when you are pushing it to far. The gauges allow you to monitor things like Exhaust Gas Temp, Boost Pressure, Trans Fluid Tempature, things that are not easily or accurately monitored with the gauges from the factory. It has already been proven that the Trans Temp Gauge from the factory is not very accurate.

If you are doing heavy hauling or towing with your truck I suggest gauges. Yes most likely you are not going to reach the limits of the turbo with boost pressure but, or the high temps of the Exhaust Gas Temps with out a programmer or tuner or chip. But also gauges will tell you when something is not running right. Like if you are getting a low boost reading, you may want to inspect your turbo, intercooler, cac tube boots for a leak which would cause a low boost reading.

I hope I have helped you out with your question.

[Dan"gerous"]

I hear where you guys are coming from but don't push my truck. I do tow a 5,000 travel trailer but that shouldn't make it even break a sweat.
I was leaning towards the Hypertech Max energy because I read that it doesn't run the engine on the edge but still improves everything across the board.

[rajharley]

I agree with big country and raul. Before I had a trans temp gauge I would never have believed how innacurate that the stock trans temp gauge can be. Since installing the trans temp gauge I have seen my trans temps climb to 220 when hauling up a steep grade. THe stock trans temp never went above half way up which is where it normally sits. The aftermarket trans temp gauge allowed me to notice that the temps were getting high and I was able to back out of the throttle to cool it down. If I would have had gauges before my stock trans crapped out I probably would have known it was about to go out. But I did not and got stranded on the side of the road. In fact had I caught it soon enough the repair would have only been a torque converter replacement. But because I had no gauges I ended up a few thousand more for a trans rebuild. Oh and that was on no chip or anything. Just driving to work and pow...trans gone.

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by Dan"gerous"

I hear where you guys are coming from but don't push my truck. I do tow a 5,000 travel trailer but that shouldn't make it even break a sweat.
I was leaning towards the Hypertech Max energy because I read that it doesn't run the engine on the edge but still improves everything across the board.

Even with the Hypertech Max energy I would run gauges.

[rajharley]

If you are towing you need gauges. Period. Your stock gauges are way off. It will give you peace of mind while towing that you are within the parameters you should be. You might not think that towing 5000 lbs is making your motor sweat but I can gaurantee you will be shocked at the difference that the aftermarket gauge will show for your trans temp while towing. Heck I see a huge difference when I am not towing and just going up steep grades I can hit 200 degrees in about 4 miles uphill at 75 mph. Get gauges. you won't be sorry that you did.

[Dan"gerous"]

Are gauges difficult to install?

[stump0331]

not really its pretty cut and dry with a good set of instructions