Thread: Performace By Exhaust Temp.

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Does any one ever tune their engine by exhaust temp?I just started trying to use a pyrometer to check exhaust gas temp.I have a couple of hand held units.The type you just point and shoot.They where both with in about 5 degree's of one and other.I tried to point them in the same place every time.The car was pulled off the track after being hot lapped for 5 laps.I checked it as soon as it made it back to the pits.Less than a minute.They where all at about 1,050 degrees F except for the center two on both sides they where down at 1,000 F.I would assume I have a manifold fuel distribution problem. I do know the engine cooled down after it came into the pits.The engine is on alcohol.Yes, there was a group of people around me asking what in the world are you doing now?Followed by I thought you used them to check your tire temp.Have you ever tried to read plugs on alcohol at night with a flash light in your mouth? This is when I came up with this crazy idea.Anyone else ever try this?

Normally this would be done with a probe in each header pipe or at the least a probe in each collector.

With the electronics that are available today, I would think the best way to do it would be with a data recorder showing the exhaust temp of each cylinder during the course of the run. In the past, I've seen individual probes in the headers with a rotary switch to select any one cylinder at a time and display the temp on a digital gauge while on the course.

We use pyrometers on snowmobiles to set the jet size whene we get into the higher elevations, works great. Yes I have tried to read alky plugs at night!!! The lighted spark plug viewer is the way to go, though I can see where the heat gun could be used.......

we used header temp to get our tune dialed in. helped get enough fuel for the big end. old guys would spit on them great tool even for street cars. helps find lying temp gauges.

used one on my super charger to verify the tune. ran the probe type work great

Originally posted by Dave Severson
We use pyrometers on snowmobiles to set the jet size whene we get into the higher elevations, works great. Yes I have tried to read alky plugs at night!!! The lighted spark plug viewer is the way to go, though I can see where the heat gun could be used.......

If my friend suspects a dead cylinder on his snowmobile ( Mach Z 700 triple ) he grabs ahold of the suspected cylenders exaust tube, needless to say, he's been burnt more than once