Pyrometer...how's it used?
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Registered User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,677
From: T-town
Pyrometer...how's it used?
I know what a pyrometer is.....I know how it works.....I know how to install it and all that. I just don't know how to use it for tuning purposes. I'm thinking about getting one because they're supposed to be more effective than A/F gauges but I need to know what the readings mean before I drop the cash into one. Thanks in advance...
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,037
From: 51°N 114°W, 3500' elevation
It's a mechanical thermocoupler. A probe is inserted into a header tube about 1" from the head. The probe is heated up by the exhaust gasses and sends a signal to the pyrometer gauge. The only thing electrical needed is a power wire for the light in the gauge.
Under load should be in the 1150-1250* range. Higher temperature means it's running lean, lower temperature is running fat. Each car is different so reading plugs is also required before knowing what temperature range works best.
Big dollar racers use datarecorders and have a probe in each header tube to watch the temperature of each cylinder. Most of us who only use one probe just stick it into the #1 cylinder tube and hope the rest are the same.
Under load should be in the 1150-1250* range. Higher temperature means it's running lean, lower temperature is running fat. Each car is different so reading plugs is also required before knowing what temperature range works best.
Big dollar racers use datarecorders and have a probe in each header tube to watch the temperature of each cylinder. Most of us who only use one probe just stick it into the #1 cylinder tube and hope the rest are the same.
