Tom Boyd
Member
I just got back from Vancouver, BC where my Delica had spent some time getting a thorough inspection on all areas and updated where necessary. This was done at a shop that only imports and services Delica's and has been in business for over 10 years.
During my time there I had a great discussion about the delicate Delica heads, EGT's, and driving methods. The owner indicated to me that the Delica heads were designed to be the point of failure for an overworked engine. Cheaper and easier to replace than the alternatives. He indicated that keeping below 1000 degrees EGT is critical to engine life and the best way to do this is with higher RPM's. He recommeded that almost any time a uphill of any sort required you to add more gas, the first thing you should do it turn OFF the OD, or downshift. This obviously increases RPM's, but will lower EGT's.
On my 7 hour drive home, while monitoring my freshly installed PLX Devices EGT Guage, I put his recommendations to the test. In the Delica I tend to cruise at 100 kmh or 60 mph. RPM's are around 2,200 and EGT's usually below 650. As I approached inclines I would gradually step on the gas to maintain speed, as much as possible, but eventually just give up as maintaining that speed going uphill is difficult for the 2.5. I was shocked at how quickly the EGT's went up. A slight increase in the pedal lead to rapid increases in EGT's. It was not uncommon to approach the 1000 degree mark within just a very short period of time (< 1min). I would then turn OFF the OD, the rpm's would go up to about 3-3.2k, but the EGT's went down significantly (150-200 degrees).
I ended up with a strategy of slower and cooler. Turning off the OD on inclines, keeping the EGT's under 850 and basically just plodding along at 80-85 Kmh up hills.
Writing this as an FYI for everyone, but mostly for people whom do not have an EGT. I was shocked at how quickly they go up. It is easy to get to 1,400 degrees or more if you put your foot in it going uphill. That will just kill you engine.
During my time there I had a great discussion about the delicate Delica heads, EGT's, and driving methods. The owner indicated to me that the Delica heads were designed to be the point of failure for an overworked engine. Cheaper and easier to replace than the alternatives. He indicated that keeping below 1000 degrees EGT is critical to engine life and the best way to do this is with higher RPM's. He recommeded that almost any time a uphill of any sort required you to add more gas, the first thing you should do it turn OFF the OD, or downshift. This obviously increases RPM's, but will lower EGT's.
On my 7 hour drive home, while monitoring my freshly installed PLX Devices EGT Guage, I put his recommendations to the test. In the Delica I tend to cruise at 100 kmh or 60 mph. RPM's are around 2,200 and EGT's usually below 650. As I approached inclines I would gradually step on the gas to maintain speed, as much as possible, but eventually just give up as maintaining that speed going uphill is difficult for the 2.5. I was shocked at how quickly the EGT's went up. A slight increase in the pedal lead to rapid increases in EGT's. It was not uncommon to approach the 1000 degree mark within just a very short period of time (< 1min). I would then turn OFF the OD, the rpm's would go up to about 3-3.2k, but the EGT's went down significantly (150-200 degrees).
I ended up with a strategy of slower and cooler. Turning off the OD on inclines, keeping the EGT's under 850 and basically just plodding along at 80-85 Kmh up hills.
Writing this as an FYI for everyone, but mostly for people whom do not have an EGT. I was shocked at how quickly they go up. It is easy to get to 1,400 degrees or more if you put your foot in it going uphill. That will just kill you engine.
