EGT Sensor Reading Low

Today I installed a PLX EGT sensor I had laying around that I bought when they had a sale. I already have their wideband afr sensor and their DM6 gauge. The EGT sensor module connects to the wideband module, and my gauge can display either one I select.

Ok so anyways I have Doug Thorley headers which accept EGR but my truck does not have EGR so I just used a block off plate to cover it up. I then thought "wow this would be an easy place to install an EGT sensor." After getting it all hooked up I noticed the EGTs seem pretty low. I can't break 400 degrees, even in boost, which I know is not correct. I believe it may be due to the location I selected to install it. However the egr block off plate is only like 1" max from the actual header. I don't see how the EGTs could read so low in this location. Anyone know what could be going on? Did I really pick a bad place for the sensor? Or could it be something else? Thanks.

 

That's crazy looking - is there a stand-off tube coming out of the collector for the EGR? Does the EGT sensor need to be in the exhaust flow? It may be sending a faulty signal if it's in an area of high turbulence outside of the exhaust flow, if it's tucked up inside that tube.

 

Yes the egt needs to be in the exhaust flow. I just thought where I had it would be good enough. But appararntly it isn't. I feel like what's happening is my exhaust passes the egr port I have because I have literally free flow exhaust (no cat with maganglow muffler). So there's no time for temperature to build up and reflect actual EGT. Here's a better pic of where it's installed. It's literally right off the header in the little egr port. I just can't believe that a little 1" stand off pipe from the header could make it read 500-600 degrees below what it should.

 

Yeah it probably reads whatever temp the sensor housing is, which after a couple minutes of driving would be the same as the gas temp. There's so much surface area compared to volume in that little tube that the housing never heats up all the way.
Did you just delete all the EGR stuff?

 

It literally has to be in the airflow stream. Gotta move it.