Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 24 valve HO, towing and EZ...

[Gary - K7GLD]

After MUCH checking, anguish and realization af various complicating factors specifically relative to my year/model truck, I have reached the conclusion that for the most part I am satisfied to add only a modest power enhancement to my new truck.



To that end, it appears that the EZ would be the best "bang for the buck", as I am only interested in applying mods to the timing and boost levels on my truck, and leave fueling as it is to avoid as much as possible known problems common to lift pumps and subsequently, injector pumps when more aggressive mods are done.



Only remaining question is, what noticeable improvements in the later HO 24 valvers with 6 speeds and EZ added have been experienced in towing situations, especially in steep grades - is the expense really worth it?



What seems to be the best price, and from whom, and realizing the faint (?) possibility I might backslide later and want to add more power, is the cost difference between the boxes that are ONLY timing/boost much different from the ones that offer separate timing/fuel management? If there's no great price advantage, might as well get a box that IS capable of more potential, and not be forced to upgrade later if I get greedy...



I realize there is lots of box-related info available in the TDR, and have read much of it - but I'm particularly interested in comments from actual USERS with trucks like mine related to EZ-type timing/boost only boxes and there actual benefits in towing situations...

 

[wyosteve]

Gary, I'll give you my thoughts. I have an 01 ETH. only power mod if you will is EZ. Bought it specifically for towing, since most if not all the additional fueling takes place below 2000 rpm. Makes a world of difference. I live in the West so 6% or more grades are common as is the effect of altitude. Pulling the same load up same hill w/o EZ would limit me to about 65 mph. With EZ, no limit, i. e. could keep any speed I wanted. Last weekend I pulled 20,940 lbs. gross, truck, trailer, and hay and never had to shift out of 6th. Can't imagine why anyone would want more power. Install/removal takes maybe 5 minutes and can be done by the mechanically challenged like myself. In my opinion, it' s the best answer for towing. Forgot to mention I have 3. 54 rear end.

 

[Tomeygun]

my two cents:



i bought the edge comp for my ETC...



i have yet to hook up the pump wire, so all i have is a fancy EZ, really...



BUT when (not if), i want that extra little something, its just a wire tap away,



but with the cost difference i thought it was a no brainer...



injectors next?

 

[Rob Thomas]

Ditto on, it makes a world of differance, I also have an ETH with an EZ... ... ... ... ... .

Originally posted by wyosteve

Can't imagine why anyone would want more power.

However, the EZ was just a lure or a tease to me, I had to have more power. Some guys buy the other box and leave the pump wire loose, as the cost isn't much more for the other box, BUT I have zero will power and that "loose wire" would only be hangin' for maybee 10 minutes. Now I'm at 387 rwhp and want alot more still. My piont is this, if you can control yourself, the EZ is great, to bad I can't. Good Luck, you'll need it!!!



Later, Rob

 

[CumminsDZL]

how much difference when not towing have you noticed with the EZ? I tow all day long but i like to play with PSD'S at night.

 

[emarsh]

My 02 6 speed was delivered the last week of January this year and I already have 10, 987 miles to date. I have owned many new vehicles and never put this much mileage on one ever before. I LOVE this truck, and we will be traveling to Oregon to attend a wedding next month. We also own a 96 Lincoln Mk8, a very comfortable car, both my wife AND myself decided instead to take the Ram. I bought this truck to tow cars with a 2,000# trailer (empty) that I already own. I have the EZ edge, along with a BHAF and a 4 inch exhaust. In my opinion, my truck will pull anything I could ever want. True, some want even more power, some always will. For the appx. $ 1k spent on these alone, what a BIG difference. I wish that I would have had the forsight to run the truck on a dyno or use my vericom device before and after to quantify the performance increase for other members. Get the EZ, you will never look back!



not affiliated with edge products!

 

[DRR-24V]

It Makes A Killer Towing Rig !

With just the EZ and a PacBrake I can tow up or downhills at about any speed I wish. The 6 speed could pull another gear with the EZ.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

What sort of EGT's and maximum boost under load are you guys with the EZ and few/no other mods seeing?

 

[Archive]

I have a Comp box. . normally the wire is attached. . but on a recent trip the wire came lose, and I left it off for the rest of the trip to compare the EGT's and boost pressures. Without the wire (fancy EZ) max boost is about 26, EGT's Max about 1100. . which is about the same or lower than stock. That is with a stock airfilter, and a aftermarket muffler. . 5sp ETC...

Hook the wire up and you can tow in 4x5 boost can go to35-36. . just keep an eye on the EGT's, but 99% of the time they are OK. (I don't usually tow with it this high, but do sometimes. )

Bryan



I would go for the Comp, and leave the wire lose. . Yes. . it is just a fancy EZ. . but when you hook up the wire... Hold on. . its twice an EZ... at about 10% more in $$$$

 

[KWIKKURT]

Originally posted by wyosteve

Gary, I'll give you my thoughts. Can't imagine why anyone would want more power.

wyosteve, ROTFLMAO... ... . It wasn't long ago 1. 5YR's I said the same thing!!!!





Gary-KJ6G... . The EZ is a great place to start..... I highly suggest gauges first... They are extremely helpful in more ways then you think... And most Bombers (Big and Small) wish they had installed them first... . For safetys sake you don't need them with just the EZ... But they are great for knowing what power increases you see with the box...



Also I want to say... The EZ with 275RV's are the Perfect Combination for you guys that feel you will actually be able to stop Bombing once you start!!

 

[Tomeygun]

Originally posted by TractorNut

I 5sp ETC... Hook the wire up and you can tow in 4x5 boost can go to35-36. . (I don't usually tow with it this high, but do sometimes. )

Bryan

do you have any upgraded clutch?



i assumed the comp on that high of level would need a Southbend

 

[jtisdale]

I can hit 35# of BOOST with the EZ. EGTs never over 1150* F. This is getting on it HARD with 7500# on behind. There is a definite increase in POWER, at least in my case. Hills that would require a shift before, dont now. As for PRICE, just have to shop around. You wont regret it.

 

[cullyguy]

Consider the Diesel Dynamics True Torque Box. Silghtly less HP & TQ, but not as agressive timing or fueling. You end up with a quieter motor & less smoke when you go to larger injectors (you will, no matter wat you think now ) I just got he 02 to 01 adapter for my DD TT box that came off my traded truck, put it on tonight @ 457 MI. Instant . Just don' forget to disconnect both batteries BEFORE you do the connections o whatever box you choose.

 

[Bigsaint]

The EZ alone with the ETH is a great combo. Won't tax your injection pump and actually lowers egt's with the boost elbow installed. I still remember the first test ride after the EZ was installed, couldn't believe the difference in a otherwise stock truck. Although I slipped off the edge with power mods. , I still use the EZ, now with larger injectors, as my daily driver. Someday, when we get the 5th wheel camper we want, I'll downsize to step 2 injectors and keep the EZ, should be just right for towing while allowing some room for unloaded racing. That's the beauty of the EZ, works great on the ETH with stock injectors and works equally well with the large showerheads. I wouldn't trade it. IMHO, the EZ with stock injectors brings the HX35 right into it's sweet spot, I went from 19 psi's of boost to a max of 28 psi's.



Scott W.

 

[andrewkoperdak]

Gary,

I understand that you are considering a "box" of some sorts. I have this to offer. A gentleman here in the threads suggested that I go with an injector upgrade. He went on to say that the injector upgrade applied power more smoothly than a box does. the injectors don't 'shock' the drivetrain components like a "box" may. I bought Stage 3 injectors which add about 100+ hp to a stock engine. I am sold on my decision and the theory presented to me for buying them. If I were to have only one complaint, I would say that I now have to much power. My accelerator is very touchy. I was watching how much foot pedal movement I have getting up to speed. I don't move my accelerator peddle more that a 1/4 inch to get to 65 mph. Hill climbing... I live in San Diego and have plenty of ups and downs. MY EGT's are about 150 degrees F less than stock and I don't have to downshift anymore when pulling my 5th wheel. She just goes and goes. I thought maybe an alternate opinon would help. I too was sold on a box way back when. I would not do it any differently today if I had to make the same decision again. IMHO

Andy

 

[RHamner]

Gary with the EZ only added to my HO and towing my 10000# fifth I felt I was happy, but was curious how much better I was doing. Felt great, but quantitativly how much better.



Took the EZ and the elbow off. Took my wife and a clip board for a ride with the fifth to a hill coming home that winds and has always tended to bog me down. Found a place to do a turn and start up from the side of the road. I had her mark Gear , RPM, MPH, EGT and Boost at elapsed odometer points. Then I put the EZ and elbow back on and did it calling out the info at the same odometer points. I've got a sheet filled with data( I also did it empty both ways and with stock and Amsoil filter) Not meaningful



To summerize with the EZ and elbow on I added 10 to 12 MPH at 20, 30 , 40 and 50, and even with the added preformance, I was never over 1100 and usually not over 1050 going from 20# boost to about 28#s of boost. Don't bother without the elbow, you got to pull your foot off early as the EGT heads quickly over 1200.



Incidentally I drove 80 west from Reno with the fifth and It will hold 60 over Donner pass slowing for traffic, going to 5th then reaccelerating to 60-65 in 6th. Hope that helps!

 

[RHamner]

Gary Just to add I have 40000 mi on the truck now and had a little puff of black smoke when fueling heavily. The EZ comes with 3 settings (jumper settings that take1 min. to reset) I reset from the most aggressive as it came to the middle setting. Less smoke, I thought it might be easier on the clutch, and I've been told it only effects it below 10# of boost. As far as I can tell for my purpose it works as good as before. No drags for me.

 

[RCone]

I tow a 8500 lb. (dry weight) 5ver. When I had just the EZ installed, I could notice the difference just backing up out of the garage area. My other mods, which came later, are listed in my signature, and with the setup that I have, I have to take my foot off of the accelerator for the corners going uphill between Western and Central Oregon. I have all of the power I need and then some. I do run exclusively with overdrive locked out tho, around 2300 rpms. Also notice that I have a PacBrake. There are those that say they do not work on an automatic. I would agree that they are not of much use around town, but going down a 5% grade with a 5ver pushing you and your transmission in 2nd gear. it DOES work. Hardly have to tap the brakes unless for a corner.



Just my thoughts and based on real world experience.



Roger

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

WOW!



GREAT bunch of info guys - I *REALLY* appreciate it!



The alternate suggestions are well taken as well.



Based upon info above - and the apparent fact that there is NOT a great price advantage in buying the less aggressive Edge EZ with timing/boost only - as compared with paying a bit more for the Comp with its ability to run timing/boost only like the EZ, and still have fueling available for when I get stupid, I think that is the way I'll go...



Now, just gotta find the best current price on one - any suggestions? Feel free to contact me privately if preferred...

 

[RHamner]

Gary you might look again at edge. The EZ does fuel, they just say it stays within the power train limits for towing . For only towing puposes I'm going to stay with the EZ, although I'm sure some might suggest the comp.



http://www.edgeproductsinc.com/dodge_ez.html