Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Blue Chip FMS ROCKS!!!!!!!!!

[Briar Hopper]

So the Blue Chip FMS seems expensive? Not really, when you factor in it's features. An extreme number of features, almost as many as Gran Turismo 3 on Playstation 2 . I like it just fine, and have had a lot of fun hanging out with Robert Swartz and Chip Fisher at the diesel events over the past two years. I consider Robert a good friend.

I've dyno'ed their box in a heads-up competition against my own TST Powermax3 , twice last year. I believe either box can have the fueling curves altered to beat the other one at any time, a fair comparision would be hard to do, for several reasons. The PM3 I'm running, for instance, is an altered Competition program that was originally at 65%, and that we dropped to 60% in the hopes of pump longevity. (the FMS has a max of 63%) (65% can be considered a "pump killer", yet mine is still alive, and I run with the box on or near max, all the time) The program increased my lag with the Hx40, but gave me more top end, and more HP on the dyno. I should have re-programmed right away, but time and other things got the better of me. Hopefully I'll be able to do more experimenting this summer, and match it to my Piers Hx40.

Not all boxes meet all needs. You have to pick the features you need. I personally believe they are all pretty close in top HP levels, but don't have enough to back that up. I'm partial to TST Products, due to my proximity to Indiana, and all the help & friendship Mark Chapple has given me over the years. For the record, even though I'm a vendor, I'm sponsored by no one, all the products used, and now in use, on my truck were bought by me.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Good post Tom, well said!



Later, Rob

 

[DEZLPWR]

Anybody know what the % fueling equivalent the Comp on 5-5 is to the FMS? (60%??) Just curious... .

 

[Cummins4Life]

quick question

Does the TST Pmax3 box advance timing?

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Originally posted by DEZLPWR

Anybody know what the % fueling equivalent the Comp on 5-5 is to the FMS? (60%??) Just curious... .

That's really hard because there are only 5 levels on the comp and the comp is a timing box.



To compare the two you would have to adda timing box to the FMS and get a little more info from Edge on their fueling curve. Good luck with that. That would be a trade secret they won't likely let out.



I would guess that they are similar at max fueling but at any point before that there would be some difference.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Re: quick question

Originally posted by Cummins4Life

Does the TST Pmax3 box advance timing?

No, it does not. It adjusts fueling only.

 

[MikeR]

Re: Re: quick question

Originally posted by Mark_Kendrick





No, it does not. It adjusts fueling only.

Actually, Yes the TST Powermax3 does advance timing, but only when the extra fuel is kicking in. When you're out of the fuel it returns to stock timing.



-Mike

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

If that's true then I was misinformed by TST when I called them today to ask that question.



Later,

Mark

 

[Cummins4Life]

ooooh the plot thickens

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

C4L,

Glad you were entertained#ad

 

[Cummins4Life]

Gotta keep a sense of humor about things.

 

[Chipstien]

I don't understand why Bluechip doesn't add timing to their box. At a grand..... whats another hundred or so.

 

[Bigsaint]

When I emailed Mark at TST regarding the timing issue with the PM3 piggybacked to the EZ, I received a reply that stated " why would you want to connect two boxes that advance the timing ?". I'm not questioning Mark, he's a Cummins mechanic and I am not, but, if the TST box advances timing, how does it do this without tapping into the data plug ??? I have the combo of the EZ and the TST PM3 comp. box piggybacked and they work fine together. If they both advanced the timing, I think I would see a problem and I have not.



That being said, with the BD step 3 injectors and the above combo, the ride was fairly smooth through level 6 on the TST box. Since I swapped out for the BD 5's, level 6 is right on the edge of radical. I get a defueling shutter when I left off the go pedal, no matter how light ( in level 6 or beyond). Level 9 is absolutely insane. It hits real hard as soon as the boost rises above 0, heavy shutter when you let of the go pedal. Maybe this is an ETH issue, with the different parameters within the VP44, but in no way does it feel healthy for the injection pumps life span running above level 6 with a TST PM3 competition box and the 5's.



All the heavy fueling boxes accomplish their mission in the same way, right ? Tap the wire to the VP44 and amplify the signal, so that the pump is working outside it's parameter. What's the difference between a Blue Chip box at 50% and a TST box at 50% ? Pick which ever suits you and enjoy the upgrade, they are all good IMHO.



Scott W.

 

[777 MECHANIC]

Im not so sure this is just a ETH issue.

I just got mine upgraded to the comp. and I also get a heavy shudder when getting off the go pedal on levels 7-9.

When using these levels I always depress the clutch right before I let off so it unloads the drivetrain and I dont feel the shudder.

I spoke to TST and was told the shudder problem was taken care of in the new software.

Well, I beg to differ. Other than the shudder, I love the box. Like Big Saint said it hits very hard once the boost starts to come up, especially with the B-1.

RAMTHIS1 has the comp piggybacked with the EZ on his and he says he gets no shudder on the upper levels.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

777, How is that B-1 doing? What kinda temp drops did you get, I know you ran around with the DD3's for a while without it!



Jim

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

I had the same shudder w/the PE Drag Comp. On 5/5 it was unnerving to say the least.



I don't get that w/the FMS but I have at least seen no loss in power and belive to have seen a gain. I will verify this at a dyno as soon as I can manage it.



Remember, when I took off the Comp I added a BC timing box w/the FMS.



Chipstien. . a timing usually box runs near $500.



Later,

Mark

 

[Diesel Freak]

Geez, that thing is just way too big and fuggly. If I were at Blue Chip, I would make it smaller... ... and much more user friendly



smaller is very possible... ...



. 13 micron technology is commonplace now!



small is good... . big and ugly is bad!

 

[Lsfarm]

Have to agree: Fuggly!

I have to agree with Diesel Freak, that box should be hidden like an ugly stepchild! I certainly wouldn't put it up on the dash. Of course the gauges couldn't be read very easily if you placed it on the floor.



I have to say that my Edge Drag Comp has NO stutter, shudder, any bad manners at all except for the opaque cloud of smoke when on 5/5.



Really: I didn't see that cop at the intersection in Muncie when I turned off the sun for a moment or two. Thankfully the police in Muncie have a sense of humor.



I think that changing boxes and injectors every two days doesn't give enough time to tune and figure out what is going on. Once a truck is reaching for the horsepower stratosphere, a bit of patience and dyno tuning is in order with every combination to see what is happening.



BTW: does anyone have an idea what my truck's horsepower should be? I turned a 14. 127 @ 94. 6 mph at Muncie, truck with me should be about 7500#. That weight includes all the soundproofing



I think my BD3s are closer to 4's or there abouts.



I sure had a blast at Muncie!!

 

[Briar Hopper]

The police in Muncie have a sense of humor because they are used to Eric McBride and his truck.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Greg,

All I can say is that it grows on you. It's hard to say about HP on your truck with that itty bitty turbo. Excellent runs at the track though. You have to be pleased with them.



I suspect that the reason you don't get the studder is your injectors are still relatively small and you don't have the Drag Comp. I dunno for sure.



How are your twins coming?