Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Couple of Comp install questions....

[ANicklas]

Hi guys... .

I got my Edge Comp in the mail today. I got through reading the manual, and I have an extra wire. Well, I know it's supposed to be there, but can't figure out exactly what it does/where it goes.

At the end of the harness is the wire that attaches to the VP pump wire (spade connector), along with another wire, terminating in a ring connector. Is this a ground of some sort? I couldn't find anything about it in the manual..... if it is, does it matter where it goes? I'm inclined to think it grounds to the VP case or something because of it's location in the harness, but I've been known to be wrong before.



This is probably a dumb question, but why do I need the new elbow fitting on the turbo? Increased flow or something (haven't looked at the one I have yet)?



I'm planning on buying a BD pump cover, so I don't have to tap the wire itself (I'm out of warranty, but don't want to mess up the wire)... . anyone have any feedback on the cover? Is there something better out there?



Thanks for any info you can give me.....

aleksei

 

[BTighe]

the wire is a ground. i believe the elbow is a boost fooler. not sure what years take it if thats the case. my did boost fooling through the box i think.

 

[ANicklas]

Mine's an 01. I think the manual uses the new elbow, but the autos have a hard line or something like that. I'll check if it fits tomorrow.
So it doesn't matter where the ground mounts?

 

[JR2]

Like they said, its the ground wire. Attach it to a very good ground, like on the batter terminal. I have used one of the air horn bolts and it works for me, but others have had problems.

As for the boost elbow, if you still have the stock turbo you should use it. It will help. Your manual transmission truck should have an HX35 with a rubber hose, just install the elbow in place of the other elbow and re attach the hose.

As far as the pump cover, some like it some don't. My buddy with one had terrible problems with his. If your not worried about warranty then soldier the wire in place and be done.

 

[telliott]

use the elbow for sure. I grounded mine to the intake horn and it has worked fine for me.

 

[Boondocker]

The turbo elbow is to raise the boost. The wastegate on your stock HX-35 should open at about 22psi. With the elbow, you can probably hit 35psi with the Comp on full. That's way too much for that turbo because you're just blowing really hot air, but it won't happen very often anyway. 25-28 psi is about the maximum useful range. The sweet spot is around 20, but that costs a lot of fuel



Yes, the Comp fools the ECM to "say" that the turbo is not over boosting.



I too have heard of problems with the pump covers mashing the wire then not making a good connection. If, like me, you're not so great with a soldering iron, I highly recommend Posi-Lock connectors. DO NOT USE THE PROVIDED SCOTCHLOCK!



I grounded to the air horn because it was convenient. If I was to do it again, I'd lengthen the wire and ground to the battery. When I had a Comp, I hacked up the ashtray and put the box there. I could close the ashtray and be stealthy. Ooh. It's a tight fit but can be done.

 

[CCahill]

I wanted my Comp close by, so I could smoke out the ricers... so I built this...

 

[telliott]

that looks sweet! how did you do that?

 

[ANicklas]

CCahil, that looks pretty nifty... .
So I installed the Comp today - on to the next batch of questions (not too many).....
1) When I access the sub-menus, the lights blink extremely rapidly. I know they blink, but strobe? Is this normal?
2) After being in the sub-menu, is there any way to go back to the level settings without switching off the Comp and turning it back on? If I try to hold the grey button for a few seconds while in the subs, it shuts off when I let go.
3) I haven't tapped the wire yet (going to wait at least a few weeks - see, I have self control... . ); as a result, I thought levels 1-5 were all the same while improperly installed ;-) I get a lot more smoke on 5x5 than 1x5... . what gives? Granted, I was still on base, so I couldn't really put the hammer down, but still kinda curious... .
4) While installing the new boost elbow, the busted old stock hose tore. The only thing I had to replace it with was 1/4" fuel line. Will this last, and if not, does anyone have any suggestions as to what to use?

Thanks for answering all my dumb questions.....

 

[Boondocker]

I'll take a crack at #3. The main levels are about how much fuel. Edge relates to this in terms of horsepower settings. The sub-levels are about when the fuel comes in. Sub-level 1 is supposed to be less than stock at a given load (some formula having to do with RPM, accelerator pedal position, and boost), whereas sub-level 5 provides all the fuel right away (thus more smoke because you don't have enough boost to burn the diesel). If the wire is not tapped, the amount is equal to main level 1 regardless of the level setting.

The setup tip if you're untapped is to set the main and sub levels the same, eg. 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5. This is because you can only adjust the main level on the fly. But when you're untapped, only the sub-levels matter because all main levels equal 1.

I hope that's clear, 'cause that was like the best explanation ever

 

[klaybus]

Tap it! I just installed my Comp last weekend & soldered the wire in place. The difference is like night & day however your clutch may not like it... .



Clay

 

[CCahill]

Actually, I've done a few of these for other Dodge owners... back to the Comp install... no sense in using the Comp, if you don't tap the wire... . I used a Blue Chip cover... same thing... Boondocker is pretty close to the description of the levels... you can go to the Edge site, also, and get the full explanation... ... Also, unless you have the Drag Comp, (Hot), be prepared for defueling at the higher level, and top RPM... it's like somebody yanked you plug wires... well, you know what I mean...

 

[ANicklas]

Actually I thought Boondocker's explanation was better than Edge's... . I was messing around yesterday and turned off the box before I pulled away from a stoplight - even without having the wire tapped, I realized I'm addicted :-D
It's not that I'm not going to tap the pump, I just don't want to damage the actual wire itself. I'm probably going to order myself a pump cover within a week or so then use that. Hopefully I'll still have a clutch ;-)

 

[CCahill]

I usually run around with mine on 2/2... plenty of power for a driver... with my new BD trans, and triple disc 'verter... the tires will bark in 2nd gear now, if I'm a little aggressive with the throttle...

 

[telliott]

my clutch held up fine with the comp. it even held with the comp/smarty combo..... for a while.

 

[ANicklas]

What level were you at? I'm thinking I won't be able to get much past 2xsomething without slipping, but maybe, just maybe, if someone managed to do it, I can too. Of course, that's the same thing I've said about everything I've broken in the past... .

 

[JMcKee]

Some people have good luck with clutches and others dont. I have been surprised with mine, its held up to a drag comp (many 5x5 runs) for over a year. I was really blown away when it held stacked with the smarty on 8 a couple of times. On the other hand my buddies 99 will slip the clutch anywhere near 5x5. Ground wire on the air horn has also worked well for me. I mounted mine with my cb in the dash, ill see if i can get the pic to work.

 

[telliott]

with just the comp, my clutch held at whatever level i would throw at it. usually on 2x5, but would run it on 5x5 occasionally when i wanted to play. it even held several runs with the smarty on 6 and the comp on 5x5. but she finally started to slip after about 6 months of playing with various combinations. But as JMcKee said, it just depends, some have better luck than others.