Improving MPG with a box

[Mr. Hemi]

How many out there have been able to improve their mileage with the addition of a box on the 2004. 5 trucks? Really think they could get more efficiency by altering the injection events.



Currently getting about 16. 2 to and from work and around home and the farm, highway mileage at 75 MPH on a trip up I-81 and back 18. 0 all hand calculated, takes lots of fingers.

 

[pacersfan]

My mileage was not very good starting out. I wasn't figuring by hand i was using the truck computer... and it was saying like 13. 8 when running about 75 mph. I added a TST and saw the mileage climb up. I then added an airdog so that i applying the proper fuel pressure after the TST addition. Now running around 80-90 i am getting about 18. 4. My miles on the truck are also climbing and with my 2000 truck i didn't get good mileage till around 20k miles on it. I am approaching that now on my 2004. 5

 

[RodDawg]

I too have seen an improvement after adding the TST. Approx 2mpg improvement @ 16k+ miles on truck.

 

[JThacker]

I am considering the Edge EZ box for my 2004. 5 600 Cummins, this is my first diesel and I am moderately mechanically inclined, do oil changes, brakes etc. How hard is the installation? And most importantly I am WORRIED about the possible bad consequences of such an upgrade, I know I will need a pyrometer, but what happens if I exceeed the magic number, I suppose I just back it off and drive leisurely. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[SRadke]

First, the EZ has not yet been released for the 04. 5 600's. When it is the install (if anything like the 03-04's) will be very simple.



As for mileage, any box that advances timing will help. Currently the only one available for the 600 (as far as I know) is the TST. I too saw about 2 mpg gain in my 03 with the TST box.



-Scott

 

[Mr. Hemi]

I was half leaning towards the Beta test for Edge, but am kind of conservitive on the risk taking along with not hearing anything from them. Would not mind putting the TST on as it sounds like the best out there especially since it does not mess with fuel pressures, others tend to raise fuel pressure to make more power. Only thing is the loss of warranty when just trying for a little better MPG.

 

[jcarey]

That's the only downside to the TST. It looks like a great box, something to grow into if you want.



The problem is all the connections and the boost elbows. The connections I can deal with, but the boost elbow is a little too much to take off every time you have to take the truck in for service.



Still... it's a great box... and I'm very tempted. (I think it has something to do with this forum!?!)

 

[SRadke]

I can swap out a boost elbow in 5 minutes! It'd take twice that long to get all those dang wire plugs loose... . not that I would ever give mine up.



-Scott

 

[jcarey]

Careful, you're eroding my willpower

 

[SP Diesel]

You should not need to use a boost elbow on a 600 since the wastegate is electronically controlled.



jcarey, you have a PM

 

[GWoody]

"You should not need to use a boost elbow on a 600 since the wastegate is electronically controlled"



On the 04. 5 TST is using one to keep from building too much boost, I think their theory is the electronic gate is too slow for the amount of fuel the box puts out. They plug the hose from the soloenoid and run a small line from the intake to the wastegate with a little adjustable elbow in the line and these are calibrated and not supposed to be messed with.

 

[SP Diesel]

Interesting information GWoody, it sounds like they are converting the wastegate back to boost elbow controls so there product works from 03-04 to 04. 5 with minimal programing modifications.



We have not found electronically controlling the wastegate to be an issue.

 

[Mr. Hemi]

Does the factory computer know and store information that the TST box was hooked up?