Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Need Info On The Edge EZ

[Lube Man]

I am thinking seriously of adding the Edge EZ, primarily to get a little more torque when pulling my 10K lb 5th wheel.

I do not want to decrease reliability or longevity of my truck. Can any one help answer one or more of the following questions:



Edge claims fuel milegage increase up to 10%. Can anyone support this?



Edge claims the only advantage to using the boost elbow is to lower EGT. Does anyone have any data on this?



How exactly does the boost elbow work? From the instructions it looks like you substitute one brass fitting with another. What am I missing?



Any comments on reliability and engine durability?



Thanks for help. I just don't do anything to my truck before consulting you guys.

 

[lcoblentz]

I'll take a stab at this one



I wouldn't count on any increase in mileage. You *may* see a small increase depending on your driving habits.



You *will* see a definate increase in the old seat-o-the-pants meter. Basically, the EZ moves the fueling curve down in the RPM band, and adds timing. More low end torque is the biggest advantage.



You should use the boost elbow supplied with the EZ. It simply changes the metering to the waste gate, causing it to open later which makes more boost. You will need it under load to control EGT. It is a very simple change out, as you already noted. Just unscrew the stock one, and screw in the new one. It's a little tougher for those guys with automatics, but you don't need to worry about that.



On your truck (not an H. O. ) I would definately recommend it if you are just loooking for more low end grunt for towing purposes. I don't like the added timing on my H. O. though.



In summary, it probably decreases the overall longevity of the engine, but not enough to offset the positive aspects. Anytime you make more power, you must give up something in the longevity department. Reliability is very good. Just watch that lift pump! In the end, I think you'll be very happy. Oo.

 

[SnoKing]

Why not spend a bit more and get an Edge Comp and not hookup the pump wire. You then have in cab control. If you increase boost, even with the Comp turned off the boost fooler is still working, to prevent setting an error code. Then if you get a clutch and want more, you can hook up the pump wire. Get a fuel pressure gauge if you do not have one. SNOKING

 

[HC]

First, a disclaimer: My opinion and experiences may be far different from those of other TDR members. Take them for what they are: my opinion, and my experience on my truck.



>Edge claims fuel milegage increase up to 10%. Can anyone support this?



My experience was no verifiable mpg increase. On some tanks, you might see an increase, but averaged over thousands and thousands of miles of driving, running with and without the EZ, I could not see a consistent increase. I've been told that owners with Autos are more likely to see some improvement; those with manuals see less. My conditions are almost always lightly loaded, so it is also possible that those towing might see something I didn't see.



>How exactly does the boost elbow work? From the instructions it looks like you substitute one brass fitting with another. What am I missing?



The fitting that you install has a very small pinhole drilled in it. This bleeds off some of the vacuum, so that the opening of the wastegate to dump boost is delayed and/or the wastegate is prevented from fully opening. Someone with a better knowledge of turbos can probably explain it more accurately.



>Any comments on reliability and engine durability?



I believe that it all boils down to two questions: How often are you really going to be running it that hard, and how long do you really plan to keep the vehicle? Even if you accelerate hard from every stop, that is still a fraction of the total operating time. There are no free lunches, but the Cummins will last 3 to 5 times longer than most people will ever keep the truck, so if you typically sell before hitting the 300k mark, then it may be a non-issue for you. A fuel pressure gauge is a good idea; as you add boxes that increase the fuel delivery that becomes even more true.



ADDITIONAL: I had the EZ, but never was completely happy with it. When you accelerate from a stopped or other "low boost" situation, you will get quite a cloud of smoke for the first few seconds until the turbo comes up to speed. I saw this even on the lowest setting. Also, changing settings requires opening the hood and opening the box. I finally broke down and got myself an Edge Comp, and I've been much happier with that. Even if you don't pierce the pump wire, you have much more low-boost smoke control with the five "sub-settings", AND, you can change the power settings, or turn it off completely, from inside the cab by pushing a few buttons. The price difference between the two isn't that much, and the extra time spent installing it is well worth it for what you get (in cab controls).

 

[Boondocker]

I bought a used EZ from a member for $325. That is easily the most performance bang for the buck I can imagine. I've messed around with the 3 settings, both empty and towing (9600# 5th wheel), I always come back to the #2 setting. So I don't play with the settings any more. In the long run, I think I would have been happier with in in-cab adjustability of the Comp, but didn't want to be tempted to pierce the pump wire.



I find the "roughness" (using that term lightly) of the timing advance somewhat undesireable on my HO, but not a problem. I have heard that it helps reduce EGTs.



The boost elbow raises your boost ceiling. Stock will max about 22psi, elbowed will max about 32 psi. This also helps reduce EGT while burning more fuel.



I realized about . 5 MPG gain with the EZ. I got 1+ MPG gain freeway cruising from the tonneu cover. I get 2 MPG better cruising at 65 mph than cruising at 75 mph. Getting better fuel mileage is cheap and easy, you just have to be willing to drive slower



Happy New Year,

Neil

 

[Michael Hughes]

Two friends got me an EZ for my birthday this year. It was used and didn't have to boost elbow. I ran it on the highest setting for a while, but the EGTs got over 1200 really easy, so I put it on the lowest setting. I really liked the highest setting, so I made my own boost elbow, and on the highest setting my EGT never get over 1100.



Like lcoblentz said, "You *will* see a definate increase in the old seat-o-the-pants meter. ". It really wakes it up in the lower RPM range.



Best birthday gift I have gotten in a long time!