Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Okay, which box for me?

[WadePatton]

Blue Chip, Edge, PowerMax, Bullydog, VA, etc...



So many products, so few Cummins--in my driveway.



I plan on adding 275's and a stage 1 or 2 box--and trying to keep the stock clutch alive as long as possible. When it smokes I will install an uprated clutch.



I like the multiple settings and in-cab control of the stage 2 boxes, but fear temptation into the SMOKE ZONE And I don't really care for integrated guages--I'm doing the A-pillar thing.



Has anybody been dissatisfied with any of these electronic dohickies, or pi$$ed by customer support? Or seen one really outperform another?



Is there any real difference in the way they accomplish the added power?



How did you choose your box?



Do you wish you'd bought something else of similar power level? (I know we all want MO POWER)



Or is it just a crap shoot?



There are some UGLY boxes out there. Is that why Edge is so popular? (least offensive package)



Thanks

 

[Car_nut57]

As long as you are considering all boxes, why not look at the Western Diesel Turbo RPM module. It has adjustable settings for future upgrades such as injectors etc. It is 65hp and 188lb/ft at the rear wheels and nearly stock EGTs. We have seen many happy customers with this product. Check them out in the vendor classifieds on this website.

 

[Jetpilot]

I run an Edge Comp. Personally I think it is the best fueling box available today. It gives you the ability to turn up or down the power from within the cab. You also have control of sub-levels that will help with smoke control. The Comp is a timing and fueling box in one convenient unit, where most others are either timing or fueling but not both. I understand your concern over smoking the clutch with the higher output boxes... . But, if you buy one of the timing boxes once you get a new clutch you will probably want a fueling box. Now you will need to spend additional $$ to accomplish this. Maybe purchasing a Comp and not hooking up the pump wire would be an option. This would give you the performance of an EZ but the ability to upgrade the power by just connecting the pump wire when you are ready.



The customer support from Edge is second to none in my opinion. In any event good luck with your choice.



Doug

 

[jwilliams3]

I would go with EDGE!

There boxes do what they say they are going to do, and are reasonably priced.

If you are keeping the stock clutch go with an Edge EZ (since you dont want gauges), if you want gauges later on and a clutch get the EDGE comp.



Not affiliated with Edge!

 

[WadePatton]

JW3 you got me wrong

I gots to have guages, but not the kind built into the box--like power max and blue chip I think.



I'm installing EGT, Boost, and Fuel pressure on the A-pillar.



If I get an Edge it will be the Comp.



ANYBODY running the WD Turbo RPM? I'll go search.



i should sleep sometime...

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I'm running a Powermax3 with the gauges. I was one of the first buyers of the original Powermax back in 99 and have been very happy with them. I too prefer analog gauges and I'm running the analog gauges on the a pillar as well as the Powermax3 remote. The reason I run the PM3 remote is to be able to set an EGT defuel point so when I'm hauling the trailer behind me I don't have to watch the gauge like a hawk. Only problem is that I've been running it on too high a level and have bent a SOLID drop hitch (1 inch thick on the drop part) towing the TT . Running the way I am I have the best of both worlds, the analog gauges for monitoring and the digital gauges for checking a peak/setting an EGT limit. JMHO

 

[DarrellB]

1 more vote for TST

I'm with Steve on this one. I also got one of the original Power Max 2 boxes in 99. It has been on the truck for 40K miles and is doing great. I put in the 275hp injectors shortly after installing the PM2. I run anologe gauges in the a pillar that I also got from TST. I'm still on my stock clutch also, but soon to upgrade to something with a little more holding power. If you go with a PM they make a remote that just has the buttons to adjust the box. the remote is only about 1' long and 1/2" wide and will fit almost anywhere. If you go with a PM1 or PM2 you can upgrade to a 3 or a Comp version later for a $100. I regularly haul large loads of at least 20Klbs and can leave the box on the hole time.



Mark and the rest of the guys and gals at TST are real nice people to deal with too.



My 2cents

Darrell

 

[Stroke This 24V]

EDGE

The Edge Comp is fun. I like it and it woke the trck up

 

[WadePatton]

Must not have sold any Turbo RPM boxes

Cause I cain't find nary reference to one. Except somebody saying that it's really a an EZ with different stickers.



Anybody UNHAPPY with a tweak box/injector setup?



besides the usual "must have more" chant



Box first or injectors first?

 

[Mactruck]

Personally, I would do the injectors first.

My thinking is that do you want to add more fuel to a little injector?

Also people have stated that injectors give the High Output motor more of a wake-up because the HO motor normally uses smaller injectors than the regular Cummins. They have also stated that the EZ does'nt add that much to a HO unless combined with injectors. .

JMHO

Kevin

 

[JR2]

If you go to this thread and follow the link in the first post you will find a listing of all (at that time) major boxes for our trucks. Enjoy.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Re: Must not have sold any Turbo RPM boxes

Originally posted by WadePatton

. . . I cain't find nary reference to one. Except somebody saying that it's really a an EZ with different stickers.

I'm pretty sure it's not a rebadged EZ box. Last I knew the EZ box had no settings to compensate for injector upgrades like the TurboRPM box does (has 3 settings). While it doesn't add a ton of HP at least it's adjustable, has a built in boost module and doesn't tap into the injection pump wire and doesn't connect via the injection pump harness.



I just talked to Dave at Diesel Power Products here in Pasco and he invited me to come over and try one out and play with it. I'm going over tomorrow and spec it out. I'll post my impressions of it tomorrow night.



Vaughn

 

[JR2]

Hey Vaughn - I will be real suprised if its not a rebadged EZ. Edge told me that they sell boxes to Western and that RPM box is the only box Western sells. Go read up on both boxes. .

www.westerndiesel.com/dsp_dodge_rpm.asp#

www.edgeproductsinc.com/dodge_ez.html



There are just too many things that are the same.....



I guess it really does not matter if they are the same, its just a pet peeve of mine..... Let me know what you figue out.



JR2

 

[WadePatton]

hay JR2

Can't get that link to load. Would like to see it.

 

[JR2]

Wade - after I posted the link I tried it out and the site is down. The guy who runs the server (out of his home) is on his honeymoon. I have sent him an email and it should be back when he gets home. I have a copy of page on another computer but it is not with me now, I am trying to get it emailed to me so I can post it.



Sorry about that.....



John

 

[Partyat33]

PowerMax 3 gets my vote. I had an EZ but it was not nearly enough and you don't get the in cab remote. TST has been very forthcoming with information whenever I have called.



That's my vote.





Dennis

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

JR2, you may be right. The reason I figured they were different is the EZ doesn't have 3 different settings to compensate for injectors (that I know of anyway) like the TurboRPM does. Maybe it's a cross with the Pulse? Maybe Edge builds to WD's specs and added the adjustability feature?



I tried an EZ on my ETH and wasn't overly impressed with it. The power came on too sudden when it did kick in and engine rattle was much more pronounced. . . sounded like I'd just started it up on a chilly day even though it was warmed up. Too much timing advance IMO. I noticed the same thing on Jim's (CUMMNTSTKN) ETH.



I'll still give the TurboRPM a try tonight and give my impressions. I am interested to see how well it does with smoke and EGT since it's humid and in the mid 90s.



Vaughn

 

[JR2]

Hey Vaughn,

The EZ does have some adjustability. If you open the back up there are three jumper settings. These setting just adjust the amount of boost the EZ has to see befrore it starts adding the tiny bit of fule it adds. In a way that is an adjustment for injector size and if you set it to the least agressive position it will not make a big clould of smoke because the boost has a chance to build before the additional fuleing. This worked fine for me when I had my 275's but with DD3's I just leave it on the most aggressive setting. You might try DD's version of the EZ, I think it has a bit less timing for use with big injectors.



Let us know how you like the Western Box.



JR2

 

[Mr. Brewski]

If I had it to do all over again I'd have waited for the Edge Comp. The VA is an OK box. It pushed a little more fuel off boost and probably has a bit of an advantage over an EZ, but smokes more. One advantage to the EZ/VA/Puck is that you can borrow one of your buddies and try them out in a snap. Takes about 5 minutes to install one. I've added a boost elbow and module, and will end up with DD2's or 3's and a new clutch.

 

[1tuffram]

Edge or DD fuel box

What would you guys recommend? I have a 2002 ETH and will either go with DD 2 or DD 3 injectors. Would you recommend an Edge Comp or DD's version when running DD injectors?? My main concern is smoke, since I live at 5000 ft elevation (which has me leaning toward the DD 2's), but also want good drivability, smooth idle and running, etc.





Yes I know everytime the question "which is better: Edge or DD boxes" come up the answer is clear as mud. But I was wondering if there was a more definitive answer when running DD injectors. How is DD customer service compared to Edge. Everything I have read on this subject about Edge sounds like they will bend over backwards for the customer. How about Diesel Dynamics??