tst power max for 2002

[jared1]

I have a friend wanting to power up his 2002, he is looking at the power max that tst has, does anybody have these and whats your opinions, anything would help. thanks

 

[Bigsaint]

Jared, I have a TST box and love it, but... . your friend needs to know that this is a major fueling box and will break things in short order if he isn't careful. It will toast his clutch if he has a manual or toast his transmission if he has an auto. Egt's will also be high in an otherwise stock truck. The fueling needs are also high and he is at risk of a VP44 failure if he doesn't have enough fuel for the box. He could always leave the box on the lower settings until he adds a egt. and fuel pressure gauge at a minimum.



A better choice, unless he aware of the risks involved with the TST, would be the Edge EZ box. The transmission/clutch should hold the torque and he is at less risk of a lack of fuel with the EZ, as it is a minor fueling box compared to the TST. Another option would be the Edge Comp. box, which requires you to tap the VP44 wire ( as does the TST) to get the full power out of the box. He could leave the pump wire untapped and run with the box in the EZ mode until the proper upgrades are performed.



I can tell you that the addition of the EZ box alone in my truck made a big difference in the felt HP. I've done alot since I added the EZ and I love the TST PM3 Comp. box, but I'm glad it wasn't my first BOMB on a otherwise stock truck. Make sure your friend upgrades wisely.



Scott W.

 

[DarrellB]

My 2 cents

Jared, I have a PowerMax 2 and love it. It has been in my 99 since I had about 30,000 miles on it, I now have over 60,000miles on the truck and have had no problems with the PM2. I would also recommend putting a Boost and exhaust Temp. gauge on the truck to. I have a 99 with a 5spd and 4:10's and still have the stock clutch and it seems to be holding up pretty well acctually. I have done a few other mods like a BHAF air filter and 275hp injectors but have yet to have to replace the clutch. I reccently had TST reprogram my PM2 to get a little more fuel at lower rpms and I can slip the clutch if I lug it down in 5th gear but if I keep the rpms up above 1,500 it is fine. I will soon be upgrading to a new stronger clutch but for now it's just fine. I think if your freind goes with the PowerMax 1 or the PowerMax 2 he would be fine with the stock truck but anything bigger like the PowerMax 3 or the Comp version and he will have to replace the clutch. Before he does any mods though he should invest in a set of gauges first as any one will tell ya.



Hope that helps.

Big D

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The TST box is available with a 9 level remote. 0=no added power, 1-9 give 15 hp more per level. If you keep to lower levels, you are ok. The level 3 or 4 will be similar to the EZ type box.

 

[Todd T]

yah what they said, but more of it... . did you read Joe's article in the last magazine? without being slanderous he pretty well told you its the best.



135HP gain and the ONLY box that is CARB approved.



smoke control is for panzies and tree huggers

 

[Briar Hopper]

And one of the best parts about the TST powermax3 is that the remotes are interchangeable, two versions available. The fancy version remote has boost and EGT gauges built into it, which greatly simplifies installation..... both remotes use a phone jack-type connector that plugs into the back of the main box.

Be sure and get TST's slick new pump wire connector while you're at it, it puts only a pinprick on the underside of the pump wire. It's not supplied with the box (it should be) you have to ask for it.

 

[Sean Flanagan]

I've had a TST original powermax now for almost 100k miles. It works great. I am upgrading it, along with my clutch, to the PM3 Competition model which adds (supposedly) 135hp at level 6. The thing goes up to 9.



The only problem I have had is with the stupid scotch-lock connectors that were used by TST back then. I have replaced them all and soldered the wire onto the injector pump.



The thing that kept me with TST when I upgraded was their remote with the built in gauges. You can program the thing to smoothly defuel when the EGT's get to a user programmable set point. It will even go below stock fueling levels to keep those temps where you want them.

 

[jared1]

thanks for the info, maybe better go with the power max2 in his case, I think if you gave him all that power he would try to use it, better keeping him safe!

 

[LarryB]

I'm doing some checking for a good friend who just purchased a new 02 HO. Too many valves for me.



I'm a bit confused by the TST website. Is the remote in addition to the PM1/2/3? Or is the box included with the remote?



Sorry for the dumb 24v questions. Oooo... I'm so confused by all this extra stuff.

 

[LSMITH]

Larry, the remote is an extra cost option, and I believe it is only available for the PM3. I think there are two different remotes as well, with different/more features. Call Mark tomorrow, he will fill you in for sure.

 

[Partyat33]

I can't say enough good things about the TST Powermax 3, adjustable. Be aware as Big Saint said, it pretty powerful. On the other hand I sold my EZ to buy it and have NO regrets. The EZ is a good box too, just not enough.



Dennis



Call Mark, he will give you the scoop.

 

[Bigsaint]

Originally posted by Partyat33

I can't say enough good things about the TST Powermax 3, adjustable. Be aware as Big Saint said, it pretty powerful. On the other hand I sold my EZ to buy it and have NO regrets. The EZ is a good box too, just not enough.



Dennis



Call Mark, he will give you the scoop.

Dennis, too bad you didn't keep the EZ box, you could have piggybacked it to the PM, works great. My only complaint and I guess this could be said with any of the heavy hitting fueling boxes, is the noticeable strain it puts on the VP44. Mine wasn't bad at all with the stage 3 injectors, but since I added the 5's, I have a heavy defueling shutter, especially in levels 6-9 ( on a comp. box). I don't know why the injectors changed this, all connections are tight, but I use the box for play only.



Scott W.

 

[DarrellB]

Scott, you say your PM3 comp ran just fine with the sage III injectors.



I'm upgrading my clutch in July (finally) and soon after will be going to a set of DD3s and an Edge comp or PM3 comp just haven't decided yet. (getting rid of these little 275s and the PM2) But if the PM3 doen't shutter with the sage III injectors I think I will go with it since Mark and the gange at TST are from Indiana and I already know they have great customer service. Plus they're only 45 minutes from the house.



Thanks

Darrell

 

[Bigsaint]

BIG D, the only time I noticed the shutter with the 3's (Bullydog), was when I had the box set above 6 (again, mine is the competition box) which would be beyond level 9 on the standard PM3 box. To be painfully honest, if I was to to do it all over, I would have the Edge Comp. box. It's a neater install, rather than running two boxes. The wiring loom for the TST is a pig and a major PIA to get through the firewall, especially if you have used alot of the space up with gauge wires and such ( you could always drill a new hole for the TST, though). I like the TST box enough that I probably won't swap it out now, but the EZ box and the large injectors is my pick for a great daily driver, while keeping the punishment to the VP44 to a minimum IMHO. If you decide on the TST, don't bother with the upgrade to the comp. version, it's way too radical for daily use.



edit, just reread your post... if your PM2 has the phone jack on the back, have them reprogam it to a PM3 remote and try it, as the box is already installed. You could always sell it later if you are not happy.



Scott W.

 

[DarrellB]

Thanks,

I'm hoping TST will be a Muncie. I would really like to talk to them about just what you described. I'm not sure (it's been a long time since I've looked) but I don't think my PM2 has the jack on it. But I'm going to see if they will maybe cut me a deal on a new PM3 with the remote set up. Got ta get that clutch in first though.



Thanks again Scott

Darrell