Tuners

[PaulRudloff]

I am looking for an onboard tuner that will allow me to switch from economy to pulling power. What brands and types are recommended.

 

[NIsaacs]

I like the Edge products, they are simple and work. I am not a computer expert to try and use the complicated ones.

The Edge EZ with RV injectors will give you 335hp/800tq with stock turbo.

The Edge Juice for serious power.

 

[PaulRudloff]

Is there any advantage to going to a 5" exhaust?

 

[bcbender]

wasnt any on my 04 and I was running 350/800 ish... mostly towing (unless you like more noise)

EDIT: I did however put the 04.5 down pipe and PRXB on so that I did not have the OE 3.5" turbine exit and downpipe pre-muffler

 

[JeepBuilder]

I was thinking of starting a thread just like this one. I wanted to know the best choice for a replacement tuner. I disconnected my Edge because of fighting a dead pedal problem. At the recommendation of members here on TDR. There were claims of drivability issues.
While I have logged 300 plus miles now with no dead pedal, I also made some other changes so there is no proof it was the edge. Could any of the members clarify the edge issues? Where the information came from? When I turned up my tuner it made great power. I also bought a tuner ready VP44 so it is a shame to not use that feature. I would like to see the feedback from this thread. I also want something simple. Just a boost in power when I want it. So I will be watching this thread with great interest.

 

[NIsaacs]

Some of the older Edge EZ units had issues. I had one. It was old stock on the shelf of a local shop. When I went back, they were non helpful and told me it was my truck. Wrong! I unhooked it and all was well. I called Edge and they confirmed it was an old one by the batch number on the unit and sent me a new one. I used it 12 years with no issues.

I have seen a few threads over the years with the older Edge Comp's also.

I have had the Juice for 6 years and it has been trouble free. The monitor (CTS) has never worked right on the fuel pressure. I replaced the senders by the handfull and no improvement, it is erratic. The transmission temp would never work from day one. I give up on that too.

 

[BigPapa]

I disconnected my Edge because of fighting a dead pedal problem. At the recommendation of members here on TDR. There were claims of drivability issues.

I don't think anyone was saying that Edge units have issues across the board, they were just suggesting that YOUR Edge unit might have an issue and to unhook it to see if you still had the problem with it unhooked. Several members have had problems with their Edge units as anyone does with electronics. They don't last forever. I know of no common issues that would keep me from buying an Edge unit if that's what I wanted.

 

[Tractorat]

Some of the older Edge EZ units had issues

Do you know what kind of issues ? And from what years ?

 

[NIsaacs]

Do you know what kind of issues ? And from what years ?

Mine was intermittent dead peddle, just ran sloppy. I bought the unit in '03 and it was old then. The new ones have a three way switch to change on the fly. The old ones like mine, you had to change a jumper inside the unit to change levels. I left mine on three, the default setting.

 

[JeepBuilder]

I was not implying that edge products are to be avoided. I'd get another one since they make great power when they work. Mine is a comp unit. Definitely older as my part number has been superseded. Thank you NIsaacs for posting your details. I still have no dead pedal after disconnecting mine. So I just did an internet search on "edge comp problems" Whoa I got a lot of returns. There is even a few threads here on TDR. Search Edge comp. So we all know these add on boxes can have issues. To be expected I suppose. And in keeping with the OP on his questions regarding tuner boxes. What are the choices for basic fueling boxes and then stepping up to systems that monitor vitals? What are you using and why do you like it?
And the value of posting issues helps make a better decision on a purchase. I did not search smarty issues or any other brand. I am sure they all have hiccups. So with tuner discussions all info is relevant. Like the OP I would also like to see what is out there. It appears I may be in the market for a replacement. Because once you turn up the fuel and feel the power, it is hard to go back to stock.

 

[NIsaacs]

You will probably need to do your own research, 24v trucks are getting rare on here, not much feedback anymore. I do recommend a system with a monitor, I really like mine.

I think the Edge products are more tuned for stock injectors, so when you upgrade them some, the system can be smoky at low boost and run on the hot side with EGT's and coolant, if you tow heavy. Light loads or empty, no problem.

When I was truck pulling, hauling my truck all over the Rocky Mountain states, I always ran it on level 5. I really liked the passing power since I traveled a lot of two lane roads. Most of the time my BIL hauled with me, same size load with his '12 3500 SRW. On every hill I would out pull him and on every fill up I would use less fuel.

With the monitor, I could set my max EGT's (1350) and let it pull. You could never feel it defuel, yet the EGT stayed on my setting. The coolant I did have to watch.

Now that I am hauling local I have it set on level 3. On level 5 it Dyno's 400/900. I never use level 6 (hot unlock) I figured it would smoke my clutch

For all but the last year, I was running the stock HX35 turbo, it did amazingly well. I am now running the Borg Warner K27, a small up grade. I have a direct mount Exhaust brake so my choices are limited for a direct bolt on turbo.

 

[JeepBuilder]

I thought I would add in this tuner thread that edge or Powerteq has very good customer service. I decided to call them and discuss my dead pedal issue. The guy was very helpful, had a lot of questions and filled out a work order for me. For 150 bucks they will go through my comp unit and check it and repair it if they find any issues. My edge comp unit turns out to be a 2013 model. 150 is a lot better than the cost of a new unit. I miss the extra power on demand. I thought the customer service was a bit above average. We will see how it goes.

 

[JR]

Personally I was always partial to the Smarty programmers. Their tunes for the 24v trucks are clean and they do away with that pesky torque management You can not change tunes on the fly so if that is important to you it is probably a deal breaker. Smarty flashes your ecm through the OBDII port, once the file is complete you unplug the scanner and put it back in the box. There are no wires, plugs, or sending units under the hood to be abused over the years which seems to be the source of a lot of Edges long term problems.

You can also do speedo correction for different sized tires, read DTC's, and enable the high idle feature with the Smarty. And if you really feel like spending money you can go for the Smarty touch. It is spendy but for someone that has no gauges (assuming they were in need of gauges) it would be a good option - tuner and monitor in one.

 

[petersonj]

I am using a Smarty S03 with RV275 hp injectors for the last 100,000 miles. I agree with everything that JR mentioned about the Smarty. I like the fact that it removes torque management at low engine rpm's so that the torque the Cummins is noted for can be used. Excellent tor towing with a manual transmission.

- John

 

[JeepBuilder]

Smarty sounds like a better way to go. I have not sent in my edge yet. Looks like I have some reading to do. Thanks JR for the great explanation.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

I bought my truck new in '98 and have had several different boxes on it. The first power upgrade I did was a Dr. Performance Stage 3 in 1999. Next and my favorite box was an original Van Aaken box, so smooth. Then I went to a Comp box. Awesome power, but got sick of issues every couple of years. I went through 3 of them and said enough. Then I went with a Smarty, which I have had for 12 years or more, still do. The thing I don't like about the Smarty is it is a Massive dog on the topend, and it's always pisses me off cause its perfect otherwise and other Canbus boxes have topend power, so it can be done. All the power added is noticeable below 2400 RPM. I tried a Edge EZ for a while, loved the topend power over the smarty, but hated how the timing sounded so harsh on my truck. Worse than any other box I've used. I bought a TST power max a couple of years back, but have been too cowardly to install it and pierce my pump wire. This goes back to the other poster who mentioned how nice the smarty is for not jacking with the wiring. I like reliable and the Smarty has been all of that, just sucks for topend power and passing. I run 105 HP injectors too.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

Lots of people always talked about the smooth power from the TST power max and the BlueChip boxes back in the day. BlueChip doesn't do boxes anymore, so I guess they are out.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

You will probably need to do your own research, 24v trucks are getting rare on here, not much feedback anymore. I do recommend a system with a monitor, I really like mine.

Kind of depressing to me. I love my truck and remember all the hours I spent on this site back in the day. Those were the "good old days." lol

 

[SSage]

I was amazed how much better the basic Smarty at SW3 ran while towing compared the the Edge box under the hood. Programmers are easier to install, I had an Edge box fail. No issues with the programmers. TST was good back then, but I haven't bought from them in many years. I don't even know if they're still a player...

I do prefer the Edge CTS2 or CTS3 for gauges and POD control. The sharp screen on the CTS3 is nice if you need gauges. I didn't like the smoke and high EGT's I got with the Edge Juice, but mine was many years ago. They don't make those boxes I used anymore! God I'm old....

Smarty Touch is still a good choice with the EGT, the canned tunes work well. But if you have gauges already the programmers are cheaper. Smarty Jr...

 

[Ozymandias]

I am using a Smarty S03 with RV275 hp injectors for the last 100,000 miles. I agree with everything that JR mentioned about the Smarty. I like the fact that it removes torque management at low engine rpm's so that the torque the Cummins is noted for can be used. Excellent tor towing with a manual transmission.

- John

I'm working on a friends 99 right now, we have a Smarty S03 - for now I've just set it to canned #3 for him.
How does that torque setting work? How do I do that?

Also I've a problem to unleash the Turbo. I built in a boost elbow but I can't get more then 25psi boost, no matter what I do to the elbow, even fully shut (pliers on the hose) i don't see a higher number. What's wrong here?