VA vs. Power Edge vs. Plug N Power vs..........

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I had planned on not being to vocal on this topic, but Rick G has pointed out a misconception. Chad mentioned the Blue Box has more flexibility. I would reiterate that the PE has infinite flexibility and while the Blue Box comes in one basic version, the PE can be tailored to your spec prior to shipping. This not an option with the Blue Box. This is a limitation of the Blue Box. You cannot send the Blue Box back to BC to customize the fuel mapping. Once you have the Power Edge installed you can shift fueling on the fly by pushing a button. So you net the primary configuring based on your needs, then while driving the truck you can make changes to the fueling not unlike hitting the preset on the radio.

[This message has been edited by HVAC (edited 06-22-2000). ]

 

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OK, so the Power Edge is adjustable?? I have been under the assumption that you told the maker how you wanted it, and thats it. Unless you want to send it in a year later (after you install bigger injectors or whatever... )to have it reflashed for an additional cost.

Is this not entirely true? Can you have 2-3 programs in the Power Edge all at once, and you just hit a button to change programs??

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2000 2500 Red Sport quad cab, 4x4, K&N, DDI's, straight piped, mean looking set of 33. 5" tires, Snap On diamond tool box, Semper Fi!

1972 340 Cuda'. Original tripple black 340 car w/air! Good clean car, super stock springs, Weld Prostars, strong 340 with a 727/4000 stahl, 4. 56... . Bombs away!

 

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To All: As of yet, the Blue Box is not adjustable on the fly... but, if you have 60 seconds, or less, it is capable of much more than the three levels of the PE, as far as changeability. I've never seen the PE, but unless you send it back to them, aren't you limited to one of three settings? The BB basically has eight settings, plus you can have it fuel based on boost if you desire that.
Say you have the PE programmed with one of your special needs... aren't you still limited to one of the three programs? Then, if you need to change something, will they send you a new PE, with a new program, then have you return the old one... Blue Chip has mailed me new products, trusting me to return the old one. This kind of service goes a long way with me! They also ALWAYS return my email... which others have NOT!

Of the boxes out there, I would choose BB again, easily.
Concerning the nick in the wires... who the hell cares... a scotchlock or a needle point or whatever... first of all, if the box caused the failure, I should be paying for it. Second of all, if DC doesn't want to pay for a repair, they will probably use laser, radar, and ultrasound to find evidence! Who came up with the term "pesky scotchlocks", anyway? They sure aren't too pesky for me when I put another Ford in my rear-view mirror! Sounds a lot like a sales gimmick to me. Everything has a gimmick... we need to choose based on what is good for us, not by listening to what is bad about others.
On another post, some DC tech(I think) told a member extrude honed injectors were junk... well, is that cause he doesn't sell them? I have seen them in a Cummins, and they work! It is all in what you want to do.
Everyone has opinions, but be wary about the opinions of salesmen... get the opinions of people who don't stand to make a buck, too.

 

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Rob, could you please explain to me the "8 levels" in the Blue Box? I thought that it only had 3 - 15%, 30% and 40 or 50% (typical settings?). Thanks. #ad


Also, how do the BB and PMax add fuel? I know the PE uses a customized "curve" to ensure that fuel is added optimally, giving boost time to increase as well, not just max fuel all at once or linear as boost increases. This IMO is the best way to do this.

To summarize the comments on the PE, it has 3 levels - each level can be customized. You can have all 3 or just 1 or 2 customized. If you have just 275's now, but will add stage 3's later, get one customized for each. Or get it reprogrammed later.

And finally, I like the connector because the Scotchlocks leave a visible nick that techs have been told to look for - I don't want DC to cancel my warranty and not fix my CD player, or steering, brake pull, dash squeeking, etc. b/c of using a performance mod.

But whatever you decide, just don't let a PSD pass ya'! #ad
#ad
#ad


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1999 2500 QC 4X4 LB Auto 4. 10LS, Driftwood, CD player with Steering Wheel Controls, Power Driver's Seat, 275HP Injectors, Boost Regulator & Elbow, K&N Air Filter, Brushguard, Spray-in Liner, 285/75R16 BFG AT KO's, Nerf Bars, Black Diamond Plate Deep Well Tool Box, Mopar flat antispray guards (front and back)
2000 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4X4
NRA Member

[This message has been edited by TXRam (edited 06-22-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

I will throw in my . 02 cents worth. I have the 4-wire adjustable blue-box. Rob is correct when he states there are multiple settings. You have 4 fuel delay settings as well as 4 fuel enhancement settings. You can choose whatever combination you want to achieve your desired driving situation. If you do the math, that would actually be 16 different settings. As far as adjustibility, it's not as easy as pushing a button. You have to open the cover and move the jumpers. I have also thought about making an external box that would tie into the jumpers so I can change settings on the fly. I can tell you at max setting, the blue-box will make your truck into a hot-rod. Granted, the PowerEdge box does come with a pin type connector vs. the scotchlok on the blue-box, but you can covert the scotchlok connectors on the blue-box to the pin type, which is what I intend to do before adding it to my new truck. Also, the blue-box appears to be smaller, which also allows me to hide it in the ashtray for non-visibility in the cab. It is easily turned on with a flip of the switch, and yeeeehhhhaaaawww!!! While I’m sure the customer service from both companies is probably comparable, I have had excellent service from Blue Chip.

BigCarl64




[This message has been edited by BigCarl64 (edited 06-24-2000). ]

 

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BigCarl... thank you for answering the previous question... I could not have stated it better! But lets say that the blue box has 17 different settings, since the four wire box also can be fueled based on boost, by using the fourth wire. Once again, I will say that I am sure all boxes are worthwhile, I simply like the Blue Box, for its merits as it applies to ME and MY needs, and their great customer service!

 

[Archive]

Tests by CONSUMERS of various boxes indicate the Blue box provides more power than any other.

Please buy something else, so I can pass you when we meet! #ad


Mike

PS- as someone who knows a wee bit about electricity, I prefer the "scotchlock" to the "pin". More contact area. I will probably solder my connection later.

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'00 3500 QC, 6x6, auto, 3. 54LS, Isspro gauges, TST injectors, 4 wire Blue Box, 3" Walker muffler, BD low stall TC, valve body, PressureLoc.

 

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WooHoo, Mike!

 

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I have the blue box and love it. I have set on 50% right now but when I put my cattle trailer on it goes to 30%. At 50% you have way to much power for a big load. I wouldn't trade my box for the world, it and my Pac-Brake are my two best add ons. I would like to see the adjustment on the fly, that would be nice.

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99, 4x4, slt, 3500,5spd,
3. 54 gears, black,hoswel bale bed, blue box, Pac-
Brake, 5in. sraightpipe, K&N, silencer ring removed, 5 star aluminum wheels,brushguard, Westin nerf bars, blackouts, eclipse stereo, matrix headlight bulbs, blue neon fog lights, KC Daylighter, Dodge splash guards, Lund Cold Fronts

-- email address removed --
Phil's Page.com

 

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First off - I don't have a box. But at MM I had the opportunity to drive Chip's (Blue Chip) truck. Because he is constantly playing with things, he has mounted mini (or maybe they are called micro) toggle switches on the side of his Blue Box. He can simply flip the switches to simulate the movement of the jumpers. I would think that this could be done by anyone who wanted that additional convenience.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 5sp / made in Mexico /
3. 54LSD 285 75X16 AR Atlas / Hadley airhorns / DDIII - 4in exhaust, turbo back - HD clutch / ISSPRO guages / 33' Hitchhiker triple slide

 

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Rick,
That's exactly what I had in mind for my blue-box. Read my earlier post in this thread. I agree, will be very easy to accomplish with some micro toggle switches.

 

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Thanks for all the knowledge guys. I learned quite a bit from this, as I am sure many others did as well. It sounds like the blue box can be low end like the VA, and can also play on the big end of the spectrum as well.

A lot of people prefer the pin type connectors, but it seems a guy could convert the blue box to plug in like the power edge.

Now for the cost.
VA type box= $650-$750
Power Edge= $500-$600
Blue Box= ??
TST= ??

If anyone has the average cost on the ?? please feel free to chime in. The prices I listed seem to be whats bouncing around the TDR website, and used items go for a few bills less.


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2000 2500 Red Sport quad cab, 4x4, K&N, DDI's, straight piped, boost, pyro and fuel pressure gages, boost module, mean looking set of 33. 5" tires, Snap On diamond tool box, Marine Corps window sticker, Semper Fi!

1972 340 Cuda'. Original tripple black 340 car w/air! Good clean car, super stock springs, Weld Prostars, strong 340 with a 727/4000 stahl, 4. 56... . Bombs away!

 

[Archive]

Blue Box $800

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99, 4x4, slt, 3500,5spd,
3. 54 gears, black,hoswel bale bed, blue box, Pac-
Brake, 5in. sraightpipe, K&N, silencer ring removed, 5 star aluminum wheels,brushguard, Westin nerf bars, blackouts, eclipse stereo, matrix headlight bulbs, blue neon fog lights, KC Daylighter, Dodge splash guards, Lund Cold Fronts

-- email address removed --
Phil's Page.com

 

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I bought my Blue Box at a regional event... cost: $620. 00. If you attend these things, you don't need to get a group purchase to save some bucks.

 

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Phil... i didnt pay neary that much #ad


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99 Quad,Long bed,4x4, SLT,Auto,K&N,Mobil Super Delvac 1300,fuel line up-grade from lift pump to filter and from filter to injection pump, Suncoast coverter,BD valve body and pressure-loc,Mag-Hytec trans pan,Amsoil ATF-4,Auto meter Ultra lite gauges:Boost,EGT,Fuel Pressure,Trans Temp, "true" Jet-Hot Coated 5 inch exhaust from turbo to tail pipe(over the axle)Borla shoot-out muffler,DD stage 3 injectors and boost module,HX-40 16cm,here and waiting to fab-up a a new adaptor,Next Jet-hot the exhaust manifold and turbo housing,..... finally a blue box or TST box or?????