Edge Evolution

Paul58 · July 19, 2007

I got my Edge Evo today and have already installed it! Initial impressions are good. Like a bone-head I filled my tank on the way home from work, and used 87 Octane! So, when I got home and found the Evo had already arrived, I really only had two options to install! It comes with 4 options:

(1) Transmission Only - Firms shifts and removed delays

(2) Fuel Economy - 87+ Octane Tune, supposed to increase HP and improve shifts while using regular unleaded

(3) Towing - 91+ Tune to increase power and enhance towing capabilities

(4) Performance - 91+ Tune claims increase of 40 hp and 40 lbs of torque!

Installation was straight forward with no glitches, but it initially scars the heck out of you because after downloading the PCM tune the doors lock and unlock, all the gauges flash at you and the bells go off like the world's coming to an end! You get all kinds of messages displayed on the DIC as well! After the light and sound show subsides, the TCM is programmed, and the show starts again! The whole process takes about 5-10 minutes as it saves the stock files, clears the PCM and TCM and then re-programs each of them! But, after it was all said and done, I started the truck and it came to life with no problem!

I have to take a second here and explain that I am extremely paranoid about these programers because I had purchased an SCT Excalibrator for my 03 Ford Explorer, and it killed it! I thought I was going to have to have it towed to the dealership to get it running again, but after disconnecting the battery and turning on the lights and letting it sit over night, it started the next morning. I promptly returned the SCT Excalibrator and have steered clear of programmers since.

I am happy to report, I did not have a repeat of that incident with my new truck, and the Edge Product is much easier to use and has excellent documentation!

Anyway, I loaded the Fuel Economy Tune and used the customization feature to adjust the tire size for my 255/75-17 Alenza's. You do this by measuring the circumference of the time in millimeters, and adjusting the size with the hand-held be simply using the up and down arrow buttons. To my surprise, the tires were only about 6 mm off the default size in the PCM (which probably explains why my speedometer was only off 1 mph after installing the new tires). I'll be checking on the way to work tomorrow with the GPS to see if it corrected the 1 mph discrepancy!

The initial test drive felt good. Definitely noticed the difference in the way it shifted, much firmer when you got on the gas, not so much if your easy on it. Not sure why this is, but it sounded better when you got on the gas! Truck had a deeper growl from the exhaust than before. Keep in mind, the engine to this point is bone stock! The only engine mod if the Edge, Intake and Exhaust are still stock. No burn out when taking off, but it definitely felt a bit peppier! Again, this is the lowest actual engine tune available. Next tank will be 93 octane, and hopefully I'll feel a bigger difference! And, it appears to program both the PCM and TCM, so I'm pretty sure it is modifying or removing Torque management as it tune the truck!

I don't have the correct Dash Pod yet, but they have my name on the list and expect them in two weeks or less. Will post pics once it's mounted to the dash. In the mean time, here is a pic of it in my truck:

The Display is showing MPH, Engine Oil Temp (EOT), Engine Coolant Temp (ECT), and Transmission Fluid Temp (TFT). I have adjusted the background color to more closely match that of the instruments as well. The "2" in the upper right-hand corner indicates Tune #2 (Economy Tune) is loaded.

All in all I'm happy! It cost me $380.00 plus tax from a local Speed Shop, so it's wan't much more than the SCT with custom Tunes from Jesse, and I have someone local to go to if I have any issues. Edge seems to have pretty good customer support as well. It took a bit to get through today, but onceon the phone with them they were very attentive to my needs and very happy to assist! I'll post more as time goes on and I get a few more miles on the thing, but so far my initial impressions are very positive!

MikeRS1981 · July 20, 2007

How did you get it for 380 ? Im seeing almost 600 on websites....?

omegafiler · July 20, 2007

Doesn't look like they offer anything for my truck. But nice review, hope to hear how it works with the premium fuel/performance. Then see if those HP/TQ claims feel about right.

Paul58 · July 20, 2007

How did you get it for 380 ? Im seeing almost 600 on websites....?

I called Edge and asked for the names and numbers of Authorized Dealers in my local area and called around asking for quotes. The next closest was O'Rielly Auto Parts who had it for $449.00, which is the same price Autoanything.com had it for. I got mine from a local Speed Shop called Tru Motorsports.

bassadict69 · July 20, 2007

Does anyone offer something like that for the older trucks...say a 2002 with 4.8 engine?

Paul58 · July 20, 2007

Does anyone offer something like that for the older trucks...say a 2002 with 4.8 engine?

I believe the Diablo Predetor, Superchips Flash Paq and SCT Excalibrator will work with the old body style trucks. They don't offer the monitoring capability though, and the SCT doesn't have user adjustable parameters. You may want to check the HyperTech and Jet programmers as well. I know HyperTech has a new one with monitoring capabilities, but it's a good bit more than the Edge. So far, the Edge seems to have the most functions and flexibility for the money that I have found. You could always call Edge too and see if they plan on making one for the older body style. I'm sure if enough people call, and they see there is interest in such a product, it shouldn't be too difficulet to produce one!

tx1500nbs07 · July 20, 2007

Thanks for posting this! Please keep us posted on your feedback when you get some higher octane in the truck and are able to test the 3 & 4 settings. I've been reading about these edge evo's for GM gas applications for a few weeks now. I'm hoping people report that the trucks respond much better off the line The only thing that turns me off about these guys so far is the lack of community/support forum for their products.

Paul58 · July 21, 2007

Thanks for posting this! Please keep us posted on your feedback when you get some higher octane in the truck and are able to test the 3 & 4 settings. I've been reading about these edge evo's for GM gas applications for a few weeks now. I'm hoping people report that the trucks respond much better off the line The only thing that turns me off about these guys so far is the lack of community/support forum for their products.

LOL! I asked about that and was referred to a Ford Forum! pretty lame if you ask me! They have been helpful on the phone though. There e-mail support is a bit slow, I sent an e-mail about Torque management on Thursday and have not recieved a reply. Fortunately, their documentation is pretty good and the product has preformed without a flaw, something I can't say about the other hand-helds out there. This is based on personal experience and reading about problems encountered by others on the SCT and Flash Paq Forums!

tx1500nbs07 · July 21, 2007

OK, times up Paul Go heavy-foot the rest of that 87 octane in the tank and fill her up with 93 and tell us how the performance settings work

Paul58 · July 22, 2007

OK, times up Paul Go heavy-foot the rest of that 87 octane in the tank and fill her up with 93 and tell us how the performance settings work

yea, I know, the trucks not been out of the garage since Friday when I got home from work. May have to go out for a cruise tomorrow!

TheTrueMoron · July 22, 2007

Does anyone offer something like that for the older trucks...say a 2002 with 4.8 engine?

I've heard that they will be working on tuners for the older GM gas engines once they are finished with the current diesel applications.

jackster06Z71 · July 23, 2007

be sure to let us all know the difference of the 93 tune ,especially on the low end , if it helps tm and the throttle dely. I just bought a NBS z71 ext and an wanting to buy this programmer. thanks Jackster

Paul58 · July 23, 2007

be sure to let us all know the difference of the 93 tune ,especially on the low end , if it helps tm and the throttle dely. I just bought a NBS z71 ext and an wanting to buy this programmer. thanks Jackster

My next tank will be Premium and I hope to fill-up before we head out with the camper this weekend, if not, it will definately be after that! I really want to try the tow mode, which requires 91 or better. Will keep you posted...