Edge Evolution News/update

[VMax2007]

Hey Edge Evo guys,

 

 

Just thought I'd share what I found out from an Edge Tech today. I called to get a few simple questions answered and ended up having a 30 min conversation with the guy. I am not going to reveal his name as alot of the info he gave me was "off the record".

 

1. I asked about updates, and he told me to definitely use the most recent update, including the BETA versions. BETA versions are fine to use and they only keep them "BETA" based on a time period policy. They are NOT experimental. Use the latest BETA release for both firmware version and calibration version. On the EEC2200 models, this is: Firmware 2.50.3363 and Calibration 1.0.3463

 

2. I asked if you need to return the truck to "Stock" prior to updating the EVO and the answer is "yes". But you do not have to return it to stock to remove it from the vehicle.

 

Now for the "off the record" info.

 

1. I asked him about Edge's plans for future updates regarding more customization and programming. Specifically "TM". He confirmed that "on the record", the answer is no TM upgrades are promised in the future. However, off the record he did tell me they are working on TM and the ability to manipulate/remove it. Probably about two months away. This is awesome news!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed, because as much as I like and am happy with the Edge and the performance it provides, I still hate the Throttle hesitation due to TM.

 

2. We also talked alot about fuel octane. He recommends using 91+ octane in ALL of the tunes, even economy. He said the price difference will be made up in extra MPG. That remains to be seen. But he did say that the engine will run better on 91+ due to improved fuel mapping. When you run 87 octane, the knock sensors will adjust for it, but it is at the end of the range of the fuel mapping and the performance of the engine (spark timing, etc) is reduced. Basically, these higher compression engines will be "happier" on 91 octane. If I can offset at least half of the added cost of 91 octane with added MPGs, I will do it, otherwise I will either compromise and run mid-grade 89 or 87, especially in the winter when I never tow.

 

3. I asked about my specific towing application and explained that with my 3000 lb boat, using the Tow tune and Tow/Haul mode seemed excessive (high RPMs and high shift points). He said don't use Tow/Haul mode with Towing tune, especially with only 3000 lbs. He said I could use the Extreme tune with Tow/Haul mode for my 3000 lb boat. I mentioned that the manual said this was a no-no, and he said the manual is VERY conservative and with a small load like mine it will be fine. Just watch the temps and don't be real aggressive on the hills and it will be just fine and will provide much better fuel economy. Basically, he seemed to suggest the Extreme tune is the best for all-around use for best fuel economy and performance.

 

4. We then talked about the Throttle response and the delay. He agreed it was TM, but he made the following recommendations to improve it after installing the tune. Disconnect your battery overnight to reset all of the adaptive learning your ECM and TCM has. In the morning, hook it back up and load your tune, then start the truck WITHOUT touching the throttle and let it idle for at least 3 minutes. This will reset the TPS (throttle pos sensor) and allow it to relearn with the new tune installed. Same with the Tranny adaptivity. Letting these relearn with the newly tuned PCM/TCM should optimize the shifts and the TPS.

 

Hope this helps.

[tobias]

Still not sure if I am going to get one or not but that was an excellent write-up and it does make my eventual decision a much more informed one. Thanks.

 

 

Daddy

[Paul58]

That's awesome news! Thanks for sharing! I e-mailed them with a simple question a few days ago and still haven't received a response! I guess I just ned to call and talk to someone. Or, maybe you covered it in your conversation... I wondering if I have to adjust for tire size every time I load a tune, and if it needs to be done for every tune? I.e. when you enter a new tire size, is it globally applied to all the tunes, and is it retained in memory? I didn't think it was that tough a question, maybe they just check e-mail that often!

 

I'd like the ability to adjust the spark advance for different octane fuel as well. The owner's manual I downloaded before I got my Edge said it had that capability. I'd like to be able to adjust the Tow Tune for Mid-Grade fuel just to save a bit when gas prices are through the roof and I'm just towing short distances. My new Travel Trailer is 6300 lbs, so I won't be towing with the Extreme Tune! Thanks again for sharing the update!

[BigHerky]

Nice job, looks like you got some good information. I really hope they do come out with the tm adjustments.

[Paul58]

Well, hopefully this guy you spoke with isn't a nut case because I just updated my Evo to the latest Beta Version based on his advice! I guess I'll see when I go to start the truck after I load the tune!

[hockeyfan39]

All interesting information and keep us up to date. Let us know how your 87 vs 91 octane testing goes. I have such a hard time being convinced that the gas miliage will improve enough to offset the costs but maybe its true...let us know

[AgDoctor]

Yeah, I am very interested to see if there is enough improvement in performance and mileage form using the 89, mostly since they advertise this unit as being able to use 87 in both economy and towing....until you get it. It then says not to use anything less than 89 in towing. I am not at all dissatisfied. Dont get me wrong, I love this thing, I am not currently running the beta version but I am running the latest regular update. I use the towing setting all the time on 87 and my truck doesnt seem to tell the difference. I wont do that on extreme though. I can tell you this, I tow a 5 by 9.5 ft trailer several days a week with my Yamaha Rhino on it, I use the economy setting in conjunction with the tow/haul and it drags it very good, better than stock. I got the edge on Aug. 3, I called to see if they would grandfather me in on that rebate that they have got going right now and they said no it has to have been purchased Aug 15 or after. That totally sucks. I also find it interesting that I can find the evolution for the ford f150 for $377 and still it is $447 for the chevy.

[Paul58]

Yeah, I am very interested to see if there is enough improvement in performance and mileage form using the 89, mostly since they advertise this unit as being able to use 87 in both economy and towing....until you get it. It then says not to use anything less than 89 in towing. I am not at all dissatisfied. Dont get me wrong, I love this thing, I am not currently running the beta version but I am running the latest regular update. I use the towing setting all the time on 87 and my truck doesnt seem to tell the difference. I wont do that on extreme though. I can tell you this, I tow a 5 by 9.5 ft trailer several days a week with my Yamaha Rhino on it, I use the economy setting in conjunction with the tow/haul and it drags it very good, better than stock. I got the edge on Aug. 3, I called to see if they would grandfather me in on that rebate that they have got going right now and they said no it has to have been purchased Aug 15 or after. That totally sucks. I also find it interesting that I can find the evolution for the ford f150 for $377 and still it is $447 for the chevy.

 

Where does it say 89 or better for towing? Mine says 91 or better for Towing and Extreme, 87 or better for Trans Only and Economy! I have read that the knock sensors will retard the spark if they sense a lower octane fuel, but it kind of defeats the purpose. When I spoke with Edge and asked about towing, they said if I wasn't running 91 octane or better to use the Transmission Only tune, they did not recommend towing in Economy or using the Tow tune with less than 91 octane. The Ford Evolution will allow you to change the spark advance so that you can de-tune the Tow tune to use 89 octane, but our Evolution doesn't have that capability yet. I hope it does in the near future!

[getwired]

Thanks for the info, VMax2007! I'm going to be ordering my Edge programmer next week through my brother-in-law who works for a shop that's an Edge Performance reseller. Hopefully he can save me some $$ off the top, and I can take advantage of that rebate too!

 

I really like the way my truck is shaping up so far...

[AgDoctor]

It said it on their website. It may not say it now but it dang sure said it then. I dont put higher than 87 in my truck and am not planning to unless there is enough gain to come out the same or better than I am now. I can tell you this, I tow with mine on economy and drive around alot with it on towing, no pingng here. I dont tow on towing since I use 87, if something happens I will let yall know. I dont know anything about the truck compensating for the fuel but if it does then I am glad. Mine still rides out hard. I drive it like I stole it and have for 13,000 miles. I have had the Edge in now for about 3,000 miles and I am pleased.

[AgDoctor]

I just saw that I made a mistake a couple posts back, I dont tow all the time on towing, I tow all the time on economy while using tow haul, sorry LJ

[99silverado1500]

If the edge can remove TM, id definately get it, since I love the interface and the screen. Until then, ill just keep er stock.

[03blackz71]

I have the edge evo. And I love it. Does everything I want and then some. Still I would like tm to be tunable.

[Paul58]

It said it on their website. It may not say it now but it dang sure said it then. I dont put higher than 87 in my truck and am not planning to unless there is enough gain to come out the same or better than I am now. I can tell you this, I tow with mine on economy and drive around alot with it on towing, no pingng here. I dont tow on towing since I use 87, if something happens I will let yall know. I dont know anything about the truck compensating for the fuel but if it does then I am glad. Mine still rides out hard. I drive it like I stole it and have for 13,000 miles. I have had the Edge in now for about 3,000 miles and I am pleased.

 

What's the weight of your trailer/ATV combined? I tow a 5000 lbs Travel Trailer and that was what I was referencing when I spoke to them, if you're towing a 1000 lbs or less you'll probably be fine with the economy tune using the truck's tow/haul mode!

[AgDoctor]

welll the rhino weighs 1200 lbs dry and i have 200 lbs or so of gear and the trailer i'm not sure about, it is a 5X9.5 made from steel and i have a big tongue box on it. probably weighs 1500 lbs or so though.