Mike L

Hey all! I'm hoping to get some feedback from the collective on this. I am new to diesel motors and have heard and read many, many bad things about the infamous VP44 thing and the associated cost of repair and replacement. I am also a really big fan of gauges as I like to know what's going on with my vehicles motor. I want to get a clear, present and constant pulse on the fuel pressures being supplied by the LP in order to hopefully avoid a dreaded VP44 failure. Also, we tow our 8,000lb RV around and so I want to know how hot the trans is running.

Anywho - I did a ton of research on gauges, looking for a boost, pyro, fuel pressure and trans temp set up which would have meant a pillar tri-pod and a single pod. The best deal that I could find for the set of AutoMeter Phantom gauges, pods and all was $601.00 taxes included. A mechanic friend of mine said he would get me the full meal deal Edge Juice w/ Attitude for his cost which came to $673.00 taxes in.

I went with the Edge because it offers a little more functionality than the gauges such as turbo temp delayed shutdown, defueling % parameters, and so on. Oh yeah - it also allegedly can be set to increase HP and TQ - who would have thought that to be possible?

Is there any debate on what's better or did I spend my extra $72.00 wisely? I haven't started to install the Edge yet and likely won't until this coming weekend. Honestly, I didn't buy it to add more punch to the beast. I just like to know what's going on under the hood!

Also, one question if I may? The fuel pressure sender - does it have to be installed on the VP44 test port or can it be installed on the fuel filter can test port? What would the difference be and why?

Cheers All!

Mike

nickg

trust me the edge J/A will leave your gauges in the dust,absolutely no comparison between gauges and the ability to set warnings/parameters. takes about 1/2 to install, fuel pressure sender in my opinion should NOT be mounted on the engine, or filter housing due to vibration, also use of a needle valve highly reccommended as well.this eliminates or lessens the watter hammering from the VP on the fuel sender
it should be mounted after the fuel filter, if mounted before the filter can be plugged, yet gauge shows full fuel pressure

You can get the banjo bolt screw a needle valve into that then add a piece of hose to runto your sender

If your in edmonton I have a spare banjo bolt if you need it

I have an AD with 1/2 fuel lines, here is what it looks like, I also T'd in a warning lite sender as well, to eliminate false readings from a failed sender. with what I've done the needle valve, can be screwed right into the banjo bolt

rams2500

You will be happy with the edge juice with attitude. When I added mine all I had done previously was exhaust and intake. Can work my stock trans all it wants on level 3. Torque converter wants to slip with any more hp. Like a new truck in regard to power. My .02

Silver R/T

that's what I'm thinking of doing. Gettin Edge J/A and then getting AirDog 150

Mike L

Hey all!

Thanks for the replies so far. Nick, I have sent you a pm. I'll keep this thread posted with updates for a while as I labor through the install and get used to the Edge product. As you can tell I have already decided to keep the Edge and go ahead with setting it up.

Cheers!

Mike

Shovelhead

Us '99 guys have the best Fuel Pressure setup.

You can pick if you want Post Filter, Pre-Filter or both....

Depends on which port you connect to on the fuel filter housing.

Mine is Post Filter.
Use telfon paste not tape on your connections.
Don't tighten the fitting TOO tight, you can crack the housing.
It's a NPT (tapered) thread.

Mike L

Thanks Shovelhead - that's what I was thinking of doing. It makes sense to take the pressure from post filter and on the way to the IP. Did you use a needle valve to control the pulses or is that even an issue with your setup?

Cheers!

Mike

Mike L

Oooops - nevermind the questioon about needle valve - I see it now right on top of the canister - gotta get my eyes checked!

Mike

beachrunner

I had the exact same idea. My VP44 went up about 80K miles and the dealer fixed it under warranty. The best way to monitor it is to keep tabs on the fuel pressure. I went to a diesel shop to have guages installed and they recommended Edge Juice w/attitude for the cost of guages. They installed it and I noticed my fuel pressure was running about 10psi and would drop below 5 under hard acceleration. The shop said you really need a FASS or Airdog pump to handle the fuel. They installed FASS and the setup is working fantastic. I had my Edge stolen out of my truck, some kid must have thought it looked like a really cool satellite radio receiver or GPS, so I had the shop install the new Edge CS. I don't run my truck very hard and keep it set on power level 1 (high mileage) and get about 18mpg in mixed highway/city driving. On long highway trips I'm getting about 21mpg. When I turn it on level 5 I scare myself it has so much power.

Mike L

Well folks! I finally finished installing my Edge J w/A yesterday and have been getting used to it for the last day and a half. I am very glad that I went with the Edge instead of the gauges and I thank you all again for your replies and input.

I do have a Q though? My fuel pressure seems a bit low @ 13 at idle, drops to 9 to 12 under light to moderate fuel feed and then comes back up at highway cruising speed. My concern is that under heavy to WOT fuel feed the frickin' alarm goes off on the Edge and the pressure drops to, like, 3. Then the fuel pressure does not build back up again and vacillates between 3 and 4 lbs even with my foot off the fuel or just cruising down the highway at a steady 65mph. The only way the pressure comes up again is if I come to a complete stop. This can't be right, can it?

I did NOT install a needle valve as the Edge instructions made no reference to needing such a device - did I F up here by not doing so? I installed the fuel pressure sender right at the outlet from the fuel filter cannister which is where the instructions advised to do so.

What are your thoughts folks? I want to have a reliable reading on the fuel pressure. I will be installing a different LP as $$ becomes available - I have to recover from the cost of the Edge 1st.

Cheers!

Mike

Silver R/T

better get aftermarket lift pump asap, I wouldn't even drive it until you do.

Silver R/T

what psi is it running at now?

sheriffav8r

You don't really need the needle valve, IMO. As long as your truck is always above "0" PSI you will be okay, but more pressure is better up to about 25PSI pre filter. Get an aftermarket LP, not a Carter, but something that is a gerotor design or a FASS or AirDog and you'll be fine. Plenty of good info on this site about fuel pressure, pumps, etc. For now, set your alert to 3PSI and let off the throttle if you get the alarm. Set up the turbo timer for EGT cool down of about 350-300 degrees and it will save your turbo's longevity. I also always have the 4 panel display showing EGT, Boost, Fuel Pressure, and Tranny Temp. You'll enjoy the Edge, I'm sure I do....

Copenhagenjunkie

Oh so your special, well the 98.5 's have that too.

PaulDaisy

+1
The only caution I would mention is, there have been reports of the Edge's fuel pressure sensor going bad or intermittent. If you all of a sudden see zero pressure that is what I would check first, or keep a mechanical FP gauge handy.