EDIT: EFI LIVE tuners & ANYONE HAVE/USE THE EDGE EVO-HT TUNER?? Thoughts/impressions.

mountainhorse · Sep 11, 2014

EDIT: EFI LIVE tuners & ANYONE HAVE/USE THE EDGE EVO-HT TUNER?? Thoughts/impressions.

I'm looking at getting this basic Edge GM EVO-HT tuner... I'm not wanting a full display on the dash... but want to get some pre-set options for my otherwise stock 2006 LBZ Druamax Silverado.

Looking for input on this.

NOT interested in any of the Evolution CS/Juice/BD etc.

Thanks in advance.

http://edgeproducts.com/products/gm-evoht-26030/

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mike_s · Sep 11, 2014

Some pretty cool stuff can be done with EFI Live, turbo brake, 5 position switchable tuning, ect. I have never been a fan of cookie cutter box tuning, especially edge. Not that edge doesnt run well, but they tend to make the go pedal really really touchy.

That is why i like EFI Live, you tell the tuner how you want the truck to behave and, assuming you chose a knowledgeable person, they make it happen. I have been tuning on my and others trucks since '05 and i will never own a premade boxed tuner again.

mountainhorse · Sep 11, 2014

I really don't want to "tune" though.... Just want pre-sets.

The EFI live looks well thought out and has good reviews though. A bit pricey... probably because it does more than I need.

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mike_s · Sep 11, 2014

mountainhorse said:
I really don't want to "tune" though.... Just want pre-sets.

The EFI live looks well thought out and has good reviews though. A bit pricey... probably because it does more than I need.

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EFI Live is not a "tuner" in the respect that most people think of them. It is a system that allows a person to set the parameters themselves, or, as is the case more often, take it to a shop that has the system and let them do it. There are many many diesel performance shops throughout the country who will tune your truck for varying prices usually depending on how radical you want to go with the power. My recomendation would be to find a reputable diesel performance shop in your area who does EFI Live tuning and speak with them.

Bear in mind though, even though you have the 6 speed allison, which is slightly stronger than the 5 speed, it will only stay reliable at about 75-80 HP over stock power. Especially towing, i would keep the power gains low.

NDFARMER95 · Sep 12, 2014

IMO edge products are junk. I would not go with anything other than EFI live. It's definitely worth it. Get yourself a turbo break and don't look back.

SLDHVN · Sep 12, 2014

In the DMAX, nothing will touch a good EFI Live Tune. Dont worry about getting 5 tunes and going crazy. Best advice is use a reputable tuner(Rob Coddens, Kory Willis, etc), and it doesnt sound like you want to go overboard so just get 2 tunes. An "Optimized Stock" tune in a LBZ will be a huge improvement without worrying about hurting the truck(no added power). For a second tune I would get a Towing tune with a turbo brake(usually about 40 hp).

:thumb:

EDIT-

when you say "pre-sets", what specifically are you looking for?

mountainhorse · Sep 12, 2014

SLDHVN said:
when you say "pre-sets", what specifically are you looking for?

What I want is to order it, pull it out of the box, plug it in... select the setting .... and not have to "tweak" or tune, nor download anything

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SLDHVN · Sep 12, 2014

mountainhorse said:
What I want is to order it, pull it out of the box, plug it in... select the setting .... and not have to "tweak" or tune, nor download anything

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gotcha- 2 options really...

1. look around you local area and see if there is a shop that offers EFI Live products, and have them tune it.

2. get a "Autocal", basically just like the edge evo, but with the added benefit of being custom tunes. You will have to download the stock settings out of the truck and email them to your tuner, but its a super simple process and they have great instructions.

I like option 2, because if you ever have a check engine light and you are out in the boonies you can read and clear it yourself.

mountainhorse · Sep 12, 2014

So...I see that there are strong supporters of the EFI live setup..

It is double the cost of the EDGE EVO-HT.

What, Specifically, does the EFI live do that the Edge EVO-HT does not... and what experiences do you have related to that.

Please bear with me...on some intro questions.

Since I have a completely stock truck... why would I need to have it "tuned"... IE there are no strange variables involved.

Can I return the ECM to stock without the help of a shop?

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SLDHVN · Sep 12, 2014

mountainhorse said:
So...I see that there are strong supporters of the EFI live setup..

It is double the cost of the EDGE EVO-HT.
yes, but where as the edge evo is a "canned tune", the EFI is a custom tuned based on the way your truck runs

What, Specifically, does the EFI live do that the Edge EVO-HT does not... and what experiences do you have related to that.
EFi has the ability to be changed as the needs of the truck change. need a towing tune? got it. need a high idle tune? got it. need a valet tune? got it. tire sizes changed? got it The ability and features go way beyond what the edge unit has to offer.

Please bear with me...on some intro questions.

Since I have a completely stock truck... why would I need to have it "tuned"... IE there are no strange variables involved.
really you dont "need" to have added HP, with just a "optimized stock" tune the truck will run way smoother, better egt's, better mileage, etc

Can I return the ECM to stock without the help of a shop?
if you were to get the AUTOCAL, then yes

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see the red above

mountainhorse · Sep 12, 2014

BTW... you can tell by my posts... I'm new and ignorant to the whole thing.

I'm learning, for example, what a tuner is.... what a person is who is a tuner... what is a tune... etc etc... funny that the small diffs jargon makes a big diff in what you are talking about .

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SLDHVN · Sep 12, 2014

mountainhorse said:
BTW... you can tell by my posts... I'm new and ignorant to the whole thing.

I'm learning, for example, what a tuner is.... what a person is who is a tuner... what is a tune... etc etc... funny that the small diffs jargon makes a big diff in what you are talking about .

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this is what you need to read, keep in mind, there are new offerings like the AUTOCAL that are more what you are looking for.

http://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/efi-live/30321-efi-live-faq-read-first.html

mike_s · Sep 12, 2014

mountainhorse said:
So...I see that there are strong supporters of the EFI live setup..

It is double the cost of the EDGE EVO-HT.

What, Specifically, does the EFI live do that the Edge EVO-HT does not... and what experiences do you have related to that.

Please bear with me...on some intro questions.

Since I have a completely stock truck... why would I need to have it "tuned"... IE there are no strange variables involved.

Can I return the ECM to stock without the help of a shop?

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You do not have to buy any hardware for EFI Live, not sure that was stated, unless you go the route of the autocal. If you have a local shop do it, they have all the hardware you just bring the truck, tell them what you want it to do, and it's done. Now, without the autocal, only drawback is you will have to return to an equipped shop to return to stock calibration. Usually not a big deal. The difference between a cookie cutter tune (edge, bullydog) and EFI is the cookie cutter tune is a blanket to cover several different operating systems and calibration files. There are many different ones for essentially the same truck, but with subtle differences. With EFI the tuner will take these subtile differences into account when he does your truck. Other pluses include things like making the throttle less or more responsive, adding a turbo brake (exhaust brake without adding any hardware), changing cold high idle characteristics, the possibilities are endless. But, it all comes down to what you want the thing to do and what you're willing to spend.

Sent From God Knows Where...

SLDHVN · Sep 12, 2014

mike_s said:
... Now, without the autocal, only drawback is you will have to return to an equipped shop to return to stock calibration. ...

wasn't aware of that, good info!

mountainhorse · Sep 12, 2014

Mike, Do you know if the DSP5 switch can be installed and used on a programmed ECU without having the AutoCal module remaining in the truck or do the 5 different programs "live" in the AutoCal module?

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mike_s · Sep 12, 2014

mountainhorse said:
Mike, Do you know if the DSP5 switch can be installed and used on a programmed ECU without having the AutoCal module remaining in the truck or do the 5 different programs "live" in the AutoCal module?

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The 5 tunes live in the ECM. Once the calibration is programmed into the trucks computer you are done with EFI Live's hardware, be it the autocal or the shop who tuned the truck, until you want to return to stock calibration.

Sent From God Knows Where...

sledhead_24_7 · Sep 13, 2014

I don't own a Duramax but if I did I would only go with something from a shop that specializes in EFI. The tunes are "Custom" for "your truck".

Plus with any modern automatic transmission tuning is a must. And I mean more than just bumping up line pressures.

It sounds like you want the safest HP you can get. I.E. low EGTs, low smoke, good mileage, safe fuel pressures, a transmission that will still be alive in 100,000 miles the list goes on and on.

Only Custom tuning can get all that done for you. And EFI is the best in the business.

Ford world we look at custom SCT dealers, Spartan Diesel and maybe a couple others. But they are not quite up to what EFI can do.

AndrettiDog · Sep 14, 2014

I've had an Edge Evol tuner on my old '06 LBZ. It added four different levels of power gains which was great with an exhaust. The biggest complaint I have is that you had to power down the truck to change the levels. This wasn't a terrible option, but I think you are getting great info on EFILive. The tuner you are looking at is at least half as much as an EFILive tune. But I'm going to EFILive myself. 5 position switch and I'll likely go the AutoCal route. The custom tunes are just that much better and that 5 position switch can be adjusted while trucking down the road.

mountainhorse · Sep 14, 2014

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies.

A friend of mine directed me to this website...and has good things to say about the results he got.
http://www.powerupdiesel.biz/

What I'm wondering is if there is a good EFI live tuner-person that could give me the same thing as this... but with a couple of extra programs.

I'd prefer to be able to send in my ECU and not have to buy the programming hardware... other than the DSP5 switch.

Modes I'd like

1) Max economy. (this is the most important to me)
I'd want the tuner-person to have decent experience with this.

2) I'd like to get an improved tow mode.. when the tow switch on the shifter is engaged... that will give a better turbo braking and more tow friendly shifts and power.

3) A "Fun" improved power mode that keeps in mind the stock transmission and engine setup.

4) Bone stock mode.

If you know of a shop that can pull this off, with a long track record... please let me know.

Vern · Sep 15, 2014

Do some interweb research and see if there are any reputable diesel shops using efi in your area, then you could simply take the truck down there tell them what you want and be done with it. Personally I think the autocal from someone like Idaho rob at atptrucks is the best bang for the buck, granted its almost $700 with dsp5 tuning, but you get custom tunes of your choice by one of the best tuners out there in a hand held unit similar to that edge you posted. Also to top it off from my understanding if you download the efi software (for free) to your computer you can use the autocal and your computer for a full diagnostics tool with a full range of diagnostic capabilities not just a simple code reader like most handheld tuners. My understanding is that the autocal has all the same features as the full efi setup minus the ability to write your own tunes.

A buddy of mine with an 07 lbz recently bought an autocal from rob and said his last fill up with the new tunes he got 19 mpg mixed driving, Granted he drives like a little old lady. Another buddy with the same truck has the full edge and cts setup and says he sees 15mpg tops.

EDIT: EFI LIVE tuners & ANYONE HAVE/USE THE EDGE EVO-HT TUNER?? Thoughts/impressions.

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