Electronically controlled diesels are the best thing to come along since Dr. Rudolph Diesel invented the compression ignition engine and named it after himself. Why are they so wunnerful? Well, one reason is because you can easily upgrade them yourself. The hard work is done by the aftermarket company supplying the electronic upgrade. The results can be mild or wild according to the product, your budget and the ancillary pieces you install with it.
The chip-heads at Edge have long been known for offering electronic hopups for late model diesel owners. The EZ Module is one of their cornerstone products. At under $400 retail (7.3L Powerstroke application), it's very reasonably priced. But does it have value for that price? Read on.
Edge EZ Module - Read More
The EZ module piggybacks into the ICP (Injector Control Pressure) circuit and offers four power levels. Edge claims 60 hp and 100 lbs-ft from Level 4 and a 5-10 percent fuel economy increase at level 1, as well as a boost in power. The bump in MPG comes from increasing fuel pressure, which in turn improves atomization and therefore combustion. That claim assumes sane driving, but even using the more conservative number (which averages out to about 1 mpg for the average Powerstroke), the EZ could pay for itself in less than four years.
The guinea pig for our tests was Nicole Wilson's 2002 Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4x4. It's equipped with the 7.3L Powerstroke and 4R100 automatic. It's a sprightly performer even stock. We had the gang at the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima, Ohio, install the module and run the dyno tests. This well regarded tech college is one of the few in the country that offers a High Performance Motorsports program where you can get a degree as well as entry level qualifications to get you into the tech side of racing or the high performance street market.
The installation of the Edge EZ was so simple that everyone in the class got an A+ just for staying conscious! The claim of a 10-minute installation applies, and you'll spend half of that time finding the sensor on the engine. Add five minutes if you want to change the power setting. If you can work Velcro and plug and unplug two connectors, you are qualified for the EZ installation. Changing the power levels was only slightly more difficult. You need to be able to operate an Allen wrench and move a couple of jumpers on a circuit board. The EZ comes set at Level 2
The results were spot-on with what Edge claims. On Level 4, the truck delivered a 58 hp boost over the stock numbers. Level 2 offered 48 hp. We were not able to get torque readings due to a computer glitch. If we could ever get driver Nicole to learn a little throttle control, we might be able to verify the fuel economy claims. Thus far, all we can verify are her shouts of "Yeeeeeehaaaa," and lots of black tire marks all over the streets of Lima, Ohio.
