Part of the fun of driving a heavy-duty eight-lug
truck is all that pure power—especially if you're sitting behind a big diesel. Unlike a gas burner, there are so many easy and affordable modifications you can make to a diesel engine to produce more power and torque without getting into serious shop time. The fun part is keeping track of what those tweaks are doing.
| Our test vehicle was an '07 Dodge with the 5.9L Cummins.
Edge Products, pioneers in display-based technology and engine performance management, has pulled another electronic rabbit out of its magic hat. The all-new Evolution and Juice with Attitude CTS will amaze you. During a recent visit to the Edge facilities in Ogden, Utah, we got a hands-on look and feel for the Juice with Attitude CTS installed on an '07 5.9L Dodge Cummins.
The Juice with Attitude CTS in-cab monitor and digital gauge display is a full-color, high-resolution, 4.3-inch, touch screen device. It comes equipped with a video-in port, which allows users to connect to Edge's state-of-the-art backup camera (sold separately, including night vision and locking license plate mount) or any compatible off-the-shelf backup camera or video source.
Those of us familiar with the popular Edge Juice with Attitude have appreciated the ability to adjust five power levels on the fly. Here’s the rundown for our '09 Cummins:
| The injector and map connectors are located just below the valve cover on the driver side behind the intake manifold.
Level 0: Stock
Level 1: 25 hp and 80 lb-ft of torque
Level 2: 40 hp and 120 lb-ft of torque
Level 3: 60 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque
Level 4: 80 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque
Level 5: 100 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque
Our test vehicle was mostly stock, except for an AFE intake and air filter and an MBRP dual exhaust. Using factory-style connections, it took less than 30 minutes for the complete installation. First, we plugged in the injector and map connectors located just below the valve cover on the driver side behind the intake manifold. A small screwdriver helped to unlatch the plastic clips. The Edge Y-connector is installed and the factory OEM connector plugs into the Y's pigtail. Next, the map connector, which is located down low on the block, was installed. Wires were routed away from hot engine components and zip-tied out of harm's way.
We found a convenient ground source just above the battery. The OBD II connector and EGT cable are run inside the cab through a hole just behind the brake pedal. The rubber grommet can be slit or removed.
The Turbo Timer is one of the cool features of the Juice. This feature prolongs turbo life by allowing the truck to run after shutoff for a predetermined time or until a specific EGT is reached. It is hooked to a keyed-ignition switch in the steering column. The instructions tell you to pull the plastic cover down under the column. (It might be hard to find, but by feeling a little in the dark you will find it, and there is only one, so you can't make a mistake.) With the Turbo Timer and data link plugged into the Juice module, we hooked up power using a little fuse tap on a 15-amp fuse (number 30 on this '07 truck). The Juice module was mounted on the fuse compartment lid with strips of Velcro.
Last but not least, we drilled, tapped, and installed the pyrometer probe. There are various precautions that can be taken, including using some oil around the drill bit to catch any chips. As you continue to drill, you might also use a vacuum to suck up chip debris. Lastly, running the engine can help blow some of the chips out. Wires from the pyrometer probe were connected to the Juice and sealed with heat-shrink tubing.
Moving into the cab, the side panel on the driver side of the dash was unclipped and the Juice wires were routed up to the top where the Attitude CTS screen would be located. The Attitude CTS comes with a multipurpose windshield mount. An option we liked was the Edge custom-mounting pod, which makes the CTS screen look like it was factory installed.
Back at the bumper, we mounted the very trick Edge rearview camera. What a great design! Two screws from the license plate (any license plate) are used to attach the base. The adjustable camera (good for night vision, too) slips into slots, and a locking top plate covers the screws. The little camera has a magnetic back. By using an extension of the coaxial/power cable that feeds the CTS monitor, it has unlimited options—like on the back of a trailer or the bedrail to help line up your fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch. We ran the coaxial/power cable up along the frame into the cab and plugged it in. Finished!
In just 30 minutes, we added five on-the-fly power levels with up to 100 extra horses and 250 lb-ft of torque, and a very functional backup camera. The Juice communicates along the engine's CAN-BUS data stream, from which it receives vital engine, transmission, and fuel system information. This enables the Juice to provide smooth and precise power curves that are truly custom, rather than just an offset from stock.
But the Juice with Attitude CTS has so much more. By touching the easy-to-use intuitive screen, we could read:
• Boost
• EGT
• Barometric PSI
• Power Level
• Speed
• Engine Coolant Temperature
• Gear Display
• Intake Air Temperature
• Load
• Slip
• Transmission Temperature
• Torque Converter Lockup Display
• Throttle
• RPM
• Engine Temperature
• Oil Temperature
• Percent Backdown Due to High EGT or Boost
• DPF Regeneration Alert/Status (6.7L engines)
• Battery Volts
Many of these parameters can be viewed as a digital list or on full-color, analogue-style gauges. The CTS can sound an alert when certain engine parameter levels are met, including:
• EGT
• Boost
• Engine Temperature
• Transmission Temperature
• Speed
If you're into racing, you can keep track of your performance by recording maximum/minimum values for a variety of parameters, including:
• Max Engine Temperature
• 0-to-60 Times
• Quarter-mile Times
• Max RPM
• Max Speed
• Backdown
• Transmission Temperature
• Transmission Slip Record
Safety features include:
• EGT Backdown Set Point
• Boost Backdown Set Point
• Cold Engine Protection
• Transmission Slip Protection
If that isn't enough, you can also change tire size to calibrate your speedometer and alter the low boost fuel adjustment. You can even change the color screen's background, and we don't mean just red or blue. You can add the American flag, flames, brushed stainless steel, or a photo of your new baby or your girlfriend—all in sharp, brilliant color.
For a little test run, we headed up Ogden Canyon into the Wasatch Mountains toward Monte Cristo Pass. In Level 3 (60 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque), we could already feel a significant difference. In Level 5 (100 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque), well, we wouldn't dare use that on the street, would we?
And for those of us who are already enjoying the Juice with Attitude, Edge will have an upgrade available to replace the current Attitude monitor with an Attitude CTS monitor.
All in all, the new Evolution and Juice with Attitude CTS for Dodge Cummins, Ford Power Stroke, and GM or Chevy Duramax engines raises the bar for power, function, and just plain fun. Street price will range from $719 to $899, depending on year, make, and model. The optional rearview camera sells for $299. If you prefer buttons to a touch screen, there is also a CS (Color Screen) version with nearly all of the same features, except for the backup camera.
