What is the future of Smarty?

[PRout]

We ask and EXPECT that the Smarty, within reasonable limits, be tailored to smoothly function with other common engine power mods - rather than be forced to adjust or adapt those other mods to work with Smarty - because, again THAT is supposedly one of Smarty's greatest design advantages over competing power enhancers.

And THAT is one of the biggest reasons why many of us 2nd gen owners went from exhilarated to disappointed over their "support" and eventual purchases of our Smartys" in the course of about one year.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

And THAT is one of the biggest reasons why many of us 2nd gen owners went from exhilarated to disappointed over their "support" and eventual purchases of our Smartys" in the course of about one year.

It would have been great if all the loose ends of the original Smarty had been taken care of before MADS attention was diverted to other versions and issues - I'm pretty fortunate that excessive smoke is the primary issue, due to larger injectors.



Other users have more serious issues and concerns, and while it might be a bit late in coming for some, I accept and believe Bob's earlier promise on Marco's behalf, and I'm willing to give Marco a chance - and hope that the excessive delay we have endured will motivate an even greater development and final result that will overcome past issues and disappointments...

 

[FTwardoch]

I stated in My post Idid not read all posts in the thread. As I stated before though from what I have read is that if the power mods were properly matched there would be no need to change the software, it is perfectly smooth and eficient as is when all mods match. When fuel is added then air needs to be added in proportion. If A cam is added along with A ported head then A turbo upgrade is not needed to supply extra air and any of these will actually hurt performance if fuel is not added also. Just match the mods for what You are trying to achieve instead of what that little piece of paper from the dyno says and You will have A truck that is A pleasure to drive and as fast as You could ask for.

Sorry, but even with NO other mods there are some of us with issues that are SMARTY related. My case in point - only mod prior to adding Smary was an upgraded auto trans with full treatment (twin disk converter, custom valve body, performance rebuild) and the shifting issues that are described here and ad nauseum in other threads are CLEARLY Smarty related. Stacked shifts, lockup coming in at a much higher speed, and a pronounced flat spot from 1200ish to 1500ish rpm. This was troubleshot as follows - put Smarty back to stock, ran an Edge EZ - problem GONE. Also ran a Drag Comp - same results. Put Smarty back in on 2, problem is only a minor annoyance when stacked with the Comp. I've since done Mach 1. 0 injectors (very mild mods, wouldn't you agree) and pretty much run Smarty on 2 or 4 and let the Comp do the 'work'.



That all said, the low end of the Smarty is unmatched. No argument. What is at issue is the ongoing support after the sale - I've been told for over a year that something is being worked on. Others have sold Smarty and gone a different direction due to no support or not wanting to fight the shift issues. Shouldn't have to drive around a mod THIS much.



Anyway, thanks for chiming in. Hope some new revisions are in fact on the way, I've adopted a 'if it happens, great, otherwise I'll eventually probably sell it as well and stick to tried and true mods (even if they're not perfect either) but at least they don't make my transmission freak out.

 

[BILLVO]

A friend of mine just called Bob to order one for an 05 and was told to hold off on the order for a couple of weeks due to something new coming out. I am thinking that this something new will need more bugs worked out yet again still leaving us second geners in the history books.



Bob you stated Marco needs to ride in a truck with these issues, if Marco wants to drive a rig with shifting, cruise and smoke issues he can come visit North Dakota and I will let him have the keys for some real world test driving if he is really interested in what the problems feel like. I for one can live with a bit of smoke. I would like the drivability bugs worked out first of all. Do you have test trucks already lined up for him to ride in or drive? I will volunteer mine to work with, if you 2 are interested contact me. I really like the product and would like to help further its improvements, but like all the above am just frustrated at the time lag in addressing the second gens.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

From what I hear, the new thing coming out is a "Smarty JR" which, if I remember right, has 3 levels and may be rated about 100hp. I read this on another site, and Bob was the one who mentioned it, and other guys had talked to him or heard stuff about it. I guess it does what the current Smarty does, just not to the higher level of it, if you will.

 

[BTowler]

That might be interesting for a stacking unit.

 

[TurnerN]

what about the race tunes for the third gens. im waiting, but no updates. anyone like to clue me in?

 

[kbond]

I'd settle for just a speed limiter removal patch.

 

[16919]

Are we talking for a 3rd gen now???... ... ... . I thought this was mainly aimed at 2nd gen guys.

 

[kbond]

think it's a little of all here.

 

[BILLVO]

Are we talking for a 3rd gen now???... ... ... . I thought this was mainly aimed at 2nd gen guys.

We have a 2-4-1 thread going on here.



There is a new product coming in the next couple of weeks for the 3rd gens AGAINand us second geners are still waiting for some simple improvements of the original smarty.



Stroke this 07 has the low down, from what by friends dad said, Bob told him it was a unit with 3 settings.

 

[Bob Wagner]

we are headed in the right direction



MADS Electronics - Smarty - CaTCHER - Download





MADS Electronics - Smarty - CaTCHER - News

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

we are headed in the right direction



MADS Electronics - Smarty - CaTCHER - Download





MADS Electronics - Smarty - CaTCHER - News

OK Bob, lessee if I have this straight:

Aug. 20, 2007 - Software updates



Smarty S-03: improved reliability of the programming operation with several checks during the

data transmission.

Looks like actual PERFORMANCE of 2nd generation programming was not changed/improved, but just refinements in the way the program is transferred via Internet, or loads into the ECM?

Jul. 14, 2007 - Software updates



Smarty S-04A and S-06A: cleared the error code P0602 when programming CaTCHER softwares

And THAT one is for '03 and later trucks? That elimination of the nuisance P0602 code is sure one we could also use on the 2nd generation trucks as well.



WELL, as you say, it's a START, sure hope there's lots more to follow - SOON!

 

[BTowler]

After reading more of this I am really sorry that those of us with 2nd gens are being left out. I would love to go with the new 3 setting Smarty as long as it is stackable with a Juice, but it appears that there is no concern for the owners of the 2nd gen trucks. This is still a huge market, I can not understand the reasoning behind the lack of action, it is definitely not a financial decision since the potential is still great. I can only assume it is a personal decision, Marco just doesn't want and/or have time to mess with it, but it will cost my business, even if I were to purchase a 3rd gen any time soon.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Marco wants to address the vp44 smarty. I will have in chime in after the holiday.



Thanks

 

[PVanderlugt]

Decided to load stock software today, just to see what it would do for the transmission. Yuck, Stock is pretty bad after using #5. However It did do away with ALL my transmission problems, the stacked shifting, the hunting between 3-4-OD, shifts beatifully now. Did notice that you need significant trottle input to make it do anything. Not sure how Marco worked his magic , but I presume he compressed the fueling curve. With this I presume the 47re uses tps signal as one of the parameters to decide what it needs to do next. Since it is getting a low signal (only have a little throttle in) I presume it starts doing strange things. Not sure if this is all correct, but it makes sence to me.
Wondering if the transmission problems can be fixed by haven the computer/transmission "see" a higher (more ) throttle then actually is there. (add X to throttle signal)
Pete

 

[BTowler]

Thanks Bob, I am glad to hear something positive from you on this. Hopefully we can get a stackable three setting Smarty.

 

[TStinson]

I'd settle for just a speed limiter removal patch.

I thought I had read something somewhere sometime (lot of somes there. . )that this feature was going to be added "soon".

When I asked Marco about it some time ago, his response was that he never said Smarty would/could eliminate the speed limiter.



Question then would be - Can Marco come up with a patch for Smarty that would eliminate the speed limiter - on all Smarty models? I realize the programming is different from year-to-year, but is it an impossible task, or has Marco just not had time to do it?

 

[TStinson]

From what I hear, the new thing coming out is a "Smarty JR" which, if I remember right, has 3 levels and may be rated about 100hp. I read this on another site, and Bob was the one who mentioned it, and other guys had talked to him or heard stuff about it. I guess it does what the current Smarty does, just not to the higher level of it, if you will.

Now, wait a second & just think about it - An "UPGRADE" that actually REMOVES some of the previously available features. Sounds like an oxymoron to me!



Couldn't this same thing be done by simply NOT using the upper settings already in the CaTCHer software?

 

['strokeThis_'07]

Now, wait a second & just think about it - An "UPGRADE" that actually REMOVES some of the previously available features. Sounds like an oxymoron to me!



Couldn't this same thing be done by simply NOT using the upper settings already in the CaTCHer software?

Haha, I dont know! I have no idea if it still uses the current Smarty platform and can be loaded on it, or if it comes as its own 'package deal' if you will. Im guessing its on its own platform, but thats just a guess. But I do agree on the speed limiter; hitting 108-110 and it cutting back on me irks me, had a new charger that though he was hot stuff temp tags and all, so I showed him so good ol diesel smoke until... thats right, hit the limiter and he flew right by me.