Thinking of Switching From VA-C3.2 to Smarty Jr.???

[Buffalo]

I have an '03, HO, 6-sp. with an AFE PG-7 intake system, 26" Magnaflow muffler, Tone Ring Mod. & the VA-C3. 2 (duration-only) box.



My problem is that on the HIGH (130 HP) level, at about 2100 rpm's, I get an audible miss that you can feel, also. Lasts for about a second & then clears up all the way to redline. However, there is a power loss after the "miss". You can't feel it but, on the dyno, I got 341 HP on the LOW (65 HP) level but, only 6 more HP (347 HP) on the HIGH level. I've heard of others having the same problem, also. I sent the box back to VA & they said that it was OK & installed the latest software. Sent it back to me & it performed the same as before.



Thinking that I was running out of fuel at the 2100 rpm/plus range, I installed a Glacier Diesel GFS-392 (Walbro) pump. However, I still have the same problem. Nothing changed.



I'm now considering a Smarty Jr. & getting rid of the VA-C3. 2. With my mods, will the Smarty Jr. (on the 100 HP level) provide as much power as the VA did? Any other suggestions?

 

[Regcabguy]

Smarty Jr.

The way the Smarty Jrs. are selling,there's probably someone in your area who will let you borrow theirs. Start a "Wanted Smarty Jr" thread for your area. Try before you buy. I believe Bob offers a money back trial period with purchase.

 

[p-Bar]

So far everybody who has bought one has been impressed including me.

 

[Buffalo]

I agree. Most everyone seems to be quite happy with the Smarty Jr's.



I guess what I'm asking is, will the Smarty Jr. give as much performance as I'm seeing now? I've posted my dyno numbers & mods &, I'm wondering if I will get as much, more or less performance with the Smarty Jr. ?



I don't want to get "too creative" & have to start replacing turbo's, clutches & the other 'stuff' that needs to be modded when adding a lot of HP. The power I have with the VA is enough, for me. I'd rather not have too much less but, a bit more would be "icing on the cake".



Thanks.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Cattletrkr]

So... . you're wondering if the Smarty Jr will have enough power for ya???

MADS Electronics - Smarty - CaTCHER - Smarty06

SW #6 and #7 deliver 130hp.

 

[Bob4x4]

Joe. I never thought you would be chasing power :-laf:-laf but I didn't think you would do suspension either. My brother is in Phoenix let me know if you want to try a full fledged smarty.



Bob

 

[CookJ]

Joe, although I haven't dynoed, I agree with your hp numbers. The only difference I've experienced is how quickly the egt's come up on the higher setting. I wonder what kind of temps can be expected with the Jr?

 

[Bob Wagner]

junior should be close to 200 less than stock

 

[CookJ]

junior should be close to 200 less than stock

Thankyou Bob, thats good news. I've been dealing with excessive temps for sometime and believe the Jr. is the fix. Along with the VA 3. 2, will I need to remove the timing sensor before downloading the Smarty?

james

 

[Bob Wagner]

what timing sensor?

 

[CookJ]

the adjustable crankshaft sensor (rockteck).

 

[Buffalo]

Regarding my horse power numbers with the VA-C-3. 2 & the other mods, these are all "Rear Wheel Horse Power".



What I'm wondering is, are the Smarty JR numbers (40, 70 & 100 HP) Rear Wheel HP numbers?



My understanding was that many of the stock '03's, HO's got about 265 RWHP. If so, could I expect 305 HP on the 40 HP level, 335 HP on the 70 HP level &, 365 HP on the 100 HP level? Possibly more because I have a few other simple mods, AFE air intake & ProGuard-7 filter, Magnaflow muffler, & tone ring mod? If so, the Smarty JR would provide BETTER performance than the VA-C-3. 2.



In the past, I've heard that the Smarty products were rated quite a bit lower than their actual performance. Is this still true, especially, for the Smarty JR?



Any good reasons to consider the regular SMARTY as opposed to the Smarty JR? I'd really rather not incurr the extra expense of replacing the stock turbo with a high performance version & a high performance clutch. I'm not drag racing or sled pulling. Just driving around town & towing a 7000lb. travel trailer.



I have not been having problems with high EGT's with my VA. I have noticed the VA gets a bit hot when towing in the mountains, though. But, only when towing on the high level (130 HP). I switch back to the low level (65 HP) & temps come down to a very safe, useable level. When temps got near 1200*, I drop down to the low level.



Thanks.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Bob Wagner]

the adjustable crankshaft sensor (rockteck).

Thank you. run it or chuck it.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Regarding my horse power numbers with the VA-C-3. 2 & the other mods, these are all "Rear Wheel Horse Power".



What I'm wondering is, are the Smarty JR numbers (40, 70 & 100 HP) Rear Wheel HP numbers?



My understanding was that many of the stock '03's, HO's got about 265 RWHP. If so, could I expect 305 HP on the 40 HP level, 335 HP on the 70 HP level &, 365 HP on the 100 HP level? Possibly more because I have a few other simple mods, AFE air intake & ProGuard-7 filter, Magnaflow muffler, & tone ring mod? If so, the Smarty JR would provide BETTER performance than the VA-C-3. 2.



In the past, I've heard that the Smarty products were rated quite a bit lower than their actual performance. Is this still true, especially, for the Smarty JR?



Any good reasons to consider the regular SMARTY as opposed to the Smarty JR? I'd really rather not incurr the extra expense of replacing the stock turbo with a high performance version & a high performance clutch. I'm not drag racing or sled pulling. Just driving around town & towing a 7000lb. travel trailer.



I have not been having problems with high EGT's with my VA. I have noticed the VA gets a bit hot when towing in the mountains, though. But, only when towing on the high level (130 HP). I switch back to the low level (65 HP) & temps come down to a very safe, useable level. When temps got near 1200*, I drop down to the low level.



Thanks.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

Joe, It was nice to talk to you . I hate to see people waste money by purchasing products twice.



You are doing your homework.



Thanks

 

[CookJ]

Regarding my horse power numbers with the VA-C-3. 2 & the other mods, these are all "Rear Wheel Horse Power".



What I'm wondering is, are the Smarty JR numbers (40, 70 & 100 HP) Rear Wheel HP numbers?



My understanding was that many of the stock '03's, HO's got about 265 RWHP. If so, could I expect 305 HP on the 40 HP level, 335 HP on the 70 HP level &, 365 HP on the 100 HP level? Possibly more because I have a few other simple mods, AFE air intake & ProGuard-7 filter, Magnaflow muffler, & tone ring mod? If so, the Smarty JR would provide BETTER performance than the VA-C-3. 2.



In the past, I've heard that the Smarty products were rated quite a bit lower than their actual performance. Is this still true, especially, for the Smarty JR?



Any good reasons to consider the regular SMARTY as opposed to the Smarty JR? I'd really rather not incurr the extra expense of replacing the stock turbo with a high performance version & a high performance clutch. I'm not drag racing or sled pulling. Just driving around town & towing a 7000lb. travel trailer.



I have not been having problems with high EGT's with my VA. I have noticed the VA gets a bit hot when towing in the mountains, though. But, only when towing on the high level (130 HP). I switch back to the low level (65 HP) & temps come down to a very safe, useable level. When temps got near 1200*, I drop down to the low level.



Thanks.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

Joe, I don't necessarily have issues with high EGT's during normal driving, moderate accelerations or even towing. In fact, I've never seen anything above 1100F (130hp level) in the hill country pulling 6500#. However, now I keep the VA off when towing. Only when I hammer down on it (unhooked) do I see temps as high as 1300F and greater. My thought is lower egt's = more usable horsepower, and,if the Jr. will get me there, it's a no brainer. Like you, I don't plan on upgrading the stock turbo (at least not until I rebuild the transmission). This truck is my daily driver so I try not to get too crazy with it.



James

 

[Russknh]

I am thinking about an 08 truck with all the new gadgets is there a smarty in the works or out for these? I went down and test drove one since my kid talked me into selling him my 07 5. 9 The general tone is starting to go to the plus side on these trucks and I think we are getting close to having a "GOOD" one, looks like most of the trucks are starting to have less of the little problems??