It has started...

[Regcabguy]

Smarty

I run the Smarty SR. on sw# 1 on my '07 due to 285-75-17's,2000# constant camper load and a stock clutch. I lucked out with the lower ratio final drive of my manufacture date. It does give the clutch a minor break. An OFE is in my future as I'll never exceed 400 rwhp. Then I'll be able to splurge with sw# 5. Without Smarty even on sw# 1, I'd have to go back to 265's. It sure wakes them up.

 

[steved]

No luck, its slipping.

 

[steved]

Writing with a blackberry, so bear with me...



Seems the clutch isn't clamping right away... all my slipping happens right after a shift. If I drive any distance, the clutch doesn't seem to slip...



Working with Lloyd on a new clutch...

 

[CamarosRus]

I'm interested to read what other mods you SMARTY JR. owners have done, such as exhaust or fuel system... ... ... .



For those in the know, what "package" is the best set-up for moderate performance and fuel milage gains... .....



As you can SEE below I'm still STOCK with my 03' H. O... ... ... ... ... .

 

[steved]

My mods were done pre-smarty... so I can't help.

 

[steved]

One thing I want to clarify is that I'm pretty sure my slipping clutch is a pre-Smarty condition that was simply amplified by the added power. The clutch holds fine once the truck is driven a few miles (I think it takes that long for the clutch to finally clamp 100%). I am almost 100% confident a stock clutch (in good working order) would most likely hold the Smarty in my truck... but in reality, this clutch has 185k on it, the clutch disc was replaced around 7k because it rattled (so who knows if the pressure plate was correct). I was anticipating replacing it around 250k, but it is what it is.

I believe Lloyd is ordering a FE (?) for my use... I don't intend to go any higher in HP than this (doubt I will ever even run the performance tune on this JR). I am not up on the clutches by any means... never really needed to know them until now so I'm relying on him to point me in the right direction.



I could not be any more please with the way the JR operates... it is exactly what I was looking for, almost undetectable under normal driving and the power just pulls. It is set for 99 on the towing mode... drives just like I envisioned it would... I am not using the PoD feature. I have seen no increase or decrease in mileage, still around 20mpg... which is surprising since I was doing WOT pins to feel out the clutch.

A couple things I can note... I can still reach 1400*F under a WOT run, but that's 200*F less than before (yes, I could touch 1600*F briefly). I also like the fact that I pull into a parking lot and the truck is already under 200*F where before I would need to wait a minute or two for it to reach 250*F. I really like the fact it has the lift pump running as the truck is started, and not just a priming run.

It smokes a little more than I had hoped when lugged from a standstill and shifting gears, but its just something I need to get used to... I wasn't really surprised, sorta knew what I was in for. Interestingly, when first installed I pinned it WFO on the ramp onto 95 upon leaving Lloyd's (where I first thought the clutch was slipping)... it smogged the ramp and both lanes completely black (not a haze, completely black). It has now settled down and I only get a mild haze behind me under a WOT run at speed... it still blackens the road when lugging.

Overall, the clutch needed replaced anyway (just wasn't ready to replace it this soon) and the JR works just the way I wanted a programmer to work.

Ahhh, that slippery slope... .

 

[steved]

Well, first impression...



The power (when the clutch holds) is impressive. Its a little smokey, but tolerable once I learned how to manage it.



Mileages: Around 20mpg down. Around 18mpg in traffic and lights. Around 22mpg home. Seems easier to obtain than before, more consistant.



Going to have an OFe installed next week, along with new hydraulics. Hopefully that's it for summer...

 

[AClayton]

Steve,



Since you can reach 1200*with the Smarty so easily,Lloyd will be talking you into twin turbo's next!!:-laf. Your hooked for sure now!!!



Alan

 

[Jeepr]

Yeah, good luck with all of that. I stuck my toes in the bombing pool, and current sucked me and and is keeping me under water!



I started with just an AEM intake, no big deal. Then got a Bullydog PMT. Love it, but, that caused flare shifting in my 48RE. So, got a DTT shift enhancer to fix that. That worked great.



But, mine is an 05, which is the only year that didn't have OD lockout. Well, stock, when I had it in tow-haul mode, it would hold towing up hills and shift at the top, no problem. Apparently now, it has more power and wants to shift into OD going up the hill, then it bogs, then downshifts, etc, etc. So, BD lockout in the future.



And, now I also have turbo bark. Happens when I'm towing and climbing hills and the transmission upshifts. Not sure what I'm going to do about that yet! #@$%!



No BOMBing end in sight!

 

[Bochuck]

Okay, call me stupid if you feel the need, but aren't their ways to increase HP and TQ without increasing the black smoke? I've seen it before on the road and companies like Banks have trucks that haul a-- and throw very little smoke. I've seriously considered adding a Smarty to my truck this spring for increased towing power, mpg and stoplight fun, but if I'm going to fog the people behind me, it won't be worth it to me. (Call me old if you must) :-laf What do you guys think?

Bob

 

[steved]

It only smokes if I lug it hard... no different than stock any other time...



Just got to remember not to lug it as much...

 

[steved]

And it probably wouldn't be an issue in any auto equipped truck... because I can lug a gear (unlike an auto), its more noticeable with the manual.

 

[steved]

Well got the clutch in...



The old one was interesting, and only actually contacting in three spots (symetrically spaced) the size of a half-dollar... on both the flywheel and the pressure plate. The clutch disc was almost new at 188k. Lloyd took pictures, will post pictures.



I will add this truck, even though an 04. 5, experienced the clutch disc rattle that afflicted some 03s. I had the local dealer perform the TSB, which involved changing the clutch disc only. The pressure plate was original and the flywheel was not resurfaced at that time... which I disagreed with but had no control of.



The OFE needs worn in, and I need to relearn driving with the new clutch... both the hydraulics and the clutch engagement have a different feel.

 

[JRThomas]

I've been running a smarty jr for a year now. Set on level one, I am getting 1. 5 mpg increase. Some darkening on the curbside. Needed to return it to stock because I was going to the dealer. Plugged smarty in, nothing, blank screen. E-mailed smarty, their reply was to sending it in for repairs. Mailed out today, will post what happens.

 

[steved]

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[JRThomas]

I got smarty jr back today, no bill,not bad six day turn around. Work just fine.

 

[steved]

Got to tow with the Jr this weekend, only about 3500#s... no mileages yet, but the power is definitely there.



EGTs were tough to get to 1000*F, which is pretty much awesome since 1400*F+ was easy before. Very pleased with that.



The truck pulls very hard, only downshifted on the backroads because I was too low of RPM (read: going too slow). It also seems to smoke less when loaded... for whatever reason, maybe I drive it differently.



The OFe held great, it has a bite right at the end and a little grab when backing, but its completely acceptable for what it is...

 

[DaveHess]

Three weeks and counting to "Oh Smarty Jr Hundred" for me. My VA C3. 1 worked great but as someone said in an earlier post, I dipped my toes in the "bombing pool" and it sucked me in. I've been treading water for a couple of years but I feel the the tug of the under tow... ..... (I'm giggling like a school girl!!!) Can't wait!

 

[Jeepr]

Bochuck, my Bullydog smokes very little. I see you are in St Louis too, feel free to contact me if you want to see/drive it.

 

[AWise]

Got to tow with the Jr this weekend, only about 3500#s... no mileages yet, but the power is definitely there.

EGTs were tough to get to 1000*F, which is pretty much awesome since 1400*F+ was easy before. Very pleased with that.

The truck pulls very hard, only downshifted on the backroads because I was too low of RPM (read: going too slow). It also seems to smoke less when loaded... for whatever reason, maybe I drive it differently.

The OFe held great, it has a bite right at the end and a little grab when backing, but its completely acceptable for what it is...

What level did you have it set on? I put my Jr. on #3 and when I put it on the floor from a slow roll, I think it slipped my converter. It ran like a mother, but RPMs barely dropped when it shifted and I could feel a bit of a shudder so I let out of it. I can see how it will destroy my trans if I do that too much so I put it back to #1. Looking to do a converter & VB upgrade later this year as well as a Gear Vendor OD unit.