Long-term reliability using the Smarty Jr??

[EArp]

I'd like to hear from some of you guys that have used minor modifications such as the Smarty Jr as to what kind of long term reliability I can expect from doing this mod. Do you think that using the Smarty Jr will affect the overall life of the truck if I don't abuse it? I'd just like to find out from some of you that have used these types of products and how many maintenance free miles you've had.

 

[Buffalo]

To be honest, I really don't know, nor have I ever heard, of any long term degradation of the engine while using the Smarty Jr. The "JR" does not make a rocket sled out of your truck so, with that in mind, 'my guess' is that any excessive wear would not be that much.



I have a "JR" on my '03 & love it. I tow on the TOWING mode & it does a good job. Otherwise, I drive on the PERFORMANCE mode. I, occasionally, do 'hotrod it' just for fun. It provides more than enough power, for me.



I don't beleive the "JR" has been out long enough to show any long-term issues with its use. Also, how long do you anticipate keeping your truck. If only a couple of hundred thousand miles or less, I wouldn't worry, at all. My guess is that the engine will last MUCH longer than that even with the "JR's" use. Like you said, if you don't "abuse it", just enjoy it.



Joe F.

 

[MA2LA]

Well i think you need to look at how different products make the power. the Jr is mainly timing and duration i belive and from my understanding those are easier on the motor where some things such as a MP-8 uses pressure and that can eat up injectors. and lets face it unless you are in stop and go hammering on it all the time or pulling heavy and pushing max boost for miles on end you never realy using the addtional power they give you

 

[EArp]

Thanks for the replies. Buffalo, I also drive on the "performance" setting and enjoy occasionally "hot-rodding" just for fun. I also haven't used my truck for towing purposes. The thing that got me thinking is page 75 of the new TDR issue where Robert Patton says "Advancing the injection timing will result in higher peak cylinder pressures and can overstress the power cylinder, cylinder head and block structure, and engine rod and main bearings, depending on the amount of injection timing change. " Given that i'll probably drive this truck til the wheels fall off (my wife says i'll be buried in it), I just wanted to see what you guys thought of the long term effects of a timing-duration mod.

 

[JimB1]

I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today... ,

 

[moonranch]

I have been using the Jr. for about a year. I leave it on "performance"(even while towing 10K or less) because it gets me the best mpg improvement. I have never seen over 1300F EGT(even towing big hills) and the rail pressure has never gone above 25K. On cold mornings, if I forget to plug the truck in, I will get a little timing rattle, but I can control that with the throttle.

 

[deeselfitter]

Does anybody know a dealer in Canada that sells the Smarty Jr.

 

[JJPage]

Does anybody know a dealer in Canada that sells the Smarty Jr.

Contact these Guys, they will ship it to you.
http://smartypower.com/

The Smarty JR does more than just timing(injection/duration), it does add additional fueling. You cannot really compare the Smarty to other power adders like fueling and pressure boxes. The Smarty is a downloader, like the Bully Dog, it actually changes the software in the ECM, whereas other devices intercept and fool signals from the sensors to the ECM.

If you add additional power in any manner, the wear factor will increase, that's just common knowledge. I do not believe the Smarty JR is harmful, unless turned all the way up and you drive it like an imbecile.

 

[JJPage]

Does anybody know a dealer in Canada that sells the Smarty Jr.

What the Heck, back to double post's again?

Contact these Guys, they will ship it to you.
http://smartypower.com/

The Smarty JR does more than just timing(injection/duration), it does add additional fueling. You cannot really compare the Smarty to other power adders like fueling and pressure boxes. The Smarty is a downloader, like the Bully Dog, it actually changes the software in the ECM, whereas other devices intercept and fool signals from the sensors to the ECM.

If you add additional power in any manner, the wear factor will increase, that's just common knowledge. I do not believe the Smarty JR is harmful, unless turned all the way up and you drive it like an imbecile.

 

[Mark31]

Non posting member Chris has 335k on his 03 SRW 3500. He ran a Bullydog for years, then switched to a Smarty (not JR) maybe 2 years ago. Truck still runs just right. He knows, though, that he should replace the injectors and cp3. I accuse him of just wanting to break down on the road 40 miles east of Bangkok in the middle of the night during monsoon season. He uses Amsoil and a bypass filter.

 

[ColemanR]

I have over 550k with a Smarty installed its been on level 3 or level 5 the whole time. Purrs like a kitten uses a couple quarts in 15k or so.... changed my injectors at 350k as I was getting nervous.

 

[CKelley1]

on your 07 the smarty jr will prolong the life of the engine, it removes the third injection event reducing carbon in the oil by 75%, like near the 03's level

 

[Motorhead]

on your 07 the smarty jr will prolong the life of the engine, it removes the third injection event reducing carbon in the oil by 75%, like near the 03's level

The Smarty jr does not eliminate the third event. I run one on my '07 and the oil gets black right away. I have run one for 50,000 miles with no issues.

 

[Prairie Dog]

No complaints here, tow on performance but some later years can have problems towing at the higher level because of piston design from what I understand.
Just remember that your safe EGT's are lowered because of the advanced timing the Smarty Jr. has.

 

[JJPage]

on your 07 the smarty jr will prolong the life of the engine, it removes the third injection event reducing carbon in the oil by 75%, like near the 03's level

The Smarty jr does not eliminate the third event. I run one on my '07 and the oil gets black right away. I have run one for 50,000 miles with no issues.

Not positive...but after a certain date a few years back, I believe Marco removed the 3rd injection event from all softwares moving forward. I believe piston design / injector spray angle on the 04.5/07 5.9's, contribute to oil contamination/black, more so than the 3rd event. Should ask John/AH64ID, since he now has pre 04.5 pistons and injector spray angle working on his motor, wonder if his oil stays clean longer?

 

[cerberusiam]

Marco claims he turned that 3rd even off in 2006 and all the Smarty software since has it off. Won't stop the soot in the oil because the valve timing has more to do with it than anything. The 3rd event is really only a hihg rpm high load event anyway.