2004.5...which programmer?

[daniels]

I have a stock 2004. 5 (sig below) and I'm looking for some extra HP. I don't tow and the truck will be completely stock except for the programmer...



I'm under the impression I can use a programmer with my stock setup and not affect the warranty? Please confirm this.



Can those of you with the edge, Smarty, and Smarty Jr. please share your experiences with them? Power gains with stock trans? Smoke levels?



Remember, I definitely don't want to roast my stock transmission so let me know what power levels can I SAFELY run on each programmer.



Thanks!



Jake

 

[JJPage]

I would definitely go with a Smarty, SR or JR.



The SR, I would keep it on SW#3 or below, unless you are very disciplined.



I am not sure what a safe setting on a JR would be, but I believe all of them are touted to be safe with a stock transmission. Someone will surely set me straight if this is not correct.



The Smarty leaves no footprint, so once you set your truck back to stock, it is all but impossible to trace. A few have suggested that a knowlegable(sp) tech could see certain parameters, that had been exceeded, thereby indicating a programmer. That has yet to be proven.



The Edge is a good product, but with the exception of the EZ, I have no first hand experience.



Jess

 

[CToney]

A Smarty JR would be your best bet. You will love the way it drives and the fast idle will be nice for warmup.

 

[MSchneider]

i say get the smarty sr. that way if you have heavy plans for mods down the road it will grow with the mods you make. if you dont plan on moding it to much go with the smarty jr.

Smarty jr is safe to run on level 3 wich is the highest level for the jr on a stock truck.

smarty sr i woulndnt go past level 3 and keep the tourge settings at eaither 1 stock or 2 default, and rp=1



Buy gauges first. before programer. Pyro, trans, Boost, if you want even a rail pressure guage. joe at hrc didi my guage install for me verey clean job he did. they can get the guages for you, and the sell smartys. pm me i and ill give you there # if you want.

 

[p-Bar]

I've been running smarty jr. for a while . I wouldn't run high position , tow position is ok. I mostly run the economy mode . You may see a mpg boost but don't count on it. These boxes are no pressure so they don't trash your injectors.

 

[Bob4x4]

Most people I know with 35's would kill a trans pretty quick with the smarty on 3.

I would guess that the trans on a 4. 5 would not be that fresh and healthy as is. Do a good trans than go have fun



Bob

 

[VLopresti]

I've been running the Smarty Sr. consistently on Level 1 on my stock 2004. 5 (w/35" tires). I do notice a difference in the throttle response.



I have occasionally run the Smarty up to Level 3, but was mindful of my transmission.



I also have tried the ecomony setting on several long trips, but on this setting, the lack of boost /throttle response and the additional time it took to come up to speed wasn't worth the few additional MPG. I wasn't confident that I would be able to manuever my way out of a traffic situation.

 

[JVantreese]

I have found that the Edge w/Attitude performs as advertized. I think people, including myself, will tout what they purchased to reinforce their own decision. For moderate (read as reasonable) power increase, built in safety defueling, useable guage info, and instant dial your settings, I would suggest you consider the Edge.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have quite a bit of experience with the EDGE juice w attitude. It is a convenient pkg that makes a mild upgrade,many trucks do not get much additional power out of the higher levels but a lot more heat. The other issue I see is way too many injector bank failure codes.



Bob

 

[cerberusiam]

Smarty jr is safe to run on level 3 wich is the highest level for the jr on a stock truck

Ha ha ha! Not!!! I guarantee 100 hp is NOT going to make the trans happy. Even on level 1 it is pushing the limit on a stock trans and with 35's, that is not even safe unless one is ultra careful.



NO programmer is safe on a stock trans, none, nada, zip. The trans is at its limit or beyond with stock tune. ANY power addition should be accompanied by a minimum of shift kit and a few othe rinternal parts or its just a matter of time before something is trashed.



Even though the 04. 5 is not as problematic as the later units, it is still not a good idea to add power and no trans mods. I know its not what you want to hear, but, there it is. Its your choice.

 

[Regcabguy]

There's a local guy near you with a DTT aftermarket auto,Smarty,and an aftermarket suspension whom I'm sure would love to demonstrate it. Amazing improvement over stock. Quiet,powerful and economical. It's easy to get sucked in.

 

[KCraft]

Smarty!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[brods]

I'm under the impression I can use a programmer with my stock setup and not affect the warranty? Please confirm this. ... ... ...

Absolutely not. If they find out you used a programmer you can kiss your warranty goodbye. If you hide the fact you were using a power adder and try to get warranty repairs you are committing fraud. If you cannot afford to fix a broken truck and do not have the skills to do it yourself, then better to leave it stock.



Use a programmer and you are your own warranty station.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have a stock 2004. 5 (sig below) and I'm looking for some extra HP. I don't tow and the truck will be completely stock except for the programmer...



I'm under the impression I can use a programmer with my stock setup and not affect the warranty? Please confirm this.



Can those of you with the edge, Smarty, and Smarty Jr. please share your experiences with them? Power gains with stock trans? Smoke levels?



Remember, I definitely don't want to roast my stock transmission so let me know what power levels can I SAFELY run on each programmer.



Thanks!



Jake

We have a big group of CTDs going out to Glamis the last week end of January. It will be the perfect place to see it all in action



Bob

 

[AH64ID]

I also have tried the ecomony setting on several long trips, but on this setting, the lack of boost /throttle response and the additional time it took to come up to speed wasn't worth the few additional MPG. I wasn't confident that I would be able to manuever my way out of a traffic situation.

the Economy or 1/2 power???



At least on the Jr the economy setting is MUCH faster than stock. . .

 

[daniels]

Wow... there are opinions all over the board. I am beginning to think that Bob4x4 and Cerberusiam's advice is he best: transmission Mods first then add horsepower/torque.

I have to admit, I have a heavy foot. I like to race. To think that will change is just lieing to myself. Heck, I have been looking for races since I bought the thing last week! So unless a qualified "cummins guru" advises me otherwise, I think I am going to wait till I get a DTT w/trans cooler and my warranty is up. I dont want to be stuck on the side of the road with a busted diesel, two dirt bikes in the back, a cranky chick and a pisted off riding buddy.

 

[JJPage]

Wow... there are opinions all over the board. I am beginning to think that Bob4x4 and Cerberusiam's advice is he best: transmission Mods first then add horsepower/torque.

I have to admit, I have a heavy foot. I like to race. To think that will change is just lieing to myself. Heck, I have been looking for races since I bought the thing last week! So unless a qualified "cummins guru" advises me otherwise, I think I am going to wait till I get a DTT w/trans cooler and my warranty is up. I dont want to be stuck on the side of the road with a busted diesel, two dirt bikes in the back, a cranky chick and a pisted off riding buddy.

I had about 5/6k on my truck, when I visited DTT. It was my first mod on my truck. (and the best).



The day I drove off Dishman Dodge lot, they installed an Edge EZ, AFE Stage1 intake.



900 mi on the ODO, Shelly's Dyno 367hp/667tq. Pretty decent for a 305/555 "03".



Was not long after, I was concerned about the trans, Dishman... assured me the stock transmission could handle a 50/60hp increase. So did most of the forums.



Smarty, software #3, 60 horsepower increase with additional timing



Smarty, #4,90hp



Smarty, #6,130hp



Smarty, #8,170hp



I never had to find out, whether or not my stock transmission could handle 60hp overstock, because I had DTT upgrade my trans.



I know the Smarty softwares have changed... So has my Opinion, I do not believe the stock transmission, can stand up to the stock hp of the Cummins(for long).



So, if you are doing mods, and you have an Auto, you better build it first IMO.



Most of the logic out there, still says your stock transmission can handle 60hp over/stock, unless you have 35's, and you are a Moron.



(right?:-lafbob4X4)

 

[Bob4x4]

I had about 5/6k on my truck, when I visited DTT. It was the first mod on my truck. (and the best).



The day I drove off Dishman Dodge lot, they installed an Edge EZ, AFE Stage1 intake.



900 mi on the ODO, Shelly's Dyno 367hp/667tq. Pretty decent for a 305/555 "03".



Was not long after, I was cocerned about the trans, Dishman... assured me the stock transmission could handle a 50/60hp increase. So did most of the forums.



Smarty, software #3, 60 horsepower increase with additional timing



Smarty, #4,90hp



Smarty, #6,130hp



Smarty, #8,170hp



I never had to find out, whether or not my stock transmission could handle 60 overstock, because I had DTT upgrade my trans.



I know the Smarty softwares have changed... So has my Opinion, I do not believe the stock transmission, can stand up to the stock hp of the Cummins(for long).



So, if you are doing mods, and you have an Auto, you better build it first IMO.



Most of the logic out there, still says your stock transmission can handle 60hp over/stock, unless you have 35's, and you are a Moron.



(right?:-lafbob4X4)

Pretty accurate picture you just painted :-laf



Bob

 

[LRutigliano]

I've been running smarty jr. for a while . I wouldn't run high position , tow position is ok. I mostly run the economy mode . You may see a mpg boost but don't count on it. These boxes are no pressure so they don't trash your injectors.

I am pretty sure that the non REVO Smarty Jr adds pressure. Its set to mild (2) instead of stock. When you update to REVO, you can set to stock.

 

[Regcabguy]

transmission's on death row.

I've got a friend living on borrowed time. From day one with his '05 he's had a Juice w/o attitude set on 60 hp w/285's. About a year ago,he mounted a 1000# Callen half-cabover shell on the truck and installed Smarty sw#3. Simultaneously,the 35's went on. Any minute now... . I'm trying to lean him toward a DTT or Goerend,but he's got a guy in O'Side that says he'll build him a transmission that'll hold 450 rwhp for $2200 Oh well.