Actual Smarty Jr MPG on CaTCHER 1

[moonranch]

I get the most MPG improvement on setting #3.
#1 ~1. 5MPG improvement over stock
#2 ~2 MPG improvement over stock
#3 ~2. 5 MPG improvement over stock

 

[MickeyMiller]

Smarty Jr. on level 4, 8000 Lb+, 35" tires... Bay Area to San Diego (580/132/99/58/395/15/8) to Riverside (8/15/91) today. 669. 3 miles filled up this morning, exactly 31. 0 gal. = 21. 6 MPG. BTW... diesel was $4. 55&9/10 this morning in Riverside.



I tried to keep it at 1950 rpm/<600*~68mph while cruising. Fair amount of bumper to bumper in Riverside and San Diego.



BTW#2: I still had 7 gallons in the tank (vent kit allows me to get just about 38 gallon in my 34 gallon tank!) and I could have made 800 miles on one tank!

 

[EArp]

Smarty Jr. on level 4, 8000 Lb+, 35" tires... Bay Area to San Diego (580/132/99/58/395/15/8) to Riverside (8/15/91) today. 669. 3 miles filled up this morning, exactly 31. 0 gal. = 21. 6 MPG. BTW... diesel was $4. 55&9/10 this morning in Riverside.



I tried to keep it at 1950 rpm/<600*~68mph while cruising. Fair amount of bumper to bumper in Riverside and San Diego.



BTW#2: I still had 7 gallons in the tank (vent kit allows me to get just about 38 gallon in my 34 gallon tank!) and I could have made 800 miles on one tank!

Mickey, what do you mean by saying you have your Smarty Jr set on "level 4". As to my knowledge, the Smarty Jr only has 3 levels. Level 1=40hp fuel economy setting, Level 2=70hp towing setting, Level 3=100hp performance setting. Did you mean to say level 3?

 

[Bob Wagner]

I have been on level 1 since I purchased the Smarty Jr several months ago. Untill about 10 days ago, fuel has been at or above $5 a gallon in the Eastern SF Bay Area(now $4. 39). There is no question that the JR makes a signicant difference of 1. 0-1. 5 mpg. I coupled the use of Smarty Jr with limiting my speed to 65-67mph and now hand calculate a consistent average of 20. 5 to 21. 5 mpg. My only disappointment is the amount of visible exhaust there is under all conditions with the exception of maybe idling at a standstill. God help anyone who is behind me if I do a hole shot from a standing start. Truck can leave a cloud right out of a tractor pull. My truck is 04. 5 3500 Quadcab 2WD Longbed 6-sp manual 3. 73 gear.

N Dennis

Have you updated to the newest software release. beta 4?

 

[MickeyMiller]

My bad... On Level 3... . Stock, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3..... See 4 Levels and I am on the last one!:-laf

 

[EArp]

you guys are making me wish i'd have gotten the 6spd. The best i've seen is about 18. 5 on hwy average. I did get a little over 20 once but i think that was a fluke as I haven't been able to do it again since. Then again, I need to probably pay attention to keeping my RPM's at around 1950 or so. I hate doing that though, because with stock size tires that puts me under the hwy speed limit!

 

[Bob Wagner]

yep 1900-2000 is the cummins sweet spot

 

[EArp]

So Bob, let me ask you, IYO which setting on the Jr do you think will provide the best mileage gains driven responsibly?

 

[Jack in Alaska]

After reading the entire thread on "the other forum" on the Smarty JR having the same power output on #2 & #3 I am going to stay on #1 until I hear from Bob W. that the problem has been sorted out.



After downloading beta #4 the exhaust smoke has been really reduced which I like.

I must say that I feel a definite difference in the power output from #2 to #3 using my SJ box.



Bob W... ... ... ..... let us know what the outcome of the similar power problem from #2 & #3.



Thanks.

 

[EArp]

Jack, i'm with you. I also can feel a big difference between 2 & 3. I did buy mine mostly for mileage though, and i'll be anxious to hear from Bob on which setting he thinks will provide the best MPG's.

 

[RandallTaylor]

After searching for,and trying a few, milage improving mods - I'd say my smarty Jr. has provided a solid 1. 5-2 mpg (maybe more) for city driving for sure. I have a spreasheet tracking fuel economy (for every tank - yes, I have issues of my truck since new, and the driving conditions (trailer/city/hwy/towing etc. ). It might just be that it's a little easier to drive 'nice', as it's more responsive and accelerates with more authority, as opposed to it's stock lag and lack of responsiveness. I only run on the 40hp setting 1 btw. Anyway, I'll post the spreadsheet when I more time to clean it up...

 

[EArp]

After searching for,and trying a few, milage improving mods - I'd say my smarty Jr. has provided a solid 1. 5-2 mpg (maybe more) for city driving for sure. I have a spreasheet tracking fuel economy (for every tank - yes, I have issues of my truck since new, and the driving conditions (trailer/city/hwy/towing etc. ). It might just be that it's a little easier to drive 'nice', as it's more responsive and accelerates with more authority, as opposed to it's stock lag and lack of responsiveness. I only run on the 40hp setting 1 btw. Anyway, I'll post the spreadsheet when I more time to clean it up...

Thanks for the info Randall. The spreadsheet is a great idea. I'll be looking forward to seeing it. I'm still waiting to hear from Bob on which of the Jr's settings he thinks will provide the best MPG's driven responsibly.

 

[Bob Wagner]

software #3 seems to be the clear winner followed close by software #2



fuel and timing = better fuel economy.



Thanks

 

[AH64ID]

Well I thought I was getting a good 1-2 mpgs out of the Jr, but had my best tank ever today, 19. 81, on stock SW... . Oh well, I still like the driveability of the Jr, and the EGT's are hard to beat... I saw 1200* the other day empty (well 1 jetski in tow) on a hill... I saw the same temp with the Jr and my 5K TT on the same hill on a hotter day.

When the 2/3 issue gets worked out I may try 2 for mileage, but will always tow on 1.

 

[EArp]

Thanks for the info Bob. I'm not a diesel expert so I have a question for you guys. I can see timing, but how does more fuel equate to better fuel economy? Is it that the motor makes the same power more efficiently or easily than stock? It seems like if the motor is using more fuel, then fuel economy would decrease. If somebody can help me understand how this works i'd really appreciate it.

 

[firemansdiesel]

I actually lost 2mpg on SW#2 on freeway driving (900 mile roundtrip, I-5 from NorCal to SoCal). I always get 18-20 mpg w/ cruise set at 70mph on stock. I downloaded SW #1 yesterday to see if I gain or stay the same as stock, but I lose the power that I wanted w/ 70 hp (or atleast what it's supposed to be).