Here I am

Actual Smarty Jr MPG on CaTCHER 1

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

Best money spent for better mileage on an 03 6 spd?

Cold Air Intake Article in TDR Issue 59

Status
Not open for further replies.
The truck was purchased in December of 2005 with every drop of fuel entered into an EXCEL spreadsheet. Following is the data on mileage up to, and since the installation of the Smarty Jr (SJ). Truck is stock except for the 50 hp DDP injectors. RWHP with only the injectors is 340 hp.



Pre SJ - 33,896 mi / 1890. 46 gal = 17. 93 mpg



Post SJ- 2,147 mi / 114. 14 gal = 18. 81 mpg



A few comments on the last 2,147 miles with the SJ. The software was at Ver 5. 03C D2. 10B when first installed. 290 miles later I had scheduled maintenance done on the transmission and returned to stock for 8 miles. During service I downloaded then installed Ver 5. 03D D2. 11B. I have no idea what the differences are between the two versions. The test period includes a 1,200 mile round trip to southern CA down Interstate 5. I tried to keep my driving habits the same as pre SJ (tough to do!).



Power is very smooth and even. Passengers who have peviously ridden in the truck comment on how smooth and quiet it is ( I cannot verify the last item as I am 'hearing challenged').



One more significant improvement. I have tested my mileage at various speeds using the OH. On long trips I have used cruise control to increase speed a few mph at a time to verify at what speed the mpg stops INCREASING and begins to drop down. I would drive at least 50 miles at a given speed before increasing my speed. For pre SJ this was 64 mph. Post SJ this speed increased to 72 mph ( I did not do extensive testing above this speed as 70 is the maximum speed limit).



I will run one more tank at CaTCHER 1 before trying the higher HP settings.



Local PS owners 'hate' this thing!



Wayne
 
Wayne, Thank you for your input. You may see an increase in tow software,



I appreciate your detailed record keeping :)
 
I ran my truck, before Smarty jr, to Los Angles and back on I-5 about 400 miles at 60to62mph. I got 19. 4mpg. Last Sunday I ran I-5 to Modesto and back, ran 65 to 73 and got 19. 42mpg. I was running it on the 40hp setting and with even having the LATE G56, 6spd, I am at 2100 at 70mph.
I feel that it has improved my mileage AND my smiles!!!
When I fueled at Kettleman city, I reprogramed to the 70hp setting to shoot the 2 lane hwy through the hills to Paso Robles, about 60 miles.
OOOOOooo is it fun when you go to pass cars.
 
Ok I am in. I bought a smarty jr, today. I have a 04 so cali truck. I hope it will wake it up a bit. I never have complained about power and am interested in better fuel economy? We will see if I can keep my foot out of it.



Besides being a cali so, I do have 4. 10 in the rear. I am interested to see if I get any mpg gain. I will report back, if interested.



Mike
 
nice to chat with you Mike. Please post your findings and if anyone else is sitting on the slippery slope please post or give me a call.



I am a friendly guy :-laf
 
Last edited:
Bob, I'm not sure I understand your comment about "tow software". Are you suggesting that mileage may be better when in 'tow' mode? If so, please explain why.



Thanks,



Wayne
 
I have been running mine on level 2 about to install level 1. Paid 3. 63 a gallon last night. I do love my truck and smarty jr. !
 
I too have noticed an increaese, thou its hard to say just how much... I have had my truck for 5K miles and about 2500 have been with the Jr, but its all been winter driving on a motor that just hit 15K miles... . But what I did notice was that pre Jr I did a 500 mile road trip thru wash, ore, id... and got right at 15. 9 mpg... I did a similar trip thru wash, ore, id (same speeds, weather was close) with about 300 more lbs in the truck and got 18 mpg... but in the time the truck had 4K more miles, a Smarty Jr on SW #1, Amsoil in the motor, Amsoil DIF, a muffler delete, and alum rims installed..... but a 2mpg increase is fine by me.
 
Now that everybody has a little more time on the Smarty Jrs, is there any more info on whether or not it provides measurable MPG gains? I picked up about 1 to 1. 5 mpg with the cool hose and PSM - looking to go with the Junior on 40 or 70 for even more.



Anyone care to share their latest Smarty Junior mileage?
 
Had mine on for 10,000 miles or so and I can say at setting 1/40hp I have seen a 2mpg increase. I get 17 around town and 21-22 on the hiway depending on how hard I run. Been very happy with it as I was able to set my tire height,got the Hi idle program with it and the best thing besides milage gains are the 200 degrees lower Egt's. Never see above 1100 any more. Some have *****ed about exessive smoke but I only see that at low boost and hammer on the pedal. Keep the boost up and not bad at all.
 
what effect did the ddp 50hp injectors have on your mpgs? i have them also but changed some other things at the same time really liked hp increase but not sure about mpgs increasing but didn't hurt mpgs
 
My experience with Smarty Jr

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
 
On SJ #1; beta 4 program; the smoke is considerable reduced from the original set-up. I see approx. 1. 5 mpg improvement and I like the power. Engine seems to be quieter also. Wife likes it.



CAUTION... ... ..... on #3 my stock clutch would slip if I hammered it. No more #3 for me.



Heading out on another 4200 mile run in Oct. so will monitor mileage in both #1 and # 2 beta 4 when towing my 5th. whl. .
 
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



You should try the beta software available on madselectronics.com It reduced smoke considerably and gave me some mpg's.



Heading out on another 4200 mile run in Oct. so will monitor mileage in both #1 and # 2 beta 4 when towing my 5th. whl. .



Check out this thread... SW #2 & # appear to be the same power output. While they do have minimal differences in smoke the dyno lines are identical on 2 different trucks, on std and beta software... just a word of caution before you tow on #2, its making about (corr) 430/800... .
 
Bob, I'm not sure I understand your comment about "tow software". Are you suggesting that mileage may be better when in 'tow' mode? If so, please explain why.



Thanks,



Wayne



I'm also wondering what he meant as well. I've read mixed reviews on TDR about MPG differences between the Smarty Jr setting #1 and #2. It seems like some guys get better on #2 and some better on #1. I'm just wondering which one is better for MPG? Assuming you keep your foot out of it of course!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top