Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) EZ and RV275s or Comp

[Boondocker]

I've got a bunch of mods but if I was in your shoes I would get a Smarty. You can stack the Smarty with your EZ. A Comp later would be even better to replace the EZ. The big benefit of the Comp (besides power) is in cab adjustability. The Comp stacked with the Smarty on level 8 is for fun and a Smarty on 9 is great for towing.

Sorry DPrew, but I disagree with a couple of points of your post.

1. Why would you stack a Smarty with an EZ? They essentially do the same thing, that is, they both advance timing and add up to 65 HP. They just have different fueling curves, but the Smarty has no-timing settings and 9 settings whereas the EZ always advances timing and has 3 settings. So to stack them, you should only run the Smarty on the non-timing settings. Stacking them gives you no more than the 65 horsepower that's available from the VP44 without tapping the pump wire, same as not stacking them. There is zero advantage to stacking these two together.

2. Towing with Smarty on #9. Is this recommendation based on your towing experience with the Smarty? Again, the Smarty, like the EZ, delivers about 65HP increase regardless of the setting. The only difference is how soon in the throttle stroke the fueling comes on. #9 delivers the same power as #3. It just gives you a lot less pedal control to work with because all the fuel comes in way early in the pedal stroke. I've towed my 5th wheel trailer on every setting. The higher settings are just a pain to manage the overly sensitive throttle. I always come back to #3, which is as close to an EZ as it gets. For me, towing is mostly an exercise in engine load management. It's about maintaining speed between the peaks of the torque curve and the horsepower curve, balanced against RPM and EGT. Having a 6-speed manual requires a little more finesse than with an auto trans, but the results are excellent.

3. Did you mean to say that the Comp stacked with the Smarty on #9 would be great for towing? That would double the timing advance. Under load, that would be a recipe for cylinder head disaster. Even the #1 (fuel saver) setting that has "aggressive timing" but no added fueling carries a warning against towing with that setting.

To each his own style, but that's how it works out in my world.

Regards,
Neil

 

[PRout]

Smarty improved my throttle responce tremendously over the EZ I used before. I find it very "drivable". It didn't take long to learn to roll into the throttle to control smoke. The Comp taps the wire & the Smarty does not. That makes them different beasts. Smarty is better compared with an EZ .

I imagine running a Hot Hod VP44, mach 3. 8's and a Smarty (especially on #9) WOULD require some "rolling into the throttle" to prevent smoking from a stoplight. With the APB turned up, well. . sounds a little touchy to me. . But like I said before, different strokes. . You like your set up, I like mine.

(You get extra points in my book though because of your previous nightmare experience. Glad you're ok. That's what matters most. )

 

[DCreed]

I dont think ANYONE would recommend towing with a SMARTY on level 9 and a stock auto trans! not for long anyways! LOL!

 

[darkhorse]

I imagine running a Hot Hod VP44, mach 3. 8's and a Smarty (especially on #9) WOULD require some "rolling into the throttle" to prevent smoking from a stoplight. With the APB turned up, well. . sounds a little touchy to me. . But like I said before, different strokes. . You like your set up, I like mine.



(You get extra points in my book though because of your previous nightmare experience. Glad you're ok. That's what matters most. )

The Dodgzilla & cam have eased the smoke issue a lot. No trouble with smoke any more & I like the "touchy" throttle. I tow my horses with it & I bust through snow drifts in tire chains on #9. I know it's not for everry one :-laf.



Thanks for the points. I was lucky to come out of that accident so well. Thanks to CSnyder, my sweetheart of a truck is back on the road too.

 

[darkhorse]

I dont think ANYONE would recommend towing with a SMARTY on level 9 and a stock auto trans! not for long anyways! LOL!

That's the truth!

 

[johncameron]

That's the truth!

I use SW3 and at times it is a hair too somkey for my likings at stoplights. I'm hoping for a new software that has a more stock-like response below 1500RPM and fuels to the tune of SW1 above that with less timing. That would be great for towing only!



John

 

[aircop]

Go with the RV 275's. I love mine.

 

[DPrew]

If I run my Comp in setting one or two with my Smarty on 8 (no timing) there is definitely more fueling going on. I never had my EZ and Comp at the same time but the Comp on setting one or two is supposed to be the same as having an EZ. On settings 1-2 the Comp does not use the wire tap.

With my mods my Smarty (solo) made much more towing power on 9 than my EZ ever did. The EZ also over fueled my truck while towing in settings 2 & 3 (I had stock injectors and S300 turbo then). My truck ran slugishly and hotter as well while towing in EZ settings 2-3. My stock clutch could handle the EZ but not the Smarty on 9. I had to dial back my Smarty to keep the OE clutch happy. I like the more aggressive fuel curve of #9 but you definitely have to practice throttle control and lay on the throttle slowly after shifting. As long as you practice throttle control you can really get a load up to speed more quickly on #9.

For fun I like the Smarty on 8 and the Comp on 5. The truck screams in this setup but once again you must practice throttle control at low boost or the smoke will be extreme.

 

[DSeamans]

I have a comp that I replaced last year with juice w/attitude. Its for a 01 6spd. I don't remember what all it works on, some of these other guys can tell you that. If it would work, I'd give you a heck of a deal, maybe you want to try it?