2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Final review of the Smarty and 2nd gen auto

[Fishin Guide]

Well,



I have done some testing and here's what I have found so far. I can hit lockup easier, but not by much. Also, some of the twitchiness is reduced. I confirmed this on a bone stock truck of the same year as well.



Is there a real difference? I dunno. I am on the road all next week and will have both sets of programs for some on hiway trials. I have no doubt that Marco wants to see everyone happy. I just got buried with work and have not had time to give this program an honest workout. For that I apologize.



I'll ry to update this next week.



Dave

 

[BILLVO]

Thanks Dave



We will be waiting for it.

 

[Fishin Guide]

I am copying my post on the NWBombers site as it's the same info.



I am still getting a slew of PMs, phone calls and requests for how the software has worked out.



I sent Marco an e-mail with some input ans some questions, but he did not recieve it. I have resent that email and hope that I will get a reply and we can get to dial this thing in.



The quick and dirty of the new test software is this.



It drives similar to level 3 to my seat of the pants meter.



Much less smoke on the bottom end. Especially important with these hotter days.



Lockup is happening at 41-42 mph and I really have to light foot it to get it to go that high before it locks. If I drive how the normal person drives, it locks much sooner. It does unlock f I have to lift, but relocks at a lower speed than with the old Catcher softwares. It drives again, much like the level 3 software.



I get some 2-3, 3-2 hunting. This is due to me modulating my foot as I did when driving the old software. Not a regular occurance and is fixed by not cruising at 27mph in drive. I pull it to manual 2nd when I have to drive 25-30mph and this is a fix everytime. Other setups will be different. This is mostly due to how I requested DTT setup my trans.



All in all, it's a step in the right direction. I am sure Marco has a trick or two up his sleeve, so I have no worries that this issue can be completely resolved through tweaks.



The best part is, I get to keep stone reliable software and have some adjustability to boot. I am excited about what's to come!



I want to once again thank Marco for taking on this issue. I am sure it's difficult to impossible to understand what we are trying to describe without riding in the truck. So, my hats off to this guy.



Dave

 

[NoSeeUm]

I am copying my post on the NWBombers site as it's the same info.



.....



Much less smoke on the bottom end. Especially important with these hotter days.



.....



Dave

WooHoo!



Thanks Dave, Marco, Bob;

Jim

 

[johncameron]

I'd like to know when these programs will be available for d-load? I'd love to try em out myself for towing.

 

[BILLVO]

Rather than changing and or adding features I think the first and most important thing is to perfect what is already there.



Other than the #1 issue of transmission hunting that is there that can be dealt with by driving habits.



I would think that the other #1 issue is to lessen the cruise control sensitivity also so that it is useable. As most people with larger injectors are without cruise control all together because the surge is just too bad.



Dave, Is this one of top things on Marco's to do list?

 

[Fishin Guide]

Rather than changing and or adding features I think the first and most important thing is to perfect what is already there.



Other than the #1 issue of transmission hunting that is there that can be dealt with by driving habits.



I would think that the other #1 issue is to lessen the cruise control sensitivity also so that it is useable. As most people with larger injectors are without cruise control all together because the surge is just too bad.



Dave, Is this one of top things on Marco's to do list?

Well. I do not know.



Marco reached out to me in order to help me find a fix for my truck. Since that time, I have sent an e-mail with my thoughts on the program. And after getting a message he did not recieve that e-mail, I sent another review. I have sent one final note trying to "test" to see if Marco is getting them.



I cannot say what is next. I am hoping to hear from someone in the Smarty camp again to see if we can find some new final tweaks that may make it even better.



It's posssible Marco is on vacation or busy with other projects or trying to futher a fix for the 2nd gens. I have no idea. I will keep you guys posted to the best of my ability. I can tell you that I can drive the new software with the cruise. It does surge slightly, but nowhere as bad as the Catcher programs.



I am hopeful there's more to come!



Dave

 

[Fishin Guide]

Well guys,



no responses from anyone on this one. Bob Wagner said Marco did not get my e-mails and requested I send them to him. I did then forward the e-mails and Bob said he got them on a NWBombers thread. It's been a few weeks and nothing.



Just wanted to update those that have requested more info.



Dave

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Well guys,



no responses from anyone on this one. Bob Wagner said Marco did not get my e-mails and requested I send them to him. I did then forward the e-mails and Bob said he got them on a NWBombers thread. It's been a few weeks and nothing.



Just wanted to update those that have requested more info.



Dave

Thanks for the update Dave - hope further info and possible 2nd generation upgrades will eventually follow from Marco - I'm starting to feel like I did with my 1st generation truck after the 2nd generation stuff came out - sorta like an orphan or unwanted child...

 

[Fishin Guide]

Thanks for the update Dave - hope further info and possible 2nd generation upgrades will eventually follow from Marco - I'm starting to feel like I did with my 1st generation truck after the 2nd generation stuff came out - sorta like an orphan or unwanted child...

Yes sir. I completely agree. One thing is for sure, after nearly a year of trying to effect a positive change and only 1 update change, I have lost most of my confidence in it. I feel bad for the auto guy that wastes his money of a product will see little to no support.



Heck, even the other guys (Edge, TST, Van AAken, ect) have all revised the softwares and behaviors of those products to meet customer expectations. I never thought I would say Edge had a leg up on this one.



Dave

 

[NoSeeUm]

The Quadzilla stuff seems a fresh change and postive?



Still loving my Smarty, but I have a five speed.



Jim

 

[Fishin Guide]

The Quadzilla stuff seems a fresh change and postive?





Jim

I had heard some horror stories with that stuff a while back. maybe the new products are more refined?



Dave

 

[qzilla]

I had heard some horror stories with that stuff a while back. maybe the new products are more refined?



Dave

I would be interested in those? I don't think I have ever heard horror stories. Sure there have been customers that were not pleased for one reason or another but, who hasn't???



It is sort of hard to have horror stories when you offer a 30 day satisfaction guarantee?



I would be very interested in these supposed stories though.

 

[CFAR]

It works fine on my 6 speed, but I still would like my oil pressure gauge back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RJWEST]

CFAR Please, some info on sw settings used, user report, etc.

Also, ? , my oil pressue gage works ( 2002) like yours. .
But did install a real Oil Pressure gage. .

 

[CFAR]

I have the Smarty stacked with a comp, though I rarely turn the comp on. I have the Bully Dog III's, which with the comp are easily controllable, smoke wise. On the Smarty I have a smoke problem on level 2, as I increase levels the smoke only gets worse, great throttle response, though a boost delay would be nice on the lower levels. I have found the Smarty to be a nice addition, though the tire size compensator will only work on levels 1-9, not stock, and my pressure gauge, which worked fine before doesn't now.
Please take the "Latest Dealer Flash" and delete the 40psi oil pressure @#$, or at least make it user selectable.

I have noticed a discernable difference with the smarty heat wise, the smarty seems to run hotter than the comp on 1x1.

If given the chance to purchase again 50/50.

Things I like:
1. Throttle response.
2. Timing/no timing.
3. Tire compensation.
4. Good selection of power settings.

Things I don't like:
1. Loss of Oil pressure gauge.
2. Tire compensation only works on levels 1-9.

 

[Bob Wagner]

CFAR can you tell me why smarty would disable the oil pressure guage.



Thanks

 

[Spunkys Ram]

CFAR can you tell me why smarty would disable the oil pressure guage.



Thanks

Me too please. I just purchased a Smarty for my '02 Auto and I'd really like to know what's really happening.

 

[SnoKing]

On the later flashes to the 2 nd gens, DC but a feature in the program that "painted" 40 lbs of oil pressure on the gauge if the sender failed. So it is normal until it thinks that the sender is bad. This would be included in the latest SW that Marco used.



So watch your gauge and if it stops moving, get a new sender.



SNOKING

 

[RJWEST]

Mech oil pressure gage ,with a light,. . and a buzzer
Don't like computers that lie to me. .