Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Got an 01 HO - want a little bit more power

[WVanHemert]

Hey folks I have got an 01 HO with a Six Speed, all I do is tow, and I want a little bit more power, already got a FP gauge, gonna be adding an EGT gauge next week, but what is the right first choice for more power, want to get a little better power for climbing hills. It does ok now it will hold its own through the mountains but I can't really pass real well while climbing today.



Looking at maybe 50 to 100 hp maximum



thanks

 

[SpicyJam]

EZ will give you 65 and you don't need to really worry about other mods. Or a small set of injectors, but you would still need some type of boost fooler for the little bit extra you would gain with the injectors.

 

[darkhorse]

I started my BOMBing with a used EZ. They work very nicely but now that the Smarty is out That's I'd say that is the better way to go.

 

[Boondocker]

As a new Smarty owner, I'd love to jump in and say that's the way to go. However, I haven't heard enough feedback from towers, nor have I made my own towing evaluation. My first performance mod was a used EZ with a boost elbow. I still think it's great stand-alone mod, that is, you don't need many hundreds of dollars of additional mods to get the most out of it. You should be able to find a used EZ in the TDR classifieds in the $300 range.



To those who would say, "save your money and build it right the first time", I say - Where was Smarty 3 yrs ago? Where were F1 Mach 1. 6 injectors 3 yrs ago, when I started bombing? Who knows what the next 3 years will bring? Eventually, you'll end up with a signature like posters #2, 3, & 4. We've slid a long ways down the slippery slope of bombing! So take the EZ first step



Just have fun.

Neil

 

[PC12Driver]

I'm a fan of the EZ for towing, too. A nice shot of power, egts dropped (about 1,100 deg. max* on all but the steepest of hills at higher altitudes with 10k in tow), and you should be able to keep the nice and smooth stock clutch (my OFE is a bit grabby for spotting trailers). And the price is right.



*at the time I also had a 4" exhaust and AFE intake that also helped reduce egts

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Smarty!



I have towed 60,000 miles with a Catcher and it is awesome. So much usable power it is hard to describe. More than holds its own in the mountains and never could get the egt's over 1200.



Trent

 

[Joe Mc]

I want a little bit more power-Looking at maybe 50 to 100 hp maximum

:-laf He downt know himself bewwey well do hee :-laf



WVan - you might only "think" you want a "little" extra power. Once you get it then you get bitten by the Bomb and it's a slippery slope. Don't fool yourself. Go one step at a time though - will the drive line handle at least 200 hp more than you "think" you want? If not do it up first - then start the mods. If you do injectors go big and use a light foot (at least till you can feed more air to keep egts down), you'll probably be doing some sort of electronic mod next, Edge, etc. - then the next thing will be a bigger turbo and then . . and then . . . Sliding yet?



Good luck to ya!

 

[Tiger Rag]

I've got a comp and ran it on the EZ mode to start before I got my gauges. It is fine, but now that I have a Smarty, that is the way I'd go. Especially for towing. It strikes me as a perfect choice for towing since it spools the turbo down low, fuels early and all the way to 3550.



Of course, I have the comp tapped now and with the Smarty on Catcher and no timing (#8 setting) and the comp on 5x5, it runs awesome.



Good luck, Matt

 

[OPoole]

Edge Ez and Mach 1. 6s or smarty and Mach 1. 6 injectors.

 

[rubberneck]

What opoole said, with the addition of a Southbend ConO or ConOFE clutch. That was the best towing combination I have tried. The ConO drives just like stock with less pedal pressure, and will hold fine as long as you drive it like you paid for it. If you do any abusing, go for the ConOFE.

 

[Hohn]

Just save yourself that hassle of piddling around, and go straight to big cam, twins, O-rings, Mach 4s, TST box, and Smarty.
J/K


Seriously, get a Smarty. I've had an EZ, a Van Aaken, and the Catcher ECM/Smarty. The Smarty is just so much better that I can't imagine considering anything else.

The Smarty will deliver about 60 of the biggest, baddest horses you've ever seen. Not all horses are equal. The Smarty's horses make the others feel like Shetland ponies.

 

[jkidd]

The HO engine responds better to injectors and not as good with a box, 65hp--> ends up more like 50

Van Aaken was really good for me, comparable to the EZ.

 

[Sixpack]

smarty and Mach 1. 6 injectors.

Without any doubt!

This setup rocks!

 

[WVanHemert]

Thanks for all the input, I will do some local pricing and see where my wallet falls, thanks again for the input.

 

[SLJolley]

I would go with the van Aaken. We have always had good luck with them. They are very nice modules and about 1/2 the price.

 

[DMcPherson]

I have an ez, then I upgraded to a 4" exhaust and made an intake. the truck flies, towes great and gets good mileage. the intake and exhaust definately compliment the ez but cost wise I couldent ask for anything better

 

[MRiley]

The Smarty will deliver about 60 of the biggest, baddest horses you've ever seen. Not all horses are equal. The Smarty's horses make the others feel like Shetland ponies.

Ok, I know I've been out of the loop for a while but what the heck is a Smarty? What does it do differently that the other boxex (like ez), and who makes it?

 

[RNelson]

I have the same truck you do. I started with gauges based on the recommendations from all the folks in this forum, then went to the 4" exhaust, then the AFE Stage II air intake system (all to make sure I keep the EGTs down). Last year got an Edge EZ and just this past weekend went with a set of EDM 1. 5 injectors. I am very satisfied with this set up. I tow my 5th wheel in the summer and go on about 5-10 trips each year.

 

[Hohn]

Ok, I know I've been out of the loop for a while but what the heck is a Smarty? What does it do differently that the other boxex (like ez), and who makes it?

A Smarty is an ECM reprogrammer made by http://www.madselectronics.com

It's more expensive, but it's a better value even at the higher price, imo.

jh

 

[darkhorse]

Ok, I know I've been out of the loop for a while but what the heck is a Smarty? What does it do differently that the other boxex (like ez), and who makes it?

The Smarty uses the CaTCHER soft ware fueling programs. In total power output it is much like an EZ or VA box but the low end throttle response is vastly improved. It's a little hard to appreciate until one has actually experienced the difference. Just do a search & look at the response from folks that have just tried a CaTCHER or Smarty.