NON-Preasure Box (VanAaken, Edge J/A)???

[Buffalo]

I would appreciate your "expert opinion's", here.



I have an '03, HO, 6-sp. with a Magnaflow 4" exhaust & AFE ProGuard-7 A/F system. Other than that, the engine is stock.



In my reading on the Dodge/Cummins websites, problems involving preasure boxes (especially High Preasure) seem to crop up occasionally. Enough to cause me concern about their use on my truck.



BTW, I use the truck as a daily driver & for towing my 7500lb. trailer in the Western Mountain States. I don't drag race or sled pull. I would, however, appreciate a little extra performance when sitting next to a Powerstroke or Duramax at the stop light. Also, I'm interested in the small improvement in fuel economy some of these boxes provide.



At this point, it looks like my choices are between the VanAakin C3. 2 or the Edge Juice/Attitude. Since I already have guages, I'm thinking the Edge J/A may be a waste of money because I'd be duplicating the guages. That leaves me with the VanAaken C3. 2 or what ever else is out there, that I don't know about. I know about the TST but, that's a lot more box than what I need & it might be too tempting to turn it up into the "Danger Zone".



Those of you that have the VA-C3. 2, or have experience with it, what are your thoughts about it?

I notice that it seems to only control injector pulse width. Doesn't say anything about adjusting timing. I have already done the "Tone Ring" mod on my truck. Would that act as the timing adjustment that the VA-C3. 2 doesn't have?

In their advertising, they say that there is mechanical boost fooling available, or something involved with boost. Does anyone know how that works? They didn't explain it on their website.



Who has the best prices on these boxes?



Would I be making a mistake by purchasing one of these boxes & is there a better way to go, in your opinion?



Does the VA-C3. 2 increase power & torque across the entire power band (from idle to redline)?



Thank You, for your thoughts & suggestions.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Scrappy]

did you know that the J/A is timing, duration, AND pressure on the '03's. From what I have heard, the VA does most of it's fueling down low and tapers off tward topend to help keep EGT's down which is good for towing. Even if the box has a boost fooler built in, you still have to mechanically fool the wastegate to see any large increases in boost.

 

[SLJolley]

The VA is a good box. Very dependable, thats what I would do.

 

[John Robinson]

VA 3. 2, I have been tradeing in the BDDL & THE TRIPLEDOGS & replaceing them with VA`S. Mileage is better on the VA.

 

[Buffalo]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.



Scrappy,

Thanks for reminding me of the preasure in the J/A. I'd forgotten about that. They always talk about the '04. 5-'05's having just timing & duration but, now I remember hearing about the '03 & '04 (305/555's) having preasure, also.



I know what boost fooling is but, do any of you guys know exactly how VA-C3. 2 does it? Is it something like Edge's Boost Elbow? A mechanical piece that you have to install at the turbo? I've heard those can hurt the turbo.



Thanks for your help.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[dan shss]

I would go with the newest version of the TST which is a timming and duration box . . The newest version has built in cool down timer and you can get the one with built in gauges. . Get it all in one package.

 

[Buffalo]

Van Aaken, Update.

Yesterday, I called Van Aaken with a few questions about their products including their new VA-C3. 3, which, will be a duration, timing & preasure box. The preasure will be on the "slightly increased" side, maybe around 15 HP's worth.

This box will be a pretty high performance box in comparison with the VA-C3. 2. Also, it won't be out til sometime later next year. The VA Rep. couldn't tell me much more because it is still under development.



He did say that if you are interested in a reasonable amount of extra HP without having to upgrade the rest of your truck, the VA-C3. 2 is a great way to go.

I asked him about doing the Rocktek Sensor or the Tone Ring Mod and its effect on the VA-C3. 2. He said that would be a great accompaniment to the VA-C3. 2. He went on to say that an air intake system, free flowing exhaust system & the timing mod would work together, very well. These other mods would help to keep the EGT's down into a very managable level. Without the mods, on the higher level, you would want to keep an eye on your EGT's, expecially when working the engine hard on long pulls.



In reality, the levels on the VA-C3. 2 are about zero(stock), 50 HP & 110 HP, on the high level. However, different trucks respond differently to boxes.



Just thought I'd share this info. with you guys.



Joe F. (Buffalo)