Opinions/experiences wanted on a VA Smartbox C3.2

[Sarge]

Looking for advice and experiences of anyone running a VA Smartbox C3. 2 (duration box) as a solo on a 04. 5' 600 motor. Are you happy with it, and would you do it again? What about codes, or driveability? Thanks for your input... ... . Sarge

 

[DKiesewetter]

I got to run one on my truck briefly to test it... It blew a lot of smoke and felt moderately stronger off the line, but I'm not sure I would spend 600 bucks on it. My EGT's were pretty out of control with stock turbo, and the fuel milage certainly wasn't helped at all.



Doug

 

[mattymac]

any box im my opinion needs timing in it to somewhat help with the egt issue. The VA doesnt have it, and while making this much power (130 HP) why wouldnt you put timing in it to help with EGT's?

 

[Sarge]

I guess the timing part is forth comming. I am holding off on the box until the timing portion is available. I'm just looking for a little more torque to haul my big fiver up the side of a mountian... .....

 

[mattymac]

Originally posted by Sarge

I guess the timing part is forth comming. I am holding off on the box until the timing portion is available. I'm just looking for a little more torque to haul my big fiver up the side of a mountian... .....

There was a post a while ago about VA not releasing a timing only box or adding timing to the 3. 2.

 

[EEngel]

VA duration box

Sarge,



I would have to say you may want to hold onto your $. I love the duration box, but it really does run hot. I am empty 99% of the time, so I am not concerned with the loaded EGT's.



If you are looking for just a little extra power, the VA level 1 in a nice mild towing box that doesn't increase the rail pressure very much.



I pulled 7,000lbs with the VA level II (duration) and the 100% setting was a definite no-no. I went to the 50% and it was okay. Then I switched the level I on and it cooled things a bit more. So I got greedy and tried the level II on 100% and the level I on 50%, still too hot.



I found the level I at 100% and the level II at 50% worked well. But note this was only 7,000 lbs.

 

[GWoody]

"I would have to say you may want to hold onto your $. I love the duration box, but it really does run hot"



Same here real good smooth power, but runs hotter than Hades!!!

 

[Sarge]

Wow, great info guys, thanks very much. Sarge

 

[Gypsyman]

I'm about to see if I can cool Hades down with a KSB-1-2-03 from Piers. I've been looking at the TST but I don't wan't to loose the good factory manners that this truck has. The VA C3. 2 doesn't alter the driveability one iota in my opinion. Some that I have spoken to say the TST'd trucks act and feel like the truck has a box, which I'm trying to avoid. The only other option for me is a set of DDII's and the turbo...

 

[Sarge]

Let us know what happens... ... ... .

 

[EEngel]

Drivability

Gypsyman,



I agree 100% on the drivability of the VA boxes. You really can't tell it's a "boxed" truck.



I just wanted to make sure that Sarge knew he would see some hell type temps. And quick...

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I ran the smartbox for about 1o minutes and took it off. My EZ seemed to put out more power and pulled harder. I have heard that the cp3 2 is much more responsive with an EZ stacked ontop of it. I for one think it is a waste of money. Get a TST and put it on level 3x3 Sarge, you will be more than happy.



Greg

 

[Fireman]

Sarge,



Are you towing or hot-rodding? I have the level 1 box (pressure) and it is a pretty sweet little box for towing. No EGT issues, great drivability, and just enough "bump" to easily push 20,000# (GC) down the road. It doesn't raise the rail pressure near as much as many of the others and is easy on the wallet. What more could I want?



My $0. 02

Fireman

 

[Sarge]

I just want it for towing. My 5ver comes in at about 11,500 at camping ready weight, and total GCVW I'm a shade under 20K. The little bump is all I'm looking for, and if I can squeeze out a little more mpg, then all the better... ... ...



I am just a little leary about a pressure box. With the fuel rail being so new still, we have not seen the long term effects of raising the rail pressure. Anyone had any issues with their HPCR yet??

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Sarge,

the VA really gets hot!!!!!!!!

 

[Badunit]

The VA duration box, as everyone says, gets hot quick. What I like about it is it makes the throttle response from 1K-2K RPM much better for normal driving. I did, however, remove mine recently because of the heat issues. I'm not ready for a turbo upgrade just yet and that's probably what it takes to get the temps down.

 

[Gypsyman]

The odd thing is that I don't believe it's just a VA problem. It's an air problem. If I understand correctly, Piers is running the 3. 2 with twins and putting every horse to the ground without egt issuse according to Mark Wilson at PDR. I don't think it has enough adjustment levels like the TST does therefore you can't turn it down to match your turbo you have to up your turbo to match the power level.



just my . 02



-Richard

 

[Sarge]

The Piers turbo is susposed to be the hot ticket. It I do go for one of the boxes, I may be talking to Piers about the set up... .

 

[Gypsyman]

Which one are you looking at. I'm going for the B-1-2-04 in the morning...



Richard

 

[DLeno]

The issue with the C3. 2 box is that duration without a timing advance results in a net retardation of timing. Here's how it was explained to me (I'm not a combustion expert but i try to listen carefully ).



As RPM increases, you have a vanishing time window of opportunity to squirt fuel into the cylinder and take full advantage of the power stroke. As the piston decends from TDC, cylinder pressure decreases. If a portion of the burn occurs after TDC the resultant expansion of gasses occurs at a lower cylinder pressure and is less efficient at transmitting power to the crank. severely retarted timing (like 100 HP with duration only) probably results in more unburned fuel.



So the VA box gives the fuel, but the retarded timing results in high EGTs. yes you can always add air, and I have no doubts that the VA box can be tamed with a big enough huffer. My point is that it runs hotter than any other box out there and probably hurts fuel economy depending on how you drive (when I was testing it, I got no decrease or increase).



now then, there is still a very attractive option of stacking the VA duration box with a simple pressure box such as the EZ, Quadzilla, Bullydog. These pressure boxes, especially on their mid-range settings, are weak in the low end, but come on strong at the high end. ergo, just the opposite of the VA C3. 2.



so the stack provides these advantages:



1. you get better low end than with just a 50HP pressure box



2. you get better high end and better EGTs than just a duration box



3. you can still get around 100 HP (est. ) without raising rail pressure beyond about 24,000 (a pressure box on 50 HP)



4. This isn't important to all, but such a stack will feel stock at low throttle levels -- you don't even know the boxes are on until you get on it. I found the Quadzilla + VA combo to be very nice in that regard.



Alas, however, the stack still runs hotter than pure pressure at 100HP. But for those who are nervous about 100HP via pressure (rail pressure) this is a good approach. 100 HP via pressure requries more huffer anyway...