Smarty Jr. POD

[DaveHess]

When I got my Smarty Jr.(about 4 or 5 years ago), I installed the Tow mode (I guess aka SW2 (???)) and left all the defaults in place. I have been very happy with this setting especially when towing but have always wondered about the POD. It is currently set at 99% and my understanding is that means 99% of available power is there as soon as I roll into the throttle??? Am I correct? I've seen other posts where folks have been advised to lower that number to be easier on the transmission upon take off. My thought was always why would I want to lower the POD when don't I want the down low power to help get my weight rolling? I will state right here and now that I have never "drilled" the throttle off idle for just that reason, the fear of breaking something. I roll into the throttle and it pulls out very nicely with the trailer hooked up.

So, what are the benefits of lowering the POD? Let's set an arbitrary number of POD at 70%. What does that mean to a guy like me pulling his camper? What can I expect power-wise? At what RPM can I expect "all power" to be in and usable? Or is my grasp way off here. Please set me straight.

 

[BDaugherty]

If I'm not mistaken, POD works much better on manual trans trucks. Seems like I read that something about how the power comes in vs. throttle position makes for an odd shifting auto. Also, several have reported equal hp and tq numbers on the dyno but with less smoke when running slightly lower POD settings.

 

[CToney]

I use POD to limit egt. My 03 has been modified a little. I don't want it to get hot so I've lowered the POD so I don't melt it down. If you have no worries about it getting hot I'd leave it as is.

 

[DaveHess]

Hey Chuck! Good to hear from you. I rarely see EGT near 1200F. Even during my recent haul through the Black Hills of SD pulling the long grades with the TT I saw a high temp of about 1150F but even that settled down to about 1100F. Most of the time between 900 to 1050F towing. Empty is usually hovering around 600F at Interstate speeds. I installed an adjustable boost elbow as my max boost was around 23 PSI. I adjusted it to give me 27 PSI and have been happy with it there. I posted a transmission problem I am having. I know I am skating on thin ice with the factory 48RE so I baby the throttle.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Cerberusiam posted that going to POD 90 resulted in the exact same HP as 99% but reduced smoke some. I changed mine to 90% and can feel no difference towing or otherwise so I think it's a good idea to do.

Scott

 

[AH64ID]

PoD effects the throttle signal, not anything else in the tune. The stock TPS signal is setup for 100 positions, 0-99. With PoD at 99 each unit has full value, but as you reduce the PoD the value reduces. So PoD 50 means that at WOT you are the same as 50% throttle at PoD99, same is true for any PoD level.

Every Smarty JR and SO6 tune I have tested goes to 100% load ~85% throttle. That means that PoD85 is still 100% power, just a softer pedal. I have verified this on the dyno, PoD 85 and PoD99 dyno runs are identical.

As you drop below PoD85 you start to effect power, but it starts at the top end of the rpm range. The lowest PoD I have dyno'd is PoD75 and the power is the same up thru 2300 rpms and then it starts to fall off because the ECM is only fueling like your at ~85% on a stock tune and it will really cut fuel at the top end.

So most "comfortable" PoD settings will not effect low-mid range power potential, but it does take more pedal to make the power.

Dave,

Auto's don't like PoD as much since it effects the shifting, PoD at 70 would mean very high rpm shifts and you still would have full fuel potential at normal cruise speeds.. so not worth it IMHO.

PoD 90 is a good number on Auto's as it doesn't seem to effect shifting much, but it does make for a softer pedal and I like a softer pedal when towing as it is easier on everything.

Have you updated your Smarty Jr at all since you bought it?

 

[DaveHess]

AH64ID, First thank you for your POD explanation. Now I get it. I have never updated my Smarty Jr as I am a mental midget when it comes to this. I remember reading in the past there were guys having a very difficult time performing this function and I am one to not want to mess things up because I am guessing at what I am doing. If I could figure out how to do it or where to go to do it, I may be willing to update it. Being that my Pride and Joy is now 11 years old, do you know about any changes that may be beneficial? I sort of thought that due to the age of my pickup that the powers that be have moved on to newer and better things. Again, thank you for taking the time to explain the POD function to me.

Dave

 

[AH64ID]

You are welcome.

Go plug your Smarty Jr in and look at the screen when it powers up, tell me the software version and I will let you know about the software changes, if any.

You might want to take a camera and snap a pic as the screen powers up, it only shows the version for a second or so.

 

[DaveHess]

Ok. I will get that tonight. I have to work until 9 or so.

 

[DaveHess]

AH64ID,

My software version is 5.08A

Dave

 

[AH64ID]

You could use an update, especially with 5.08.

5.08 was a very short lived software since it had a minor torque management glitch.

The current 5.14 is a much better software all around.

There are 2 youtube video's on this page that can walk you thru the update, it's actually a very easy process.

http://www.madselectronics.com/faq.html

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[DaveHess]

Thank you AH64ID!!! I'll give it a shot.

 

[CToney]

AH thanks for the explanation. I learned a lot. You know your stuff. Before 50 HP injectors on my 03 I ran a POD of 80 on SW3. It had more power ( it seemed) than SW2. My egt was higher but not too high. Then I went up to 90. I had to watch egt as it would hit 1250 on long grades in warm weather.

With your engine broke in a bit now how does it run AH? It probably handles the elevation better. It's the way they should have been built.

 

[AH64ID]

The new engine does amazing, it does handle elevation better than the old setup with the same rwhp. I attribute that to the very short duration I have to run, and the better cam.

 

[DaveHess]

Ok. After one hour and 17 minutes, the Smarty displayed version 5.14 in the window. I think I screwed up royally. I did not return the ECM to stock before doing this upgrade. Did I lose the stock settings in the Smarty Jr?????

 

[AH64ID]

Ok. After one hour and 17 minutes, the Smarty displayed version 5.14 in the window. I think I screwed up royally. I did not return the ECM to stock before doing this upgrade. Did I lose the stock settings in the Smarty Jr?????

No Sir, you are good to go. Now go reload your favorite software.

 

[DaveHess]

Ok. My shop is 8 miles away from home. What a pain. Building a new house right now with a separate shop. The pickup will be at home! I'll be back.....

 

[DaveHess]

Uploaded perfect. Took her out for a spin. Ran as advertised. So, out of curiosity, what did 5.14 fix or do different than 5.08???

 

[AH64ID]

The power should be more linear, less bottom end smoke, and increased mileage.

 

[Prairie Dog]

As Allen said, the power is much more linear and smooth. One of our members hated the update because he tows heavy and the hard burst of power was a benefit for him that he lost with the new SW.
I liked the change. Less smoke and it seems like the overall manners of the power delivery are much smoother - but I don't tow super heavy either.

Scott