Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Smarty + Stock clutch = ????

[MRiley]

I've got a smarty + an adj boost elbow (boost is about 30psi), k&N intake and a 4in straight exhaust. I'm still running the stock clutch as the truck has pretty low miles. How likely is it that towing with the smarty will trash the clutch? I pull at about 12,000 lbs.

 

[johncameron]

If you tow on the lower levels (SW2 - SW3) you should be OK if you don't mash the go pedal below 1800 or so. If you tow on SW9 and use the incredible bottom end the smarty can offer I don't think it will last long :-laf



John

 

[benhall]

I've been running my Smarty since May on level 3 and have yet to slip the clutch.



Ben

 

[MRiley]

If Smarty delivers the same level of torque and hp regardless of what power setting (it's just more agressive at higher levels) what difference would lower settings make. Eventually wouldn't you be putting the same stresses on the clutch? Unless, you are back off the go pedal? Am I wrong in my understanding of the Smarty?

 

[JKinney]

I have been running my rig on 9 for a year, and have never slipped the clutch.



I tow all the time.

 

[benhall]

I'm sure at some point Bob or Marco will jump in, but the power numbers aren't the same from level to level. The lower the level, the less fuel and timing (odd numbers) are added. So to say that all the levels make the same power, isn't correct. I'm going to dyno the truck sometime with the Smarty on just the odd levels, as I like how the truck runs on those levels.

Hope this makes sense.

 

[JR2]

I belive Marco once said that all the levels on the Smarty will deliver the same HP/TQ numbers at WOT. Its how they get to those numbers that is different...

 

[Giachino]

I belive Marco once said that all the levels on the Smarty will deliver the same HP/TQ numbers at WOT. Its how they get to those numbers that is different...

My understanding as well... . same max power across the different softwares, but the higher levels/less tq mgmt versions come on much sooner so the torque curves will be exponentially different. Hence, level nine will really boost the power at lower rpm's vs. level 1.



JG

 

[SNiebaum]

I belive Marco once said that all the levels on the Smarty will deliver the same HP/TQ numbers at WOT. Its how they get to those numbers that is different...

true to a point... there are only 6 Catcher programs in the Smarty though and 5 other programs(stock, half power(#0), fuel saver(#1), and 2 non-catcher(#2, #3) power programs)... I don't know if anyone has ever dynoed the non-catcher programs to see if they produce comparable power numbers as a Catcher program.

 

[MRiley]

My undersatnding was the same as JR2 hence the question, unless you are going light on the pedal actual "stress" on the clutch should be the same regardless of smarty setting. If you are going floor board then I can see where 9 would be harder on the clutch as it will come on faster and harder but the over-all power increase I thought was the same, just how quickly you got there.

 

[MRiley]

I have been running my rig on 9 for a year, and have never slipped the clutch.



I tow all the time.

How heavy do you tow with the smarty on level 9?

 

[JKinney]

How heavy do you tow with the smarty on level 9?

I tow my 26 ft 5er up and down the interstates and secondary roads throughout maine, Ive never weighed it but maybe 8 grand loaded.



I haul my dump trailer, where ive come off the scales truck and trailer 18 to 19,000lbs



I routinely haul a 6,000 lb tandem trailer with a tractor on board. And im alway hooked up to a tandem trailer with mowers on board as im a full time landscaper



If you go back to the original smarty thread under research. I asked the same question, what #? I was told 9, I installed it and have at times taken it down to three or five, but it just seems to take all the umph out.

 

[MRiley]

Jkinney - thanks for the info. I tow on level 9 and had the same feeling as you with the lower settings. I'm not worried about killing my clutch, I know it;s going to happen some day. I just don't want to be 100 miles from nowhere when it happens! Because that is when it is most likely to let go, when it is totaly inconvenient for me.