Smarty, the new CaTCHER tool.

[darkhorse]

If you stack the Smarty on level #8 with an EZ, how many horsepower can one gain from this combination? I know the point of the Smarty is to improve driveability, not huge power gains. I already have a DDTTPM and am on the list for a Smarty. Will this be a good combo or am I better off ditching the box and running the Smarty alone? I eventually plan to go with 1. 6 EDMs but haven't got around to it. I hope my number is up soon so I experience the gains you all talk about.

I wouldn't dump the box without trying it on #8 & #9 Sometimes they play well together.

 

[HeavyHauler]

Test Drive Complete - WHOA BABY!

Guys - I've been all grins for about 3 hours now. I've got to say up front that words cannot describe how pleased I am with the way my truck performs now!



I really don't even know where to start. I'm running Mach 5 injectors with an HTB2 62/14 with a Helix 2 camshaft. First off - I think the combination of the Smarty and the cam is really what made the difference in my truck.



Two words describe the feeling - "LIFT OFF!!!" :-laf Seriously, I let about 10 pounds of boost build up in 3rd and then I stomped on it, and the entire front of the truck lifted and never would "nose over" like it used to! It seriously threw my head (and whole body) back and planted me in my seat! I felt like I was "looking up" the whole time. I was pretty much going nuts - and my poor girlfriend was fearing for her life. :-laf I first mashed it in 3rd, then went to fourth and pretty much stomped on it from the beginning, and once the turbo lit, there it went again! It was honestly like a jet taking off. The whole front of the truck lifted until I went to 5th. Spooled again with the same awesome results - I finally let out at 95 MPH and the truck never had nosed over - it was still pulling with PLENTY of throttle left! Oo. It just kept on pulling in every gear.



I don't know how it all works together, but I think that the Smarty really unleashed the power of that cam. You normally hear of stronger top end and no "nose-overs" with a hot cam and that was really accented on SW #9 - MUCH more than with the Edge EZ. The top end fueling is just amazing on the Smarty. I can't wait to get it out on the Interstate early one morning and let it rip again.



Noticable Differences



1) Obviously, the above!



2) I don't think SW #9 is too touchy at all. I guess I've been used to feathering the throttle anyway, but I could actually stand to have more fuel down low - yes, I actually said that! And I think the reason is because the Smarty makes the throttle response much more proportionate to the accelerator position. Honestly, at first, I thought the turbo was taking longer to spool. But after I think about it, I think I just wasn't used to having to depress the throttle more to get the same results as I was used to. Does that make sense?



I don't think it drives like a hot 215-pumped 12V as some have reported, but the difference is like night and day.



3) This confuses me, and maybe Marco can explain this: When I cut my truck on, usually my lift pump (AirDog in my case) runs for about 3 seconds and primes to 17 pounds quickly and then holds that level to the end of the prime.



I noticed in each of the 4 starts tonight, that the pump only stays on for no more than 1 second and the pump only has time to prime to 10psi. Is this normal? I can't think of anything else that would be causing this. Also, it's like the pump cuts on for a split second, stumbles, and then jumps to 10psi. I actually thought something was wrong when I first turned the key on tonight.



Other than that, the pressure comes up just like normal after starting and the pressures while driving are exactly the same. Any thoughts?



4) I also got the trouble code that others have reported. I'm not crazy about this, but I can live with it. Maybe we can find a way around it in the future.



That's all I've got guys. I am completely satisfied with my purchase as you might have guessed, and I'm still in shock at the way the nose of the truck never did drop under acceleration. It's absolutely awesome.

 

[Marco]

HH,

The lift pump question:

This confuses me, and maybe Marco can explain this: When I cut my truck on, usually my lift pump (AirDog in my case) runs for about 3 seconds and primes to 17 pounds quickly and then holds that level to the end of the prime.

The latest software(s) do no longer cycle the lift pump for a couple seconds.

That is normal! Don't worry about it, nothing wrong !



The lift pump is cycled only for a split second. That is the hard start TSB ( sorry can't find the #'s right now). It's the update that cures the hard start condition several have got when they upgraded to a FASS or similar lift pumps.



In poor words with Smarty you get all the latest TSB updates.



DTC 0602... I've worked on it hard but have yet to find a cure for it.

That is why I say in the instructions that Smarty is not detectable by the dealer when the ECM is returned to stock. With the CaTCHER softwares they could / would find DTC P0602, NOT so with the stock software. Other than code P0602 Smarty leaves no trace of it's use in the ECM and the codes are erased every time the ECM is updated. Back to stock, no codes no traces.



Ok, I'll let a kitty outta the bag now...

The "Rev limiter" thing. Two major parts limit the rev's in our engines. The settings in the ECM AND the mechanics. One major component being the stock cam. If you have read HH's MSG above, you already know by now, the CaTCHER softwares cure the ECM settings... .



Yet,I can't claim that Smarty increases the rev's on it's own. A stock engine will not rev much higher with Smarty than without but combine Smarty with tall sticks a cam and maybe even a HOT wire tapping box, voilà you get what HH reports ( or more... ) . We have a member here that has dynoed his truck with a CaTCHER ECM Cam and and and @ more or less 650 Hp @ 3500+ RPM at that point they let out the throttle, affraid ... . #2 only, no drugs.

Before you ask, yes the dyno sheet does exist.



Marco

 

[CHornsby]

Looked at my overhead console today on the way into work, it said I was making over 34 mpg even with my tire calibration fixed yesterday ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . stupid console!

 

[DThelen]

Wish we chould reprogram the computer that controls the console!



Dan

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Trying to understand this, so what you are saying is that the HO motor doesn't need any extra timing? So that would mean using all of the even numbers. Or does Marco take into consideration with the many programs that are in the Smarty, not to add too much timing to an HO motor?

Not quite, Marco is WAYYY SMARTYer than that.



Don't TOW with any extra timing. If your hotrodding around in an empty rig, please feel free to enjoy ALL of your SMARTY programs. The extra timing is a kick with the HO motor... .



... in an empty truck. Please be careful when TOWING.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

I got my Smarty. Had to download #9 just to see what this thing would do on my stock truck. All I could do was grin and smile. I could not believe that my truck could accelerate that fast. Boost comes up alot quicker, EGT running a bit cooler than stock, and the truck flat out moves. Installed the boost elbow and I can get a max boost of ~28psi. I've been running around with #7. Its fun to get a puff of smoke if get on the throttle. I am going to run #7 until my next fill-up and then probably run the fuel saver for a while. Any suggetions on what program to run when pulling my 30' stock trailer. Loads can get quiet heavy and I still have stock sticks and clutch for now. Thanks Bob and Marco. Now I'll sit down and enjoy my candy bar.

NM DSLMan,



Try the EVEN numbered programs, I use a Special CaTCHER (SMARTY #8) when I tow. No timing.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

If you stack the Smarty on level #8 with an EZ, how many horsepower can one gain from this combination? I know the point of the Smarty is to improve driveability, not huge power gains. I already have a DDTTPM and am on the list for a Smarty. Will this be a good combo or am I better off ditching the box and running the Smarty alone? I eventually plan to go with 1. 6 EDMs but haven't got around to it. I hope my number is up soon so I experience the gains you all talk about.

kshimizu,



If you 'stack' the SMARTY Level 8 (the Special CaTCHER) with an EZ you get.....



... . SMARTY Level 9, The full on CaTCHER.



Stacking timing boxes is no longer necessary. SMARTY is here.



Marco has expierimented with different levels of timing in the 24valve. All you need is in the SMARTY. If you want extreme, add your favorite fueling box and go. If you have an combo box (Edge Comp, etc... ) use Smarty Level 8.

 

[JKinney]

I did do some heavy towing today and the responce from the rig was great on level 8. If I do try some towing on 9 would the EGt's be the monitoring tool to tell me when to back off?

 

[DWeiler]

Wonder if the Smarty #8 is the best all around towing set-up or are there better options---members???

 

[Double J]

3) This confuses me, and maybe Marco can explain this: When I cut my truck on, usually my lift pump (AirDog in my case) runs for about 3 seconds and primes to 17 pounds quickly and then holds that level to the end of the prime.



I noticed in each of the 4 starts tonight, that the pump only stays on for no more than 1 second and the pump only has time to prime to 10psi. Is this normal? I can't think of anything else that would be causing this. Also, it's like the pump cuts on for a split second, stumbles, and then jumps to 10psi. I actually thought something was wrong when I first turned the key on tonight.



Other than that, the pressure comes up just like normal after starting and the pressures while driving are exactly the same. Any thoughts?



4) I also got the trouble code that others have reported. I'm not crazy about this, but I can live with it. Maybe we can find a way around it in the future.

Is it a code P0230 (lift pump circuit something or other)? Found that on mine today when I scanned for codes. I'm not to worried about it since I run a RASP, but do use a Holley blue as my priming/backup pump so I would like to know what caused it.

 

[HeavyHauler]

No, it's the ECM calibration software code or something like that. It's the one posted a few pages back.

 

[millrat]

thanks to Marco's genius and Bob's apparently endless supply of patience for an idiot I am back in my natural habitat. Tried #4 with my Quadzilla box on the 70 hp setting, made about 300' before pulling over and switching to # 8 ,seems much better mannered than the Catcher was(definitely less smoke on full throttle launch). Took the boy for a couple hour cruise(was going to try the fuel saver program,but realized I don't care what my mileage is). Cant wait to get some M4's!

 

[Bob Wagner]

Keith, I am always happy to help. Thank you. more soon :-laf

 

[Marco]

Timing

Wonder if the Smarty #8 is the best all around towing set-up or are there better options---members???

I think something has been interpreted wrong.



In the instructions I say to not tow with the fuel saver (#1). ONLY!

ONLY the FS has a rather "radical" timing.



All other softwares CAN be used for towing ( and have been! ).

Most customers for the CaTCHER ECM's came from the towing crowd...

#9 has proven itself for towing many many times.

Clear as mud?

Is it a code P0230 (lift pump circuit something or other)? Found that on mine today when I scanned for codes. I'm not to worried about it since I run a RASP, but do use a Holley blue as my priming/backup pump so I would like to know what caused it.

What caused the code? The obvious, a fault registered by the ECM.



Marco

 

[rweis]

BW -



Anyway to find out where we are in the que GENERALLY?



I preordered fairly late, but just wondering. I only post this instead of a PM because ther are a couple of others wondering the same thing and did not want to bombard you with PM's.



Something like "We have completed the CaTCHER owner orders and are starting on the non CaTCHER orders", or 50% of the way through the preorders, or we are running about 45 days from preordering to shipment and slowly closing the gap, or ???



Bob Weis

 

[Bob Wagner]

If you were on the list and I have not contacted you by either email or a phone call please shoot me an email please.



-- email address removed --



Thank you

 

[darkhorse]

I think something has been interpreted wrong.



In the instructions I say to not tow with the fuel saver (#1). ONLY!

ONLY the FS has a rather "radical" timing.



All other softwares CAN be used for towing ( and have been! ).

Most customers for the CaTCHER ECM's came from the towing crowd...

#9 has proven itself for towing many many times.

Clear as mud?







I have been using the CaTCHER program for over a year. That is equivalent to Smarty #9. Granted I only tow occasionally & only about 8K but I found the program worked very well. Good milage & throttle response & no egt issues while hill climbing. Unfortunately I bent my truck up before I could get good figures on the fuel saver program.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I've done a search, and haven't found an answer - maybe Marco or Bob can help?



I'm still a bit unsure about what the Smarty considers "stock" ECM programming - my '02 has the original programming - no TSB or other re-flashes. SO, what programming will the Smarty revert to when/if I decide to put my ECM back to stock - the latest available, including DC upgrades - or what the Smarty sees when it first is connected to my ECM?



Personally, I prefer to KEEP my current *original* stock ECM programming available, rather than be forced into the later DC supposedly upgraded ones.



Comments?

 

[TORQUE THIS]

I believe it holds whatever was in the ECM to begin with.