Smarty, the new CaTCHER tool.

[Mick2500]

Got mine yesterday, tested today. #9 feels stronger than the old CaCHER program in my ECM which is earased now. Feels so good I may not tap the pump wire again.

Pete,

I got to test mine today and I REALLY like the throttle control with SW #7. #9 is nice but has a REALLY touchy throttle. That setting would be a handful on wet roads. I have my boost set at 26psi with an adjustable elbow. I 'may' crank that up just a little. The Smarty is every bit as powerful as a DD TTPM but opens up a whole new RPM range. P0602 was set on every setting but stock. Nothing but a nuisance code and no CEL.

I even loaded SW #0 just to see what it was like. This is DEFINITELY the SW to load for emissions testing. I could NOT make any smoke at all. Felt just like a stock truck with all the hose clamps loose on the intercooler.



With the GPS aboard, I settled on 34. 25 for the tire size correction. Dead-on at 50MPH with my 315X75X16 BFG's.



Mick

 

[azpete]

rivercat-Ken in Phoenix built the turbo. Could be a b1-2-ex4. He's a little secretive about his turbos and I never asked whats inside it, just told him how I use the truck and what I wanted it to do. With the CaCHER it spools just as fast as any smaller turbo I've had on the truck. Had DDII's last year and at May Madness dynoed 416.



Mick-Glad to hear you like it. I think my original CaTCHER was even touchier, so I'm used to that. Learned real quick when one day after rolling through a puddle I tried to hurry a left turn onto a 4 lanner. Got some big eyes when the turbo lit half way across and was going sideways in the far two lanes in front of traffic!!

 

[BJMarshall]

Got mine today. It was better than I expected. I have a totally stock 2001 (had anyway) The throttle response is ridiculous. The truck was very sluggish before. Feels like driving a small car with a V-8 now. Traction is definitely an issue. You would know it rained here today. It took me a little while to find a dry stretch of road to really get on it. Traction is an issue on dry pavement as well.

I think #5 is where I will leave it until I get some transmission upgrades done. Every one feels stronger than stock except for #0.

I'm running on B99 also and I think it really likes the extra timing.

I've got to figure out how toget this stupid grin off my face now.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HMMmmmm...



Got my own Smarty today - I'm a bit reluctant to get too ambitious in any meaningful rating at present - only about 15 miles so far, mostly in town and on wet/snowy streets - using #8 to go with my Edge Comp.



First, in spite of other comments as to radical throttle sensitivity at low RPM, such as the post above mine, no evidence of that on my truck - in fact, if I wasn't aware of the ECM change, I wouldn't likely even known a change in programming was made as far as low speed around-town driving is concerned. .



Maybe my other pre-existing mods clouds the issue?



BUT, that said, power does come on in a rush when more aggressive throttle is used - boost and EGT *flies* up the scale in rapid fashion, and even in the lowest Comp setting the rear wheels can lose traction - but will have to wait for better weather conditions for more in-depth testing.



NOW, as to the opinions of some users as to the lack of desire or need for an add-on box like the Comp, again, my truck apparently goes against the flow! I find that setting the Smarty on #8, then using the Comp as an incremental power adjuster, allows a WIDE variation of obtainable power, all the way from GOOD power increase with NO smoke in 1x1, clear up to vast clouds of smoke (with EGT to match!) up at 5x5.



There's no way I would want to run the Smarty on #8 without the Comp to provide the incremental power adjustment and accompanying smoke control across the power band.



And let me tell ya, the Smarty on #8, and the Comp on 5x5 will get you from here to there in record time!



IF the rear tires can handle the strain! :-laf



My results and opinion obviously varies from most other Smarty users here - can't explain why - but I'm not a hot-rodder with my truck, it's primarily used as an RV tower and around town errand runner - more aggressive drivers undoubtedly gain a whole different impression based on their own driving styles.



SO, do I consider the Smarty a good buy for prospective owners? You bet - but don't get too hasty about tossing your EZ, Comp or similar box in the trash when your Smarty arrives - you might just like the added flexibility they can provide when used along with the Smarty - they certainly have potential to complement each other.



Like I said, these are early-on impressions, and it's very obvious the Smarty is a well thought out and constructed product, and Marco and crew have a clear winner that is absolutely without parallel as far as ECM re-programmers are concerned - my compliments guys!



I personally, especially appreciate the aggressive rush of the early users of the CaTCHER that allowed this later development of the Smarty for some of us more timid cowards who waited on the sidelines for what is without doubt a far improved version - we couldn't have arrived where we are today without your involvement.

 

[Mundgyver]

I am picking my Smarty up tommorrow and look forward to validating what was just said. I was thinking about selling my Edg-Comp, but now I think I will wait and see how this works out.

 

[David_VT]

I have been away from the TDR for quite some time. . I am so pleased to come back today and to read about the Smarty. I've read Marco's posts for years now...



RIP Nowell, he would have loved this one... .



I've done the Van Aaken, the early Edge (hot), and have held there with the Edge and DD1's. .



New $70 LP and relocation kit ordered yesterday (LP delivered 3/14 from Cummins New England in Albany,NY) and now this thread...



The new truck adds and sales deals are killing me... . I guess it is time to pour more $ into the old 99!



Mass diesel, I'm going to call you tomorrow! YEEEE HAAAAAA (waiting for call back)

 

[Double J]

I was thinking about selling my Edg-Comp, but now I think I will wait and see how this works out.

I would definately keep the Comp... you'll just add a helluva lot of bottom end to what you already have on the top end with the Comp.

 

[isb360]

Impressions from Smarty users running TST PM3 box? Lots of good feedback so far on Smarty + Comp, but not so much on Smarty + TST...



Tim

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

When I get a decent longer drive opportunity, it will be interesting to see how MPG works out with the Smarty on #8 and the Comp on 1x1 - there's absolutely NO smoke under any acceleration level - but still noticeably improved "lunge" as compared to the Comp alone.



And my above earlier report as to (in my case) apparent around town tameness of the Smarty on #8 was by NO means a complaint - this is ice and snow country, and I fully appreciate the predictable nature of my particular Smarty and truck setup - the full power improvement of the Smarty is definitely there, but thankfully, not the over aggressive tire barker away from the stoplites I sorta feared it might be!



Man, with all the various combinations of power vs economy, it'll take me the rest of the year to actually try them all - then there's my RV towing... :-laf



What a product! Oo.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Impressions from Smarty users running TST PM3 box? Lots of good feedback so far on Smarty + Comp, but not so much on Smarty + TST...



Tim

Tim, The smarty/tst or smarty/apb stack is VERY popular in the northwest and the numbers back up the claim

 

[Bob Wagner]

I am picking my Smarty up tommorrow and look forward to validating what was just said. I was thinking about selling my Edg-Comp, but now I think I will wait and see how this works out.

Ok, mundgyver is fueled up with smarty and heading south



Man his truck gets awesome fuel economy, this should be interesting

 

[BILLVO]

fueling box or timing box?

I am fairly new to the sight and have been following the Smarty discussion but havn't had time to read it all. I have questions regaurding "stacks" with smarty.

First question is about fueling and timing boxes. I have an Edge EZ with z hook on an 02. is the EZ a timing or fueling box. and second question is I read a lot about tapping pump wire, which boxes do this fueling or timing. based on what i have read since the smarty has timing programs in them a fueling box and different injectors are the best combo. third question is which boxes are fueling and timing can someone give me examples of each.

 

[DThelen]

I got my smarty yesterday. Didn't drive it much on 9, but felt it was to responsive for my auto transmission,but liked it alot. If I had a manual thats were it stay. #5 what much better for the transmission. I drove to work on 1. Felt about like the EZ. on #1. I fixed my speedo reading too.



I'd say it's the Smarty is a much better buy than the Ez edge, I paid $500 for the ez and $650 for the smarty. When you put it to the floor they both feel about the same except when the smarty don't defuel and 2700 rpms.



Dan

 

[darkhorse]

I am fairly new to the sight and have been following the Smarty discussion but havn't had time to read it all. I have questions regaurding "stacks" with smarty.

First question is about fueling and timing boxes. I have an Edge EZ with z hook on an 02. is the EZ a timing or fueling box. and second question is I read a lot about tapping pump wire, which boxes do this fueling or timing. based on what i have read since the smarty has timing programs in them a fueling box and different injectors are the best combo. third question is which boxes are fueling and timing can someone give me examples of each.

The EZ is a timing box. Tapping the wire is done with fueling boxes such as the Edge Comp The Comp is both timing & fueling. TST & Blue Chip are fueling only. The Smarty will work with a combination box or a fueling only box. The even #'ed programs do not affect the timing & are designed to use with the Comp & similar boxes. The odd #'ed programs have timing & work with fueling only boxes. Some folks have reported good results with the even #'ed programs & timing boxes so experimenting for your own combination is in order.

The Smarty is very happy with big sticks.

 

[BILLVO]

Darkhorse thank you for the answers I had been wondering about this for a while already. There may be a smarty in my future if my stock transmission doesn't get money hungery first. Lockup clutch starting to slip. should have installed the torque lock kit I have had for 2 years now. may have prevented this.

 

[Mundgyver]

We will try a second time to post. My fat thumb touched the wrong button. Left at 06:30 this morning with a full tank spiked with one 32 oz bottle of Power Service, which is my custom on trips out of the Portland area. Got to Bobs place at 10:00 AM.



We spent about 30 minutes going over the SMARTY and my initial impression is I like. We did not load up any of the upper programs. I made the trip up holding my speed to 60 mph and the Edge-Comp in 1x1. We loaded up the fuel saver program and I disabled the Edg-Comp by shutting it off.



After leaving I stopped in Auburn at the Chevron Station and topped out the tank with just Diesel, no additive. I had driven thus far 191. 4 miles and the tank took 8. 339 Gallons of fuel at $2. 689. My fuel economey was 22. 95 mpg using the Edge-Comp only.



The drive up and back was uneventiful and we held our speed to 60 mph going back also. 60 mph was chosen because is allowed me to just hang out in the right lane and not worry about trying to manuver around people. I wanted to remain as steady as I could. The trip back was made with the fuel saver program # 1 loaded up.



Mileage back was 183. 2 miles and I used 8. 242 gallons of Diesel for an economey of 22. 21 mpg. I lost 0. 74 mpg Nothing was done different on the way back, this means that I did not get on it nor did I do any passing or rapid throttle ups.



The OAT for the hole trip was between 47 and 50 degrees with my fuel temp running 85 to 88 degrees consistant, EGT's ran from 500 to 800 depending on terrain with a water temp of 186 to 190. Boost pressure ranged on the flats from 2 to 3 up to 8 and 9. I DROVE LIKE AN OLD LADY GUYS, BOTH WAYS



On long trips I normally get 22. 8 mpg, this is over to Salmon, Idaho and back. Since I did not have any large passes going up to Bobs, my 22. 95 mpg was right where I expected it. When I pulled out of Bobs, I noticed that I put out a little more smoke with the Smarty program 1. I am a little disapointed and was hoping for a gain, but then I am not surprised either.



I have spent alot of time picking my mods to be able to achieve the mileage I get. The Smarty was chosen to allow me greater flexability and with that said, I am keeping the Edge-Comp so I can use it on the non-timing programs with the Smarty.



Over all, program 1 provides good power compared to the EDGE but the Edged does infact give a little better mileage gain in 1x1 mode to the tune of 0. 74 mpg more. I will experiment with the other programs and post my finding as I get them.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I am a little disapointed and was hoping for a gain, but then I am not surprised either. I have spent alot of time picking my mods to be able to achieve the mileage I get. The Smarty was chosen to allow me greater flexability and with that said, I am keeping the Edge-Comp so I can use it on the non-timing programs with the Smarty. Over all, program 1 provides good power compared to the EDGE but the Edged does infact give a little better mileage gain in 1x1 mode to the tune of 0. 74 mpg more. I will experiment with the other programs and post my finding as I get them.

Looks like you and I are in sort of the same boat as far as going against the grain in some areas of Smarty characteristics - thankfully, the primary issue of clearly improved power especially in the lower RPMs is still there.



I had sorta hoped that my next Smarty trial of the fuel economy mode would produce significant MPG gains - surprised yours didn't, since most other users seem convinced theirs increases in that Smarty mode. Personally I'll be happy enough if my MPG remains essentially the same with the improved power curve.



But, rather than skip around with various Smarty settings. I'll stick with #8, and modulate power stages with the Comp - who knows, leaving the Smarty on #8, and the Comp on 1x1 may well be the best day-to-day end compromise of power combined with economy in our case.



At least I'm glad I'm not the only minor anomaly as to some areas of Smarty characteristics...

 

[Mundgyver]

The one nice thing I like about the Smarty, that stands out in my mind is that I now have the ability to pick a base line of performance above stock and then using the Edge-Comp, I can further boost beyond what the Edge could do by itself with the stock ECM.



Using the even # programs that do not affect timing should work very well once I figure out which one I like the most for my style of driving. Over all am very satisfied with the Smarty. The tire function is a great thing for those who switch up tire sizes. I already have an ABBOTT Ratio Controller that does that, so that function will not be used on this truck. If I had the time and money, I would take the truck down and do a base line dyno with just Edge-Comp in all the setting and then just the Smarty and then combinations of the two.



That would be interesting and I think would yield some very usefull data for Peak Torque to RPM. This of course then translates directly into towing data, which program or combination works the best at RPM and MPH. I will spend the next several months working through the combinations available and see if I can develop some sort of spread sheet of performance.



I can definately see where you can toast a clutch or transmission now Figure the Smarty adds in about 60 hp and the Edge adds and additional 60 to 130.



I just got to watch my driving and save my pennies for a SB Clutch now. Oh and a limited slip for the rear end also



How's that advetisment go on TV "I'M LOVIN IT!!" Oo.



One last thing, I have 163,000+ now on the truck and I still have my original clutch, VP, and brakes. I have never had a failure of an engine component other than the seal in the vacuum pump. I suspect if I am not carefull, that is about to change

 

[David_VT]

QUESTION:

I have an original 'edge' box. This is the old 3 level box with a hotter highest level box.

I had moved from a VA to that then cutting 'edge' box..... No Comp, No EZ at that point.



I believe this older EDGE does NOT do any timing changes and is only a fuelling box. Can someone confirm that so I test the Smarty on the right modes?



I am hoping that buying the Smarty will give me back some of the timing advantages I thought the VA had. I am hoping my old 'edge' will really shine with that timing advantage.



THOUGHTS, probably long ramble, please skip over if you are scanning the tread ... sorry... :

I have the three cyl/hi idle and love it for my environment. No garage and nasty cold winters in Northern Vermont. I am pleased that this will remain in the software package from Marco.

Marco, maybe I'll use your idea and go around and sell a $35 hi idle upgrade to my fellow local CTD owners... . Naturally there is not enough of them in rural vermont to pay for 1/10 of the smarty but that is ok... . Actually I might really do it out of pity for one friend who simply has been unable to get the dealer to install the 3cyl idle properly.



Boost elbow... . I have one but don't trust the top end. I've seen some really high numbers on my digital boost gauge and suspect that I need to get one that will hold to 28psi max on my stock turbo. Is there agreement that this is the best top end number?



DD1's I have had these since the early days. I assume that the smarty will complement them well.



The stock clutch is long gone since the old Edge was installed... .



My Edge (hot) has never done well on the highest mode (red). I get what I can best describe as a cough from the drive train when I put my foot into it. After replacing LP it did the same thing. Could my Boost Elbow/too much boost cause such a 'cough'?

 

[Mundgyver]

The original Edge 3 level box was a timing box. That is what I started with. It varies the timing. They were and still are a good box. While not like the newer ones, they are very reliable. I never had any problems with mine other than it would get hot. I put 4 computer chip heat sinks, 2 per side on it to help it disapate the heat it generated. You would be able to use it with the SMARTY on the even # programs. Ought to make for an interesting combo.