Smarty, the new CaTCHER tool.

[Regcabguy]

Gary,



I run a Comp with my Smarty and haven't had the 0216 code. I don't have my wire tapped though.





No lag here whatsoever.



Dan

Out of curiousity I scanned my truck and didn't come up with any new codes other than normal for trans controller and pacbrake. I think vastly increased driveability and wider powerband is what myself and my neighbor experienced with Smarty. My truck is a Ca 98. 5 auto and his is a Ca 99 manual. Another buddy is coming over with a 99 recently equipped with Mach 1. 6's and Juice Attitude. Now this should be interesting!

 

[Mad Bomber]

2 weeks of driving in the city to and from work. Going to B-D last Saturday and dynoing. Last night I put in 27. 008 gallons at 2. 999 per gallon and went 579. 3 in FS mode. THAT'S 21. 4492002 MILES PER GALLON :--) BTW I like to drive it like I stole it :-laf I do have a 2WD and a stick.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary,



I run a Comp with my Smarty and haven't had the 0216 code. I don't have my wire tapped though.





No lag here whatsoever.



Dan

Thanks Dan - latest info is that after returning to stock ECM programming, yesterday I got a mild stumble/surge, and a CES and P0216 - not good news!



Fortunately, I have a recently purchased rebuilt spare VP-44 from II - and since the RVing season is upon us, with a 2000 mile trip looming in a couple of weeks, I can't take time to fiddle with tests and chances - and will have to swap out the pump...



I have absolutely NO reason to think or assume the use of the SMARTY had ANYTHING to do with this apparent problem, other than the inevitable addition of load on what was undoubtedly an already weakened pump.



I've tossed a fair share of load on that VP-44 - the Comp, regular RV loads in Sierra grades where there was NO lifting of the throttle - and some incidents where my Ham Radio stuff was clearly interfering with the truck's electronics.



On the other side of the equation, I've ALWAYS used additives in my fuel, and other than a loss of fuel PSI last Thanksgiving that put me close to 0 PSI as my pusher pump tried to force fuel thru a LP that stopped due to the power plug coming loose in it's socket. Oddly, the only code that incident set was related to the CPS - nothing to the VP-44...



All the above is purely for general info - I'm undoubtedly - and hopefully - an isolated case, and now will get up close and personal with VP-44 swapping - wish me luck! :-laf

 

[BSmalley]

Just went on a trip to the Barrington RI area and back. Approximately 460 miles, 99% interstate. Going south I forgot to change to FS mode for the first 90 miles so I was still on SW#9. Stopped at a rest area and switched to FS mode. Drove the rest of the way to Barrington. Made one 5 mile round trip in town then went and filled up. Hand calculated at 19. 36 mpg. I was empty and was running with cruise at 77 mph until I got into MA on 128 then it was free-for-all. If you go less than 80 there, you'll get run over. Did hit some stop-N-go traffic around Boston and Providence. Reset Smarty to SW#9 as really wanted the awesome acceleration for merging, plus I like the smoke when idiots start tailgating. Returning home on Saturday there was no traffic to deal with and ran between 80-90 mph all the way with a few accelerations from there to over the 100 mark. Got home and filled up, hand calculated at 19. 6 mpg. I figure if I can run at those speeds in a 7000# shoebox pushing thru the air and still get almost 20 mpg, that is a very good thing.

 

[Marco]

That's what I see and several others have reported too. Higher speeds and still very good MPG with the CaTCHER. The FS is the same; I get the best mileage between 70-80Mph. NOT 60-65 like with the stock software... .



I get better MPG at higher speeds than what I see with the stocker!

Not too bad... :-laf



Marco

 

[isb360]

I will have to give the FS mode a try. I have been grinning so hard on #7 that I haven't changed it since I got it. I am intrigued, however, that the mileage would go up at the higher speeds... in my mind, the extra aerodynamic drag on the vehicle, and thus the higher amount of power required to keep it moving at the faster speed, would outweigh the extra operating efficiency of the Smarty.



Question: A buddy of mine has a BONE STOCK (not kidding,,,not kidding) 01 HO truck 6-speed and has just bought a 12,000lb 5-er. He was complaining about it being sluggish pulling the 5-er around and I am trying to convince him to borrow my Smarty to see what he thinks. What would be best SW# for this situation?



Tim

 

[Marco]

Best setting for BONE STOCK?!!

Bone stock, do they still exist? Musta be a very rare one!



Granted, the wastegate needs to be blocked in some way in order to take full advantage of the CaTCHER.



#9 I have no doubt.

 

[nps]

Best setting for BONE STOCK?!!

Bone stock, do they still exist? Musta be a very rare one!



Granted, the wastegate needs to be blocked in some way in order to take full advantage of the CaTCHER.



#9 I have no doubt.

#9 pulling a 12k fiver?

 

[Dieselnutz]

Diezelnutz -- can you post your dyno results?

Check out my readers rig gallery!

 

[Davidson]

Thanks Dan - latest info is that after returning to stock ECM programming, yesterday I got a mild stumble/surge, and a CES and P0216 - not good news!



Fortunately, I have a recently purchased rebuilt spare VP-44 from II - and since the RVing season is upon us, with a 2000 mile trip looming in a couple of weeks, I can't take time to fiddle with tests and chances - and will have to swap out the pump...



I have absolutely NO reason to think or assume the use of the SMARTY had ANYTHING to do with this apparent problem, other than the inevitable addition of load on what was undoubtedly an already weakened pump.



I've tossed a fair share of load on that VP-44 - the Comp, regular RV loads in Sierra grades where there was NO lifting of the throttle - and some incidents where my Ham Radio stuff was clearly interfering with the truck's electronics.



On the other side of the equation, I've ALWAYS used additives in my fuel, and other than a loss of fuel PSI last Thanksgiving that put me close to 0 PSI as my pusher pump tried to force fuel thru a LP that stopped due to the power plug coming loose in it's socket. Oddly, the only code that incident set was related to the CPS - nothing to the VP-44...



All the above is purely for general info - I'm undoubtedly - and hopefully - an isolated case, and now will get up close and personal with VP-44 swapping - wish me luck! :-laf

Gary,



Are you going to change out the pump yourself? I am also getting the 0216 code along with the P1693 from the PCM. As I mentioned in an earlier post I was pulling my 5er out of the Dalles on #3 and I got a stumble or a momentary dead pedal. I put it back to stock and cleared the codes. I left it stock & drove another 3500 miles and didnt notice any other problems, but when I returned home I had another 0216. I had a stumble about 20, 000 miles ago, long before Smarty, so I think the pump has been going out for a long time.



Good luck on changing out the VP. It would be interesting to know if you get a 0216 after the pump replacement. Larry

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Good luck on changing out the VP. It would be interesting to know if you get a 0216 after the pump replacement. Larry

HMMmmm - Larry Davidson and Gary Davidson - how about that!



Been running the truck with NO electronics stuff engaged to see what happens - the ECM is back to stock software, and Comp turned off - and truck has never yet missed a beat, or registered any codes...



In another day or so, if nothing changes, I'll hitch up the 5er and head up the road about 15 miles to one of the steepest and longest grades near here, and see what happens. If all seems well, I'll leave the truck the way it is, and stick my neck out a mile for the 650 mile trip south to central California.



Otherwise, if another code shows up, I'll change out the VP-44 myself - if I do start out and have problems on the road, but can reach my destination, I'll probably have to pay to get the pump changed, since I won't have a good place or tools to do it once we leave here.



Bum situation - I really hate white-knuckle trips, where you're on the edge of the seat out in the boondocks just WAITING for a problem to occur...

 

[Davidson]

HMMmmm - Larry Davidson and Gary Davidson - how about that!



Been running the truck with NO electronics stuff engaged to see what happens - the ECM is back to stock software, and Comp turned off - and truck has never yet missed a beat, or registered any codes...



In another day or so, if nothing changes, I'll hitch up the 5er and head up the road about 15 miles to one of the steepest and longest grades near here, and see what happens. If all seems well, I'll leave the truck the way it is, and stick my neck out a mile for the 650 mile trip south to central California.



Otherwise, if another code shows up, I'll change out the VP-44 myself - if I do start out and have problems on the road, but can reach my destination, I'll probably have to pay to get the pump changed, since I won't have a good place or tools to do it once we leave here.



Bum situation - I really hate white-knuckle trips, where you're on the edge of the seat out in the boondocks just WAITING for a problem to occur...

Yeah and we are about the same age also.



I was pretty nervous driving that 3500 miles after I had the stumble, but all went well.



Did you buy your spare pump locally or on the Internet? I think I will start looking for one just in case.



Good Luck on your trip! Larry

 

[rweis]

Gary you have a PM



Bob Weis

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Did you buy your spare pump locally or on the Internet? I think I will start looking for one just in case.



Good Luck on your trip! Larry

Thanks for the good wishes - and I got my rebuilt spare from Industrial Injection, one of the sponsors on this board. They are highly respected and recommended, and prices at least as good, or better, than other competing outfits.

 

[Davidson]

I'll check them out. Thanks for the tip.

 

[kshimizu]

Help.....surging/pausing while crusing

I'm now experiencing the same problem as a couple others mention like below. I had a new injection pump and the retro lift pump done last December under warranty. I get the pause surge feeling while cruising on SW7. When I get on it it goes with no problem. Last night I turned it back to stock and it runs fine. I checked for codes and don't have anything of concern. I've run 5000 trouble free miles up until the past few days. Has there been a fix for it yet? Is it only happening on certain levels? I need help, I can't stand driving in stock mode.

Ft,

I have also experienced a lag or pause in the same RPM range. Its almost as if it surges then pauses with not much throttle response ,then it kicks in again at about 1800 to 2000 RPM and zoom. I am happy with this product and would recommend it to others. I would like to know if others are experiencing the same thing and if there is a fix.

Thanks,Mike

 

[PKleine]

Question: A buddy of mine has a BONE STOCK (not kidding,,,not kidding) 01 HO truck 6-speed and has just bought a 12,000lb 5-er. He was complaining about it being sluggish pulling the 5-er around and I am trying to convince him to borrow my Smarty to see what he thinks. What would be best SW# for this situation?



Tim

I highly recommend to your buddy that he install at least an EGT gauge if he doesn't already have one. Dragging a trailer it's pretty easy to see how the EGT could get away from you if you don't watch it.



Just my $. 02



PK

 

[isb360]

He does need an EGT gauge, but without one I am interested in knowing what the highest safe SW# he should use. We live in CT and biggest hills are going north into Vermont and New Hampshire, but certainly not pulling any grades like out west.



I'm also trying to talk him into a FP gauge.

 

[darkhorse]

He does need an EGT gauge, but without one I am interested in knowing what the highest safe SW# he should use. We live in CT and biggest hills are going north into Vermont and New Hampshire, but certainly not pulling any grades like out west.



I'm also trying to talk him into a FP gauge.

The gauges are a good idea even bone stock. As for the sw#, I don't think that's so important. All the CaTCHER soft wares yield about the same upper end power. It's the aggressiveness of the throttle that varies. Go for #9.

 

[PKleine]

He does need an EGT gauge, but without one I am interested in knowing what the highest safe SW# he should use. We live in CT and biggest hills are going north into Vermont and New Hampshire, but certainly not pulling any grades like out west.



I'm also trying to talk him into a FP gauge.

Most folks go with the EGT, Boost & FP gauges.



For what its worth, if my EGT gauge quit working, I would immediately switch to stock s/w.