Smarty the start of an new era.

[David_VT]

I have not been spending too much time on the TDR so am a bit out of date on this smarty issue. That having been said:



Any time I have added serious horsepower I have had cruise surging issues. On the Edge I would simple back down to the lowest level when using cruise. I know the cruise tries to constantly re-learn it's control loop but too much HP just overwhelms it most every time.

With my Smarty I saw the same thing when I cranked it way up. The cruise would try to add power but then overshoot as it just has no way of knowing about the unchained beast lurking under the hood with the Smarty code coursing through it's veins.



Naturally on the Smarty levels there apparently is no easy way to push a button to bring back a power level the cruise can cope with (as I do with the edge).

I believe this surging is a shortcoming of the cruise sw rather than any of the add on HP toys. But, did someone promise to change the cruise code and is that why there is a problem with unhappy customers?



I don't think things are totally perfect as I am more than a bit concerned about the smoke I blow even on the lower levels. I wonder if my DD1's are at the root of that but see others talking about smoke too.



I love the tire size correction and the low temp sw being in their code.

I don't care if someone could see if the sw is on board. The truck has 160K and is rusting out. . Warranty is not an issue and has not been for a long time... Keeping it on the road is the challenge now...

Bob Wagner has been very good to me in the few conversations and transactions we've had.

Marco I've cheered on since he first started showing interest in the software solution, that back in the fun days of HVAC (R. I. P. ) and my trips to CA for rides in that red rocket... .



Cheers to all. . the cutting edge is rarely dull.....

 

[Cummins724]

I had mine up for sale, but decided to keep it. It is now retired, but makes a great scan tool.

 

[David_VT]

If retired, it is also great for loading the latest cold weather software into your friends TD rams of the same vintage!!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Time to update your signature Gary...



I would really just like CRUISE SURGE issue to GO AWAY!!!!

YUP - sig updated!



Won't miss the code reading feature, have a nice reader/clearing tool already.



Also won't miss the smoke clouds at stop lights, or the constant P1693 and P0602 codes.



Smarty for 2nd generation trucks does all the things claimed in OEM advertising - and works well for MOST *stock* trucks - but often creates complications with other power mods, and I found mine with my mods to be pretty useless on higher programs when towing due to increase EGT's in the hills that made me nervous.



I was able to control some Smarty issues with the on-the-fly adjustability of the Edge Comp - but you shouldn't need to use one $600 device to correct issues with another $600 device...



To each his own - I tried it, it has pluses, but not enough for my specific use and setup - maybe someone else will find it more useful.



YMMV!

 

[BILLVO]

I had mine up for sale, but decided to keep it. It is now retired, but makes a great scan tool.

I will probably keep mine also at least until I see the longer term test and trials of the new Quad adrenaline. At that point with all the problems I am having with the Edge comps That could go down the road also. I haven't had a problem per say with the smarty other than it fried my ecm memory chip on the second download and Bob and Marco went out of their way to help and got me a replacement ECM in a couple days. but the comps are becoming a nightmare.



IMHO: The problem with Beta testing a new product "Quad" on an older generation rig is most have issues of some sort and/or a slew of mods already and to get a true test is going to be very difficult to make a good comparison to a good stock rig.



I haven't ruled out that Marco will still come up with something but have a lot of time to wait it out "Talking about the verdict on Quad again". I recently bought an 05 and took the plunge on a Smarty Jr even though they are letting us down in the second gen world, and Boy do the 3rd gen smarty owners have an awesome unit over the original smarty.

 

[Cummins724]

I will probably keep mine also at least until I see the longer term test and trials of the new Quad adrenaline. At that point with all the problems I am having with the Edge comps That could go down the road also. I haven't had a problem per say with the smarty other than it fried my ecm memory chip on the second download and Bob and Marco went out of their way to help and got me a replacement ECM in a couple days. but the comps are becoming a nightmare.



IMHO: The problem with Beta testing a new product "Quad" on an older generation rig is most have issues of some sort and/or a slew of mods already and to get a true test is going to be very difficult to make a good comparison to a good stock rig.



I haven't ruled out that Marco will still come up with something but have a lot of time to wait it out "Talking about the verdict on Quad again". I recently bought an 05 and took the plunge on a Smarty Jr even though they are letting us down in the second gen world, and Boy do the 3rd gen smarty owners have an awesome unit over the original smarty.

I've heard some great things about the 3rd gen Smarty, kinda wish Bob had a trade in policy from 2nd gen to 3rd gen. My brother would like to try a Smarty on his 04. 5. The Adrenaline is all I ever wanted from a box, quad has all the bugs worked out on my rig, everything is working great & he also added a cold weather protection where the box doesn't add power until the coolant temp reaches 170*, very nice feature. That was nice of Bob/Marco to help you out fixing your ecm. My brothers ecm went out when we changed the software to the newest version & downloaded it. He didn't get no help like that. I guess I'm on the "notty" list.

 

[getblown5.9]

I place zero faith in the MADS team, over 2 months ago there was talk of Bob needing to get a cam and springs installed because they were gonna try to get the 4k rpm program working...

guess what...


NADA

I just spent $1000 on a redline... prolly end up selling my smarty too... its useless once i get the reline installed.

 

[jeepit]

Wow, That took me 4 hours to read the whole thread. I have never had a problem with my Smarty but my truck is not as modified as others are. Bob was always there for me with any questions.

We will see where the smarty goes from here... ...

 

[16919]

Wow, That took me 4 hours to read the whole thread. I have never had a problem with my Smarty but my truck is not as modified as others are. Bob was always there for me with any questions.

We will see where the smarty goes from here... ...

The second gen smarty isn't going anywhere from here... . we have been written off for all the new trucks... ... ... .

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The second gen smarty isn't going anywhere from here... . we have been written off for all the new trucks... ... ... .

WELL, *MINE* went somewhere - ELSE!.



Got a bellyfull of unkept promises, hype, BS and foot dragging in regards to 2nd generation upgrades and refinements - so now, someone else owns mine...



Absolutely NO regrets in parting with it!



"Vaporware" - promised, but undelivered programming - just don't GET it!

 

[RJWEST]

Ok, Gary, what did you replace it with to get the low end torque... ?

Really, that was why I bought it, could not find anything else
that gave me the driveability, ( hated that DEAD throttle untill
1900 rpm ).

Until something else replaces the Smarty for the low end performance, guess it stays.

But, I will say, I am always " CONCERNED " with programing
the computer, just another " Gotcha" waiting to happen. .

 

[DCreed]

I actually like the slower pedal response, its easier on the trans and I can now USE cruise control. As for power the Adrenaline is where I'm going from here.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Ok, Gary, what did you replace it with to get the low end torque... ?



Really, that was why I bought it, could not find anything else

that gave me the driveability, ( hated that DEAD throttle untill

1900 rpm ).



Until something else replaces the Smarty for the low end performance, guess it stays.



But, I will say, I am always " CONCERNED " with programing

the computer, just another " Gotcha" waiting to happen. .

I already had the Edge Comp before buying the Smarty, so no lack of low-end torque - in fact, in some situations as others have pointed out, and I have personally experienced, especially when roads are icy or a foot of snow, SOMETIMES that aggressive off-idle rush CAN be a problem - I can get MUCH the same low-end aggressiveness and smoke-blowing with the Comp - but unlike the Smarty, I can ALSO make it instantly GO AWAY at the touch of a button from the driver's seat - no stopping or waiting to reload a different program...

I actually like the slower pedal response, its easier on the trans and I can now USE cruise control. As for power the Adrenaline is where I'm going from here.

STRANGE you should mention that - one of the first things I noticed after returning my ECM to stock programming, was that the former "Grabbiness" of my (LUK Cerametallic) clutch was nearly completely GONE - apparently the more aggressive off-idle tendency of the Smarty was contributing at least a significant portion of the clutch effect, probably as the ECM with the Smarty SW was trying to aggressively compensate for reduced engine RPM as the clutch started to engage.



The improved clutch engagement WITHOUT the Smarty is just another plus, at least for me and my truck usage.



Fact is, I bought the Smarty primarily as a test/toy - I use my truck mostly in RV towing - and with the mods in my sig, have ALL the usable power I can reasonably use - I can run the Comp on 5x5, floor boarded up a steep grade with the 5er in tow, and NO EGT or related issues - that certainly was NOT the case with the Smarty - short WOT were possible, but EGT would exceed 1200 degrees - enough to make me nervous - and power that can't be safely USED is pretty much worthless.



Yeah - I needed more boost, but having to cough up $2K and better for head work and more turbo, just to safely use a $600 programmer doesn't make much sense, either!



Sure, most guys buying and using Smarty are perfectly happy, in the way it operates in THEIR specific application - for me, it was pretty much an unneeded WASTE, and the inaction and inability of MADS/Marco to provide some of the exact same fixes that WERE provided for 3rd generation truck owners ended up being the nail in the coffin for Smarty as far as I am concerned...



It's GONE - and NOT missed in the SLIGHTEST! :-laf:-laf



YMMV!

 

[PRout]

I actually like the slower pedal response, its easier on the trans and I can now USE cruise control. As for power the Adrenaline is where I'm going from here.

Agreed. . Except I've been trying out a DD TTPM (basically an EZ box with milder timing increase) for just over a week now including a 750 mile road trip. Can now say I don't miss the Smarty at all.

No more touchy throttle or smoky takeoffs, with milder timing for pulling heavy, and about the same overall HP increase at WOT as with the smarty. This is what I was hoping might be coming from this "New Era".

Can still turn up the coal with the APB fueling box. Instant ricky racer. Odometer cal was updated by the dealer, and so far haven't missed the 250 MPH speed limiter. Don't think I will be needing a 4k RPM limit either as I plan on keeping the truck.

As was eluded to above, made my own "New Era" since Mad's Electronics was unable to meet a few simple requests.

 

[FLynes]

Well this definitely makes up my mind now. Thanks Gary for leading me to this thread. If there's one thing I dislike it's spending hard-earned money on a product and not getting the promised results/updates.



I'm going with Quadzilla, when the time comes.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Well this definitely makes up my mind now. Thanks Gary for leading me to this thread. If there's one thing I dislike it's spending hard-earned money on a product and not getting the promised results/updates.



I'm going with Quadzilla, when the time comes.

Welcome to what appears to be a growing crowd Fred! :-laf



I don't at this point see the need for more power than what I now have with current mods - but if I DO, the price I got for selling my own Smarty, added to what I should be able to get from my Comp would more than pay for the Quad Adrenaline, give pretty much ALL the benefits of the Smarty/Comp combo, and THEN some! :-laf:-laf

 

[JR2]

Six months since the "speed limiter removal" and no new updates?? Good thing I run the fuel saver all winter.

 

[AHire]

Sold my smarty today. Adrenaline bound!Oo. Its already got 50+ downloads for us 2nd gens.