VA duration box

[GWoody]

Anyone who reads this and has run a VA duration box, please comment on your likes or dislikes of this unit and also what year of truck this is on. Would really like to know if you have encountered any mechanical problems possibly caused by this unit.

 

[Blakers]

I like the one I put on someone's truck. No problem at all except the common p0606 code that may or may not be only from installation.



It runs mostly on the 50% level, and sees 100% on occasion when the owner wants to show off or "see what it will do. " It will really get up and go on 100% and smokes pretty good too.



It will slip the clutch if going up a steep hill in 100% and slow speed and the throttle is opened.



It will spin the tires at 70 mph on a wet road on either 50% or 100% if throttle is opened suddenly. It can brake traction on a dry road at 100% if, but not sure about at 70 mph.



He has not really seen a mileage increase or decrease yet. EGTs will climb pretty quick on a hill, so you'll want to be able to watch them.



He has not towed with it yet.

 

[GWoody]

Thanks Blakers, I can't beleive I can't get any more responses on this than just One. I Love the power this thing puts out but I had some turbo trouble at first, had that fixed and no problem yet but I have run on 100% very little, I'm a little skitish now.

 

[Badunit]

The VA duration box is relatively new. Seems like not that many people have them yet or have had them long enough to give a good review or find problems. I put one on my '03 a few days ago but haven't had a chance to really try it out so I can't give much of a review. It definitely gives a good kick. If you switch from 0-50%-100% while accelerating at constant pedal position you can really tell the difference in the settings. EGT's climb pretty fast on 100%. I have my EGT probe post turbo so I'm extra cautious (I hope) and try to keep it below 850F. I get there pretty fast at WOT. I do have the P0606 code.

 

[Blakers]

GW, sometimes weekend activity on here varries a little from midweek, so some guys may not get on here the same as they do normally. I'm sure they'll be more discussion on your question.



I cleared the P0606 code this morning before the truck was driven to work - 50 miles on 50%. No codes after arriving to work. Will run it home on 100% and see if it sets any.



If the code comes back, I will contact van Aaken about it. They do have a discussion forum on their site.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

nO tIMING

It could be the vA duration box is a slow mover because it doesn't do timing, however if at some point van Aaken comes out with timing owners get a free upgrade (according to one post I saw).



Vaughn

 

[GOTSOOT]

V/A Dur. box!

Installed two V/A`s this weekend. the level II`s. one was on an `04. 5 and the other on a `04. the one one the `04. 5 runs real strong. No smoke on the 55 hp setting and a good puff on the big setting. EGT`s can get out of control real easy, but they can do that with the box off. Seat of the pants meter is real good !Thebox on the `04 -auto is another story, puff of smoke is appearent when the box is turned off but connected? First setting feal real good with teh same amount of smoke. the high setting lays down some smoke. `04. 5 was a 6spd. these boxes should do a fine job, if we can come up with a good way to keep the EGT`s down. probably the cat and muffler need to say goodby, and put a good Scotty on. just for what its worth the auto truck had a 5" straight pipe- "OH MY GOD" this thing will TALK to you. :--)

 

[bpenrod]

I'm VERY happy with mine. Although it is hard for me to coment on the VA box alone as I have it stacked with an Edge EZ on Level 3. I run the VA @50% unless someone gets to me, then it the 100% setting and a pretty good smoke show! On 50% I have no trouble with EGT's but on the 100% they climb very quick and have nor trouble pegging the 1600* gauge. For what it's worth the VA gave me 86hp and 253 torque over running just the Edge on L3. The rear wheel numbers were 358 hp and 787 torque.

 

[Hawkeye 04]

Anyone have a used Van Aken for sale?

 

[Blakers]

Originally posted by Blakers

I cleared the P0606 code this morning before the truck was driven to work - 50 miles on 50%. No codes after arriving to work. Will run it home on 100% and see if it sets any.

Drove it home on 100% and no codes. No wide open throttle use though.

 

[EEngel]

VA

I like mine. It has been on for a month or so. The temps on the 600 really do jump quick (with or without the box). But on the 100% she will heat up real fast.



As for the reprogram, well it's free if your vendor has the ability to do it, and wishs not to charge you. I know precision diesel (Danny), has offered to do it for free if you bought the box from them (there are serial #'s on them).

 

[GWoody]

Thanks guys, I don't have gauges yet but they are on order, so I have just done short bursts on 100% but this thing kicks butt. I have been concerned about the turbo since I had to have that fixed due to excessive play on the intake side, it was actually starting to rub the housing, makes a zinging noise. The code thing is kinda funny, I pulled the box before I took it in, I was showing the code and had no way to clear it. They cleared it when it was there, Ive ran it about 200 mi. varying between 50% and 100% and still no code. The one thing I have noticed is it seems that out of these responses I think mine is the only automatic. I kinda bought this thing hoping to get some better fuel mileage, and that would still be nice, but this thing runs so good you forget to worry abou mileage.

 

[EEngel]

Mileage gain

GWoody,



I don't think that heavy foot and 100% bursts will yeild and milage gains for ya!



Get your gauges in quick, she really heats up.

 

[GWoody]

The gauges should have shipped Friday, I can't help it, this thing feels like a 7000 lb. sports car now.

Oo. Oo. Oo.



Engel, did you mount your pyro pre or post turbo, I can't decide what to do there.

 

[Blakers]

Go pre turbo GW. That's how I did it. Easier and more accurate for what you want.



Blake

 

[EEngel]

Gauges

Definitly go Pre-turbo.



Also, go with a non-shunted thermocouple. The bounce a bit more, but the temp readings are far faster and much more accurate (on a fast scale).

 

[EEngel]

Gauges

GWoody,



Also, I will save you the trouble. If you bought a 30lb boost gauge, don't bother putting it in. You need a larger one. Like a 50 or 60. I think it's hitting low 40's on spike and 37 or so continuous.

 

[GWoody]

Thanks guys, looks like I will be going pre turbo, hope the dealer don't b**** about it if I have a warranty issue, ordered di pricol, are they shunted, what is shunted. Also ordered 60 lb. gauge.

 

[Blakers]

The dealer should not care - you are monitoring your engine - what more could they ask for?



I've had mine to two dealers for warrantee work and neither said anything.



I have the diProcol gauges and they work great. Made in India unfortunately, but most of the others were too.

 

[EEngel]

Shunted

Shunted means that it responds a little slower and does not react quite as quick. This usually provides a smoother look at the guage. Un-shunted are also called real-time. The guage reacts as fast as it measures.



On a shunted thermo couple you may spike to 1700 degrees, but the reading will only show 1500 due to the "lag".