Van AAken C3.2

[DaveHess]

I'm sure that this has probably been beat to death several times over but please indulge a newer member here who is waffling on what add-on to buy. I was within about 48 hours of purchasing an Edge EZ when I read a thread about the Edge EZ boosting rail pressure up albeit within the limits of the system but pushing the pressure none the less. The I read another thread relating to the Van AAken C3. 2. I researched that and found it only changes the duration not the pressure. And it has a dash switch for high, half or off. So, would the users of the VA C3. 2 chime in here and tell me your experiences? I don't want to modify the 48RE, well, more like can't afford to. So, will the high setting cause problems there? What do you guys tow in while using the VA C3. 2 (high, half, or off)? I want it for towing and my max trailer weight is about 9000 pounds. I am so on the fence on what to do here. I want to do something. Check my signature for mods already done. The only change has been I Swiss-Cheesed the factory air box.

 

[SLJolley]

I think that VA makes a great product. If you are using it for towing i would look into the C3. 1. It is a pressure box but is very safe. Either the C3. 1 or the 3. 2 would be a good choice.

 

[madduck]

Newbie also(to diesels) but have modded all my previous trucks(gassers). I'm in the same quandry, which one to get. But I don't even have my truck yet, it's in status JS(built but in storage).

Anyways, I've been reading the posts and trying to soak it all in, but that at times gets me even more confused I'm not looking to win any drags, will tow about 9-10500 lbs during the summer, but can't resist MORE power :-laf ,just have some fun with the right foot, but safely! Looking at the VA also, heard they might be making a newer verison 3. 3???

Will be getting ALL gauges before any modding is done. This will be an auto with 4. 10 gears. Hope to get some suggestions

 

[LesStallings]

I believe you will find a large number of the guys towing are happy with the EZ. I sure am and just completed 20,000 miles of heavy towing this summer. I have 70,000 miles on the truck now and have had no problems other than a front wheel bearing - nothing that can be attributed to the EZ. I tow on Level 3.



I've read some happy campers that tow with the VA box. It seems like a good choice also, but maybe not as many users. Whatever you do, mind your gauges! Knowledge is your friend. I'm not doing as much towing anymore and may be playing a bit more than before. Next on my list is fuel pressure and boost monitoring.

 

[Fireman]

Dave,



For towing, I love the VA C3. 1. It reduces the pressure at higher RPMs,(to keep the rail pressure from going so high) so the power seems to fall off somewhat, BUT I pulls strong in the 1700-2300 range where I need it towing. The unit has performed flawlessly for 2 years now, and I couldn't be happier.



I have tried other (hot rod) boxes, but had issues with them, so I'm still happily towing along with my little VA.



BTW the VA is VERY easy to install/remove. About 5 min.



Fireman

 

[jwilliams3]

I would go with the EDGE EZ or the bully dog power pup on a lower setting if you want better response.

Then when you want serious power step up to the TST CR box.

 

[ECappleman]

For less money than the Edge EZ, I'd get the Quad chip.

Low preasure, plus has duration and timing. It also has a 4 way adjustable switch in the cab that can be at off, 30hp, 60hp, 100hp.

Especially if you don't plan to mod your 48RE. It was made for stock trucks.



Do a search.

 

[Buffalo]

I installed a VA-3. 2, about a week ago, & couldn't be happier. I've been driving on the higher setting (130 HP) most of the time & it is better than I would have expected. Very smooth power delivery & temps. , so far, haven't been dangerously high.



I chose the VA-3. 2 because I wanted to stay away from high preasures & the duration box was supposed to deliver power at low rpm's. , which, is what I wanted, especially for towing.



For the person waiting for his new truck, you may want to consider the Edge Juice/Attitude. It has 5 settings, you get the guages with the Attitude & it has limiting factors that are adjustable so you can control your EGT's easily. It makes power with duration & timing, I believe. I heard the earlier ('03/'04) trucks got a bit of preasure, also.



Another reason I chose the VA was that I already had guages & didn't want to duplicate them with the Attitude.



For those choosing the VA-3. 2, be sure to do the Tone Ring Mod or Rockteck to add a little timing. I would imagine you would have, pretty much, what the Edge J/A gives you, then.



I have not tried towing with the VA-3. 2 but, have been told to use the low (65 HP) level to keep EGT's down & it will probably be gentler on the auto's.



Regarding fuel mileage, I got 21. 47 mpg's (hand calculated) on a 473 mile trip doing about 65 mph.





Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Matt400]

I would wait for the VA3. 3, Duration & Timing or go with a Juice that is Duration & Timing with a little pressure on the 03's

Since you have gauges already, you can get a juice without Attitude.

 

[Buffalo]

Matt400,



I spoke with Van Aaken about the VA 3. 3 & was told that it was going to be a "HOT" box, probably requiring other upgrades (turbo, upgraded fuel pump, etc. ) to safely use it. For those of us that want a milder amount of increased power, the VA 3. 2 will be a better, cheaper choice.



As I understand, the Edge juice, WITHOUT Attitude only allows you to have a couple of power levels (2 or 3). With the Attitude, you get the entire 5 levels.



Respectfully,



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Matt400]

Interesting... VA never mentioned that to me. They did say that initial versions would be timing & duration only with pressure coming later possibly.

Yes you do get 5 levels with the Attitude but levels 4 & 5 IMO are not much good on a stock truck.



I would like to Beta a 3. 3 but not if its a wild box. I still like standard gauges and a power knob. What level on your 3. 2 were you using with the mpg's you reported?

 

[Buffalo]

Hi Matt400,



I talked to the "answer man" at VA, last month, when I first heard about the VA3. 3. It sounded, exactly, like what I was looking for until I spoke with him. He, also told me that it would be "duration, timing & a small bit of preasure (maybe 15-20 HP)" but, said that it would be a "high performance" box that was going to be quite a bit more expensive than the VA3. 2.



He went on to say that if you were just looking for a mild increase in performance & fuel economy, without having to upgrade lots of other expensive parts, the VA 3. 2 (with the Rockteck or Tone Ring Mod, to add a bit of timing) would be "the way to go", for my needs.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[DaveHess]

Well gang. It's done. I installed the VA 3. 1 and I love it. I'm still nervous with it as I feel like I am going to break my truck or something but Bryan at Dominator Diesel Assured me the truck would be fine. I just need to get used to it. I know this is a shameless plug but Bryan and Shawn at Dominator Diesel were great to work with as there were a few hiccups along the way. The way it looked to me was Dominator Diesel put some dollars of their own out there above and beyond to make sure I was a satisfied customer.

 

[mroodzant]

Well gang. It's done. I installed the VA 3. 1 and I love it. I'm still nervous with it as I feel like I am going to break my truck or something but Bryan at Dominator Diesel Assured me the truck would be fine. I just need to get used to it. I know this is a shameless plug but Bryan and Shawn at Dominator Diesel were great to work with as there were a few hiccups along the way. The way it looked to me was Dominator Diesel put some dollars of their own out there above and beyond to make sure I was a satisfied customer.

OK, So its been a week. Are you happy with the mod? I am thinking about a 3. 2 to give me some help pulling around the John Deere. I have been putting off this mod for quite some time. I'm still gun-shy after blowing up the rear end in the 97, those mods listed below. The added pressure of the 3. 1 worries me, so I think I should try the 3. 2. Anyone have any stories about this box?

 

[mroodzant]

By the way I was trying to find the past TDR issue with the power box reviews. Issue 47 maybe???

 

[Blakers]

The 3. 2 VA is great. Not a bit of trouble except after soaking the engine down real good last spring washing all the the winter salt off. Took the box off to dry out a few days and back on with no problem. This box is the answer for those who want a box they put on and forget. No fussing whatsoever!



BTW, what is the tone ring modification?



Thanks.

 

[Buffalo]

Tone Ring Mod with VA-C3.2

Blakers,



The Tone Ring Mod basically adds about 2 deg's. of timing. Pretty much the same thing as the Rockteck Mod but, cheaper because you do it yourself.



The TR is found behind the crankshaft (lower) pulley. It sort of looks like a circular saw blade with carbide tips. The crankshaft sensor is the green, plastic piece that is mounted on the engines right side. It's situated right next to the tips of the TR.



The first thing you want to do is take the serpentine belt off by taking the pressure off from the belt tensioner. Once the belt's off, you have to loosen the 4 bolts holding the pulley & TR on. If you have a stick shift, put the truck in a higher gear with the emergency brake on & that will keep the engine from turning over while you are trying to loosen the bolts.

On the auto's. I've heard you have to remove the trans. inspection plate & jam a screwdriver or some other tool into the flywheel gear teeth to keep the engine from turning over.



Once the bolts are removed, remove the pulley & the TR noting how the TR is positioned on the crankshaft. You will notice five holes on the TR. Four holes that the bolts go through & a smaller hole that the alignment pin goes through. When you look at the front of the TR, you want to remove about 1/16" of metal from the left, counter clockwise side of the smaller, alignment pin hole, only. That allows the TR to slightly rotate clockwise once it's re-installed.

I used a "rattail" file to remove the material from the hole. It's pretty easy to do.

After elongating the hole, re-install the TR & pulley 7 finger tighten the bolts. Loose enough that you can rotate the TR. Rotate the TR as far clockwise as you can & then tighten the 4 bolts. The bolts need to be tightened to about 32 ft. Lbs. & then another 60 deg's.

Re-install the serpentine belt. If you have an auto. remove the tool from the flywheel & re-install the inspection plate & you should be ready to go.



In 40-65 mph. timed runs, I noticed about 1/2 second improvement, with the TR Mod.



With the VA-C 3. 2 on the high setting, TR Mod & an AFE ProGuard-7 air intake system, my 40-65 mph. runs (all runs done in 5th gear) dropped 3 seconds from completely stock.



I think "swiss-cheesing" the stock airbox is, probably, the most cost efficient way to add more air into your system. My "not-so-scientific" testing showed only a 4/100 sec. improvement with the AFE system over the completely stock airbox. That's not much of an improvement for the amount of money these air intake systems cost. I'm not trying to "knock" AFE or any other air intake system company, I just haven't noticed enough improvement to warrant their relatively high costs. Their products "look" well built, to me.



For what it's worth, these are my experiences with the performance products, I've tried.



Hope this information helps.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[SLJolley]

We have had no trouble with the C3. 2 modules. All manufactures have troubles and that is just the way it is when you play with electronics but VA has always stood behind there product for us. I think you would be very happy with one.

 

[STEVEBROOKS]

We have had no trouble with the C3. 2 modules. All manufactures have troubles and that is just the way it is when you play with electronics but VA has always stood behind there product for us. I think you would be very happy with one.

SLJolley,

Please PM me with what $ you can get me on a VA 3. 2 for my truck.



Thanks,

Steve

 

[Blakers]

Thanks Buffalo, for the info on tone ring modification. This is the first I have heard of it, but I haven't been on here as much as I should be. Are there other threads on it? Any negatives?



Seems like this is just adjusting the set point and the computer can still vary timing as it sees fit. But it will shoot for this advanced point. Is this right?



Take care.