Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) van aaken or Edge EZ, any EGT probs?

[ScottWright]

Hey guys,

I'm helping a buddy hop up his '02 quad cab, 3500 auto.



He's on a budget as most of us are.



Does anyone have any objections to running an EZ or a Van Aaken without gauges? I know, I know. . . gauges first. but honestly it's either a timing box, or nothing because it's not in the budget. Has anyone truely had any EGT problems with only a timing box?



Any one want to input on an EZ or a Van Aaken. I've always had an EZ in my trucks, but I'm not afraid to try something new if It's better. From what I can tell, I don't think there is much difference between the two.



Also, besides the stock automatic being a hunk of crap, does anyone object to running just a timing box on a stock trans?



This is not a race truck, just looking for a little pick me up. It tows maybe 5 times a year. 26' enclosed car trailer. We live in michigan, so it will never see much of any mountains, except maybe our trip to Pittsburg for the mopar race over there.



Any and all input is welcomed!!! (by the way, notice I said no budget, so the Smarty unfortunately is out of the question no matter how great it is

 

[Lsfarm]

More likely to harm the trans

Hi Scott, your buddy is more likely to harm the trans than the engine with an EZ or Van Aaken box. The basic box usually lowers EGT's. I've had several customers who ran an EZ and 275RV injectors for over 100K towing hard with no issues. There just isn't enough extra fuel to cause high EGT's.



The trans however, will suffer from the added low rpm torque with small pedal movement. So the best thing is to use lots of pedal, this keeps the trans lockup pressures high, and may save your third gear clutch and lockup clutch. So drive it like you stole it, don't 'baby' it, this is harmfull, not helpfull.



Hope this helps, give me a call if you have questions.



Greg L

 

[JAderhold]

not questioning your budget , but i dont see how a smarty is not within reason when the all of the van aken and edge box's i see on the internet are within 150 dollars or so of the the smarty.

Just if you are interested, this is the path i am going with my truck that i got in jan of this year, first, gauges, then i striaght piped it, and now i am about 3 to 4 weeks away from ordering my smarty. after trying HeavyHaulers smarty on my truck that is the way to go, it made my truck totally different then what it was before the 2 minute download.



just my . 02 cent worth of thoughts

Eddie

 

[Ryanp]

I have had no problems with the VA it's a great box and a lot less expensive than an edge or smarty ($265 on ebay) I would sure like to know where people are buying smarty's for 400-500 bucks.

 

[DPike]

I have a Van Aaken and 275 injectors, and egt's never get over 1200-1250 towing heavy. That is the truck's primary use. Had I known that, I wouldn't have spent my money on an egt gauge. That is with BHAF and stock exhaust. I also like the Van Aaken, because I wired it up to an on/off toggle switch in the dash, so I can turn it off for towing really heavy, and to stop the timing hammer of low rpm and light throttle. I don't think you can turn an EZ off.

 

[ScottWright]

Hey Greg,

Long time no talk! I've been out of the diesel thing for a while now, I'm building a garage right now, and trying to finish up my 416" small block EFI duster.



Do these electronic shift trans' still use a kick down cable? I'm wondering if it's worth adjusting it to try and give it some more throttle pressure at part throttle? Or what about cranking up the throttle pressure in the valve body itself?