Van Aaken

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I've read the Van Aaken literature on their websit www.vanaaken.com. I appreciate their efforts in translating and modifying the Can-Bus system. I also like the fact that the timing can be modified. I am curious if anyone has tried one of these "computer" add-ons? I think this is the first real computer on the market for the ISB. The only problem is that the power doesn't seem to be as significant as with the PowerMax's and Blue Boxes... maybe I'm wrong. I also have reservations about doing business with a company across the Atlantic. What do you do if it doesn't work and they try to keep your money? Anyways, I would like to hear others views on the Van Aaken. I know there are a lot of happy people with TST's PowerMax, but I thought I'd inquire about something different.

-Michael

 

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To bad your not with Seagate in Scott's Valley cause I could take you for a neck snapping spin up 17. I believe the van Aaken device is designed to get the most out of the Cummins without going over the all out drive the pump as hard as you can line. I have described the van Aaken box as an external reflash. I believe it is the best program you could have for the Cummins ecm if the EPA were not lurking over your back.

So that having been said, I just installed the new adjustable "Blue Box" and I was quite impressed with the midrange pull. You get an initial jump like before, but after that the truck pulls hard! This reminds me of my friends Chevy II with a pumped small block, during the midrange you can't move your head off the back of the seat!

Follow the leader (in this field) and purchase the new adjustable "Blue Box".

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3/4 ton, 5 sp, lsd, 2wd, qcab, guages, Scotty sys. Rhino liner, Blue Box hp enhancement

 

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I've been trying to get more info out of the Van Aaken people for several weeks now w/o success. Their product looks good on paper (web). I just wish I could getter 'personal' response from the company.

On the Blue Box; how does the installation on it compare w/ the install of the Van Aaken install. (VA. just plugs between the ECM output cable and the FPCM input connector. Simple and professional. --Bruce

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1999 QC2500 4x4 Auto
3. 54LSD, Warn winch, nerf bars, grill guard, front rcvr hitch, aircraft landing lights, wheel flares

 

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The Blue Box has 3 wires total. One goes to the fuse box for power, and the other 2 go to the pump. You fasten scotch connectors to the pump wires and then the wires from the box plug in. The Blue Box makes a lot more horsepower by simply adding fuel. The VA box is not a straight fuel only device. Since it is made in the UK it is a little more sophisticated (were canibals).

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3/4 ton, 5 sp, lsd, 2wd, qcab, guages, Scotty sys. Rhino liner, Blue Box hp enhancement

 

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I sent an e-mail to the Van Aiken boys and this is what they told me.

Mr. Sean Flanagan

Hello Sean,

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the van Aaken CPC for your 24v
Cummins ISB engine as fitted to the Dodge Ram.

The van Aaken CPC has been specifically designed to be fitted (and
removed) within minutes. It uses high quality plugs to mate in with the
original system. Simply unplug the loom from the back of the Diesel
injection pump and plug the CPC in between the pump and the loom. No
seals are broken during the fitting of the CPC.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CUT WIRES OR FEED WIRES THROUGH THE BULKHEAD TO FIT
THE CPC.

Easy to follow fitting instructions describing mounting the CPC and
plugging it in are supplied.

Answers to your questions

1 Price - See below
2 Available now? - Yes
3 The CPC cannot be turned on and off like the other device you describe
- however there is a seamless transition into the additional fuel
delivery. You will experience a truck that drives as well as stock, but
with a massive increase in power and torque. And remember, the CPC can
be unplugged in seconds.
4 The results I have seen comparing our box to others show comparable
power and torque outputs with exhaust gas temperatures around 3-400
degrees lower. Also we do not over stress the injection pump.
5 Boost.
Peak boost (approx. 2800rpm) stock - 19psi, CPC - 20psi
1500rpm stock - 12. 5psi, CPC 17psi
Remember these boost increases come from the additional fuel, and the
fuel increase gives you power.
6 Our device works very well with larger injectors and indeed with a
larger turbocharger.
7 We make no claims about fuel consumption, however reports from
customers show fuel mileage to be around 1. 5mpg better.
8 Injection Timing. Yes OUR device alters injection timing. From this
we achieve even more power than just adding fuel and the exhaust gas
temperatures are significantly reduced.
9 Warranty. Please see attached document.
<<Warranty Statement VAD. doc>>
10 Yes we do offer a money back guarantee. If you are unhappy with the
CPC then please return it shipping paid to our UK address. Assuming the
CPC is undamaged we will refund you US$795 - US$80. This restocking
charge pays for the shipping, insurance and duty.

The price inclusive of duty and shipping charges is US$795. Orders can
be placed via e-mail, fax or phone. Please include your postal address,
daytime telephone number and credit card details.

If you have any further questions please contact me again.

David

David Denyer
van Aaken Developments Ltd www.vanaaken.com



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98. 5 2500 QC LB 4x4 5spd, white. BFG 285x75x16
Cummins 24v w/ TST PowerMAX w/EGT and Boost gauges on A-Pillar.
SnugTop, JJ Stainless Running boards, Tow Hooks, Bushwacker Street Flares

 

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Sean, I'm glad you e-mailed Van Aaken. I hope more people inquire about this product and let us know something. I'll e-mail them tomorrow. I want to know if they advanced or retarded the timing on the engine. I wish that TST or someone could adjust with the timing on the 24V to "optimize" the increased fueling. Maybe it's not necessary, but it would be nice to try. Also, I would like to know if VA is planning on coming out with an enhanced version of their box that will put more power to the ground... +100 hp/+300 tq. Has anyone inquired? I also wander what effect the injectors will have on power since they changed the timing. I imagine more power than with standard timing + injectors. Just a thought...

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'00 Ram, RegCab, 4x2, Cummins, 6-spd, Driftwood/Agate, CD, CB, Reunel rear bumper, Line-X ...

 

[Archive]

I sent an e-mail to Van Aaken requesting more info. Here is their response:


Hello Michael,

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the van Aaken CPC for the 24v
Cummins ISB engine as fitted to the Dodge Ram.

The van Aaken CPC has been specifically designed to be fitted (and
removed) within minutes. It uses high quality plugs to mate in with the
original system. Simply unplug the loom from the back of the Diesel
injection pump and plug the CPC in between the pump and the loom. No
seals are broken during the fitting of the CPC.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CUT WIRES OR FEED WIRES THROUGH THE BULKHEAD TO FIT
THE CPC.

Easy to follow fitting instructions describing mounting the CPC and
plugging it in are supplied.

Orders can be placed via e-mail, fax or phone. Please include your
postal address, daytime telephone number and credit card details.

Answers to your questions

The Diesel Injection Pump (Bosch VP44) has an electronic limit to the
amount of fuel it can deliver. If it is 'told' to exceed this limit it
will cut fuel delivery. It is a rotary pump and is not as strong as the
older in-line type and exceeding the pump limit will cause the pump to
fail, if not immediately.

Our CPC Plugs In upstream of the electronic section of the Diesel
Injection Pump and so is programmed to reach this fuel limit, when
appropriate, but never exceed it. We also advance the injection timing
which further increases power without adding any fuel, however the main
advantage to altering timing is that the exhaust gas temperatures are
brought down significantly compared with a device that just adds fuel.
Values are around 300-400 degrees lower.

Ours is the only device available that interfaces with the original
system before the electronic section of the pump. Any device that is
connected after the electronic section of the pump will not experience
the pump limit. Thus fuel delivery can be increased to any level, more
power can be achieved, but at the expense of EGTs and pump reliability.

You mention other devices having a facility to adjust the amount of fuel
delivered. This effectively allows the fuel delivered by the pump to be
increased by a varying percentage. The CPC does not increase the fuel
delivery by a percentage. The software used to originally create the
tuning file for the CPC allows any amount of fuel to be added at any
combination of engine speed and engine load (how hard you are asking the
engine to work). This means when we tuned the CPC, no compromises
needed to be struck with the amount of fuel (or injection timing) added.
We have added the optimum amount at each speed and load combination.

For these reasons we do not offer a device that is adjustable or a
device that delivers more power. The CPC uses full software
interpolation to seamlessly alter the fuel delivery. It will never
cause the engine to judder as additional fuel flicks in and out.

To gain additional power on top of that added by the CPC I would suggest
the larger capacity 275hp injectors and an uprated turbocharger. Some
recent experience has shown that our device works very well with both of
these extra modifications. EGTs were almost stock.

If you have any further questions please contact me again.

David

David Denyer
van Aaken Developments Ltd www.vanaaken.com


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'00 Ram, RegCab, 4x2, Cummins, 6-spd, Driftwood/Agate, CD, CB, Reunel rear bumper, Line-X ...

 

[Archive]

This is the second response from van Aaken:


Hello Michael,

Both the turbo and the Bosch injectors were from BD Brakes. I
understand the injectors on their own add around 30hp, but these are not
our tested figures. I do not know the exact spec of the turbo used -
sorry!

The CPC does increase boost pressure - but not directly. The boost
pressure is increased as a result of the extra fuel delivered to the
engine. The additional energy leaving the engine as hot exhaust gas
pushes the turbo to the boost limit of the wastegate actuator much
earlier in the rev range.

As an example the peak boost as stock is 19psi at approx 2800rpm. With
the CPC it is 20psi at approx 2800rpm. So at peak boost you see only a
small change in boost pressure - certainly not enough to upset the
Cummins computer. The Cummins computer picks up no faults. However at
1500rpm stock boost is 12. 5psi. With the CPC it rises to 17psi and
picks up sharply to 20psi thereafter (way before 2800rpm). Remember
these boost increases come from the additional fuel, and the fuel
increase gives you power. You only need enough boost (air) to burn the
amount of fuel delivered. By just fitting the CPC there is more than
enough air to burn the additional fuel delivered by the CPC - without
black exhaust smoke.

Two more points:

1 We are currently working towards a CARB EO for the CPC and hope
to obtain it in the not too distant future.

2 Although the CPC can be removed easily, and is undetectable to
Chrysler/Dodge diagnostic equipment, it is not necessary to do this in
order to keep your factory warranty. Many people believe aftermarket
parts will void their factory warranty because the vehicle manufacturers
do everything they can to make people believe this is true. It is not!
It is in fact illegal for a manufacturer to void your warranty just
because an aftermarket part has been fitted. On request I can fax you
six pages which includes the specific Act and an explanation from SEMA
(Specialty Equipment Market Association) about vehicle warranties and
when they can and when they can't be voided.

If you have any more questions please send them along. I will however
be out of the office until Monday.

Thanks again Michael

David

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'00 Ram, RegCab, 4x2, Cummins, 6-spd, Driftwood/Agate, CD, CB, Reunel rear bumper, Line-X ...

 

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I wonder if contacting SEMA directly to get the warranty info is in order. Id like to do some minor modifying eg exhuast brake,lockout switch but I dont want to lose my warranty especially with the transmission.

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1999 2500 Cummins w/4spd auto,Quad Cab,SWB,4x4,Flame red ,all options less leather and radio controls on steering wheel,OEM color matched runningboards,DeeZee bedrails painted black,Power Vision Mirrors,OEM ventshades,Oem sill covers,OEM underrail bedliner

 

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so what is CARB EO for the CPC that VanAaken hopes to obtain?

 

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Hi Everyone,

After reading these posts and surfing over to Van Aaken's web site, I'm lead to believe that Van Aaken has the superior product for the ISB's. It may not provide the power that you may want for your ISB's but it should safely provide enough power without destroying the pump, at least I hope. I just hate the thought of someone else working on my Ram, doing any serious repair, this is mainly why i'm holding back on power upgrades. The CPC would certainly fullfill item 2 on my B. O. M. B. ing list, Item 1 being Ted's 1/2" fuel line.

But Most Important, Keep those Phurds in my review mirror!

Regards,
Tim

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2000 2500 SLT+, A. R. E. Tonneau Cover, BedRug, and B. O. M. B. ing to commence.

 

[Archive]

I am convinced they know what they're doing. It is my next item on my list! After that, I'll probably try the K&N RE-0880 filter, Diesel Dynamics Stage II injectors, along with the HX-40 turbocharger and 4" to 5" exhaust next as one package. Total price? Well, $800 CPC, $100 K&N Psychotty, $600 injectors, $300 boost box, $1300 turbo, $700 exhaust. That comes to a grand total of around $3500. I know, I know, that's a lot of money, but I bet it's done right... It should safely put me at +140 hp and +350 ft-lb torqe (@ 340 hp/750 tq rear wheels).

Anyone else's ideas or comments?

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'00 Ram, RegCab, 4x2, Cummins, 6-spd, Driftwood/Agate, CD, CB, Reunel rear bumper, Line-X ...

 

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Don't forget to save some money for a new clutch. The stock clutch won't handle that much power. A friend has a '97 12v that is running at approximately 350 hp / 900 ft lbs and the clutch slipped at low rpm from day one. He drove it carefully and didn't use full throttle below 1900 and he made it last for about 80,000 miles. He's been waiting for just the right clutch - he's looking at the new clutch that TST will be releasing very soon.

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-Steve St. Laurent
'98 Quad Cab Long Bed (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc remote fuel filter,
boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly stainless nerf bars,
front Draw-Tite receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's
http://my. voyager.net/stevest

 

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I too like this Van Aaken box. I have been sitting back waiting to get bombed, figuring that there would be a lot of products on the market soon. As I am not concerned about being the top-dog in the HP/torque wars (I believe between HVAC and Scott, they will keep us up to date on the limits of these trucks) #ad
but do want to increase the power safely so I can feel really good about putting 300k + miles on this truck.

I like that the Van Aaken product does not send EGT's to the roof, and that it alters injection timing. This to me sounds like the way Cummins would uprate the engine themselves maintaining reliability. I also like to professional connection. I have never been a fan of the scotchlocks and so on.

Who ever gets one first (which I'm sure won't be me) let us know how it works out. I have a letter off to Van Aaden as well and we'll see what they say.



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David
1998 3500 QC 4x4 5 speed 4:10 235-85-16 K&N air filter. Emerald Green w/tan leather. B&W turnover ball.
1999 Exiss 3 horse slant, 4ft midtack, 6ft shortwall dressing.

 

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I ordered the V. A. CPC from BullyDog on Monday, It should get here in 5 to 7 bussiness days. I figure its the best way for me to go since I have an auto transmission and that i'm still under the factory warranty. I will post findings and thoughts on this product as soon as i get it.

After my 3/36 warranty is over I'll install a TC and redo the transmission, to take more BOMBing.

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2000 2500 SLT+, A. R. E. Tonneau Cover, BedRug, and B. O. M. B. ing to commence.

 

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Ram-bunctious, How much is Bully Dog charging for the van Aaken box?

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'00 2500 RAM, RegCab, 4x2, Cummins, 6-spd, Driftwood/Agate...

 

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Mike, BullyDog charged me 795. 00 for the unit plus shipping. He had 3 left from at the time I placed my order.

 

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Ram-bunctious, how do you like it?

 

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Bilford, I wrote a quick report on my findings with the cpc, here's the thread,
http://www.webwhims.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000013.html

Tim

 

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Has anyone got any MPG figures on this while towing? Sure would be nice if the MPG went up a lot. . Maybe it is just wishful hoping. . #ad
#ad


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99 3500 QC, white, 5sp, 3. 55lsd, isspro EGT & boost, stock, 28,800 miles 01-01-00- -EX phord owner
15-16. 5 MPG hwy ,14-15 city , 10-12 with 4,000lb TT