Since there was another thread regarding tuners it inspired me to write about mine. I have a Smarty Jr. and have installed the program #2, the tow/haul program. This program is supposed to add approx. 75 HP. I don't know if I was expecting too much but I honestly can't feel any of that in the seat of my pants either loaded or unloaded. Since HP ratings are always listed at unrealistic RPM's, I don't know if this is the reason I'm not feeling it or not. Do others of you notice seat of the pants differences?

75 HP is a bunch and you should easily be able to feel it.I would do this: Find a county road that is straight and no traffic. Set it to stock and make a measured run from A to B. (1/4 mile or so if you can)Set your tune. Make the same run. You should shave a bunch of time off your run if you truly have 75 more HP.

Smoke and mirrors for many of these kits.

I agree with TnP. The average time tuned should be quicker than untuned. However, there are some draw backs in our trucks. The Ram torque converter is not very efficient at putting power to the ground when unlocked. I have never seen the actual specs, but I have heard that its is about 70% on a good day which is not a great number. That is a lot of wasted horsepower. Once locked, it will pull like a train.

Googling "smarty jr dyno" reveals plenty of people who have tested the tuner on a dyno compared to stock.

According to MADSSetting #1: 40hp/80 torque 2: 70hp/140 torque 3: 100hp/200 torqueBasically twice the HP IncreaseSO your 5.9L 325HP/610 torque CTD increase on #2 should have been noticeable395HP/750 torque -----especially the torque increase

Smarty Jr. | Good Sam Community

SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Nov 13, 2018
Everytime I do an upgrade to my oil burner I watch the fuel gauge. DSo far I've been getting better and better mileage. Heck with the power, Diesel is expensive.
ScottG
Nomad
Nov 14, 2018
Same setting I use and I can easily feel it. Are all the setting at their default values? If the POD is adjusted down it will directly effect power output.
Also, if you don't have a boost elbow, it would be helpful.

BTW, regardless of what MADs says, you need a pyro. You absolutley CAN get the EGT's too high if your working the truck hard, like pulling a trailer up a steep mountain pass.
I speak from experience.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Nov 14, 2018
ScottG wrote:
Same setting I use and I can easily feel it. Are all the setting at their default values? If the POD is adjusted down it will directly effect power output.
Also, if you don't have a boost elbow, it would be helpful.

BTW, regardless of what MADs says, you need a pyro. You absolutley CAN get the EGT's too high if your working the truck hard, like pulling a trailer up a steep mountain pass.
I speak from experience.

All settings are default. I no clue what POD or boost elbow is.
Mark_Heisler
Explorer II
Nov 14, 2018
Just asking a question.
Is your smarty updated
Have you talked to Brian or Adam at Madd (smarty) 1-855-456-7627
All I know from stock to SW2 there a big change of power and torque
soje
Explorer
Nov 15, 2018
ScottG wrote:
Same setting I use and I can easily feel it. Are all the setting at their default values? If the POD is adjusted down it will directly effect power output.
Also, if you don't have a boost elbow, it would be helpful.

BTW, regardless of what MADs says, you need a pyro. You absolutley CAN get the EGT's too high if your working the truck hard, like pulling a trailer up a steep mountain pass.
I speak from experience.

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH SCOT.
If I did not monitor my egt`s while towing my 14k 5`er, I would have lost my 5.9 MANY years ago.
If you are concerned about high EGT`s try water/ meth injection.
That said you still need boost and egt gauges with the SMARTY on SW2 or 3 when towing.
Scot is spot-on!
memtb
Explorer
Nov 20, 2018
We’re running a jr. on our 07 - 6.7.....and the performance change is very noticeable. How many horses, no idea....but pretty substantial. When you consider a truck that weighs-in at 7 or 8 thousand pounds, an 75 additional hp, isn’t going to “set your hair on fire”!
Super_Dave
Explorer
Nov 20, 2018
I went out and did some pedal to the floor tests and it was a lot more responsive.

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