Looking for a little info on this product. It seems to have gotten lost in the EDGE vs BANKS stuff. I evidently comes in a couple of configurations but little real life info available on this unit.


I've seen some knowledgable people recommend it and a couple posts about how they have "issues". Looking for more details and any input would be appreciated.





http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

Mr. Kennedy knows quite a lot about the VA box. Give him a shout.


Tom http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Pig.gif

I have a Van Aaken box. Mine is through Quadzilla. I have the 70/230 version of it. I like the box overall, the 70hp is a good daily driver and tow setting, I have never seen egts too hot in this setting, even with injectors. Now the 230 setting, it smokes like a freight trainhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif, it has decent power but could be better, I have bursting sometimes on this setting. Overall it is a good unit, I love it being swtichable on the fly. Also the lower setting have trans protection. The versions I have heard of are, 30hp,70hp, 90hp, 110hp,125hp,150hp, Jk's mid setting 150+, Jk's 200+, and 210/230hp same one really.

I am a long time Juice user, but recently I had the luxury of trying all the VA tunes and they compare very favorably with the Juice. One thing I found is all like tunes with similar performance ran cooler with the VA. I liked all the tunes very much and am running Johns custom 150+/200+ now.....BIG power. Like Tom said ....www.kennedydiesel.com (http://www.kennedydiesel.com)

While VA doesn't hold the majority of the marketshare, we still haven't really seen any major issues that I can recall with the Smart Box E. There may have been some race box issues with certain tunes, but the general release boxes have been quietly and reliably adding power to the Dmax for some time now. Also worth noting, is that the Smart Box D (pressure type) was blamed for fuel leaks/injector failures which has now been attributed to cracking and erosion and is of course subject of the 200k special policy bulletin.





Initially, the responsiveness of the Smart Box E was a bit sluggish, and the timing overly aggressive to suit my taste. Many are running these earlier tunes, and are having great success. We revised the tunes back in April to improve the responsiveness and decrease timing noise. The very bottom of the standard curves have been set up to deliver minimal smoke with solid torque gains while NOT setting the bar high enough to exceed the stock Allison's holding capabilities. The 200+ does not have any transmission slip detection, and is for beefed transmissions only.

What are the differences in egt's that are achieved between the 125 and the 150 tunes?

TTT

Morning,


I will agree with John @ Kennedy's, we have sold a lot of them and so far had great success. The Duramax and 6.0 Ford have been especially well received by customers.


The power levels are avilable in a WIDE variety up to a realistic 215 HP, at those levels you need tranny mods first in my opinion though. The pricing is very competitive and the quality is top flight. You get a three position flip on the fly power level switch and direct plug in s to the factory harnesses.


Of course we always reccomend gauges and intake and exhaust systems especially if you are heading off to the 215 HP levels.


Mark @ DPPI

I have a 70/110 version (or 90/150) - I can't remember which. Have had it about 2 years, with the 3 position in-cab adjustable switch. No codes at all or limps - Twice when starting I released the ignition key before the engine had caught, then when I started the truck it was missing, don't know if this was box related. I turned it off and turned the power selector to zero, re-started and all was ok. That's all the problems I've had. The middle setting works well for towing, in fact I drive it all the time with it there, second setting is pretty quick. Did gain about 3 mpg with it. They don't get as much press as the "cool" boxes, but I didn't want something that was throwing codes or unreliable as I haul horses a lot, and you can see how many "issues" with boxes are discussed here. I would buy another if I ever trade in my truck.

Who sell them? When will they be out?

I just had mine changed to the 150+/200+ ,really smooth shifting good power. Overall very happy.

Been considering the VA to boost the towing performance for my truck.Does it just plug in to the port in the cab that the tech 2 uses or is there a harness you have to route to plug in under the hood?Will the 70hp setting improve fuel mileage running empty at a steady speed of 65 mph?

I have a 70/230 version. I really like the 70hp setting for towing and daily driving. Egts aren't an issue at all. I think it would gain you a little bit of mileage.

The Va is the bale connector type, and comes with a three position switch for the cab. Check with John...his sight is a few posts up. You should definately see some improved miliage with the lesser tunes. Edited by: motovet

I just had mine changed to the 150+/200+ ,really smooth shifting good power. Overall very happy.





Which transmission do you have?





Assuming by your locale, you stop by and see Danny?

I have a suncoast stage v with triple disc converter. Danny does the VA programming for me.

Kennedy,


Why is the 150+200+ so much more responsive than the 110 230 version? I'm totally amazed at the difference between the two. Did you have something to do with coming up with the new program? If so great job!


Jim

willivy,


Lots of the supporting vendors here sell them us included.


Mark @ DPPIEdited by: Mark Craig

SAYWHAT,


Th van Aaken is an underhood plug in module that uses the two GM bail connectors just to the right hand side of the center of the engine, un plug and re plug and route the 3 way switch into the interior of the cab if you want, lots of folks leave it under the hood, and you set to go. You can get it in 50/70, 70/110, 70/150, 90/150, 90/215,150/215 HP levels.


To date the customer response has been great from all the ones we have sold!


Mark @ DPPI

Kennedy,


Why is the 150+200+ so much more responsive than the 110 230 version? I'm totally amazed at the difference between the two. Did you have something to do with coming up with the new program? If so great job!


Jim








Yes, that was my doing. Mark M did the "adjusting" with my direction. I made suggestions as to what we needed to do, and he handled the application. From the 200+ file, we worked down to get the lower tunes. We also took out a bit of the timing to get rid of the annoying clucking. Unfortunately VA has a problem with dealer support, returning messages, and keeping their word. I spent a weekend with MY truck on MY dyno all to earn the priviledge of representing their products.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley7.gif Edited by: Kennedy

That's too bad. I've run alot of different boxes on alot of trucks and this is about the best I've come across. Seems like they owe you big time for this one.

According to Van Aaken, Mark M did everything, knows everything etc. From my perspective, it was a collaborative effort. I told Mark what I wanted to see, and areas that I wanted changed etc. The changes were equally as impressive on the std release tunes. Mark M is VERY strong on his computer skills, but he isn't a "tinkerer" like myself.


Kinda funny how their best effort coming into the session only produced 180RWHP.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif You drove it, and have seen the difference. I've got the dyno files etc.





I don't want to take anything away from Mark McDonnell here. It was a pleasure working with him. Edited by: Kennedy

Their best effort almost made me switch boxes until I tried the new program. Now I would'nt think about switching.

Balls John.....you do a bunch of R&D for them and they basically piss in your shoe.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley7.gif....I'm amazed that you will continue to sell their product.....Here's to better luck in the future

I don't want to take anything away from Mark McDonnell here. It was a pleasure working with him.





Yep, he is a pretty decent sot! (English inflection intentional)


Makes me Glad Both Mark and VanAAken Spent their time and considerable $$$ jetting him all over the country, feeding him, putting him up, flying to the next venue, and so on and so on.


Not to take anything away from John Kennedy, A Helluva Knowledgeable guy who sacrificed his weekend and dyno time for us!


John, was there an agreement to this effect? Did you Fly Mark Down and pay his expenses to make this tune just for you? If so, I believe credit is due for you. However, I recall running this tune at PDR in 2003 (when i was shot down for making claim to 543 RWHP) and i tried Mark's Beta of that tune.. not in its current refined state, it was a bit raw on the timing side but very strong.


From my business experience i have learned 2 things. If you want an exclusive on something you either 1.Develop the product yourself, or 2.Pay someone or a company to develop it for you and have it on paper that it is yours.

That's an easy position to take if your not the one that did the work to modify the product. I wonder if you would have the same carefree attitude if the shoe was on the other foot? No offence meant, just thinking out loud.

THEY came to me claiming that they could write me a custom tune that would do in one box what I was (used to) using 2 boxes to accomplish.


When Edge does a tune, they run it on their trucks, on their dyno, and it's 100% their baby. This was my truck, my dyno, over 10hrs on the dyno, improving ALL tunes dramatically. All I asked was that they leave their 230HPhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley29.gif tune as their release version, and the new one be mine.


Again, Mark M made the changes and did all programming using his experience to move things the way that I wanted them after we viewed the results. If I ever do anything like this again (not likely with VA) I'll be sure to get it in writing. The only thing in writing that I have is an email stating the 110/150 would be released to the other distributors, and the 215 (underrated by 5HP) would be HELD.Edited by: Kennedy

Morning members,


Just wanted to make sure that everybody that cares about John's tuning delima understands that the Mark he is talking about is not me. the Mark form DPPI, but the Mark from van Aaken!


The posts here are very clear but in the past there has been a time or two where the information gets muddy and people assume (dangerous word) that this is that or the other etc so I wanted to make it clear that we have two different Mark's in the thread etc.


I too have sympathy for John on the situation.


Mark @ DPPI

Thanks for the clarification Mark. I edited it to read Mark M.

Kennedy - welcome to the wonderful world of manufacturing and business. Nothing new, been going on for a least 40 years that I have been somewhat involved with it, both as a businessman and an attorney (now retired). Some businessmen and manufacturers, like you, Steve Cole, Eric, Greg Landry, Nick (our illustrious provider here) are always above reproach, do it correctly the first time, and take the high road every time, no matter what the cost. There is some middle ground, but the great majority take the low road, are all out for themselves, and leave a bad taste in everyones mouth. Be forewarned, it will happen again, and again. They do not understand customer relationships, fair play, and the Golden Rule. They understand me, mine, profit, and NEXT! Unfortunately, that is the majority..

Kennedy,


Thanks John, you know how it is 6 months from now some new member will be doing a search and get it confused etc.


Mark @ DPPIEdited by: Mark Craig

Well I certainly didn't envision this post going in this direction - almost makes me feel guilty for wanting one. I certainly like those who have put in the effort to get thier just reward, and the proper recognition.

I'll continue to sell the LB7 SB-E, but no more wiring monies overseas to purchase them. The LLY remains to be seen...

just think if we all were getting paid for our research and devoplment how life would be different, i am a grain farmer and see this first hand, whatch the chemical and hybred companys getting rich off of our own r and d, but one thing i did realise that is a way of life, in the buisness i am in, might be the same here

I'll continue to sell the LB7 SB-E, but no more wiring monies overseas to purchase them. The LLY remains to be seen...
John, Last time I Talked to Mark (at PDR DM 2004) He mentioned their LLY Program was going to Paralell their LB7 Smartbox. Does this mean there will be a 200+ Module from them as well?>

Dunno, VA is hard enough to get ahold of when you're on speaking terms with them let alone not. The testers reported it to be smooth, but it jerked (fishbite) a lot on my dyno. I have yet to road test it.

Got Juice,

The HP levels on the LLY are still a little in the air as far anyhting over 125-150 HP. Time will tell, but my info on the LLY is there will be a 125+ HP file available once they are shipped to us.

Mark @ DPPI

Well, that settles that. Van Aken is off the list. I was thinking about that box but sounds like they are a bunch of jerks. Better to not risk my $$$ with them.

I have delt with the edge and they have excellent customer service, if there is something relating to a problem they get on it NOW!(I had probs with thier supplied pyro probe) I havent had an issue with my TTS but Steve has alwasy answered my questions pre and post sale right away even about stuff that isnt really sales related or related to his product.