My S67 PoD Beta Experience

[BroncoHound]

Bob was kind enough to contact me a few days ago and ask if I was willing to beta test the PoD update for the 6.7L Smarty. I was happy to oblige. He's also green lighted me to discuss it on the forums so I thought I would start a thread with my initial findings from the past couple of days and update it as I log more miles and play with it further.

First, the feature list (what I know of it, anyway): Obviously, the PoD feature, which works just as it does on the 5.9L Smarty. If you aren't familiar with PoD, click here and scroll to page 11:

http://www.madselectronics.com/downl...dUserGuide.pdf

Also, SW0 is now stock power levels for those that wish to have code free S67me operation without the added power. You just need to load up SW0 and set all the REVO settings to 1.

Here are a few points based on my initial impressions:

1. Something is off with the boosting on the "stock" tune of SW0. I set it to SW0 and set all the REVO settings to 1, and just cruising around town at 1300-1400rpm in any gear has my boost gauge showing 4-6psi. Prior to uploading the PoD files, I wouldn't even see 2psi boost cruising around town. This is with any of the previous Smarty settings and prior to having Smarty on my truck. I have seen in the past that any time I set the Timing REVO setting to 1 (regardless of the SW level or any other REVO settings) the boost would ramp up when cruising then drop when the truck started accelerating or throttling up such as climbing a grade, so I tried loading SW0 with all the REVO settings set to 1 except Timing, which I set to default. No change, boost still ramping up. Aside from this, the truck DOES feel like it did with stock programming. The non-linear power delivery, slightly jerkier throttle response, everything the truck did before Smarty smoothed the truck out was back. The boosting was the only discrepancy I saw.

2. I then tried loading SW7, all default REVO settings, and putting the PoD at 10. Wow, what a slug. I had initially thought the PoD setting was a percentage of power OVER STOCK that Smarty was adding, but as soon as I loaded the PoD to 10 I realized it was a percentage of TOTAL horsepower. It was interesting to cruise around for a few minutes at ~40-45hp, having to floor it to climb a bridge at 30mph was funny. Felt like I was driving a Prius. I then tried PoD at 40, 45, and 50. This seemed to get me back to enough power to cruise around and power down the highway unloaded just fine, but still just didn't feel right to me.

3. Since I've been running SW1, TQ-1, TM-default, RP-1, VGT-1 for quite a while now prior to the PoD update, I decided to reload that and leave PoD at 99 for a little while just to see if the truck drives the same as it did when I was on R14me. It ran as close to the same as it did on R14me as I could diagnose. Once I verified everything was about the same, I dialed the PoD down to 70 to see if I can milk a little more fuel economy out of the truck. Roughly guessing and based on stock dyno graphs I've seen, I would say the truck is around 300hp stock. Figure another 20hp from SW1 with all the REVO settings turned down should put the truck around 320hp +-10hp or so. 70% of that would be ~220hp which should be more than enough to move the truck around unloaded (since my '01 24v is even less than that). I have an ~250 mile trip to make to my brothers house and back tomorrow so I will see how the PoD does with highway and some city driving for fuel economy. I may even dial the PoD down to 55-60 to get the truck in the 180-200hp range, we'll see.

So far it's been a fun little feature to play with.

On a side note, I was PRAYING for TPMS killability with this update. In an email I sent to Bob with my initial findings and a couple of other questions, I also specifically asked if TPMS had been killed with this update since it was fairly cool this morning (50 degrees, a temperature at which my TPMS usually starts bugging me) and had no TPMS lights or dinger. This is what got me to thinking. However, Bob being Bob completely evaded the question. So, I walked outside a little earlier and aired my front 2 tires down to 40psi then turned the key on, praying there would be no light and dinger. Surprise, TPMS is NOT killed with this update. Light and dinger showed up. So now I have to stop by the gas station at 4:45 in the morning before I leave town to air my front tires back up. Thanks Bob. A simple "no" would have sufficed and kept me from looking like an idiot standing outside letting the air out of the tires on my own truck. You're killing me, smalls.

I'll update this thread further as I log more miles and get some data.

__________________
'08 QCSB 4WD G56 3.42: 6000k HIDs, HBS Leveled, Carli-valved 5100s, Thuren track bar, SSSSS, 325/70R17 Nitto TGs, Ride Rites, ISSPRO EV2 Boost/EGT, Smarty, GHD, Shaved BlueTec badge

"Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else thereafter."

[Riddler6.7]

thats awesome... airing down your own tires and probably even had a good grin on your face while doing it too. lol

__________________
2007.5 QC SWB 4x4
6.7CTD, 68RE, Inferno Red, Big Horn
and i aint tellin the rest

[BroncoHound]

Originally Posted by Riddler6.7

thats awesome... airing down your own tires and probably even had a good grin on your face while doing it too. lol

Worse then that, I actually looked...giddy. Im surprised no one called the cops on me...

__________________
'08 QCSB 4WD G56 3.42: 6000k HIDs, HBS Leveled, Carli-valved 5100s, Thuren track bar, SSSSS, 325/70R17 Nitto TGs, Ride Rites, ISSPRO EV2 Boost/EGT, Smarty, GHD, Shaved BlueTec badge

"Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else thereafter."

[dad2bike]

I hope you don't mind... I'll drop my experience in here as well to keep it all together.
Your results pretty much match mine.

I've been using sw7 as my test base. Anything below 50 was useless. I think Marco is looking into revising the span. I think your description of total power is right on. So 0 is OMG!

I liked the sw0. OMG a word of caution to all. Don't even touch the lower POD levels while on sw0. My truck fell flat on its face. Not fun in traffic.
I too noticed the boost gauge. It was interesting. Didn't sound or feel like it was boosting though. Like the 3-4 psi we see when on EB.

Let's keep nagging on TPMS. If Superchips can do it, I know Marco can.

Other note- I can run the Smarty and my PMT using the Y cable. It doesn't cause the PMT to lock up. The opposite. Every once in awhile the smarty will error while doing
a OTF change. Simple touch of a couple buttons and it works. It is important to unplug the Smarty when parking. It doesn't turn off with the truck.

__________________
Tom
2008 QC-LB,2500,4X4,White/Kaki,Big-Horn,3.73 Auto,315/70/17 tires, MyGig Nav unit, K&N Air Filter, no baffle,DPF quit working , Smarty & PMT, Mag-Hytec Pan & Diff covers.Toms smarty Journal - UPDATES on Page 1 ..... DIY Deletes How-To

[Onelongshot]

I am looking at getting me a y cable so I can use my insight along with the POD. I am running SW#8 all revo set to #2 and POD set to 60. This I feel is a mix of power and smoothness. I have no mpg numbers yet because my heavy right foot is keeping that out of the equation for now. I am loving the ability to adjust it on the fly then step it back down. I had a small run in with a new chevy camero and he was upset that I beat him stoplight to stoplight.
I am looking at setting it up on switch #6 and seeing how it runs with the same revo and POD settings.
Andy

__________________
Andy 2008 Ram 3/4 QC, Short Bed, 4X4 Man. T-Case, 68RFE, 3:73's, Snow Plow Prep, Line-X, Mopar Side Steps, Edge Insight, Smarty Sr S67, Smarty Jr SJ67, Dodge_Made_It_Marco_Helps_Cummins_Shake_It.
Smarty & Smarty POD Information
Remember Elementary School "Cardboard Pizza and Tater Tots in the morning. The smell of Learning."

[R1deOrDie]

Thanks for the updates guys, keep us posted.

Quick question, are you able to remove the egr motor with the pod? Thanks...

__________________
'08 Laramie Ram 3500
AFE Stage 2 Intake/H&S DPF/EGR/Cooler Delete
Bob W. & Marco ridin' shotgun!!!!!!

[dad2bike]

Originally Posted by R1deOrDie

Thanks for the updates guys, keep us posted.

Quick question, are you able to remove the egr motor with the pod? Thanks...

No. The installation hasn't changed any. Only the addition of sw0 = stock & on the fly adjustability were added at this time.
Quite frankly the EGR motor seems low on the priority list. We are still drooling for things like TPMS control, Fog lights & driving lights.

__________________
Tom
2008 QC-LB,2500,4X4,White/Kaki,Big-Horn,3.73 Auto,315/70/17 tires, MyGig Nav unit, K&N Air Filter, no baffle,DPF quit working , Smarty & PMT, Mag-Hytec Pan & Diff covers.Toms smarty Journal - UPDATES on Page 1 ..... DIY Deletes How-To

[R1deOrDie]

Thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to seeing the results.

I suppose once Marco has the big stuff dialed in, then he'll work on the smaller stuff.

__________________
'08 Laramie Ram 3500
AFE Stage 2 Intake/H&S DPF/EGR/Cooler Delete
Bob W. & Marco ridin' shotgun!!!!!!

[highrpms]

I will get mine all loaded up today, I hope.

__________________
2007 5.9 2500 4x4, BD Race twins, industrial Inj Twin CP3's, Industrial Inj Stage 2 Injectors, Smarty TNT-R stacked with Quad X2 CFM+ Built Tranny by Jason @ Diesel Nut FASS
2007.5 6.7 2500 4X4, Juice with Attitude, DPF delete and EGR Delete AFE stage 2 MP8

[bluepower]

Thanks for keeping us posted guys

__________________
07' 3500, quad, DRW, Auto, 6.7, 4x4, J w/Att, MP-8, 5" TBE, S&B, EGR?, Smarty 15me
05' 2500, Quad, 5.9, Auto, 4x4, 315's, J w/Att, MP-8

[Glacier Diesel Power]

Thanks for the updates guys. Good info here.

On another note...

I really don't understand the need for power so far below stock that the truck won't get out of it's own way. Why didn't they just make PoD setting 0 stock HP or a SLIGHT derate. To me having a ton of adjustment BELOW stock HP is useless and a waste of adjustability range on a great product.

TST did the same thing on the 5.9's although they went the other direction. Higher settings that were useless. Again, they could have taken the USEABLE power ranges and broken them up into finer USEABLE adjustment levels.

JM02

__________________
'08 Ram 3500, QC, DRW, 4x4, 6.7L, 68RFE, Laramie ~ H&S XRT, Edge Race J/A, B&G "Modified" TCM, Goerend Twin Disc, X-Monitor, ARP 625's at 160, GDP MODS: Air-Boss 67 Grid Delete, Arctic-Heat Grid Reloc Kit, Pro-Gate 38 (open dump), Full Flow EGR/Cooler Delete, Maximizer Big Line Kit, Double-X Ladder Bars, High Output In-Tank Pump Mod in the works...

Richard @ GDP
509-993-4923
Glacier Diesel Power.com

[MorSmokPls]

Originally Posted by Gypsyman

Thanks for the updates guys. Good info here.

On another note...

I really don't understand the need for power so far below stock that the truck won't get out of it's own way. Why didn't they just make PoD setting 0 stock HP or a SLIGHT derate. To me having a ton of adjustment BELOW stock HP is useless and a waste of adjustability range on a great product.

TST did the same thing on the 5.9's although they went the other direction. Higher settings that were useless. Again, they could have taken the USEABLE power ranges and broken them up into finer USEABLE adjustment levels.

JM02

I agree with you about power below stock, kinda useless. I think Tom D2B wants to know what every button does on every setting, and then try it 19 more times to make sure. Cant say too much because im the same way.

The way I look at the POD is that its POWER ON DEMAND. Not economy on demand, but fortunately that is a great side effect, economy. I think it was set up to be set at the Highest power setting you would ever use. and then derate from there. I have mine on 9, REVO default, VGT 2. POD 50(at least thats where I start). The program is great for a few reasons, again this is just how I see it.
1) Gypsyman you noticed we had snow this am. Even set on 9 I could get through the snow no problem without spinning, and then when I got to the clear roads could put my foot to it and go.
2) A great side effect of this logarithm is that it is NOT linear. The more load the more power. The less load the more the ECONOMY. I dont have fuel numbers yet but the first thing I did was load POD and go fill up. According to my fuel gauge its looking good so far.
3) And best of all NUMBER 99 If you want to play just reach over and hit 99 on the keyboard, nothing else just hit the 9 twice and your done. 200 hp waiting on your right foot. It is so SMOOTH its deceptive, you are going way over legal, and it just doesnt feel like it.

I have to be honest, when I first looked at POD I was kind of like "thats a little weird" keeping the thing hooked up, etc,etc. Now that I have used it and am starting to understand it. This thing is really cool.
BTW I dont know if its the same with anyone else, but my timing rattle seems to have quieted down a bit. Anyway you will like it when its out!! Again thanks Bob, and Marco

__________________
07.5' Mega 4x4, DTT Triple Disc/68rfe/MHP from B&G, Deletes, Smarty POD, AEM- Brute force HD, FLoPro SS 5" TBE,