appydriver

I decided to try the Van Aaken 3.1. I like the torque coming on down low better than my edge ez but I haven't gotten to tow with it yet. I went to Henderson Tx. this past weekend I got 16.5 mpg with the box on the 65 hp setting for the first leg of the trip, I turned it back to stock for the second leg and got 18.1 mpg. Whats the deal with all these manufacturers Talking about mileage gains? Just wanting to pick your brains on this subject. THANKS.

Scotty

I have two guesses on this.

Are you reading the computer or doing hand calculations? If its hand calculated, that shoots down one guess.

The second guess was what I experienced...I was hitting the throttle a bit more when its on to see what it did. After awhile I got accustomed to the power and the mileage came up with my foot coming up.

I have seen about 1 mpg improvement from this.

Another thing I should note. I am running my Shaker hood and I have put the TAG from Diesel Power Products in. Dave knew I was skeptical. I did a run to Denver without it and came back with it in. I was surprised that I netted at least another 1 mpg and not sure why but I also experienced less flutter in the turbo...maybe because of its design to straighten the flow right at the turbo.

Scotty

appydriver

Thanks, All of my mileage figures are hand calculated. With the Edge EZ I had gotten 18.5 mpg on the same trip last spring. I'm not sure what the difference is I thought the Van Aaken box was a little more sophisticated that the edge box but maybe not.

Gypsyman

I've done numerous long distance runs with different combinations of my boxes and during the C3.1 runs I don't see any loss OR gain. The reason you don't see a large gains like the EZ provides is because the VA doesn't ramp up pressure all the time like the EZ does. That's one reason that I like the VA. It has three dimensional mapping which includes throttle position so that your not stressing the fuel system the entire time the truck is running. If you want better mileage from a pressure box you'll need to stay with a box that elevates the pressure all the time such as the EZ.

jm02

Richard

Mark Craig

Gypsyman,

Excellent explanation, and you're correct on how the MPG gains are realized or not. It's one of the resons we sell a lot of the van Aaken 3.1's and 3.2's, folks like the extra safety fuel rail wise etc.

Mark @ DPPI

metal_miner

Gypsyman's reasons summed up why I have one ordered to stack with my Bully Dog Power Pup. Also, if I remember correctly, VA have also been around for a while in Europe on common rails so they were already proven in that application before North America. Also, wanted it for the boost fooling to take advantage of my new HTB2 turbo!

appydriver

Thanks for the input. Has anyone done much towing with the VA.How does it compare with the edge?

Gypsyman

I tow more than 50% of the time. IMHO it feels like the EZ on level 2 but it's smoother with the cruise control on than the EZ was. Believe it or not it's enough fuel to spin my B1-04 up to 39 lbs which is where my gate is set. Nice, smooth towing little box. You may see an increase in mileage while towing since the VA is seeing more throttle opening and ramps pressure up accordingly. It really is an intelligent box. I wish they would come out with an all in one box. The Europeans have some nice technology in their performance modules.

Richard

Scotty

I have towed 33,000 pounds with the VA but I had it stacked with the EZ. I ran the EZ on 4 [old 6 level] and the VA on the middle setting.

When I first tried this combination I had the VA on high and the EZ on 6 and well... I lost power and turned day into night. My EGT climbed as fast or faster then my tach. Empty truck.

Towing the way I did, it did well with safe EGT's but I was running in -27C weather.

I am going to try running the EZ at 3 and then 2 with the VA but to be honest I do not think its an optimum combination. At least not on my truck.

I may go VA only.

Scotty

Gypsyman

Scotty,

You must be talking about the C3.2 duration box and not the C3.1 pressure box right?

Richard

Scotty

Yes. I think it could be messy stacking two pressure boxes. LOL

Scotty

Gypsyman

Just wanted you to clarify that since we're talking about the VA pressure box. Don't want anyone getting the wrong ideas.

Richard

Scotty

Good point.

Scotty

Jerry R

Has anybody heard when VA is coming out with a box to do both or maybe timing and duration?

sawboywv1

I love my VA pressure box. I am having an issue with the CP3 pump now though. However, I don't think the box is the culprit. My pump developed a leak in the front half where it attaches to the mounting plate. I removed the box when I took it in to have it looked at. Man I couldn't wait to reinstall that thing! Awesome extra gruny.