On my local Kijiji.com there is a guy selling a Van Aaken Smartbox c3.2 and I was wondering what they are like. He is asking $350 for it. I did some looking around a found that they add fuel only and have heard mostly good about them exept for one guy who said it was terrible. My truck (an '03 6 speed) is completly stock exept for a set of 35" tires and I am not looking for any crazy amount of power, just that little extra every once in a while. So whats the good and the bad, do I go for it or stay away. Also I intend on adding a set of boost, pyrometer and fuel presure guages so I won't be driving it to hard and not knowing it if I do get it. Thanks, Dave.

 

That's the only power adder I run and it is a great box. It is a "Duration" only box which means it holds the injector open a little longer than stock. It does NOT add any pressure which, of course, can damage your injectors. It also boost fools. It's not the most powerful box out there but it is great if you are just looking for a nice boost.
Van Aaken made some really good stuff but they have gone out of business. I think the guy is asking too much even though it was pretty expensive when it was new. These usually sell for around $200 these days.
It connects to your ECM so if you buy it you should unhook your batteries before installing it or you will get codes and CELs..

 

I'll second what Dodgezilla said. It's a good box but it really needs timing added. If VA designed the box with timing it would been an excellent unit. The EGT's gets quiet toasty without the additional timing especially on level 2 (130hp).

Adding a Rokktech crank position sensor or doing the the tone ring mod (use the search engine on how to do this) will add a couple degrees of timing.

Personally $350 is a little too much for the box. I picked one up a while back for around $175 to stack with the Smarty.

MikeyB

 

Thanks guys, I will contact him to work on the price and see what becomes of it. Like I said I am looking to get a set of guages shortly so I can watch my EGT's. Thanks alot

 

I did the tone ring mod (same as what the Rokktech does but it's free) so I get some extra timing and I can tell you that my temps stay very well in check. I actually had mine stacked with an Edge Mileage Max and the truck ran awesome. I pulled the Edge off because I feared for my stock transmission.
I also forgot to mention, I get a 1mpg gain by running this box. That's nice when fuel is almost $4.00 per gallon....

 

Well I bought it this morning, got it in this aft. Man I love this thing. It does exactly what I was looking for. Have yet to do the tone ring mod but maybe tonight. Thanks alot

 

Congrats!

MikeyB