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2003 Cummins programmers #2291074
04/20/17 04:24 PM
04/20/17 04:24 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
lancaster,california
johnnycuda Offline OP
super stock
johnnycuda  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
lancaster,california
Hey guys, just picked up a low mileage 2003 Cummins 2wd truck, bone stock, thinking of adding a programmer to increase mileage some, haven't towed with it yet, but I do have a 24ft enclosed car trailer I would haul to the track etc.
What is everybody using?, I'm in California, so can't nor do I want to roll coal, race it, its a daily driver, just looking for a bit more mileage.
Thanks in advance,


1970 'Cuda,Lime Light,499 Indy S/R's 10.70's @125,street driven ALOT!
1966 Barracuda 360,now a 5spd,Hemi Orange,Hot Rod Air,
New daily driver-2003 Ram 2500 Cummins 5.9
'69 Valiant 2-dr, sleeper!
New project---1938 Dodge truck, plan is a 360 with a A500, AC, Calvert rear susp., rack and pinion front with coils.
Re: 2003 Cummins programmers [Re: johnnycuda] #2292085
04/22/17 01:33 PM
04/22/17 01:33 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 257
Alberta
4
440_Offroader Offline
enthusiast
440_Offroader  Offline
enthusiast
4

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 257
Alberta
I have an Edge in my 2001. It might be a little different in gains since yours is a common rail vs my 24v. I usually drive with mine in the mileage setting, as I find the performance settings put out more smoke than the performance benefit. I can get around 20mpg unloaded on the highway in conjunction with 4" exhaust. I like that you can have all the parameters you need, up on the screen. You can set alarms for if any parameters get out of normal conditions too. In tow setting I can tow my 28' holiday trailer (10,000lbs) and get around 12-13mpg.
Good luck with your new truck!

Re: 2003 Cummins programmers [Re: johnnycuda] #2293146
04/24/17 11:14 AM
04/24/17 11:14 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,319
Marion, South Carolina [><]
an8sec70cuda Offline
I Live Here
an8sec70cuda  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,319
Marion, South Carolina [><]
I also have an '01, but I've always heard the Smarty programmers are great for the '03-up commonrail trucks.


CHIP
'70 hemicuda, 575" Hemi, 727, Dana 60
'69 road runner, 440-6, 18 spline 4 speed, Dana 60
'71 Demon, 340, low gear 904, 8.75
'73 Chrysler New Yorker, 440, 727, 8.75
'90 Chevy 454SS Silverado, 476" BBC, TH400, 14 bolt
'06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax
Re: 2003 Cummins programmers [Re: johnnycuda] #2293178
04/24/17 12:22 PM
04/24/17 12:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,837
Central Missouri Fort Leonard...
mopar65 Offline
master
mopar65  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,837
Central Missouri Fort Leonard...
Yes I really liked the smarty I had on my 04 ctd


3520 pound race ready 1973 Street/Strip Dodge Dart - Stock stroke 440/727 10.49 @ 125.0 on 93 pump gas & ET Street Radials. More to come... ( SGT Miller) Proudly served 12 years in the US ARMY RESERVES support our troops
Re: 2003 Cummins programmers [Re: mopar65] #2293571
04/24/17 11:58 PM
04/24/17 11:58 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,134
Las Vegas, NV
Tom_440 Offline
master
Tom_440  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,134
Las Vegas, NV
I also heard Smarty was a good controller. However, I have an Edge in my 2003 CTD. I bought it mostly for the gauges. You plug it into the OBD II port and it gives you a ton of readings. If you have gauges already, its probably not worth spending the $ on the Edge. But if you don't have gauges yet, its worth a look.

Re: 2003 Cummins programmers [Re: johnnycuda] #2295239
04/27/17 08:34 PM
04/27/17 08:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
lancaster,california
johnnycuda Offline OP
super stock
johnnycuda  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
lancaster,california
Thanks guys, I don't have any gauges in it, abd didn't really want to drill into the dash or pillar to install any if I didn't have to, I will look into both of these.
I bought this so I could tow the Cuda to the track easier, my 1500 has roughly 200k on it, and the suspension doesn't hold up well to my 24ft enclosed, even with air bags. ( I didn't own the trailer when I bought the 1500).


1970 'Cuda,Lime Light,499 Indy S/R's 10.70's @125,street driven ALOT!
1966 Barracuda 360,now a 5spd,Hemi Orange,Hot Rod Air,
New daily driver-2003 Ram 2500 Cummins 5.9
'69 Valiant 2-dr, sleeper!
New project---1938 Dodge truck, plan is a 360 with a A500, AC, Calvert rear susp., rack and pinion front with coils.
Re: 2003 Cummins programmers [Re: johnnycuda] #2295558
04/28/17 11:57 AM
04/28/17 11:57 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,182
aZLiViN
J
J_BODY Offline
I Live Here
J_BODY  Offline
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J

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,182
aZLiViN
early 03 was the low power one with the "leftover" 47RE transmissions. Later 03 models all had the HO engine and 48RE trans. "IF" you have a later build, I wouldn't be too worried about throwing a little more power at it. If it's the early build, then the trans would be a concern of mine. Does it still have the "walker pump" (lift pump) mounted on the fuel filter canister? ...or has it been converted to the in tank pump like so many were. In tank had proven much more reliable than the pump on the canister. In 05 all the trucks from the factory had the pump in the tank fyi. Having towed with a 1500 in my past, you'll love the CTD. Nice to have the power to tow where you want without concern. I'm also like the above guys.... still rolling in my 01 CTD smile

Re: 2003 Cummins programmers [Re: johnnycuda] #2315803
06/04/17 02:28 AM
06/04/17 02:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 554
Mesa , Az
Jambbii Offline
mopar
Jambbii  Offline
mopar

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 554
Mesa , Az
A good combo would be an edge insight for gauges and a smarty for the power. You can control the smarty with edge for power levels. You can pick up a smarty used for pretty cheap.


70 Challenger
1960 Town Wagon P Pump 24v cummins project
06 Mega 3500 Drw 2wd
12 Durango R/T
18 Power Wagon
67 A100
Re: 2003 Cummins programmers [Re: johnnycuda] #2315852
06/04/17 10:02 AM
06/04/17 10:02 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383 Offline
Too Many Posts
70Cuda383  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
I like the smarty. I have one on my 06, but I plan to sell it and go with EFI live, which is not an option for trucks older than 06 for some reason.

I also just dropped 6k last fall on a new trans. even the 48re needs work to be reliable. I upgraded too though, so don't let the price scare you. I just wanted something that would hold up to slight power upgrades and be reliable. it's got a billet input shaft, billet triple disc converter, valve body, upgraded clutches, etc.


**Photobucket sucks**
Re: 2003 Cummins programmers [Re: johnnycuda] #2316419
06/05/17 02:22 AM
06/05/17 02:22 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,182
aZLiViN
J
J_BODY Offline
I Live Here
J_BODY  Offline
I Live Here
J

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,182
aZLiViN
did my own labor, but bought my converter and valve body kit from Dave Goerend. Replaced the input shaft as the core I was using had some play in it. Other than that... factory overhaul kit (Borg Warner) and I've been in towing bliss for over 130K on the build. $1400 and worth every penny considering I drove through 2 stock converters in 30K miles.

Re: 2003 Cummins programmers [Re: johnnycuda] #2316920
06/05/17 11:51 PM
06/05/17 11:51 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,379
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula Offline
I Live Here
Dragula  Offline
I Live Here

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Posts: 12,379
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
I have a Smarty Jr on my 4wd 03 and love it. Gets 17.8 around town....Woke it right up...Still stock trans, bands all retightened & fluid change regularly. Just clicked off 200k with it last week...

I pull a 24ft enclosed fully loaded and its a dream with the Smarty.


'70 Cuda,...605 EFI Hemi Street Car (6.20 best pass, 1.33 60ft)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYw6RA-k5Bk (6.25 at 108.75mph from inside car)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zQEb9uxFng (6.25 at 108mph from outside car)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCvfzsC4NgM (9.9)

'66 Barracuda AWB Stretched nose Blown 440 Car in build stage

'71 Duster Drag Car 400 Low Deck 512 best 6.002 at 115.44mph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znuo3jMUXTk
Re: 2003 Cummins programmers [Re: johnnycuda] #2321009
06/14/17 10:56 AM
06/14/17 10:56 AM
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 406
Michigan Detroit area
D
Doc Schwarz Offline
mopar
Doc Schwarz  Offline
mopar
D

Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 406
Michigan Detroit area
I would look at a Banks system. They are located in CA.
Had there programmer on my 03 and worked good.







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