Is it smart???

Not necessarily the VNT, no. You don't have to have that fancy a turbo to get rid of lag...and I mean completely rid of lag. It simply takes lots of research and buying smart. In fact, I don't like the variable turbos. That's what my 6.0L Power Stroke had on it from the factory. They had more trouble with the 6.0 than any other diesel they ever made. Mine SUCKED. That's why I got rid of it. Had I only bought an early 03 and not an 04 I would have gotten the last of the 7.3s and gotten a good one and still be in it now. No, I think Ford learned the hard way. Trying to vary the pitch on turbo vanes spinning at 40K plus RPM ain't too good an idea. lol The key is buy a ball bearing turbo, DON'T buy too big and buy LIGHT.