PE barely makes any smoke

There is no "better one".  Probably the easiest fix is to add some diode pairs in series with one motor lead, that results in more voltage to the smoke unit in relation to the motor speed.  I've also reduced the value of the smoke resistor to generate more heat, many of those starter sets were equipped with 30 ohm ceramic resistors, I put in a 22 ohm 2 watt wirewound resistor and new wick.

I'm cheap, so for these I use this Pipe Insulation cut to shape.  I use as many layers as I need to properly fill the cavity.

Once you get the CC installed, the smoke unit will naturally perform better as the track voltage will be higher.

I totally missed the Cruise Commander!

Since it'll be in the tender, what this needs is a fan driven smoke unit and a Super-Chuffer.  You can expect results like this Hogwart's conversion in that case.   Now, this is SMOKE!

Thanks John - great tips, I like to be "frugal" too! 

Thanks RoyBoy - didn't think of that.

Alan

John, If your really cheap you can go into your attic and steal a few pieces

The best bet is to lower the resistor, I think when you go to the CC the performance will improve, but ditching that ceramic coated resistor makes a big difference.  G

I got more chuff and smoke out of an old 81 442 lionel with a resistor change to allow more voltage.  now that thing smokes out everywhere.  some of the easiest solutions are just those tiny things! 

One issue with the resistor change is some of the new RTR stuff powers the resistor from the reverse unit.  It's not clear to me what, if any, effect  an additional current draw would have on the board.