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Finding out the hard way that, if T-SB-0044-14 (Spark Knock Noise) was done, ECU won't accept another flash. Local dealer has had my truck all week (while I was out of town). They called this morning to let me know install is complete, but they "need the BD tuner to flash the ECU."

I asked why.

They said it won't take the TRD flash, and tried to tell me BD is "required" for Magnuson S/C.

I explained that I don't have a BD tuner and reminded them of the TSB they installed last year.

They're off to do more research, but I'm not hopeful.

@loginfailed, can you provide any more detail on where (from whom) you bought your "virgin" ECU?

 

Ooooooo yeah if you've had your ECU flashed for pretty much anything else from Toyota, you can't get the SC reflash done. I think your only option is aftermarket tuning or a new ecu at this point.

 

It is a gamble as to wether the eBay ECU you buy will have the calibration ID you need in order to be able to do the TRD flash.

I took that gamble and it paid off. If you end up with a couple ECUs you can't use, you can always put them back on eBay.

 

You can also buy a new ECU ($1000) but be sure you get the old part number that doesn't come pre-flashed with the spark knock calibration.

In my case, the original ECU number ended in 60 but the superceeded part pre-flashed with spark knock fix ended in 61.

 

According to the spark knock TSB, if you have a 2013 6MT 4x4 your original ECU part number was 89661-04G80 and the superceeded number pre-flashed with spark knock fix is 89661-04G81. So look on eBay for 89661-04G80.

The only one on there at the moment is listed at $450. Ouch.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-2014-Toyota-Tacoma-4-0-ecu-ecm-computer-89661-04G80-/311814902663

A new one can be had for not much more than that, but most dealers will sell you the 89661-04G81 which is the superceeded number with spark knock preinstalled.

Some of the Toyota sites still list that part number so I would recommend getting in touch with @TIM.TRDSparks and see if it is still possible to get the old part number. This site lists it for just over $600:
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~computer~engine~con~89661-04g80.html

 

Coming to that realization, unfortunately. I know I'm late to the party, but I find it RIDICULOUS that Toyota won't allow its dealers and Techstream software to overwrite its own firmware.

Thanks for confirming what I THOUGHT, after spending the morning researching. I prefer the Toyota ECU route over aftermarket, though the idea of ending up with several that don't work is NOT appealing.

Can you guys confirm truck should run, though less than optimally, with the S/C installed but incorrect tune? (Keep in mind I'm at 6K-7K feet elevation with thinner atmosphere to begin with, so I'm THINKING danger of lean-out is reduced from what it would be at sea level. Obviously, I'd baby it along until I can get the TRD tune installed, but I need something to get me to/from work...)

 

With the bigger injectors on the stock tune, it will run rich. Not sure how long you'd want to roll like that because I believe that will have an adverse effect on your catalytic converters. But to answer your question.. Yes, it will run, but I would for sure keep it out of boost.

 

I would just not go in to boost at all. You can drive it, just try to keep your foot out of it completely. Get yourself a cheap boost gauge so you can watch it. Wouldn't want to go in to boost untuned.

 

Truck finally came in yesterday. New tires already mounted. Told you guys I would post it up when it came in.
Thanks again for everyone's help along the supercharger journey!!!

 

Best color!! Great choice

 

My supercharger journey is complete. Procured a replacement (virgin) ECU, which accepted the TRD tune with no problems. Not happy with the extra cost/hassle, but the truck runs great!

Thanks for all the advice, guys!

 

Awesome Norton!

It's ridiculous that Magnuson and/or bd can't provide a tune same or better than the trd flash, regardless of pulley size or whatever else excuses they have.

 

Just think of it this way. You spent the extra dough for the ECU and got the TRD flash. We spent the extra dough on the bully dog that gives a fair tune, at best (at least for me). I still think its crap that a non-SC ECU, just because it has been flashed to fix a problem that Toyota created (pinging), can't be flashed again with the TRD flash. Sounds like a scam by Toyota to get more $ from someone already spending a considerable amount on a SC.

I wonder if I should try messaging BD and have them give me this new tune that was talked about. Has anyone tried it yet? Any noticeable differences? I would love to see my AFRs start dropping before 4-5 PSI.

 

@TacoCat mine still does that with the TRD flash it just doesn't stay there as long as it did with BD. AFR calibrator will fix that. I may try out my new one this weekend. Hopefully it won't do the same thing the last AFR calibrator did.

 

Hope not! That sounded scary. I still have my afr cal, never installed. May give it a shot but been real busy here lately. Had a bidding war on our house last weekend, its now under contract. So much stress

 

Here's the rest of the scoop regarding my experience with bd.
My truck was running scary lean during boost. Brandon at bd was able to get me a tune that "worked". It was safe anyway, no more lean condition. I wanted better shifting though so he got me a different tune. It ran noticeably better but I experience a momentary lean spike at a certain point of acceleration so we went back to the safe tune and he told me he would have his engineers revise the performance tune.
That was march 9. Last I heard from him he told me it was going to be awhile because they needed a truck to test. Since he hasn't replied to my emails checking in.
The "safe" tune I'm running now works but not well. It doesnt run nearly as well as it could and it hits afr's in the high 8's at wot.
I've tried to be patient but bd hasn't been stellar by no means.

 

Holy shit...8?!

 

Yep, 8.9ish but still. Feels like a fire hose dumping into the cylinders...

 

Good looking truck.

 

The stock TRD Tune isn't much better. When I was SC only, my AEM gauge would pretty much peg out at 10 almost immediately, so I'm guessing at least low 9s.