Tacoma - OVTUNE - VFTUNER - Update Info and Original Development

I was able to take some time today to do some objective testing with the tune. As an engineer I prefer numbers to seat of the pants feelings. And as I reported here, I hadn't noticed a significant difference vs the current Toyota stock tune.

I used my VGate OBD-II device and DashCommand software, which automatically records 0-60 times, using data straight from the truck. I went to a stretch of road that had a very slight incline, and did twenty 0-60 runs back and forth, 4 runs per tune. I ran with 1.02C-A without and with ECT, then uploaded the stock 04B03 firmware, again tested without and with ECT, then loaded 1.02C-A again and did 4 final runs without ECT. This is with the normal 1.02C-A file installed, not the one labeled '87 oct'. Yesterday I had filled up the tank with 92 octane fuel.

The results are here, with the average time of each set of 4 runs on the right:



From these results, the tune is the same or slightly slower than stock. Of note, having ECT mode on is about 0.25 sec slower than with it off, for both stock and 1.02C-A.

I realize the tune has a lot of benefits listed on the website, but I would have expected that with the 7-9hp increase and 35+ ft-lb torque increase, tuned for 91 octane, that it would not be appreciably the same as stock running on the same fuel. As a sanity check I ran a bitwise comparator on the stock file and the 1.02C-A file, and confirmed that the two files I'm uploading are indeed different.

 

Interesting and good to see some real data from someone who knows what they're doing! I also think any 0-60 comparison immediately after a flash is misleading on any version of the tune. To get a real comparison I think you have to drive it for a few hundred miles and test b/c the ECU slowly starves (actually chokes) this engine over time in attempt to reduce emissions, etc., Even the dyno runs immediately after a flash are no real indication of how the truck will perform once learning has set in. For me I always felt better butt dyno after flash, then it would slowly degrade big time. Never degrades to that extent with the tune though... But in all honesty I will never judge an offroad truck by a WOT 0-60 but it is definitely an interesting data point no doubt. I do believe the benefits of the tune are more in terms of accelerating when already moving (being able to pass / merge with ease which is a pain on stock), etc., it would be interesting to see this broken down to 0-30 or 0-45 times b/c that's where I feel the tune really shines in my butt dyno but perhaps the curve tapers off after it's up to 35-45 mph?

 

Interesting, more power equals slower/equal speed. I obviously don't have the tune, but it seems ecm/trans tweaks are the only perks to this tune. I'm in no way expecting crazy performance, but these trucks are underpowered from the get go. I would be happy with a big jump in low end torque.

 

I will say that the truck is driving better than it's been in a long time. I am happy with that. If the tune does prevent the truck from adjusting itself over time (and I'm not clear if it does or doesn't do that), that by itself would be a great benefit.

 

When you flash the ECU, you reset all modes of learning (torque tables, ignition KCS system, fueling, etc.)
some of the power comes from modification to ignition tables, and VVT.
7-9hp is going to be minuscule difference in a 0-60 run. I am surprised that you say you cannot feel any differences, you should be able to immediately notice the difference with throttle. The additional gained mid range was by improving throttle restrictions, valve timing, fuel.

As far as disabling all learning abilities (outside of ignition which is important) this is being worked on.

You will never have your peak ignition directly after a flash. The ECU has a layered scheme of adding ignition based on learned noise feedback. The ECU must have time to add the ignition in.
Also a 0-60 run unfortunately won't show any benefits of the flash because with the exception of the beginning of first gear you have surpassed the area at which we have made changes to torque and throttle which give the additional torque, and you are relying on the top end RPM difference in Valve timing to make faster times. Hopefully this makes some sense?
For example if I was able to make 30 horsepower in the top end, there would be a very noticeable difference in 0-60 time.

 

I felt a huge difference when I went to 1.02c-a. Something might be off with your truck...

 

Great, thanks for the explanation. I should mention that I *do* certainly feel a throttle response difference, particularly in ECT mode, where there is a slight jolt every time I depress the accelerator, to let me know the truck is responding (in a good way). I don't get that with ECT mode on stock.

Overall, I'm quite pleased vs what it was like to drive around last week (really frustrating all the time, dangerous trying to pull out into traffic, etc.).

 

@OVTune , I see your interest has been peaked.

Did a brown van show up with that M/T ECU yet?

 

MT thread updated already

 

WHO THE WHAT THE.. OK off I go

 

Wow, thanks Mat! A nice Friday gift for us M/T owners!

Gee, now I can be one of the 04B12 cool kids

 

if you could get 200-300 miles on the flash and report back that would be a good idea as well.

 

Auto ECU

 

I totally don't know how to read this but I'm sure it's good.

@OVTune can you explain to us what you are showing us?

Thanks

 

I will have several posts this weekend with a massive map update. (not tune files, but parameter update for next update 1.03 AT)

Who said Toyotas stock tune is ugly??

 

Thanks for sharing this stuff with us Matt. It is intriguing, even if appalling.

Frank

 

They were inspired by the Tacoma’s natural habitat.

 

I snagged the last kit available. Order #2170

I’m a tuner!

 

I have a 2016 Tacoma 3.5 auto. Bought it May of 2016. Would like to know if i have to get it "updated" (latest ECU or TCU) at the dealer or has the tuning software And Matt progressed to a point where that is no longer necessary? I missed the batch of kits made available this week. Not a fan of the dealer here! Thanks Max

 

I bought mine in February 2016 and took mine in and told them to update it. Worked out great...
Just waiting on the new auto trans updates from OVT now as my shifting has slowly gone back to shifting way too early.. but still really happy overall...!!