URD MAF Calibrator for N/A 1GR-FE: Worth it?

Hi all,

This past summer, I purchased a new to me 2014 Tacoma DCLB V6 that I'm slowly building up and paying off. I've added an OME lift, bigger tires, armor and with the added weight, the high elevation performance of the truck is lacking a bit (I live at 9000 feet and I drive down and back to Durango at 6500feet often).

The old truck is supercharged and that makes it a pleasure to drive at elevation, but I just can't plunk down $5k plus fuel mods until the new truck is paid off. I actually kind of like the simplicity of the N/A 1GR-FE anyway. Until I decide, I just want to find a couple more ponies so the truck doesn't kick down to 3rd gear at 4-5k RPM on the way up the big hill to my house. I just added a Volant CAI (mainly because I wanted the dust protection of their Powercore filter) and have read some things on the URD MAF calibrator to really harness the potential gains of the intake, along with being able to tune for a freer flowing y-pipe and exhaust when I add that in the spring.

But I can't find much more info about the calibrator other than from the URD site. Has anyone used and tuned with the URD MAF Calibrator and have things to say about it either way? Is it worth the $250 if I wanted to stay N/A?

 

Or wait for OVTune to get things ironed out...?

Bump

 

I had a URD maf cal when i was NA... hated it and sold it. Didnt feel like it improved anything and my mpgs decreased. This was a maf cal that i ordered new from URD with my listed mods.

I would wait for OVT.

 

I have a used MAF Cal for sale if you're interested in trying it out for cheaper. It's not the PNP version, it's the wire-it-in-yourself version. It does have the built in MAP sensor too if you did ever want to go s/c on it. LMK if you're interested.

 

Thanks for the offer, but think I'll try to stay patient for OVTune. If there's no love when I'm ready to supercharge, I spose I'll revive this thread.

 

Cool. Do you happen to know what years of the 2nd gen OV does the time for?

 

Don't quote me, but last I read, all 2nd Gen 1GR-FE V6 ECU's are supported now. Seems the problems and demand for fixes for the 3rd gen trucks are monopolizing their time and the 2nd Gen support has been pretty hit or miss. I'd try to link some informative threads, but there's so many and they're often so off-topic, I can't keep up. Just hoping things normalize because there's demand for tuning the 1GR-FE platform, as well.

 

That makes sense. I tried reading about it as well a little while back and saw something about only a certain 1gr ecu could be tuned. But like you said, whatever thread it was got way off topic.
Looking at the OV website it just lists the 4.0 in general so I assumed it meant any year.
Either way it does look like a good setup for forced induction or NA

 

The MAF cal will not significantly help the area in the powerband you are looking for.
It will not change the shift points. It will not provide more HP under light throttle conditions.
The main point of the MAF cal is to adjust the AFR by scaling the MAF sensor readings without tampering with the ECU.
Under heavy acceleration the truck changes from closed loop to open loop.
In open loop, the truck references MAF readings and open loop fuel tables
I have found my 4.0L ran pig rich at wide open throttle (9.7) with the mods i am running.
With an actual wideband AFR gauge and an OBD datalogger, i was able to lean it out to a safe WOT AFR of 12.3-12.8.
My current issue is that my engine response, exceeds the stock auto transmission shift speed.

 

Are you boosted?

 

non-boosted.
NST lightweight pulleys (kept stock harmonic damper)
70mm throttle body
afe shorty headers
afe CAI
MAF Cal
XTP manifold spacer
catch can
had the URD y pipe but went back to stock y pipe to recover back pressure.
Larger aux trans cooler
Mid-travel Fox DSC.
Basically everything except a UCON and super charger.

 

Nice setup. Ever had it dyno'd?

 

I have not had it dyno'd.
Stock V6 auto dynos have shown 190-200hp /240ft/lbs.
My estimate for my truck is stock engine output to the wheels (235HP/ 266 ft/lb)
With the UCON and cam gears i could maybe gain a max 23hp /23ft/lbs. For $1600 i can't justify it.
The URD Stage 4 N/A kit shows 258hp / 289ftlbs with UCON and cam gears (raised rev limit)
I had to dig up this thread.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/n-a-power-gains-dynos-w-mods.229882/page-7#post-10581560

 

I don’t know Jack about ECU tuning. I made a 3/4” upper intake manifold spacer from a spare manifold. With that and shorty headers (also snorkel and stock airbox) I think the truck would likely be running too lean. Stock ECU can only learn so much after battery reset. Been thinking about the URD maf cal.
Do you have any advice for me?
Also did you install a wideband AFR gauge?

 

With the advent of the age of the HP Tuner for our trucks, that's the way I've gone and won't look back. Full tunability and control for any mod. If you haven't already, check it out.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hp-tuners-for-2005-2015.600793/

 

Thanks for pointing me there? How much is it? I thought $250 for the URD calibrator was tolerable. I won’t ever supercharge this motor, I like NA engines

 

With my truck running as good as it is now, I'm with you: no plans to supercharge anymore. Super happy with the power and the significantly increased fuel economy.

HP Tuners MIPV2 tuning cable and software is around $299, 2 credits to flash a tune is $100. I also am new to tuning, so got help from forum member JustDSM for him to modify my stock tune. He charges $50 for that and it's all worth every penny!

 

Yes i did install a wideband.
In my experience, I have found that each additional mod has made my truck run more rich.
All my maf cal adjustments have been to add Air to lean the burn ratio out.

As for advice, I would have a hard time recommending the MAF Cal.
there is a lot of tinkering, lots of testing and adjusting, and to truly tune to your setup, a wideband is needed.
Until recently no-one was able to crack and tune Toyota ECMs
I think there may be better options out there now that are more user friendly and easier to adjust /install etc.(OVT tunes / HP Tuner).

 

The MAF Cal now, is practically obsolete now. Since OVTune and HP Tuners are available. No splicing and plenty of support.