Tune Questions from an Idiot

Since I bought my 21 Sport back in mid May and joined TW a couple of weeks later, I've been reading lots of threads about ECM tunes to try and learn. I get the basic premise and why you'd want to do it. Performance on my truck is not awful, but it certainly could improve, and it seems like a lot of people are very happy with the results of their tune. Here are the things I still don't get, so maybe the people who know more about this than me (which isn't hard) can explain this to me like a 5 year old:

• It seems there are 2 types of tunes, KDMax and OVTune. Is one better than the other?
• I don't have all the hardware and software to do these tunes myself, nor would I even attempt it give my level of knowledge (or lack thereof). I would have to pay someone to do it for me, and it looks like there are a couple relatively close to me. With all due respect to those involved, it doesn't seem to me like the people doing it are ASC certified mechanics, just Taco enthusiasts who have learned over time how to do it and what works. Am I being overly cautious to be worried about letting someone I don't know or has a physical shop/business at my ECM? Seems like a lot of these guys just meet you in parking lot somewhere. Again, no disrespect intended at all.
• What happens when I go into the dealer for warranty service for something engine related, and they hook my truck up to diagnostics and see that I've stepped on the factory ECM programming?
• Is there even a tune available for the 2021 trucks if I decided to do it?

I appreciate the patience, just trying to learn. Thanks!

 

First off you’re not an idiot, just need educated, big difference! I’m no expert but there’s more than two tunes out now and they are all a bit different on how they perform (low end power, transmission shift, fuel economy, etc.). Nothing wrong with having someone to the tune for you, I see offers on this forum and Craigslist for around $300. Personally I think that half that price is more reasonable so I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Everything I’ve read here say that the tune is undetectable but I can’t say one way or another if that’s correct or not. Good luck

 

Thanks for the response! I read a thread recently about CA passing a reg that you can't pass smog inspection if you have a custom tune. They must be able to tell somehow.

 

I saw that as well but I have no idea how they could determine if it was tuned if the Toyota dealership can’t.

 

KD and all other shared tunes discussed on TW are an edit of the vF / OV 2.0 Tunes.


If you get tuned by someone offering it as a service, be sure to verify / negotiate future support. New vF Tunes (2.0 Ultimate) are promised for release.


The Cali / CARB situation is very new. No info other than the basics are known. More will come out as the program kicks off.

The unedited vF / OV Tune are said to be EPA compliant. Not certified. From my observations, it runs at Stock AFRs in the same or larger regions of the maps. This is not a tune that turns up the AFRs to get power. Just unlocks and corrects all the stuff that Toyota messed up.

 

Not gonna gain much with a tune on these without going turbo or super charger

 

Ok this I can relate to from my Harley days. When we changed out the air filter and exhaust to increase air flow we had to install a tuner like a PowerCommander to change the fuel mix. End result was that air cooled V-Twin run a bit cooler in addition to gaining some HP and torque. The difference was the tuner was a bolt-on after the ECM, not a change to the ECM programming. If we took it to the dealer for warranty service we just pulled the PowerCommander off the bike.

 

Can you expand on this and the importance of it if you are already tuned? Like what benefits would you have to update

 

Yes and no. I've messed with tuning my own bikes. They are very sensitive to intake and exhaust changes because they are either using very few maps or don't have all the sensors to correlate the changes.

For the Taco, we have all of the sensors, except for MAP, which the ECU computes. These tunes unlock the missing low end torque (more than 50ft-lb in the bottom end), correct the AT shifting, and get things nice and consistent.

There is a 20hp / 20ft-lb bump at peak if you use 91+ fuel.

 

Changes. If new TSBs are released, new tunes, or the owner makes mods. For the folks that I flash, there is no cost as long as we can keep it easy.

The other big deal is that the Perf and Tow tunes have not been released for the ATs. So, I will need to go back through all my folks with that update just to get them on a Full and Final tune.

 

I beg to differ. What tune are you referring to?

 

Makes sense. Are there even tunes available yet for the 2021s?

 

Yes. KDMax is. @PapaRee would be a good person to PM about this.

 

They are released for early production 2021s. ECU ID 04C20. For Taco with a production date around May 2021, there is a new ECU ID 04C21. Tunes for that ECU ID will come with the Ultimate release.

 

There are actually dozens, probably even hundreds now and they are all pretty much the same. You'll notice a bad tune more than a good one. I've had 3 or 4 tunes now and nothing significant between them. The two main things are tip-in and removal of torque tables.

 

Sticker on my door jamb says production date 4/21

 

You should be okay at 04C20, but you will want the update to 04C21 when it is available.

 

Does anyone have any experience with the cheaper tuners?
Like this one, for example?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/124445129025

 

Hmmm....50 more HP while saving gas, all for $30? If it's too good to be true......

 

Do not do this...