Red Bullet VVTi Solenoids GB (Primary GB CLOSED)

I'm in the same boat with CARB stuff

Waiting to see what's gonna fly at smog shops will determine whether I try and flash the TRD tune on my truck when I put my S/C on or go with a custom HP one.

A dumb question that is more appropriately located in the HP thread, but if I get the TRD tune now to be safe and presumptuously pass smog -- will that cause any problems if I want to go with an HP tune later on, or even back to stock N/A tune for some reason?
I feel like I read somewhere that the TRD (bullydog?) tune is irreversible?

 

Also @12TRDTacoma, since you've run them a bit, if you had to choose, would you say these solenoids or a set of NST pulleys are better value?
My truck is an automatic, so stuff like rev hang & shifting doesn't bother me. But it would also be very convenient to just do all the pulleys since the belts and stuff will be off when I install my S/C...

 

Maybe there are things I don't understand about the HPtune stuff that Justin does. My understanding is there is an ID number for the type of tune, or brand of tune, but not with the values of the various tables that are adjusted. Like there is an OEM calibration ID for the naturally aspirated tune and one for the force induction tune. Maybe there are multiple CIDs and such. But I don't think that the HP tune changes the CID. If you have a blower and want the HPtune, the first step is putting on the TRD calibration. Then adjust those parameters. And once you flash to the TRD, you cannot go back to NA. Once the calibration ID is changed the first time, it cannot be changed again. Which is what the problem was with the bullydog tunes, they couldn't be removed fully and the TRD S/C tune put on.

I bought a computer from someone and had justin do the HPtune for the magnuson blower that I have yet to put on. my truck is a 2005 and I had heard of different versions of the S/C tune from toyota in those early years. I asked him bunches of questions before I pulled the trigger, his main response:

"I most certainly can flash a solid tune for a pre-configured set of mods. In fact, my 2.8 tune with bolt-ons is my bread-n-butter tune as it's very well done (done quite a few so it's vetted).

To buy a spare ECU or flash your original is really personal preference. Some folks like the "security" of keeping their original as a back up plan or if they think they might ever want to sell the S/C setup. As you mentioned, once it's flashed with the S/C calibration it cannot be returned back to N/A. I typically advise folks to go with a spare ECU sent to me as it eliminates any down-time with the truck and you can have the S/C tuned ECU on hand for when you get your S/C installed. You're not restricted in anyway forced to get the install done on a certain day or timeline. The downside though is the added cost of the extra ECU. I can say there's little risk with getting a spare ECU so long as you are working with someone reputable. I can VIN match them and get them setup as if they were the orignal ECU. I've not had anyone send me a bad ECU so there's been no instances of someone pulling a fast one sending bricked ECU's. Not that couldn't ever happen obviously but the community here and the vendors I've worked with have been upstanding.

Re: the calibrations for the S/C trucks - There have been a few revisions over the years for different S/C tunes. As long as the ECU has the S/C calibration on it (regardless of it being a early version or not) I can and will updated it to the latest version as part of my HPTuners calibration. That's no problem and won't pose any issues for your plans. The only time the version of the calibration matters when going to a S/C is with the 2012+ trucks. If they've had the TSB update or a HPTuners calibration flashed, they cannot be converted to the S/C tune as it requires a "virgin" calibration on those trucks, but that won't be of any concern for your setup."

Anyway, hope this helps the collective understanding...

 

Thank you — lots of info to take in, consider, and do some more digging.

 

Hard to say. The question it boils down to is, do you want more torque or faster revving?

I like both, so I never have a problem doing multiple mods at once. If I had to choose though I'd probably say more torque is what I'd want, so the solenoids would be what I would do first. That, plus it's an easier mod to do.

 

That’s the way I see it as well. Most the time I want more performance is in the dirt, where faster revving = more spin.

Add me to the list please !

 

I was planning on getting my truck tuned eventually. Would I benefit from adding these and getting a tune?

 

Benefit from adding these? It should......
Need a tune for these? Not necessary from initial testing.

 

Remember, I was already tuned, so what worked for me as far as PCM adaptation in comparison to what may be needed to work for others PCMs to adapt may not be equal.

 

did these come available yet? anyone test these with a stock setup no ecu tuning?

 

No

 

No not yet, to both of those questions.

I HAVE to know though. DJ Speed? What genre do you DJ for? That avatar photo you have looks like a blast!

 

If you go HP tuner you need to start with the TRD tune anyway. Bully dog is not reversible. Once you go S/C you cant go back to stock but if you are stock you can likely flash back if its just a HP tune no S/C.

Go with the TRD then get HP tune on top. @JustDSM does most of his magic with the TRD tune as the base for the S/C crew.

There are 3rd gen guys smogging their trucks each month as they do tunes and so far its good to go. Worst case I flash back to the TRD base smog then flash back.

 

hip hop and house. some latin. depends on the night

 

Ty and ty to others for the answers. I had assumed that an HP tune would’ve been from scratch / not related to the SC tune - I’ll plan on the TRD tune to start and then go to a custom HP one as money and cAlIfOrNiA AlLoWs

 

Update: the confirmed group buy price is $325/pair

I'm working with Red Bullet on understanding what is best logistically. Ship to a central location in the US and distributing them out from there or shipping them individually from Taiwan.

Gents: its time to start saving them pennies or get ready to hand over the credit card.

I should have more details soon about ordering.

Caveat: we are approaching the holiday season and I'm expecting delays in everything (communication, processing, manufacturing, delivery, etc)

 

hell ya! Hopefully all goes smoothly with them. I'm just about out of mods for the engine before it goes to the dyno tuner, likely in the spring but maybe sooner.

 

As with paying for university, I am paying for this by giving plasma and other bodily fluids.

 

Ship to San Jose in Northern Cali and everyone picks them up from my house