OVTune vs Always On ECT Mod

So I've read over a lot now. But I'm also happy to admit that I am no expert in the field. I know for sure that I don't care for driving my Tacoma stock. Shifting is way too non-responsive for me. However, with ECT PWR on, it drives just like I want it to. Or at least a lot better than with it off. So obviously this is a problem I want to correct.

I had first looked at mesojdm's ECT Always On Mod. (Found here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ect-auto-turn-on-module.514627/ ) And that seemed like a great option.

Looking around further though, I then found threads about OVTune and how it's just a plug and play set up into the onboard computer in the truck without having to wire anything. But, from reading over what it does, it seems like it is just basically doing the same thing as ECT mode just all the time. Granted, with a couple of differences. But to the common man (myself) looking over it, it seems about the same.

Now, I could very well be wrong. That is my takeaway from reading over everything I've been able to find on the subject matter. But, seeing as how a difference wasn't clear to me, I figured there were more folks like me out there in the Tacoma World that might be curious themselves about the difference/options available to them. I'm happy to hear from anyone with an opinion on either side of this face-off.

 

You should probably just PM him and ask the difference and why it's worth your money...

 

If all you got from the OVtune page is that "it seems like it is just basically doing the same thing as ECT mode" then you didn't really do enough reading.

 

The first post on the OVtune thread really sums up everything is done, which is much more than keeping the ect button on. Btw it also reprograms the ECT maps for better response.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sion-engine-ecu-reflash.515190/#post-16255187

 

Honestly first off let me state I don’t have a 3rd gen with ovtune.

Basically all ETC is doing it making your transmission hold gears longer to keep the rpms higher before shifting.

Ov tune is actually changing the tune of the truck, which will give it more actual horse power or let the power come on sooner. I think it also has modified shift points so it will shift different than stock or even stock eith etc on.

Basically comparing etc to ovtune is like comparing apples to cats.

If it’s worth your money that is up to you, there is a thread on this site with reviews you can read to judge if you think it is worth it.

 

I'd stab somebody if I could get any sort of an electronic tune on my a340 to hold gears longer. I have to basically manually shift mine 90% of the time.

 

While I am interested in the different manufacturer's opinions and answers, I was looking more for folks that have already have them and their opinions.

I read until my brain hurt and my eyes started to cross. Most of what I was reading either got too technical for me and went over my head or just didn't really have the information/clarification I was looking for.

 

Thank you! That was exactly what I was trying to figure out. I need the "Basically" version of things. lol. I was thinking I was comparing Apples to Oranges at least in that they were both Fruits.

Trying to figure it out myself, it seemed like they were both in the market of granting more power and better shifting without having to touch the ECT button. It seemed like they were doing the same thing but I understood that with the OVTune option, that would also add more power to ECT mode. So you're saying that the OVTune is going to change it to run better overall? I think the shift points is what I was having the main issues with while driving. I was thinking ETC mode was changing the shift points since it allowed the RPM's to get up higher.

 

Yes, I understand it can be difficult to understand all these different things on the market. But from what I have read on the ovtune setup, it gives the motor a little bit more power which helps with how the transmission is setup from toyota, and with the modified shift points from what I have read makes the truck drive better, in that it is not rushing to its final over drive gear as soon as possible, which I think in a lot of people’s experiences means it will have to down shift again to maintain speed. Many people aren’t used to this constant down/upshifting and find it annoying to their driving experience. The ovtune is trying to correct that issue.

The etc mod is kind of like a bandaid, while the ovtune is trying to perform some kind of corrective surgery I think would be a good analogy. I am sure for some folks the etc mod makes them happy enough, to determine that maybe for a week every time you start the truck engage etc and see what you think. If you still desire more, you could go for the ovtune.
The ovtune can also be upgraded in the future as Mat refines his tune, where as with the etc always on it can only do so much as toyota has it programmed to do and there will probably not be any updates to the way etc acts in the future.

 

Thank you again. That does help clarify things for me a lot more. (the medical analogy helped a lot) And hopefully anyone else who may come across this thread. This is the down side to being on your own and not around a lot of car guys in person. I can be reading over something and have a question that I need to ask to be able to understand better. But it's on page 2 of a 144 page thread and the comment is from 2 years ago. I tried reaching out to a couple of people but the ones that responded came back with something along the lines of "Jeez, Man. I'm not really sure. You're asking me about a conversation from 2 years ago." Which that's fair. I couldn't tell you accurately a conversation I had two weeks ago. lol.

 

Glad to help

 

Really? I did the Transgo kit for hotrod shifts and it holds right before redline...Is your Trans drive by wire? the older one have the pressure cable attached to the TB

 

No my WOT shifts are fine (i have transgo too), but i'm talking about part throttle driving. Truck shifts through all the gears wayyyyyyy too fast. Towing is even worse.

 

I'll have to pay attention next time I get on mine part throttle and see, I wanna say mine will shift at the highest point even at part throttle, but now i dont remember lol.