4th Gen Tacoma (2024+)

The biggest shortcoming is the engine itself being an Atkinson cycle based engine that is better suited for hybrid applications. Tuning can help shift parameters/throttle response/ to help you get to the power band better than the economy minded factory tune, but the reality is it’s just not a grunty engine with any tune. The current 3.6 in the GM twins , the frontier v6, and the 2.3 ranger engine all are superior when it comes to power delivery. I don’t personally trust those companies to buy their products myself but have driven all of them and they all pull better.

 

Yeah I think you’re trolling haha or you just have your head so far up your you know what

 

It’s annoying in traffic and unnecessary since automatic transmissions work fine… in most vehicles, maybe not third generation Tacomas.

 

You shouldn’t need to tune a brand new truck. Why did you buy a truck that doesn’t drive like you would like it to in the first place? Also what’s that going to do to your warranty.

 

A 29 HP gain on a NA engine has got to be BS. Did they also put in a K&N air filter, a tornado throttle body spacer and some “Type R” stickers to get those gains.

 

Because I’m a consumer that can make grown up decisions / purchases for myself and I didn’t want to buy a POS ranger with a tiny 4 banger or anything else Lol. And I don’t think that’ll be an issue.

 

Does the POS ranger need a tune to be drivable? I’ve never driven one. The frontier drives nice though stock. What’s that tune going to do to the longevity of your engine?

 

I have the exact same feeling on my 17. Light foot, auto trans, and I usually don’t let it over 2k rpms but when starting out from a stop or something when it hits third gear I feel like I have to push the pedal down half way just to keep it moving haha

 

Based upon the say-so of some dude on the internet? Not happening.

 

What's with the personal insults? If you cannot get your way you start throwing crap? Dude, grow up.

 

Let’s start with this. Do you understand what gear lock does? I can provide link after link and data from tuners if you don’t understand what it does.

But since I am 99% sure you are trolling I don’t expect you believe anything outside of your own world at this point.

 

Check out Overland Tailor. Their website shows dyno results and they have a good reputation.

 

Awww…. boohoo says the troll. Lol why don’t you actually do some research on your own for once instead throwing around your opinions. There’s multiple people who have already told you the facts about power gains from tuning.

 

Im not saying the tables for the 3.5 can't be optimized based on an owners needs. But I can guarantee that Toyota's programing can run the engine reliably for a million miles, operating from the artic circle in January to Death Valley in July. Even the best tuning company doesn't have 1/10th the R&D budget that Toyota puts in.

 

The 260 hp variant (IS 300 AWD) is the exact same engine as the 311 hp variant (IS 350), including every mechanical component, cams, same compression, etc. It's just a different tune, but that's primarily because it was cheapest to do it that way and detune it for the IS 300.

The Tacoma probably has the most differences compared to any other 2GR-FKS, in fact I'm pretty sure Toyota intended to call it the 7GR-FKS in the Tacoma but changed it to 2GR-FKS as it would be easier to call it the same as the already certified engine.

That said, the major differences are primarily in the block casting, with the Tacoma's 2GR having a different bellhousing bolt pattern compared with other 2GR's; the upper intake manifold, and the tune.

What's the same? The cylinder heads, the cams, the pistons, the rods, the crankshaft.

The differences in power between the variants of the 2GR-FKS are almost entirely in the tune. That was quite intentional, the goal of the engine development was specifically to develop a single engine that could be used in multiple applications without major mechanical design changes. There is an interesting SAE paper on it as well.

Just from the specs on paper, without seeing the actual data tables from the tunes, one of the big differences is in the exhaust valve opening angle. On the Tacoma, it operates in a range from 64° to 22.5° BBDC, while the 311 hp variant uses 64° to 17.5° BBDC. The 295 hp variant has different valve opening/closing angles for intake and exhaust compared to the 311 hp and Tacoma variants. These are all using the same valves and cam phasers, but the tune just controls the valve timing differently.

I definitely trust Toyotas tuning abilities far above random guy on his laptop, not just for longevity, but also for driveability and economy, so that's not my point here at all. My point is that mechanically, you could take a Tacoma 2GR-FKS and run it on a Lexus 2GR-FKS tune and it would make the same power as the Lexus 2GR-FKS (possibly with the Lexus intake). The differences are not mechanical.

Toyota didn't leave power on the table for the Tacoma because they couldn't make more power, they just had different goals for the tune. They wanted to run 87 octane, shift the torque peak to a lower rev range, ensure longevity while the engine is under a higher load from a heavier vehicle that will also be towing, maximize fuel economy in a heavier vehicle, etc.

As with many other modifications people do to their vehicles, their own personal goals don't always completely align with Toyota's compromises for the vehicle to be sold to the most number of people. All I'm saying is that you could push the engine to the 311 hp factory-spec without risk of blowing it up, haha. It won't be for free though, you'll be giving something up.

I have no dog in this fight really and I don't care much about the aftermarket tunes available for the Tacoma. All I know is that the engine exists in various states of tune with the same mechanical components, so the factory 311 hp tune would be what I'd reference for you.

For aftermarket tunes, I'm not your guy, haha.

Jeff

 

I am interested in the tune due to highway driving - the downshifting.
But --- We buy Tacoma's due to reliability. Toyota "detunes" engines so they last longer; unlike others. If you are a professional tech/mechanic, you know what I'm talking about. Hell, Kia tunes the shit out of thier motors which is why they blow up at 100K.
If I bought a Silverado I'd put a tune in it to eliminate the 4x6x8 and torque converter lockup at low speeds (kills the transmissions).

 

@Horseshoez surrender?

 

I never bought an auto vehicle and hopefully never will. I can’t stand autos. Yes I’m one of those people.

 

Incorrect sir. Big difference especially at lower rpms.