Atkinson Engine

I'm happy with the stock tune with higher octane gas. 90 or above really wakes up the lower end of the torque curve. Above 91 I can't tell a difference. I can keep up with traffic shifting at 1800-2000 rpm without experiencing any bucking, surging, or pinging like I get with 87.

The transient "throttle" response is still sluggish compared to a pre-2008 engine with port fuel injection, but I'm amazed that the Atkinson mode drives as well as it does, considering.

The area of the torque curve I'm talking about is not accessible with the automatic. It downshifts before you can really milk the torque out of it.

I bet all the aftermarket tunes simply delete the Atkinson mode which would make the control much more linear but cut into fuel economy.

 

Just tune it. Hit ECT until then.

 

I also had a 17 and now a 20. The 20 shifts better is a much better experience. Not perfect but noticeable improvement to me anyway

 

My 2021 has no issues at all it drives and shift great. I cannot complain about it. To me tuning is a waste of money if it ain't broke don't fix it. just saying.

 

I have a ‘17. Best vehicle I’ve ever owned. The only time it has shifting or other problems is when I’m too busy making myself paranoid by reading this forum instead of driving it.

 

I'm a tune disciple and can't wait to convert the unwashed masses to the cause and all that....

But before I go there, I have to say this: if you don't like the truck stock, then sorry, it's not the truck for you. Sure, the tune improves, but it's always going to be a clunky, rough around the edges, uncomfortable pickup truck. For me, that's what I wanted. But I'm me and I'm not you.

If you want a truck with more polite handling, go test drive a Colorado. No snark in that statement either. I firmly believe that one should test all brands in the class before buying one. You might surprise yourself.

 

Interesting.

I have run mine with 87, 89, 91, and 93; cheap gas, mid teir, and even top tier; across all octanes and brands and yet never noticed a single difference. Even,via obd, recording the fueling and ignition and mapping them to load offered no measured difference. The fueling offset and the ignition advance was identical in all load zones for all the different fuels.

Mine stumbles slightly below 2400, it stumbles slightly between 2400 and 3600 and the throttle is flat, then a BIG hit of power at 3600 and the throttle comes back but now it rev hangs. Disconnecting the acis helps some but that is less than ideal

 

The only trouble with the manual is that the ratios don't make a ton of sense.
Ex: you have to climb a mountain to get from 1st to 2nd then 4th and 5th are basically the same gear.

 

What shift point issues? My 2020 is fine, the engine, and automatic transmission perform much better than the trucks owned in the past.

 

Having driven a Buddy's 2017 across country then comparing it to my 2022 DCLB OR I have to say my truck shifts a lot better. His truck is a stock 2wd DCSB and I have a 4x4 DCLB with a small lift and all terrain tires. Any way my truck just seems to get up and go a bit faster with less complaints from the motor and trans. I also bought my truck with the intention of tuning it but do not see a need for it for what I use it for. Honestly after driving a 1st gen for 18+ years either feel great in comparison....

 

I have a 17 sport with a VRtune, dropped my truck off at the dealer for some work, they gave me a 22 off road for a week, I gotta tell you, its almost undriveable with the stock tune! I didn't notice anything different in shifting, to me felt the same. the tune was the BEST 150 dollars I ever spent!

 

Seriously would you tell us that it was the worst 150 you ever spent.

 

I keep seeing people say they got a tune for $150. For the short time Ive looked, they are at least $400-500. And some $750.
Id try it out just to smooth out the shifting if it was only $150. If I dont like it, then not out too much. But since I plan to keep the truck stock, $500 is a little much.
Am I missing something?

FWIW, I know very little about tunes. Never had one on any vehicle. Only carb/timing tuning on my old school 60-80s cars.

 

My MT drives perfectly fine
I have 0 problems with Toyotas mixed cycle, Atkinson-Otto tuning. If it helps MPG just a little, that’s fine by me.

 

My 21 drove horribly with the OEM tune. I felt like I made a terrible decision. Then I got the KDMax tune and it drives like an entirely different truck; exactly how I’d want it to drive.

 

I thought it was an excessive amount of money as well, until I bought the tune. I don’t regret it for a second, it was worth every penny because of how well the truck shifts and drives in general now.

 

Go buy a Ford, they are much quicker.....

 

I don't think anyone here is talking about single number performance.

 

Maybe I’m weird but my Tacoma is super comfy. I’m only 5’8” so maybe that’s why… not sure.

 

Amen. I get that it's a Tacoma site, but the constant bashing of other brands is ridiculous. Plenty of really nice trucks out there.