Is OVTune right for me? MT

Hi everyone

Long time since my last post. I have a 2017 off road MT, and to be honest, I have caught myself contemplating selling it many times because of how rough this truck can be to drive. Sometimes it’s fine and all my shifts are right on the money and I love the truck, but half the time i struggle to drive it smooth in such a way that makes driving enjoyable. I had always thought of myself as being a good stick driver before getting my truck. But the couple things I hate with this truck:

• Shifting between gears is rough unless you rev match is spot on. Most noticeable for me between first and second, but sometimes happens in other gears
• Downshifting to second I can hear an audible “clank”, again, unless I’m spot on the correct RPM. 200 too high or low or not enough gas and it sounds like someone dropped a brick in the bed of my truck.
• Lurching when driving in parking lots. Typical parking lot speed is too fast for first yet too slow for second most of the time.

Does anyone else have these issues or is it just me? I usually shift around 3k rpm and I find that does what I need most of the time.

The main question is are these complaints something OVTune would help with?

 

I have a '16 6mt and it took a few days to learn it but its a truck not a S2000 or 350z.

 

I thoroughly enjoy the manual transmission driving characteristics of this truck. It feels like a truck should to me. I came from a 2016 TRD Pro 4runner and before that a 2013 single cab 4x4 tacoma with a manual transmission. After having the 4runner I missed all the roughness that the manual transmission Tacomas have. They just feel so connected to you when you drive. Don’t get rid of it man, I think you’ll regret it in the long run.

 

I have the same issues and I am almost at 20k miles in my 17. I have had smoother manual trannies in trucks and worse. It doesnt really get better with more miles. I have the manual for off road driving when i get time for it. If you never go offroad its going to aggravate the living shit out of you and make you want to sell it.

 

To answer your question, yes, the OVTune makes a world of difference on the MT.

 

Do you have the tune yourself?

 

Yeah, I never go off road nor do I have desire to so you can imagine my problem. It just makes me feel as though I’m putting a lot of wear on the internals and I hate it. Hoping OVTune will help but hesitant to drop close to $800.

Anyone in central KY with OVTune wanna let me drive their truck down the road?

 

Dang love mine. I have almost 20k.

 

You still have to be good with the footwork (clanks will still happen), but OVtune makes the truck much more enjoyable to drive IMO. I found that quick rev matched downshifts on the stock calibration were nearly impossible.

The throttle is still a bit inconsistent at times, but Mat is working on improving that as we speak.

Yeah you can use 2nd quite easily at low speed now, but just realize the tune doesn't make this engine an LS lol.

As you can see, others are quite happy with the way their truck runs on the stock calibration. I believe them, but for ppl like you and I the tune has made all the difference.

To answer your question, yes, it sounds like the tune is right for YOU.

Those that don't have problems, well the question was not for you since you are happy - right? Now don't get butthurt please.

 

Yes, I do. It really is night and day vs the stock tune with regard to throttle response. Shifting is smoother and 2nd gear is much more usable in parking lots. I've also seen improved gas mileage with the tune (~1 MPG increase). Some may be happy with the way the truck performs in stock form, and that's fine, but that doesn't change the fact that the tune makes a huge difference in the way this truck drives.

Full disclosure: I'm currently running the 91 octane tune.

 

Thank you for the replies everyone. You have helped make this decision easier.

I will be, probably for the better, spending money on my truck (ovtune) rather than my gun.

 

Although I have to ask why 91 octane? What does that get you than 87 doesn’t?

I’ve always been told unless your car calls for premium then it add zero benefit but I am not sure what is correct

 

There are two versions of the tune: 87 octane and 91 octane. The 87 tune primarily addresses the throttle response and general driveability of the truck. The 91 octane tune adds timing advance for more hp through the mid-range, but it does require 91 octane fuel in order to do so. Yes, it's extra money at the pump, but it's more enjoyable to drive.

Have you checked out the MT specific OVTune thread? It's much more civilized than the other OVTune threads.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...anual-transmission-engine-ecu-reflash.515734/

It's a lot to go through, so just read through the first post and maybe the other posts by @OVTune for the main info. Or you can read through the whole thread like a real man.

 

I asked my doctor . He said due to the nature of the mod and my high blood pressure and heart issues it was not right for me.

That really pisses me off. I wonder how he feels about 4.88 gearing?he'll probably be against it just the thought of it gives me a 4hr hard on .

 

Why is your wife's name 'He'?

 

I said he referring to the doctor. Re read it.. my wife is sleeping due to all those thoughts of regearing .I haven't mentioned her till now (wife).

 

I figured your wife was the one against a 4hr erection. Doctors only get concerned about 4hr and 1 min erections.

 

Guns are always better.!!!

 

Yeah I can relate to your frustration, for sure. I just deal with it since I know for a fact that if I had an anutomatic I would have already sold the taco for another ram 2500 with a 6speed. Im also not up for speding 800 dollars when its just something I'm willing to tolerate. I do think if you have the money though it will help like everyone says. Someday I might get it too.

 

Comb and MOC221_ covered it pretty good. The tune makes this truck a whole different beast to drive and much more enjoyable, 91 octane FTW