KDMax-Pro Tuning--NOW YotaWerx Tuning

Thanks for the reply! I’ll see what other people say and then I’ll get back with you.

 

This is a pretty go 101 to start in on: https://www.700r4transmissionhq.com/p0128-toyota-tacoma/

 

Thank you for that. The overcooling of the engine sounds right. Which would explain why it won’t reach temperature. Sounds like I will be replacing a thermostat

 

I’m interested in this as well, I’ve been running OVTune 2.0 Premium/base for the last year on 91 octane available in most places in KS. I found it just felt smoother than 87 did but so much has changed in the last year, including prices so once I’m able to flash again I’m very much considering going back to 87. But if 91 is genuinely good for some more ponies and is noticeable I’d keep it as is on 91. I know my LS1 pretty much has to have 91 but this engine having been designed for 87 or 91 depending in the model it’s thrown in is so much more flexible.

I suppose I can just flash each and try back to back and see if the butt dyno can tell any difference. Though I’m expecting going from 91 OVTune 2.0 to 87 KDMax would still be beneficial with the adjustments done on this tune vs OV, particularly in the throttle department.

And correct me if I’m wrong, but this is an OLE (Octane LEarning) tune right? So if I throw 87 tune on there but still have a full tank of 91 it should adjust over time to learn up to 91, yet have the ability to learn back down to 87 based on the sensors? I know with 91 set as the base point, it really doesn’t learn back down very well from what I’ve heard, best keeping it drinking 91.

 

I think the tunes are learning, but an 87 tune will not *learn up to 93*; ie the tables won't take full advantage of the possible timing available to a full 93 tune. So the final performance of an 87 tune will never peak and match a 93 tune even if you feed it 93 for extended time. Hopefully others can comment on the down learning options of the 93 tunes. I don't think they will fully *learn down* to an 87 diet, and you might be at risk for some poor performance. Hopefully the gurus will add their knowledge too.

 

Thanks for that! That does sound like what I’ve heard Mat say in the past year or so regarding OLE. It’s probably good for 87 (perhaps 85 at high altitudes) up through 89. Premium tune more 90-93 though 91 is the only thing around here, never seen 93 at a station in Kansas before.

I’ll just start at 87 with KDMax and 99% chance I’ll be more than pleased over the current 2.0 Premium base I’m on, and save some cash on gas. I got a Sams Club membership pretty much exclusively because it makes 91 about the same price discounted as standard 87 at other stations, but it also means I have to travel to that station every week to fill up, lol.

Haven’t done much traveling in 2020/2021 but plan to very soon so I think 87 tune will make the most sense for me. I was just curious if there was much of a difference. I know there might be some 87 vs 91 dyno comparison but if it’s just a few hp and a few lb-ft, then, meh.

 

Right on @RushT
The tunes are all Octane learning. But the Regular tune has a range of learning lower than the Premium tune.
The computer will adjust to what is in your tank.
The only catch is that the Premium tune cannot adjust down to the regular 87 octane.
Here is what the ranges are

Regular octane learning range-- 85-90
Premium octane learning range-- 91-95

So if you are running Premium on a Regular tune (which is what I do), You will get benefits up to 90 octane--which is an improvement.
But if you want the FULL potential of the tune you need to run the Premium tune and Premium gas.

I am running 93 octane on the regular tune. It learns up to 90. I have ran the 93 octane on the premium tune. The difference is unnoticeable to me.

 

Shoot, that’s a post that could be pinned/linked to right there. Looks like my recall wasn’t too far off then for the octane range.

Sounds like I’ll be best off doing the same, and running 91 on the regular tune and then not having to fear throwing in 87 or even 85 in Colorado when traveling. Currently having to use 87 or heaven forbid actual 91 way up there in the mountains is crazy expensive vs down here in flatland. I’m talking 91 here ($2.72) is cheaper than 85 is there ($2.85 in Loveland, and more the further up you go). Not to mention their 91 is $3.44.

Thanks for the info! Now to patiently wait and check my inbox every day.

 

I got the KDmax 6.0 Regular LT (Light tip in) from @Uscgamecock7 yesterday & it is the best money I've spent on my truck by far!! Very smooth shifts, no more RPM flaring, great throttle response. Glad we went with the LT. Before the tune it felt like my brakes were partially locked up & the truck was fighting to go. Now it feels like it wants to go & stay going with very little throttle to it!! Love it man! Btw my mpg from what little I drove seems to have gotten better. Win win. Thanks again Nick & @PapaRee …Brad

 

Enjoy it while you can I just paid 4.39 for 87 here in LA

 

Remember the last time I did that in Burbank for my 2500 and the next 2 days and went and bought a cobalt after the tank was drained! Good times!

 

Thanks brother! Appreciate the good review. I agree, KDMax definitely knocks it out of the park. Cheers and thanks for your service!

 

Happy Mother's Day to all!
Hope everyone has a great day. I am thankful for my Mom and Stepmom.
They raised me to be the man that I am today and taught me:
-Treat people like you would want to be treated!
-Good things happen to good people
-Kill your enemies with kindness

As an ER nurse for 20+ years, I live by these words.

I feel like God has blessed me, and my family.
I am thankful for all the great people on this forum.

 

I like to run non-ethanol in my equipment, and the places I travel to out of sate most frequently offer 91 non-ethanol as well as premium. If you look some other applications for our engine, you will see that it is used in the Lexus RC, ES, and other models. They are all tuned for 91/93 and report better performance numbers than the Tacoma, again having the same engine.

My first Tacoma was a 2005 2wd prerunner TRD OR. The manual stated the following: "1GR- FE engine—Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) orhigher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91(Research Octane Number 96) or higher is recommended."

So we know these engines are capable of running better using higher octane fuel, but the ECU needs the tune for it to take advantage of the benefits. Now what situations would you be in that you would want peak capabilities out of the engine? Towing and spirited highway driving is what comes to mind for me. If you are going to beat on the thing, higher octane is probably the way to go (if you have the tune for it).

No doubt Toyota has been neutering their engines to meet emissions and fuel economy standards as required by the U.S. government.

I have not put many miles on the LT 91/93 tune yet, but I can already tell you that there is no way in hell I am going back to stock. Ever. This is how this truck should drive from the factory. Period, end of story. Screw Toyota and the government for manipulating and neutering a product we pay thousands of dollars for. Thank god for this tune. I have fallen back in love with the Tacoma again.

A more comprehensive review will follow, but that will have to wait until I put more miles on and get some off road time in.

 

Any tuners on Vancouver Island ..

 

Is anyone on Vancouver island?!

 

I tuned the KDMaxx a few months ago. I just did a trip from the U.P. of Michigan to Greenville, S.C. and back for work, 2022 miles. I ran the expressway, kept the cruise between 72-80 mph. Tank MPG ranged from 23.7 to 24.7 for the trip. My MPG has improved since the tune, I don't think it's the tune itself but how much smoother the engine runs & transmission shifts that drives the improvement.

Edit, forgot to mention. 2018 SR5, 4x4, access cab, fiberglass cap. Stock tires, no lift.

 

wifeytip installed todaycan't wait to try it out!

 

Finished a trip up to Pine Creek PA and back, about 350 - 400 miles round trip with all of the side excursions. Main trip consisted of hills 90% of the way, with 50% of that being serious mountain climbs and valleys. Overall it did quite well on SLT Reg. At times, I was wanting more power going up the hills, wailing away at 4k rpm, but the torqueless wonder is the torqueless wonder. Truck was packed but not overly heavy, just some coolers and camping supplies.

Shifting did pretty well, but I tend to take over in S mode and shift it to the max gear that I want for ascending and descending. At times when I left it alone there was some hunting, but not bad.

Tip-in with SLT was just fine in 2WD on dirt and gravel. No spinning from too much tip-in.

I have a 2" lift and 265/75/16s and overall averaged 18mpg on the trip home. Never exceeded 70 and was typically 55-65. At one point, around flat roads up there, I actually saw the gauge hit 20mpg for a short while.

 

Are there any tuners in the surrounding Mobile, AL or MS Gulf Coast area?

Closest to me appears to be PapaRee at this point.