Ovtune differences?

So as a tuner and a Tacoma owner I have to say there is something to what you are expressing. My truck is a 2020 with the newer software as well and I after much tuning and dataloging and testing have come to the conclusion that
1. If you want to run exclusively 87 octane and have the LATEST SOFTWARE UPDATE and are on STOCK TIRE SIZE and don't have complaints on how it shifts then tuning won't be the magic wand waving event for like it is for so many.
2. I have run 93 in my truck since new so I went about tuning with this octane and have made a lot of extra power with it. Last week I started working on a 87 tune and all I can say is that it is not going to make a HUGE difference in the WOT power stock tune to 87 tune.
3. My 87 tune was able to mitigate that horrible surge at low rpm/ low speed/ high load situation. I worked on the ignition timing here a lot for 2 reasons the SURGE and also TOWING.
4. When towing my 87 tune helps but yet again how often do you tow?
5. The next thing is AICS and that 3650 rpm power surge which you can help greatly by lowering this which can be felt on a daily basis.
6. Throttle response is probably the biggest thing for people and if you are happy with the latest and greatest toyota update then you probably don't need a tune. As for me I like a throttle to feel like a cable throttle and not a lifeless rotting animal carcass.
In conclusion if you have a 2020 or newer or a truck with the LATEST SOFTWARE and just putt around on 87, dont care about who gets to the end of the on ramp first, and are generally ok with how the vehicle feels spend money on other mods that suit your taste.

One last thing if you have a good tune and get some 93 in it and feel how it runs you might end up swearing off 87 for good.

 

This is probably me, hence why I didn't see stars in the first 5 minutes. I will however run a couple tanks of 91 and re-evaluate. Thanks for somewhat validating my *very initial* opinion.

 

Yep, I need to put a couple tanks through it for sure. Thank you!

 

Curious which tune you had loaded? Guessing it wasn't the new KDMAX tune talked about here?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-kdmax-performance-tune-by-paparee-and-twtaco.713699/

In case you have any interest in upgrading?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ovtune-april-4-17-2021-k-d-tuning.709247/

 

great insights! I am concerned honestly what I see from the KDMAX tune. I will probably get flamed now by the masses as well but it America. Both of their tunes have less HP and Torque than the stock or off the shelf OV tune so below 5300 rpm. To me this is where yo drive 99% of the time. Also the KDMAX has a huge drop in hp from 3-3.5k and has an even larger drop in torque from 3-4.5k. To me that’s going to make it even worse and if you tow, you just pulled all the power from where you need it.

perhaps they are building a tune focused on a specific customer and I do admit the top end lift is impressive. If they could keep that and not lose all the important drivable power down low I would walk up with cash in hand.

As you I have done a lot of tuning, not on Toyota’s though. I just see things I would not want in any tune I created but then again I have my needs in mind.

appreciate the spirited and free exchange of thoughts.

 

PaPaRee provided some explanation to this in the Arizona forum.

This was on Quoc's truck with 4.88 gears and mud terrain tires. We are going to repeat it with a stock truck like before.

The ACIS valve opens at 3200 rpm and causes a dip, then an increase in power. In the stock tune, this ACIS is at 3650 rpm. Having it open lower allows the manifold to get more air earlier than the stock tune.

Here is some basic info on ACIS valve.
ACIS, is an implementation of a variable-length intake manifold system designed by Toyota.
Simply put, the ACIS system uses a single intake air control valve located in the intake to vary the length of the intake tract in order to optimize power and torque, as well as provide better fuel efficiency and reduce intake "roar".

Not sure about the low end torque numbers, we are going to repeat that with a stock truck and with proper GearLocking to get comparisons.

 

I'm getting 18 to 19 around town

 

I have no experience with tuning other than getting tuned by @PapaRee and @TWTaco back in January with the KD Performance tune. I can say, based on driving my truck with 35 inch tires and factory gears it made a noticeable difference! Prior, I never left the garage without using ECT. Since tuning I’ve only used it a couple times just to up the fun factor. I will be moving to the KDMAX Tune next month and look forward to it.
Granted, everyone’s driving style is different and some push their trucks more than others. For me, I drive about 8000 miles a year but appreciate the added performance their tunes provide for me.
Knowing both Kreg and Dave have the interest of our trucks and community, I can say with assurance, they will not want to disappoint you or anyone else. If you get the KDMAX flash and don’t like it and want to revert to what you’re used to, I’m sure they would be accommodating.

.02

 

I’m not tech savvy as you guys are but from my butt Dino, K&D max6.0 premium tune is like night and day difference from stock tune even ovt2.0 . It’s waaaaay ahead. Too much analysis / debate. Why don’t you try to drive a taco with one and review from there. Btw my taco has stock gears and 32 inch tires.

 

Appreciate your feedback. Dave has actual reached out to me via message and it’s clear they stand by their tune and service. Very reassuring and I can see why they have so many happy customers.

I have no worries about tuning just what I have seen in the dyno charts and how I use my truck. They said they would be getting some new stock truck dyno comparisons. I only have 1300 miles on my truck and want to wait until at least 5k before doing anything. Dave said when I was ready to let him know. Seem like standup guys.

 

Thanks Victor look forward to meeting you at the next tune day! Hope you can make it to the event!

 

what size tires and which gears do you have?

 

33 inch tires and stock gears

 

Hey gang,
Hope everybody is doing well. I am jumping in very late on this thread - sorry bout that. I am considering OV Tune on my ‘21 TRD Pro. This is my daily driver with Fox suspension and the other TRD Pro bling. The only mods that I have are 33” “Pizza Cutters” and an SSO front bumper. I do not plan on any other mods. From what I am reading, I would probably see a benefit from the OV Tune. One question that I have is will the truck still pass inspection? I live in New York State. I’ve heard of some performance software upgrades that improve performance but when it comes time for inspection - you’re @)$&@‘d. Any thoughts / experiences?

 

Lots of info here

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/performance-and-tuning.8/

 

@Chew Appreciate the quick response! Dang, this can get deep!

 

haha VERY, but good personal feedback that is valuable.

 

For me the kdmax tune on my 21 OR was “night and day” as compared to the factory tune.

I bought my truck new and it literally ran and shifted like poop. On the current kdmax tune the truck runs and shifts like I’d have expected from the factory.

If your truck runs and shifts ok your results with a tune won’t be as dramatic as mine. Don’t expect to gain a crazy amount of torque with a tune, and cruise control still has some frustrating shifts.