Tacoma - OVTUNE - VFTUNER - Update Info and Original Development

Sign me up for a tester, we can discuss in email.

 

I have no issue allowing the engine rev at 2400 RPM....this is so low in its RPM band that it is where I'd expect it to be. Remember this engine isn't the old 4.0L that has gobs of torque down low...this engine is more of a high rev'er and 2400 gets it more into the torque sweet spot than cursing around at 1100 RPMs all the time

 

Not necessarily true. The Lexus RX 350 is a "brother" engine and it cruises beautifully around 1200-1400 rpm and KNOWS what gear to be in all the time. The RX350 is heavier than a tacoma (closer to 4runner weight)

 

But when the road calls for 45mph and it's in 4th at 2200rpm and I'm sitting here mile after mile.. it gets annoying.

 

I like ECT mode shifting, I just don't like how rough the power jolts are when it finally realizes your putting the pedal down.

 

couldn't agree more and this is why I'm not a fan of the ECT always on methodology. I love ECT when I'm in the mountains or I'm sure when I get my travel trailer and start doing some light towing. And ECT is great to punch if about to merge into 80mph traffic, but it does hold on too long for my comfort. No in-between.

And yes, it's in a hurry to get to 6th which can be frustrating. With 1.01b the downshift to 4th isn't nearly as jarring most of the time but still has some occasional roughness. I'd be happy if it were just more linear. Like when I take off up the hill that leads to my neighborhood. I never just FLOOR it up that hill, but I do gradually increase throttle so I can accelerate to speed limit while climbing. Sometimes it's a smooth acceleration, other times I can throttle the exact same and it holds onto 5th or 6th so long that by the time it downshifts to 4th, it does so at 5-6k RPMs and I feel like I need to turn around and go pick up my transmission off the intersection.

I also do think some folks are right on the "flavors" comments. Some folks are in the tune just to maximize power and 0-60 times at WOT. I like additional usable power that's linear (1.01b accomplished a great deal of this for me - not enough down load, but it's better for sure than stock), but more than anything am in it for refinements, smoothness, and fixing the wonky mess of shifting, throttle, intake, and exhaust mess that is the Taco ECU. Thanks for your good work sir!

 

I'd be happy to be a tester if needed.

 

Too hard to please everyone. I love the ect shift points and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

I beleive it is allowed to hit 6th at 45mph.

 

I agree, a smooth ECT mode would be nice

Or a regular drive shift points that doesn't bog

Sounds like it's going to be mission impossible to cater to everyone's likes.

 

RPM only shift points sounds less than ideal. Is any kind of load taken into account?

 

This is how the car does it even stock.
Yes load is taken into account, in a different way.

it's not a single input for each RPM, but rather several (for each). So based on vehicle speed, if calculated torque (which is based on load) is lower than X, use shift point A at speed B. If torque is higher, use next shift point at speed C, D, E, ETC.

and that's for each map, there are 20 for each gear.
imagine like this
5mph 10mph 15mph 18mph 20mph
1200 1500 2100 2600 2900

if calc torque is lower than X @ 5mph, shift @ this RPM (1200) if calc torque is higher, shift @ 10mph @ this RPM (1500), etc

now take that idea, multiply it by 20, then multiply it by every gear.
each 2D control has 12 different internals in that map
each gear contains 20 maps

for an ultimate total of 100 2D controls and 1200 independent shift selections (counting every gear)


and that's only the UPSHIFT routines

 

This is why you get paid the big bucks, I sure as hell didn't understand that

 

Glad someone was paying attention in their advanced calculus classes with some clear programming chops. If you didn't already have such a great entrepreneurial path already paved, I'd try to hire you to help me build software in my company! I'm actually pretty impressed with what Toyota TRIED to do and it actually makes me pretty optimistic that with a few more years on this architecture they'll get some things worked out. For now it just feels like they indeed gave crayons to a kindergartener and said "wouldn't it be cool if..." whether it made sense in the real world or not!

 

Everyone read this.


Then rethink posting "I'm order XXXXX I see you shipped order XXXX is mine next?????"

 

I actually understood that clearly. It's amazing they are using tables to do this instead of an actual logic engine. All this really is is a really quick condition check/table lookup repeatedly. Excel will likely be your friend.

 

Please do not make D-Mode the same as ECT. What is the point in that?

Many of us simply want D-Mode to be better. ECT can be more agressive, but it would be silly to have it the same as D-Mode. People who desire the agressiveness of a new, improved ECT can simply activate ECT any time they like. But if you prefer to NOT use ECT when driving around town, but D-Mode is identical, well then, you really don't have a choice.

I'm just sayin'.........................

 

understood. I am just testing it.


I will have details on what we are doing with the shift parameters soon. I think making D=ECT mode doesn't make much sense to me either, as you're going to be losing an entire driving mode the car has. I think a more popular option will be enhancing both rather than eliminating either.

 

Exactly, thank you.

 

I agree a more popular option will be enhancing both rather than eliminating either, that said I think as a quick stop gap while this work is being done would be to swap Drive for ECT and ECT for Drive. This way the truck will default to the stock "ECT map" and a push of the ECT button would put it back to the stock "grandma map". I venture to guess the majority of the people with the tune would want this swap now while we wait for the refinement of the transmission maps.