To tune, or not to tune? That is the question. Manual transmission.

Just curious what you mean by "incredibly over-engineered"?

Yesterday I drove about two hundred miles of both highway and twisty mountainous roads and found the MT and V6 to be fine. As many others mention, this truck likes 3-5K RPM. I was hammering on it pretty good and still averaged over 19 MPG's.

While the MT initially took some time to get used to and learn what gear it likes when, it was a joy to drive and performs well imo.

I have owned and driven all types of vehicles with MT and I am not sure what I would change other than a lower reverse gear. Admittedly there are times on the open road or when towing I miss a V8 and would like to have more power but, from a power and performance standpoint I knew what I was getting when I purchased a tacoma. the MT and V6 are the least of my complaints with this truck.

I'd consider a tune but would like to drive an MT truck with the tune to feel the difference before taking the plunge.

 

Toyota has a history of over-engineering when building motors. Obviously, the 2jz is a legendary example. https://autos.yahoo.com/autos/why-2jz-engine-strong-breakdown-205014950.html
What that means is when they design something they put more into the engine than it needs. That could be thicker walls, more cooling, harder bolts, more finely machined parts, components with a longer life than the expected life of the car etc. They do this to ensure both the longevity of the car but also the ability to use the motor longer in a platform with the ability to increase its power or use for alternative uses. The Lexus applications make 321hp vs the 279hp in the Tacoma. Think the Lexus is less reliable being squeezed a bit more? No way, Lexus has to be more reliable than Toyota for Lexus to be successful, Toyota knows that. Development is one of the most expensive aspects of designing a new motor/vehicle. So Toyota takes their time, they are consistently late to the game and often catching up in terms of technology but that’s only because they wait until it is perfect before releasing their versions. I actually think this 3.5 was originally designed for generators or something and found its way into cars due to how it performed.

I’m in the Seacoast area of NH. If you’re close enough you can drive my truck with a tune to see the difference.

 

How? I can barely get 16mpg out of mine. I was at 15.4, jumped up to 15.8 adding an intake. I don’t know yet what it will be with the tune. I’m hoping to get a little bit more now that I don’t have to rev it over 4k to get the truck to move.

 

One of the first things I'll be doing once I get my 21 MT Tacoma back from the body shop is the OTT tune. Can't really make the engine that much worse with the dead spots and hesitation.

 

Lot of variables. My truck is stock, AT tires inflated to 40 psi. very little town or city driving in stop and go traffic.

if I drive reasonably, I average 20ish MPG with winter blend fuel and 22ish MPG in the summer.

If I were only averaging mid-teens MPG, I'd dump it and be in a full size with a V8.

 

That's incredible mileage. I drive the speed limit everywhere..... on stock-sized tires and average high 18mpg over the course of a tank.

Do you live in a state that is relatively flat?

 

No. I live at 4100 feet in elevation and routinely drive between 2000 and 5000 feet. Very little of my driving is stop and go. Most is two lane roads at 45-65 MPH.

 

Huh? Extreme wear?

 

Now I'm no engineer so I can't tell you that tuning will cause problems down the road because I really don't know. What I do know is that I bought the truck new with 3 miles on it. Over a period of 3 1/2 years the techs applied this TSB and that TSB to try and improve the infernal gear hunting, give it smoother shifting, try to stop it from racing to get to 5th gear at 35MPH. etc... the list goes on and on...I'm a procrastinator and felt I'll get around to it and get it tuned...at the start of my 4th year I finally pulled the trigger. Met with my local tuner and approximately 15 minutes later, I was on my maiden voyage with him in the passenger seat. What the hell took me so long to find an answer! The tune does not add any HP or torque...what it does in my mind is it moves both HP and torque into more usable parameters. Shift points with the auto tranny are now spaced where they are better utilized. Speaking of shifts they are so smooth up and down that they are hardly noticeable. I'll get of my soapbox now (I understand KDMax has an upgrade out there waiting for me- maybe soon I'll stop procrastinating).

 

yeh sounds dumb but that extra weight and rolling resistance, plus add on the tall reverse gear ..... it really does a number on the clutch when it comes to city driving

 

Not a chance sir. If you are an experienced MT driver, 33s won’t make you wear out your clutch prematurely. Unless your rig is strictly bush truck.

I’ve got 33s and my clutch doesn’t suffer whatsoever.

 

Nah

it’ll be pretty minimal compared to the stock 31s

 

Hopefully. I’m speaking from experience and what was told to me from some Toyota techs

 

Exactly, I honestly barely notice it.

I’ve got 2WD low mod so low speed maneuvers are not an issue. I used 2WD low mod a lot on 31s as well.

 

Which 33s?

 

Had mine tuned last Sunday. OTT.
Very impressed. Worth every penny, imo. Shifts like a normal truck now

 

Silly me, I thought this thread was about tuning a Tacoma equipped with a manual transmission.

 

E rated 255/80/17s

 

Negative. 4.30 gears are just fine with 33”s.

 

I’d still get it the OTT tune in a manual as well.