Tune questions

Sounds like a tune (KDMax, etc.) is highly recommended based on my poking around many different threads, so I’m now strongly considering it.

A few questions come to mind:

1. warranty wise, it seems like it’s a “just don’t mention it” thing; the dealer (maybe?) won’t be able to find out it’s been tuned on their own?

2. regardless, it can be returned to stock, if need be?

3. my truck’s a manual, so I’d only be gaining acceleration improvements; is KDMax still the best choice as of this writing?

4. does it want higher octane gas?

5. probably a dumb question, but I assume this software adjustment isn’t reset to stock if a battery is disconnected for a long period of time?

6. I live in the northeast corner of Massachusetts; is there anyone nearby who does the tune?

 

I’m also interested in KD Max tune. Also in the Northeast corner of Mass. My truck is a 3.5 V6 automatic

 

I believe you are correct. I got the Valleyrunner tune (still need to flash it). I'm also in a manual. I will say, around 3600 miles my truck really improved. Good low range torque, decent throttle consistency. If I had not already bought the tune and VF Tuner I would leave it alone. As the money is already spent, I will see how I like it. Hopefully I get the mpg bump many people report.

Octane depends on the tune. The Valleyrunner tune has octane learning, but you should get more mpg bump with higher octane.

 

I’ve also read about this concept of “the truck improving as it figures you out” here and there, and wonder if it’d be unwise to tune too early?

My truck has about 1,700 miles … but I have no idea when it’s supposed to figure me out and adjust itself to match my driving style/habits.

 

Yeah, I don't know. I was not expecting such a noticeable difference. I also wonder if the truck has a break in period programmed in.

 

Op:

1. If they really wanted to, they could find out it is tuned. But they have no need to poke around in there if the problem isn't related. I.E. if your AC isn't working, they won't blame the tune.

2. Yes. From Mat (the owner of VF), he said the stock files are exactly stock, no changes.

3. Honestly depends. Myself and others favor having the ability to tweak our tunes for ourselves. Can't do that with a locked tune. Some people like the ease of not having to learn and tune.

4. ALL 3rd gen Tacoma tunes are octane learning. Those that were built from a file available in a tune pack are already adjusted for the version you pick, but if you throw in regular on a premium tune, it will adjust accordingly.

5. Nope. Only if you update the ECU after a tune or you replace the ECU.

6. Here's a list of tuners.

 

Based on my experience I would say drive it 4,000 - 5,000 miles then decide if the tune is worth the risk. My truck has 3,900 miles on it and the improvement has been noticeable, similar to lostMarble's experience.

 

I drove mine for a year before tuning (KDMax) for roughly 4K miles and never noticed any difference at all. The difference AFTER TUNING was beyond noticeable (drastically improved throttle response, acceleration, shift points, gear hunting gone,etc.). I should've had it tuned the day I drove it off the lot. Best $300 (at the time) spent on the vehicle...hands down! Spent roughly $1K on CAI and TRD exhaust (prior to the tune) hoping for a bit of improvement..turned out to be a waste of $1k (LOL). Will be upgrading to the KDMax pro (sport tip) asap.

 

Innnnnteresting; perhaps waiting isn’t necessary.

 

I'd say the most noticeable difference is not necessarily acceleration per se, but driveability (throttle response, access to available torque below peak).

Of course this now depends on where the file is coming from, and how that particular "tuner" implemented their changes.

In my opinion, if an M/T file is not based off OVtune's original M/T performance tune ("SFOB", either regular or premium) you're probably not getting all the good stuff.

Now, for all you guys who are about to type something about how this tune or that is awesome and that I'm full of shit.. well don't bother. Mat's original files not only had the maps altered (which ANYONE with some knowledge of vFtuner can duplicate BTW), they also had code changes implemented. If a tuner uses a file like that as a basis for "his" tune, or can implement code changes in the PRO version of vFtuner, all the better.
I'm not shitting on any of the multitude of tuners out there providing services to our community, so please.. nobody get butthurt.

I can tell you that the original COYOZA tunes for M/T had their basis in SFOB, and were developed for the M/T by an M/T enthusiast and owner... not just a port or copy/paste deal from an A/T file.

 

The truck doesn't figure anything out. There's no AI learning.

 

tune whenever you want the improvement. It will take 800+ miles to get the full potential of the tune…usually better mpgs and consistent behavior. I’ve been running the tunes as they come out since 2017 (1.03) and now run the KDMAX PRO tune. It is a nice tune with pretty impressive power to mpg ratio. Highway driving is super nice and the power on the trails is fun when you want to send it. There are other great tunes (my second favorite being the Powerthirst tune by downhilldragon) that perform well too

 

You are actually correct. For example, one small change Mat did was alter the OL code which is not visible within VF. You can copy everything you want via a comparison in VF, but you won't get the full tune if you built it from a stock file.

 

Ovt OL is not working on his 2.0 release and all derivatives.
Perhaps he put a code in, but his valve and IG timing tables are not optimized.
I've seen kclv going from 21 to 17 under 60% load on 87 and could not hold a steady value for a few miles.
Kdmax Pro has a working "OL"

 

OL is definitely working on 2.0. Not sure where you're getting your info.
The KCLV on the current tune I'm running is +30 on regular AND premium octane. In fact, last run was 32.4 after settling.

 

A few years of multiple techstream, obd fusions logs + feedback of other members..
What is +30? Under what load?

 

Clearly you haven't spoken to the man himself...

And as previously mentioned, KCLV. Any load thus far. First run from two people on regular octane resulted in +30 KCLV (with the current tune I'm running).

 

30+ KCLV is magical on regular (assuming 87+). What tune is this you speak of?

 

From The Man..
I was going to give him a benefit of the doubt for Premium, but is is a total bs for 87.
I'll pull out 2.0 techstream logs when it was released to the public

 

All loads