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OVTune VF Tuner | OVTune - Tacoma ECU flash tune options and feedback

I'll have to wait and think a long time on this one. Don't want to go 4.30's and then decide I want to move up to 35's and 4.88's later. As always, I appreciate your advice and experience.
Oh I would definitely go 4.88s with the automatic if you spend the money to regear. I'm happy with my 4.30s because they're stock but I may still regear myself down the road.
 
My only input on gearing vs tune for those who haven't done either, is that it seems like an extremely silly debate. From what i understand, it's not uncommon to be paying over $3k to have your truck re-geared, between parts and labor and whatever else. $3k vs $769 seems like the silliest debate that has ever been brought up Lmfao

For those who are arguing it that already have one or the other, i get you, carry on. I don't have aftermarket gearing so I can't comment on if you should still get the tune. What i do tell people is that they should get the tune if they still aren't happy with their truck. If they're happy...hey, you do you booboo
 
Anyone in San Diego with the tune want to give me a ride? I'm on the fence. I consider doing OV but then I also want to wait and see what Magnuson comes out with. I know the cost difference is two whole other worlds, but I don't want to buy the OV and then have wasted that money if I go with Magnuson down the line. I'm curious to see if Magnuson will address the gearing issue as well as whatever engineer management software they produce for their charger.
 
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There's actually a rumor been floating around the ovtune alpha thread on Tacomaworld that Magnusson has a SC ready for our trucks but can't tune it lol

*edit: Idk if "floating" was the right word. Saw it discussed once.
 
There's actually a rumor been floating around the ovtune alpha thread on Tacomaworld that Magnusson has a SC ready for our trucks but can't tune it lol

*edit: Idk if "floating" was the right word. Saw it discussed once.


I've heard that, and then the immediate follow up was speculation that OV should do the tuning. Of course OV seems to have aspirations to produce a turbo setup so I can't see him to interested in tuning a potential competitor.
 
Two separate issues really, gearing is gearing and the tune addresses power delivery, shifting and throttle mapping. They're both independently valuable upgrades.

good point, but although the throttle response is a little "numb" it doesn't bother me too much. Hunting gears doesnt really happen too much with the way I drive, either that or I have gotten used to it.
 
Thanks for posting. Excited to see how this goes.


You, I, and a whole lot of other people. ? I think a lot of people that are seriously considering FI are getting tired of waiting on Magnuson with zero communication from them. Especially considering the amount of effort and time OV has already put into the 3rd gen market. It'll be very interesting to see what happens between the two systems if Magnuson can ever get their SC released.
 
You, I, and a whole lot of other people. ? I think a lot of people that are seriously considering FI are getting tired of waiting on Magnuson with zero communication from them. Especially considering the amount of effort and time OV has already put into the 3rd gen market. It'll be very interesting to see what happens between the two systems if Magnuson can ever get their SC released.

Dual turbos will meet more gains. Mat says it will be tuned to be used for trails too
 
Dual turbos will meet more gains. Mat says it will be tuned to be used for trails too

I'm curious what this low end solution he has worked up.

For anyone not following the other thread, Mat @ OVtune says he'll be posting more details on the 5th.
 
I'm curious what this low end solution he has worked up.

For anyone not following the other thread, Mat @ OVtune says he'll be posting more details on the 5th.
I know he is busy but I asked if he would mind having an official info thread over here as well.
 
Supposed to be an update on 1.05 today. Between the hype on that and the 10% discount until Dec 19th, I think I'm finally gonna order the tune.
 
The updated blog post about 1.05 details is already up

That being said, you should have ordered long ago lol It's not just recently that the tune became worth it. I've been running 1.05 on my MT (pre-release for dongle users) and it's an excellent update.
 
The updated blog post about 1.05 details is already up

That being said, you should have ordered long ago lol It's not just recently that the tune became worth it. I've been running 1.05 on my MT (pre-release for dongle users) and it's an excellent update.
I know I should have but I was holding out for Toyota to do something. And the update that they did put out did nothing for my truck.
 
I finally ordered OVTune a few weeks back. Been running1.04r 91 file for about a week. I haven't really driven enough to have a finalized opinion but I can tell some subtle differences in the way the truck shifts for the better. The power is definitely more useable, but not life changing. It's more the shifting revamp that's making a difference. My MPG's on day to day trips appears to be improved but I'll wait until I get a few tanks through it to confirm. Really looking forward to 1.05 because from all the talk it sounds like it's what we all want.
 
The trigger has been pulled. I'm excited to be able to drive with the heavy foot that I have and actually move forward. @Malcolm you're next.
bro its been long put off, although after they reflashed my taco its been awesome on throttle response. Still want it though. Cant wait to see how yours fixes your taco @Tyler
 
I found this from Mat, the OVTune dude.

The tool we use mimics OEM TechStream Flashing, while correcting the checksum. Detecting the tune is impossible. Toyota does not even have a detection tool because they aren't even aware people are tuning them. In terms of older ECUs (sub 2016+ new logic) the ECU cannot even be READ by OBD, The dealership can see codes, freeze frame data, and calibration ID, literally nothing else. We have confirmed this with several master level techs AT dealerships. Toyotas way of "preventing tuning" has made it impossible for them to actually investigate tuning.

I was at the dealership today speaking with the folks about remapping the LC500 and getting access inside the ECU and they are not even aware it's possible and actually encouraged us to develop this for the LC500.



the 16+ tacoma ECU can be flashed as many, many times. You can flash your tune, back to stock, back to your tune, back to stock every time you go to the dealer if you wish to do so.
 
Awesome man thanks for the information. Just wanted to check as I barely have any miles on my 18. But I don’t like the constant downshift as most of the other 3gs on here. Looks like I’ll be getting that tune. Saw that you were getting it when it comes out. Let me know how you like it.
 
Awesome man thanks for the information. Just wanted to check as I barely have any miles on my 18. But I don’t like the constant downshift as most of the other 3gs on here. Looks like I’ll be getting that tune. Saw that you were getting it when it comes out. Let me know how you like it.
Will do. Says it will be here the Friday after Xmas. Will report back that Saturday.
 
I've been seriously considering this tune. I hate that my truck won't use 5th or 6th in cruise on the highway above 70, and the low RPM performance on and offroad is hot garbage.
 
I've been seriously considering this tune. I hate that my truck won't use 5th or 6th in cruise on the highway above 70, and the low RPM performance on and offroad is hot garbage.
I forgot if you’ve regeared or not?
 
Yes, 4.88s. Would have done the deeper gears if they were available at the time.
I was planning on the 5.29s when I get 35s anyway, but now I definitely know to do 5.29, lol.

I think you should try the tune. It will probably help at least with the shifting/cruise.
 
Does anyone know if the tune will void warranty from dealer?

I found this from Mat, the OVTune dude.


Just an update, the tune being indetectable is incorrect. The older versions of the tune we're undetectable (1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.04r), but the newest release (1.05) will be detectable by the dealership.

To create the newest release of 1.05, Mat had to modfy the shift and engine management tables enormously. He stated in the last few days on the TW thread that due to such an enormous changes in the management that he decided to change the way the ECU and TCU identify themselves when hooked up to a scanner. The flashed ECU and TCU used to identify themselves the same as the factory tune. Now with 1.05 they will not, therefore he is now recommending users flash to stock anytime they go to the dealer for warranty work etc.


The official IDs for 1.05 will be as follows:

"OVT" ---- tune
"1-05" ---- version
"93" ------octane version

Thanks

View attachment 3054567

A user then questioned why the change.

You know that with the previous revisions the calibration ID would stay the same, even OVtune would say that there was no need to flash back when taking the truck to the dealership, now he changed the calibration ID and he's recommending that we flash back before going to the dealership, I just wonder why he's doing it differently now with 1.05

The reason is because we have custom patched the ROM, as a result the code and tables are significantly different, so we want to designate it this way.

And then another user then questions if you were already chaging the code before, what's different now that required a different designation.

This was before we modified hardcode (not just data sections) but actual code / lookup addresses / modified sections of memory, how the processor allocates table size in memory, etc.

Does anyone know if the tune will void warranty from dealer?
I found this from Mat, the OVTune dude.
Just an update, the tune being indetectable is incorrect. The older versions of the tune we're undetectable (1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.04r), but the newest release (1.05) will be detectable by the dealership.

To create the newest release of 1.05, Mat had to modfy the shift and engine management tables enormously. He stated in the last few days on the TW thread that due to such an enormous changes in the management that he decided to change the way the ECU and TCU identify themselves when hooked up to a scanner. The flashed ECU and TCU used to identify themselves the same as the factory tune. Now with 1.05 they will not, therefore he is now recommending users flash to stock anytime they go to the dealer for warranty work etc.


The official IDs for 1.05 will be as follows:

"OVT" ---- tune
"1-05" ---- version
"93" ------octane version

Thanks

View attachment 3054567

A user then questioned why the change.

You know that with the previous revisions the calibration ID would stay the same, even OVtune would say that there was no need to flash back when taking the truck to the dealership, now he changed the calibration ID and he's recommending that we flash back before going to the dealership, I just wonder why he's doing it differently now with 1.05

The reason is because we have custom patched the ROM, as a result the code and tables are significantly different, so we want to designate it this way.

And then another user then questions if you were already chaging the code before, what's different now that required a different designation.

This was before we modified hardcode (not just data sections) but actual code / lookup addresses / modified sections of memory, how the processor allocates table size in memory, etc.
 
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I've been nerding out on that thread hard for the last few weeks keeping up with all the lastest 1.05 news. Spent the previous couple months reading it from start to finish. Might as well share what I learned.
 
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