VF Tuner ECU/TCU Tuning for the GX550
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I have not installed the tune yet, but my personal experience communicating with the staff at VF Tuner has been great so far. It's seems like there is always someone at the helm of their helpdesk at all hours of the day. I have a trip coming up this weekend and I'm gonna try to install it the tune to get 600 miles of driving in.
best bang for your buck. Just be prepare to make more trips to the gas station.. I didn’t think my lead foot can get any heavier but it did.
Excited to get the new tunes flashed. Are we expecting the new tune files to be emailed to us at some time today? Will you be publishing the new dyno graphs?
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- #126
Full technical breakdown on the Version 3 tunes
These tunes have been street tested and developed on a dyno.
87 octane tune changes
- Increased allowable boost pressure above 4500 RPM - extending to the rev limit. Allowed load increases and torque limit increases (within allowable 87 octane limitations).
(expected maximum boost pressure ~ 17psi)
91 octane tune changes
93 octane tune changes
-Significant allowable increase in boost pressure (as much as 25psi)
Torque (increases across the entire RPM band)
100 Ft lbs gain @ 2800 RPM
90 ft lbs gain @ 3600 RPM
75 ft lbs gain @ 5000 RPM
55 ft lbs gain @ 5500 RPM
horsepower PEAK horsepower gain of 70 wheel horsepower @ 5800 RPM
93 TCU specific
- additional TCU changes + No gear limiting in 4x4 / 4x4 L drive modes.
NOTE - We say "allowable" because the ECU has some freedom in boost, load, torque, ignition and fueling. We do not remove this freedom of decision, because the decision making process is done through very complicated code that protects the engine under many conditions.
these conditions are, but not limited to:
barometric pressure
oil temperature
oil pressure
coolant temperature
intake air temperature
CAC (intercooler) temperature
Knock
Fuel pressure
KCLV
and much more.
Rather than patch / modify / exclude these safety based parameters, our tunes instead change the limits given and allow the ECU full freedom to make new load and torque limiting decisions.
What this means is the ECU STILL does FULL Checks on all of these and assuming "all are OK" load and torque is dramatically increased.
in the event one of these are NOT ok, the ECU has full directive to still limit power to keep the engine safe.
We feel this is the optimal way to tune these engines, the way Toyota designed the calibration. Unlike some other options out there for these engines (not specifically this car) that just patch around, modify an simplify the code, we do not alter Toyotas Safety based Load control strategy.
These will be the final tune versions available, and our Pro Tuners will likely be offering more catered tunes to you guys soon. With additional customization / tuning / etc for various mods and such. These are "stock car" OTS maps from us.
- All tunes have been modified to increase available power after 5200 RPM. (including the 87 octane tune).
- Available power / load limiting has been raised all the way to 6400 RPM (above the shift limit, so there is no drop in torque).
These tunes have been street tested and developed on a dyno.
87 octane tune changes
- Increased allowable boost pressure above 4500 RPM - extending to the rev limit. Allowed load increases and torque limit increases (within allowable 87 octane limitations).
(expected maximum boost pressure ~ 17psi)
91 octane tune changes
- Boost increase from 2000 RPM to the rev limit / 6400 RPM. Significant increase in available high RPM power (above 5000) + 40-50 wheel horsepower difference at 5500 RPM.
- Increases in allowable torque limits and throttle modulation limits
- Increase allowable ignition
93 octane tune changes
-Significant allowable increase in boost pressure (as much as 25psi)
- increase in allowable torque to over 600 ft lbs
- Modifications to throttle efficiency and ignition efficiency control. Allowing more throttle / ignition as needed.
- Modification to ignition calculations for octane.
(expected maximum boost pressure ~25psi)
Torque (increases across the entire RPM band)
100 Ft lbs gain @ 2800 RPM
90 ft lbs gain @ 3600 RPM
75 ft lbs gain @ 5000 RPM
55 ft lbs gain @ 5500 RPM
horsepower PEAK horsepower gain of 70 wheel horsepower @ 5800 RPM
93 TCU specific
- additional TCU changes + No gear limiting in 4x4 / 4x4 L drive modes.
NOTE - We say "allowable" because the ECU has some freedom in boost, load, torque, ignition and fueling. We do not remove this freedom of decision, because the decision making process is done through very complicated code that protects the engine under many conditions.
these conditions are, but not limited to:
barometric pressure
oil temperature
oil pressure
coolant temperature
intake air temperature
CAC (intercooler) temperature
Knock
Fuel pressure
KCLV
and much more.
Rather than patch / modify / exclude these safety based parameters, our tunes instead change the limits given and allow the ECU full freedom to make new load and torque limiting decisions.
What this means is the ECU STILL does FULL Checks on all of these and assuming "all are OK" load and torque is dramatically increased.
in the event one of these are NOT ok, the ECU has full directive to still limit power to keep the engine safe.
We feel this is the optimal way to tune these engines, the way Toyota designed the calibration. Unlike some other options out there for these engines (not specifically this car) that just patch around, modify an simplify the code, we do not alter Toyotas Safety based Load control strategy.
These will be the final tune versions available, and our Pro Tuners will likely be offering more catered tunes to you guys soon. With additional customization / tuning / etc for various mods and such. These are "stock car" OTS maps from us.
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This 91 octane tune is legit…the truck pulls much harder at lower rpm and just feels generally quicker/faster; additionally the shift points seem smoother. I’m extremely happy with my purchase. I had an issue with my original connector snapping but VF responded quickly with a better quality cable. They’ve also responded within hours on a Sunday. Overall extremely happy. I’ll try the new tune this weekend.
2. Questions
1. Is There is a way to basically erase history of the tune if we want to go back to stock?
2. If we ever trade in the vehicle for another GX, do we have to buy an entire new tune? If we wipe it from the original
1. Is There is a way to basically erase history of the tune if we want to go back to stock?
2. If we ever trade in the vehicle for another GX, do we have to buy an entire new tune? If we wipe it from the original
1 - yes...you can flash with stock file that you create.
2 - no... the ability to connect to the ECU is tied to the VIN. the tune might be the same file (if the ECU ID happens to be the same) but you won't be able to connect via the software on the new Vehicle.
2 - no... the ability to connect to the ECU is tied to the VIN. the tune might be the same file (if the ECU ID happens to be the same) but you won't be able to connect via the software on the new Vehicle.
Flashed the updated 91 octane today and felt another boost in power. Sports or tow/haul mode is so responsive and effortless to accelerate and cruise. Really glad VF updated the low end torque as this is where these vehicles are mostly used. I can’t imagine needing anymore power than this so decided to stick to the 91 octane tune in hope that less is more in terms of longevity.
What happens if you do the 91 flash but end up in the willywacks somewhere and can only get 91? Or what happens if you run 91 for an extended time with the 93 flash?
Probably going to age myself, but i'm gonna borrow an old Toyota slogan for my response after tuning with the most recent 91 octane tune. "oh, what a feeling".
It's not a push you back in the seat power increase, but as @thangcu35 mentioned, it's added responsiveness with the feeling that power is always available. It appears that boost comes in earlier and I do hear my AFE intake sucking in more air with the slightest touch of the accelerator
is it worth it? that's subjective with any vehicle mod. I got it with the introductory discount, but I think the value is there even at the regular price. I think the gains are all in the usable power band and I'll see this weekend if there any affects with mileage. I'm going on a 700 mile trip that i've done 4 times already with the GX so it should be easy to tell if there any differences. not scientific, but it's something.
As a side note - Be prepared for some sphincter puckering moments. For me it was that my car shut down mid flash and the car wouldn't start, I forgot to reinstall the stock CAN Bus plug when the cable broke and encountered errors where the steering wheel wouldn't turn, and some other ECU related warning issue, so PLEASE read and re-read all the steps provided and ask questions if you haven't tuned before. It'll save you some heartache and keep your underwear clean. All the issues, except the cable breaking, were self inflicted by not following the instructions. Once you've done it a couple times, the process is fairly straight forward, but I will say again that VF Tuner support has been Outstanding and was there for me at all hours. I had a response within 10 min last night at 10 pm PST when I needed an access code needed to recover my ECU.
It's not a push you back in the seat power increase, but as @thangcu35 mentioned, it's added responsiveness with the feeling that power is always available. It appears that boost comes in earlier and I do hear my AFE intake sucking in more air with the slightest touch of the accelerator
is it worth it? that's subjective with any vehicle mod. I got it with the introductory discount, but I think the value is there even at the regular price. I think the gains are all in the usable power band and I'll see this weekend if there any affects with mileage. I'm going on a 700 mile trip that i've done 4 times already with the GX so it should be easy to tell if there any differences. not scientific, but it's something.
As a side note - Be prepared for some sphincter puckering moments. For me it was that my car shut down mid flash and the car wouldn't start, I forgot to reinstall the stock CAN Bus plug when the cable broke and encountered errors where the steering wheel wouldn't turn, and some other ECU related warning issue, so PLEASE read and re-read all the steps provided and ask questions if you haven't tuned before. It'll save you some heartache and keep your underwear clean. All the issues, except the cable breaking, were self inflicted by not following the instructions. Once you've done it a couple times, the process is fairly straight forward, but I will say again that VF Tuner support has been Outstanding and was there for me at all hours. I had a response within 10 min last night at 10 pm PST when I needed an access code needed to recover my ECU.
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I’m taking mine in for 15k service and an oil change on Monday, will play with the tuner afterwards!
I take it back....Sport mode from a stop does give you that push you back in your seat performance
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haha it can be addictive, my mpg is now in the 11’s and my heavy foot is to blame. Just know until engine is fully warmed up, boost is limited to about 8psi. I was surprised that it felt like stock initially after the flash, but after some more driving the power just came out from no where.
Maybe I shouldn't install this....my mileage sucks as it is.
Report from halfway from my trip. Mileage is slighly better +.5 mpg on this trip compared to last. Avg speed was 70 mph on cruise control. Plus side is this better mileage is after installing the westcott lift. Interesting part is that I went 346 miles before the gas light went on. My fill up when it clicked off was 17.6 gallons. Hmmmmm…
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