OTT…is there a downside?

My Tacoma is now 4 years old w/53k miles. The more research I do on the Overland Taylor Tune, the more I’m inclined to add it. Are there any notable “cons” I should be aware of?

 

None.

 

Are you in an emissions testing state?
The tune is close to getting the CARB certification, but it doesn’t have it yet. This would be the only con I can think of.

the mild/medium is wonderful. I must say, 90% of the time I am just using the mild, only use ECT when towing or need spirited boost in Indy traffic

 

I do not live in a “Emission Testing” state. There was a thread not too long ago that was about this and the “state” detected the tune and he failed the test. You basically have to flash back to stock every time you go let the government tell you if it’s ok to drive your car and then reinstall the tune once you pass…


I now understand you were asking op if he lives in one of those states….

 

Whole forum here devoted to this, no need to ask in the general 3rd gen section. The tuners were kicked out of here for a reason. Ski

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/performance-and-tuning.8/

 

No "cons" it is one of those changes that you make and eventually you forget about them because it just works better. I don't even remember how my truck drove before the OTT flash, I also did the mild version.

 

this

 

Tire wear

 

No downside...unless you enjoy your Tacoma struggling to find the proper gear to be in.

 

No

 

OTT gets a ton of praise, but my experience with it hasn't been that if I'm being honest.

I do not enjoy how it drives around town. Previously running KDMax Sport and then going to OTT.....feels like I went back to stock in terms of shift points luggin around town.

just my 2c…

 

Interesting—your issue is around the transmission programming?

 

Have you tried any other tuned aside from KDMax and OTT? Also did you try returning to your tuner for a reflash to see if that remedied your issue?

 

Yep. You can feel the extra hp/torque with OTT don’t get me wrong. It’s faster off the line for sure.
But cruising around town, it just shifts way to early for me, many times I notice I’m at like 1k rpms at 35mphish. And the truck falls on its face. Then I give it gas and we shift. Rinse and repeat for most of my town driving unless you’re getting on it a bit harder than normal.

And yes, I have flashed different variants of the tune. Started with the spicy tune and thought maybe that was the issue but I’m on mild now.

I’ve been on a Kdmax (since before it went paid), valleytune sport, OG OVTune, and now OTT for the past 2-3k miles.


I’m not trying to say don’t get the tune, it’ll be better than stock for sure, just stating my complaint with it because I’ve never seen anybody make complaints about it, hence why I tried it.

 

The downside is not doing it sooner.

 

Totally agree. It's almost like when you tip into the throttle, the tune is closing the throttle, and then you have to give it even more pedal before it "wakes up" and accelerates. To me it doesn't seem like it is upshifting, but rather just a dead spot in the calibration. Super annoying.

 

My truck is a manual, so I don't know how the transmission is affected byt the different tunes. Of the tunes you've tried, which do you prefer?

 

OTT makes is noticeably better.

 

Whats your reason for "needing" the tune? Where is the Tacoma slacking as far as performance in your aspect/driving patterns? Tunes are usually not ideal if you tow or use the truck as a "truck", as its usually performance related and changes shift points and adds power. Regearing will fix alot of drivability issues, however is more expensive than a "tune" but fixes the internal gearing ratio problem that causes shift points and the lack of power in mountains or with a load. Gears will "fix" the issue without changing electronics and the ECM.

Essentially if a powertrain module or component is faulted or damaged, any warranty you have with a tune will likely be voided whereas gears void the "axle" warranty and differential, but doesnt change/void transmission, motor or any power components that can leak or have warranty issues.

 

I have to agree. On the highway or when "into" the throttle it's def nice, but just cruising around town I too have this experience. Way too low of RPM, try to give some gas and it falls on its face because it refuses to shift unless I give far more throttle than I should need, and then it downshifts and takes off like a mofo. I also have an issue where I have zero throttle input from 0 to say, 5% pedal travel, but not all the time. It randomly happens when pulling into the driveway or trying to leave a stop sign. Nothing, nothing, nothing, then BAM! Finally have throttle at whatever percentage the pedal has traveled. I've tried reaching out to my tuner but I can't get them to respond.