Camtuning / Cobb AP Review (Hybrid Tacoma Sport)

[TacoChilly]

I teamed up with @CAMTuning for my 2025 Tacoma Hybrid, and the second COBB dropped hybrid support, it was go time. I’ve been a long-time COBB fan from my Subaru days, so choosing them again was a no-brainer—then I found out Cam also came from the Subie world, and it felt like fate.

Now, the truck? Oh man… this thing absolutely rips. The torque hits instantly and feels endless. The goofy factory shift points? Fixed. The annoying exhaust drone? Gone. Add in the Sxth Element intake and it’s like the whole setup was meant to be together gifting beautiful turbo noises! Pure magic.

Working with Cam was a blast. He was patient, responsive, and you could tell he genuinely cared about getting everything just right. He kept fine-tuning until he was completely satisfied, and those little tweaks turned my Tacoma into a whole new animal.

Truly appreciate the passion and effort—this truck has never been more fun.

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[Pappy]

Pure magic.

I used the words voodoo, black magic, wizardry, witchcraft, alien science. I agree, this is not the same truck I drove home in March.

 

[CAMTuning]

I used the words voodoo, black magic, wizardry, witchcraft, alien science. I agree, this is not the same truck I drove home in March.

Are you going to the coffee meetup tomorrow?

 

[Pappy]

Are you going to the coffee meetup tomorrow?

I was thinking about it. I need to work on the 4R at some point, but I can do that in the afternoon.

 

[james cole]

Does the transmission feeling like a CVT gets eliminated?

Meaning the revs hold and the truck acquires speed…

 

[TacoChilly]

Does the transmission feeling like a CVT gets eliminates?

Meaning the revs hold and the truck acquires speed…

It definitely helps with that. The “sport” TCM tune really makes it feel like a traditional shift pattern vs the cvt hangout and exhaust drone.

 

[james cole]

Can you tune the PCM and TCM independently?

 

[CAMTuning]

Can you tune the PCM and TCM independently?

It's all through the same flash process, but yes we have full control of upshift and downshift patterns for all drive modes, as well as torque converter lock and unlock. I've spent a lot of time working on the shift patterns and if there's a particular behavior you'd like to see (hold gear longer at lower throttle, downshift with less throttle input, etc) I can do it.
You could even leave all of the power characteristics OEM, and create a file that only changes shift behavior.
That's one of the best features of the Accessport- You can load as many maps as you want to it, and switch between them yourself in less than a minute.

 

[omfg]

It's all through the same flash process, but yes we have full control of upshift and downshift patterns for all drive modes, as well as torque converter lock and unlock. I've spent a lot of time working on the shift patterns and if there's a particular behavior you'd like to see (hold gear longer at lower throttle, downshift with less throttle input, etc) I can do it.
You could even leave all of the power characteristics OEM, and create a file that only changes shift behavior.
That's one of the best features of the Accessport- You can load as many maps as you want to it, and switch between them yourself in less than a minute.

Does the Accessport plug into OBD2? Easy to flash stock tune and remove in case of dealer service?

 

[CAMTuning]

Does the Accessport plug into OBD2? Easy to flash stock tune and remove in case of dealer service?

Sure does, and yes it is. There's an additional cable used in the kick panel to access the CAN, and this is only needed for install and uninstall. The process around 5 minutes to install or deinstall and return to stock. You also don't need the Accessport plugged in for the tune to be on the truck. It's a great tool for gauges and monitoring, but you can leave it at home if you prefer.
I made a video for my customers to show the installation process.

 

[james cole]

This is going to sound super far fetched…

I like how the ZF 8 speed works, engine and wheels feel very connected contrary to Toyota Aisin Transmission, is it possible to make it operate more connected via what I suppose is early converter lock-up?

It's all through the same flash process, but yes we have full control of upshift and downshift patterns for all drive modes, as well as torque converter lock and unlock. I've spent a lot of time working on the shift patterns and if there's a particular behavior you'd like to see (hold gear longer at lower throttle, downshift with less throttle input, etc) I can do it.
You could even leave all of the power characteristics OEM, and create a file that only changes shift behavior.
That's one of the best features of the Accessport- You can load as many maps as you want to it, and switch between them yourself in less than a minute.

 

[CAMTuning]

We can lock the converter earlier, or make it downshift sooner, giving you more rpm and more swift takeoff. One drawback of earlier lock up with a small displacement turbo engine is that it may not accelerate very well because you're loading the engine up before the turbo is spooled. If you are interested, we can do some tuning on your truck and work to replicate the behavior that you're after. You can pm me if you'd like.

 

[omfg]

Sure does, and yes it is. There's an additional cable used in the kick panel to access the CAN, and this is only needed for install and uninstall. The process around 5 minutes to install or deinstall and return to stock. You also don't need the Accessport plugged in for the tune to be on the truck. It's a great tool for gauges and monitoring, but you can leave it at home if you prefer.
I made a video for my customers to show the installation process.

Thanks for the video. Are you able to leave it plugged into CAN in order to change tunes any time, or does it have to be unplugged and replugged into OBD2 during normal operation? Sorry if you answered that in the video, had to watch it on mute.

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