Has anyone done the OTT Tune?

[FLAirgunner]

I hate it when the Sponsor jumps in on page 2 and misses the questions on page 1! LOL! I was hoping they would address our questions about the Hybrids! Seems everything is geared more toward tuning the non-hybrid Tacomas!

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[Norsk]

I have the Magnaflow overland kit and OTT tune. Waiting to get a intake.

Sxth Intake is really nice, and I have it. It gives out turbo noise and i can notice the difference than the stock airbox. Looking forward to get mine tuned with OTT soon in few weeks!

 

[Devildog81]

Does the tune affect mileage up or down?

I have not noticed an increase in fuel mileage or a decrease. If you can keep your right foot from pushing to hard on the right pedal it should possibly net better fuel mileage with the extra timing added. I’m still on my honey moon stage with the tune and am having a hard time doing that lol.

 

[HarryDaHamster]

I have the Magnaflow overland kit and OTT tune. Waiting to get a intake.

I got the same exhaust on order along with a Stillen intake. I got it cause it’s not too loud and doesn’t sound like a rice rocket. How do you like the exhaust so far?

 

[JustDSM]

I have not been tuned by OTT, but for another reference point the tuning for my 2018 F150 was somewhere around $750. This was a few years ago and included the module to tune at home. So $650 seems to be in a fair price range even if it doesn't include access to tune it yourself.

I'm looking forward to more feedback on the OTT tune. Tuning my F150 made a substantial difference, so I'm definitely a fan of tuning. The only thing holding me back right now is trying to decide what throttle sensitivity I want... the Taco is my daily driver and I spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic so I don't want it to be too "touchy" on the throttle.

We can do our tune with a 100% stock throttle sensitivity if that's what you require. No trouble at all.

 

[JustDSM]

I hate it when the Sponsor jumps in on page 2 and misses the questions on page 1! LOL! I was hoping they would address our questions about the Hybrids! Seems everything is geared more toward tuning the non-hybrid Tacomas!

Hey @FLAirgunner,
Thanks for your post, and sorry if it seemed like we missed you! I looked back through page 1 and didn’t see any specific questions directed at us; it looked more like general discussion and comments. If I misunderstood or overlooked something, I apologize; it was not our intention. Feel free to shoot over any questions you have, and we’ll get you taken care of.

To answer the topic about hybrids: while we work with gas models more often, we also support and tune the hybrid Tacomas.
Regarding your comment about wanting more out of the hybrid system, it’s a good question. Unfortunately, the hybrid battery in the Tacoma isn’t sized to deliver significantly more power than it already does. During development, we actually drained the battery completely, doing back-to-back dyno pulls. We’ve optimized torque requests to engage the hybrid a little more aggressively under high demand, but it’s not capable of functioning like a plug-in hybrid system (like a Jeep 4xe, for example). It’s a limitation of the hardware, not something tuning alone can fully overcome.

Let us know if you have any other questions or if there’s anything else we can help with!

 

[HarryDaHamster]

With the tremendous aftermarket support of the Tacoma, it would be awesome if someone developed a larger hybrid battery pack and/or a plug in option so the hybrid motor can be used for more than only acceleration

 

[FLAirgunner]

Hey @FLAirgunner,
Thanks for your post, and sorry if it seemed like we missed you! I looked back through page 1 and didn’t see any specific questions directed at us; it looked more like general discussion and comments. If I misunderstood or overlooked something, I apologize; it was not our intention. Feel free to shoot over any questions you have, and we’ll get you taken care of.

To answer the topic about hybrids: while we work with gas models more often, we also support and tune the hybrid Tacomas.
Regarding your comment about wanting more out of the hybrid system, it’s a good question. Unfortunately, the hybrid battery in the Tacoma isn’t sized to deliver significantly more power than it already does. During development, we actually drained the battery completely, doing back-to-back dyno pulls. We’ve optimized torque requests to engage the hybrid a little more aggressively under high demand, but it’s not capable of functioning like a plug-in hybrid system (like a Jeep 4xe, for example). It’s a limitation of the hardware, not something tuning alone can fully overcome.

Let us know if you have any other questions or if there’s anything else we can help with!

Thank you! I have to apologize also, I'm still learning the nuances of this forum and should have tagged you in the post! Yes, it was directed to you, but was posted as a more general question. Thank you for going back and specifically answering my question.

So @JustDSM, a specific question for you... Since the I-Force Max Hybrid engines have essentially 4 modes (5 if you count Custom) what specifically does the tune do for each setting? It seems the tunes are all more power/performance related, so do they have specific benefits for each settings, i.e. ECO, Normal, Sport and Sport+. Specifically, does it provide for better gas mileage in ECO? Does it turn Normal into Sport, Sport into Sport+ and Sport+ into Ludacris (Telsa reference )? Thanks again for your help!

 

[JustDSM]

Thank you! I have to apologize also, I'm still learning the nuances of this forum and should have tagged you in the post! Yes, it was directed to you, but was posted as a more general question. Thank you for going back and specifically answering my question.

So @JustDSM, a specific question for you... Since the I-Force Max Hybrid engines have essentially 4 modes (5 if you count Custom) what specifically does the tune do for each setting? It seems the tunes are all more power/performance related, so do they have specific benefits for each settings, i.e. ECO, Normal, Sport and Sport+. Specifically, does it provide for better gas mileage in ECO? Does it turn Normal into Sport, Sport into Sport+ and Sport+ into Ludacris (Telsa reference )? Thanks again for your help!

Thanks again for the follow up and for tagging me this time around!

I’ll do my best to give you a thorough (but digestible) answer. I’ll start with some high-level context and then break it down by drive mode. Just a heads-up — this explanation is specific to our calibration. Other tuners or devices may handle these differently (or not at all), so it’s important to know what’s actually being modified, not just chase advertised performance numbers.

Calibration Overview

At the core of our tuning is the engine calibration, which delivers the increased power and torque. In tandem with that, we revise the TCU calibration, adjusting shift points, torque management, and drivability logic. These changes are modeled together, taking into account the quicker spool and broader torque curve, to ensure everything works seamlessly between the engine and transmission.

All our Stage calibrations (Stage 1, 2, etc.) include these engine + TCU updates. Our OE Spec calibration for SR trims brings them up to SR5/TRD output levels while retaining 100% OEM engine and transmission behavior.

Drive Modes – Explained

Each drive mode (where available) is individually calibrated in our Stage files. The most significant differences per mode are found in throttle sensitivity and TCU shift logic. We retain the OE intent behind each mode, but optimize the behavior to match the increased output, so in essence, you’re getting multiple driving personalities in one tune.

ECO Mode

• Gas Models: Subtle bump in throttle response to make the mode more usable, but still calm and focused on efficiency. Great for daily cruising or low-traction situations.
• Hybrid Models: Factory ECO and Normal are nearly identical, so we went the opposite direction and actually softened ECO. This provides better contrast between modes, especially on slippery surfaces or when fine control is required.
• Common to both: Unique TCU mapping focused on smooth, early shifts and minimal engine load.

NORMAL Mode

• Increased throttle response for a more lively feel, but balanced for daily use.
• You’ll notice quicker reaction when dipping into the pedal, without making it twitchy.
• Has its own dedicated TCU calibration as well.

SPORT Mode

• Sharper throttle mapping for spirited driving.
• A subtle rework of the shift schedule to keep you in the power band longer under load, but still perfectly streetable with gentle input with specific TCU updates.

TOW/HAUL Mode

• This is the hottest drive mode in our calibration — designed to make the truck feel like it’s not towing a thing.
• It prioritizes torque delivery and shift behavior under heavy load.
• When used without a trailer or payload, it’s very punchy — some folks love it for that reason, but it’s really meant to shine when the truck is working hard.
• Contains a more aggressive TCU strategy tailored for towing scenarios.

We currently have three levels of the Stage 1 calibration: "Stock", "Base", and "Enhanced". These levels determine the amount of increase in the drive modes. With stock you can ignore all of the above "throttle talk", the throttle sensitivity remains 100% OEM as the truck was delivered. Base is a more subtle increase, and Enhanced is our standard and recommended setting.

Hope this helps!

Edit: Forgot to reference the Sport+ and other "+" drivemodes. Those will retain the same function as the base setting for that mode. So for example. Sport and Sport+ retain the same settings. There are other settings modified by those drive modes that are not controlled by the ECU specifically.

 

[FLAirgunner]

Thanks again for the follow up and for tagging me this time around!

I’ll do my best to give you a thorough (but digestible) answer. I’ll start with some high-level context and then break it down by drive mode. Just a heads-up — this explanation is specific to our calibration. Other tuners or devices may handle these differently (or not at all), so it’s important to know what’s actually being modified, not just chase advertised performance numbers.

Calibration Overview

At the core of our tuning is the engine calibration, which delivers the increased power and torque. In tandem with that, we revise the TCU calibration, adjusting shift points, torque management, and drivability logic. These changes are modeled together, taking into account the quicker spool and broader torque curve, to ensure everything works seamlessly between the engine and transmission.

All our Stage calibrations (Stage 1, 2, etc.) include these engine + TCU updates. Our OE Spec calibration for SR trims brings them up to SR5/TRD output levels while retaining 100% OEM engine and transmission behavior.

Drive Modes – Explained

Each drive mode (where available) is individually calibrated in our Stage files. The most significant differences per mode are found in throttle sensitivity and TCU shift logic. We retain the OE intent behind each mode, but optimize the behavior to match the increased output, so in essence, you’re getting multiple driving personalities in one tune.

ECO Mode

• Gas Models: Subtle bump in throttle response to make the mode more usable, but still calm and focused on efficiency. Great for daily cruising or low-traction situations.
• Hybrid Models: Factory ECO and Normal are nearly identical, so we went the opposite direction and actually softened ECO. This provides better contrast between modes, especially on slippery surfaces or when fine control is required.
• Common to both: Unique TCU mapping focused on smooth, early shifts and minimal engine load.

NORMAL Mode

• Increased throttle response for a more lively feel, but balanced for daily use.
• You’ll notice quicker reaction when dipping into the pedal, without making it twitchy.
• Has its own dedicated TCU calibration as well.

SPORT Mode

• Sharper throttle mapping for spirited driving.
• A subtle rework of the shift schedule to keep you in the power band longer under load, but still perfectly streetable with gentle input with specific TCU updates.

TOW/HAUL Mode

• This is the hottest drive mode in our calibration — designed to make the truck feel like it’s not towing a thing.
• It prioritizes torque delivery and shift behavior under heavy load.
• When used without a trailer or payload, it’s very punchy — some folks love it for that reason, but it’s really meant to shine when the truck is working hard.
• Contains a more aggressive TCU strategy tailored for towing scenarios.

We currently have three levels of the Stage 1 calibration: "Stock", "Base", and "Enhanced". These levels determine the amount of increase in the drive modes. With stock you can ignore all of the above "throttle talk", the throttle sensitivity remains 100% OEM as the truck was delivered. Base is a more subtle increase, and Enhanced is our standard and recommended setting.

Hope this helps!

Edit: Forgot to reference the Sport+ and other "+" drivemodes. Those will retain the same function as the base setting for that mode. So for example. Sport and Sport+ retain the same settings. There are other settings modified by those drive modes that are not controlled by the ECU specifically.

@JustDSM Thank you, that was very helpful! I have the Limited with the Hybrid engine, so I am mostly interested in improving gas mileage. It sounds like that its possible with the ECO Drive Mode Tune.

You mention there is not much difference between the stock ECO and Normal tunes, what about Sport and Sport+? What are the differences here, and does OTT do anything with the Sport+ Drive Mode, or is that essentially the same as your Tow/Haul Tune?

For background, I am turning 67 in a couple months, am retired and do more city driving (running errands and doctor appointment, you know, typical senior citizen stuff). I also try to conserve as much fuel as possible and pretty much leave my truck in Custom, which in my case is ECO for the engine, Normal for A/C, Sport for Steering and Comfort for suspension. I'm also that guy who generally drives the speed limit, however, I do so in the slow lane! I live in FL, so not many hills, mostly flat road, but plenty of stop and go traffic. Given this profile, what Tune Level would you recommend for my driving style? Thank you again for your help.

 

[Devildog81]

I got the same exhaust on order along with a Stillen intake. I got it cause it’s not too loud and doesn’t sound like a rice rocket. How do you like the exhaust so far?

this video sold me on the Magnaflow overland exhaust. TRD Jon is by far one of the best YouTubers in the Toyota community. He don’t sugar coat anything and is very honest on his opinions, which is hard to find these days. Honestly I don’t think I’d change anything about the overland setup, it’s got a perfect deep tone to it and zero drone. I’m running the side exit with the nice black double wall tip.

 

[Norsk]

Thanks again for the follow up and for tagging me this time around!

I’ll do my best to give you a thorough (but digestible) answer. I’ll start with some high-level context and then break it down by drive mode. Just a heads-up — this explanation is specific to our calibration. Other tuners or devices may handle these differently (or not at all), so it’s important to know what’s actually being modified, not just chase advertised performance numbers.

Calibration Overview

At the core of our tuning is the engine calibration, which delivers the increased power and torque. In tandem with that, we revise the TCU calibration, adjusting shift points, torque management, and drivability logic. These changes are modeled together, taking into account the quicker spool and broader torque curve, to ensure everything works seamlessly between the engine and transmission.

All our Stage calibrations (Stage 1, 2, etc.) include these engine + TCU updates. Our OE Spec calibration for SR trims brings them up to SR5/TRD output levels while retaining 100% OEM engine and transmission behavior.

Drive Modes – Explained

Each drive mode (where available) is individually calibrated in our Stage files. The most significant differences per mode are found in throttle sensitivity and TCU shift logic. We retain the OE intent behind each mode, but optimize the behavior to match the increased output, so in essence, you’re getting multiple driving personalities in one tune.

ECO Mode

• Gas Models: Subtle bump in throttle response to make the mode more usable, but still calm and focused on efficiency. Great for daily cruising or low-traction situations.
• Hybrid Models: Factory ECO and Normal are nearly identical, so we went the opposite direction and actually softened ECO. This provides better contrast between modes, especially on slippery surfaces or when fine control is required.
• Common to both: Unique TCU mapping focused on smooth, early shifts and minimal engine load.

NORMAL Mode

• Increased throttle response for a more lively feel, but balanced for daily use.
• You’ll notice quicker reaction when dipping into the pedal, without making it twitchy.
• Has its own dedicated TCU calibration as well.

SPORT Mode

• Sharper throttle mapping for spirited driving.
• A subtle rework of the shift schedule to keep you in the power band longer under load, but still perfectly streetable with gentle input with specific TCU updates.

TOW/HAUL Mode

• This is the hottest drive mode in our calibration — designed to make the truck feel like it’s not towing a thing.
• It prioritizes torque delivery and shift behavior under heavy load.
• When used without a trailer or payload, it’s very punchy — some folks love it for that reason, but it’s really meant to shine when the truck is working hard.
• Contains a more aggressive TCU strategy tailored for towing scenarios.

We currently have three levels of the Stage 1 calibration: "Stock", "Base", and "Enhanced". These levels determine the amount of increase in the drive modes. With stock you can ignore all of the above "throttle talk", the throttle sensitivity remains 100% OEM as the truck was delivered. Base is a more subtle increase, and Enhanced is our standard and recommended setting.

Hope this helps!

That helps a lot and I understand now.

Thanks again for the follow up and for tagging me this time around!

I’ll do my best to give you a thorough (but digestible) answer. I’ll start with some high-level context and then break it down by drive mode. Just a heads-up — this explanation is specific to our calibration. Other tuners or devices may handle these differently (or not at all), so it’s important to know what’s actually being modified, not just chase advertised performance numbers.

Calibration Overview

At the core of our tuning is the engine calibration, which delivers the increased power and torque. In tandem with that, we revise the TCU calibration, adjusting shift points, torque management, and drivability logic. These changes are modeled together, taking into account the quicker spool and broader torque curve, to ensure everything works seamlessly between the engine and transmission.

All our Stage calibrations (Stage 1, 2, etc.) include these engine + TCU updates. Our OE Spec calibration for SR trims brings them up to SR5/TRD output levels while retaining 100% OEM engine and transmission behavior.

Drive Modes – Explained

Each drive mode (where available) is individually calibrated in our Stage files. The most significant differences per mode are found in throttle sensitivity and TCU shift logic. We retain the OE intent behind each mode, but optimize the behavior to match the increased output, so in essence, you’re getting multiple driving personalities in one tune.

ECO Mode

• Gas Models: Subtle bump in throttle response to make the mode more usable, but still calm and focused on efficiency. Great for daily cruising or low-traction situations.
• Hybrid Models: Factory ECO and Normal are nearly identical, so we went the opposite direction and actually softened ECO. This provides better contrast between modes, especially on slippery surfaces or when fine control is required.
• Common to both: Unique TCU mapping focused on smooth, early shifts and minimal engine load.

NORMAL Mode

• Increased throttle response for a more lively feel, but balanced for daily use.
• You’ll notice quicker reaction when dipping into the pedal, without making it twitchy.
• Has its own dedicated TCU calibration as well.

SPORT Mode

• Sharper throttle mapping for spirited driving.
• A subtle rework of the shift schedule to keep you in the power band longer under load, but still perfectly streetable with gentle input with specific TCU updates.

TOW/HAUL Mode

• This is the hottest drive mode in our calibration — designed to make the truck feel like it’s not towing a thing.
• It prioritizes torque delivery and shift behavior under heavy load.
• When used without a trailer or payload, it’s very punchy — some folks love it for that reason, but it’s really meant to shine when the truck is working hard.
• Contains a more aggressive TCU strategy tailored for towing scenarios.

We currently have three levels of the Stage 1 calibration: "Stock", "Base", and "Enhanced". These levels determine the amount of increase in the drive modes. With stock you can ignore all of the above "throttle talk", the throttle sensitivity remains 100% OEM as the truck was delivered. Base is a more subtle increase, and Enhanced is our standard and recommended setting.

Hope this helps!

Edit: Forgot to reference the Sport+ and other "+" drivemodes. Those will retain the same function as the base setting for that mode. So for example. Sport and Sport+ retain the same settings. There are other settings modified by those drive modes that are not controlled by the ECU specifically.

Very helpful!

 

[JustDSM]

I dont think a tune would be ideal for you if your primary goal is to improve fuel economy. The OEM's do a fantastic job at getting the most out of the truck in that regard. Our calibrations are more tailored for an enhanced driving experience. So I just want to be transparent with you on fuel economy. Most of our clients wont see much change in economy when driven the same way they drove prior to the tune. There's no escaping the fact to get more power, you have to move more air, and when you move more air, you need more fuel to maintain your target air/fuel ratios.

Sport and Sport+ will use the same throttle/trans data. The Tow-Haul data is independent of the other drive modes like Sport/Sport+.

Since you are not driving around like a 16 year old (at least how I did!), our Hybrid specific ECO throttle profile being less aggressive than OE, you might actually be able to reasonably achieve a slight increase in economy, though I couldn't guarantee that in anyway, it just has the ability to afford you the opportunity to be a little more gentle with your torque requests and keep fuel consumption minimal.

If you're looking for the absolute best economy on our tune, or Stage 1 "Base" throttle would be what I'd suggest you try and I think it would work for you.

 

[FLAirgunner]

I dont think a tune would be ideal for you if your primary goal is to improve fuel economy. The OEM's do a fantastic job at getting the most out of the truck in that regard. Our calibrations are more tailored for an enhanced driving experience. So I just want to be transparent with you on fuel economy. Most of our clients wont see much change in economy when driven the same way they drove prior to the tune. There's no escaping the fact to get more power, you have to move more air, and when you move more air, you need more fuel to maintain your target air/fuel ratios.

Sport and Sport+ will use the same throttle/trans data. The Tow-Haul data is independent of the other drive modes like Sport/Sport+.

Since you are not driving around like a 16 year old (at least how I did!), our Hybrid specific ECO throttle profile being less aggressive than OE, you might actually be able to reasonably achieve a slight increase in economy, though I couldn't guarantee that in anyway, it just has the ability to afford you the opportunity to be a little more gentle with your torque requests and keep fuel consumption minimal.

If you're looking for the absolute best economy on our tune, or Stage 1 "Base" throttle would be what I'd suggest you try and I think it would work for you.

@JustDSM That helps me a lot with my decision. It's too bad you don't offer al a carte tunes, I'd probably just opt for the Base ECO tune and forgo the rest! Thanks again for all your help and honesty about what you offer, that's very refreshing these days!

 

[JustDSM]

@JustDSM That helps me a lot with my decision. It's too bad you don't offer al a carte tunes, I'd probably just opt for the Base ECO tune and forgo the rest! Thanks again for all your help and honesty about what you offer, that's very refreshing these days!

I'll send you a PM sir.

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