VF Tuner ECU/TCU Tuning for the GX550

[fgmcc5]

My cable snapped as well…very very light twist to put the cable into place to receive the connector. This happened a week ago, I emailed a few times and the response I received was that a free invoice would be sent for a replacement with a shipping label for the broken one. It’s been 3 days…I have yet to receive this invoice.

 

[Bluegill]

damn....

 

[VF Tuner]

The CAN connectors have only 2 wires for the CAN on them, we going to try to make them stronger / more robust. I will be back in office tomorrow,

the CAN Connect instructions were emailed to everyone and will be on our website as well.

 

[VF Tuner]

My cable snapped as well…very very light twist to put the cable into place to receive the connector. This happened a week ago, I emailed a few times and the response I received was that a free invoice would be sent for a replacement with a shipping label for the broken one. It’s been 3 days…I have yet to receive this invoice.

Yes I mentioned because I was not in office, in that email. You should have it now.



The CAN connects are a little fragile but I am surprised they are breaking so easily. The wires are thin ..but shouldn't just snap at the slightest bend. We will fix it and replace.

 

[VF Tuner]

Are you able to paste the link to the actual tune from the site?
Also, can you please provide a summary of all the features?
I am interested to understand what else other than power output we'll be able to achieve for my Premium plus.
Thanks in advance.

The tune files are not on our website, we email customers the prepackaged files when they send their ECU data.

We can provide a summary yes.

I will be back in office and will get on it this weekend.


VF Will get the broken CAN connects replaced this weekend as well.

 

[VF Tuner]

Also, I want to take a moment to post this here for the heavily modified GX550 folks.


We have some reports that some intake systems cause check engine lights on these vehicles. Our calibrations follow EPA guidance and follow standard emissions controls. We cannot provide any calibration that "deletes" "modifies" or "disables" any such report or change any data that would change the ability for any DTC report. (DTC = check engine light / diagnostic trouble code)

Our calibrations are designed for OEM / OEM+ (some modifications, like exhaust) however these engines are very sensitive to intake design, airflow calculations, crank case breather airflow readings, etc) All for emissions purposes.

 

[monsieurvo]

Yes I mentioned because I was not in office, in that email. You should have it now.



The CAN connects are a little fragile but I am surprised they are breaking so easily. The wires are thin ..but shouldn't just snap at the slightest bend. We will fix it and replace.

Thanks for this. I don't think duct tape is a good way to secure the cable and the connector. Perhaps shrink wrap to ensure there's minimal movement of the wire might help?

 

[VF Tuner]

Thanks for this. I don't think duct tape is a good way to secure the cable and the connector. Perhaps shrink wrap to ensure there's minimal movement of the wire might help?

We used electrical tape to secure the wire sheath, but it seems to not have held,

We don't use duct tape. The new one will use some additional secure backing

 

[VF Tuner]

We are back on the dyno this week working on some additional tuning updates.
Everyone will receive these tune updates for free when complete.

Thank you for your support.

 

[munkeeboi]

The vehicle’s CAN connector has a black cap that is secured to the frame using the white plastic clip. Since there is limited room to work with, I left everything intact to allow the white clip to hold the CAN connector firm in place. I then bent up the small tab that holds the connector to the cap using a long flat head screwdriver. Once the tab is bent, you can then pry out the white clip and pull on the black cap (with the white clip) to disconnect it from the harness side connector. Attaching the VF’s CAN cable to the vehicle’s connector also requires some finessing. I secured the Wiflash to the area with a zip tie and ran the usb cable down to footwell where it is tucked away.


View attachment 9576View attachment 9578View attachment 9579View attachment 9580

Does the wiflash unit have to remain in the car after flashing or can it be removed?

Are there any more detailed instructions for the install and operation specifically for the GX550. I've only gone so far as registering my wiflash. I have not installed it yet to check my ECU ID.

 

[VF Tuner]

Does the wiflash unit have to remain in the car after flashing or can it be removed?

Are there any more detailed instructions for the install and operation specifically for the GX550. I've only gone so far as registering my wiflash. I have not installed it yet to check my ECU ID.

it does not have to stay connected in the car. It is only for reading / writing / logging.

So far every GX550 has 1 of two ECU IDs, most likely you will not need to read it, you can check the ID through the standard OBDII port.

 

[munkeeboi]

are the CAN connect instructions on the website yet?

 

[Bluegill]

I received my kit a few days ago but I'm waiting to see the final "installation" procedures. I downloaded the PDF from the VF website but I haven't had time to follow all the links and figure it out yet.

 

[VF Tuner]

I received my kit a few days ago but I'm waiting to see the final "installation" procedures. I downloaded the PDF from the VF website but I haven't had time to follow all the links and figure it out yet.

you can go to resources > new customers start here guide on our site

are the CAN connect instructions on the website yet?

are the CAN connect instructions on the website yet?

Yes sir, under tuning guides / connection guides

 

[munkeeboi]

Is there a specific CAN connect guide for the GX? The only one on the site currently is for the Tundra.

 

[thangcu35]

Is there a specific CAN connect guide for the GX? The only one on the site currently is for the Tundra.

View attachment 9758

It looks like it's on there now

 

[Jesse H]

Hey everyone. Everyone should have tracking #s now and kits are on the way.
A few folks have sent us their ECU readouts.



I'd like to take a moment to discuss lexus "premium rquired" tune vs the Tundra 87 octane tune.

Some interesting info to ponder about. All of this information is comparisons of stock tunes.
While we have tuned this calibration and did bench testing, we didn't "deep dive" into comparisons over the Tundra before. We want to share some of this information now as we do some comparisons.
Reviewing The tune on the lexus, the only thing that stands out as why it*may* require premium fuel is that under certain scenarios (when all temps are in check, oil, IAT, ECT, etc) the ECU may allow as much as 1~2psi increase around 2000 RPM vs the Tundra.
However the Tundra runs more boost overall, especially at higher RPM.


BOOST:
The Tundra and the GX550 run nearly identical boost pressure and airflow limits. The GX550 does not get any "significant improvement" in boost pressure compared to the tundra. The GX550 can, in certain scenarios only, run slightly higher boost pressure at low RPM (around 2000 rpm) and about roughly 1psi higher than the tundra.

However, the GX550 actually gets LESS allowable boost pressure above 4400 RPM than the Tundra Does. Above 4400 RPM the GX550's boost pressure is gutted.

Ignition:
Ignition timing strategies and target ignition are virtually identical, except that the Tundra actually uses more low load / low RPM ignition than the GX550 does.

Valve timing:
Nearly Identical, with the exception being the Tundra has better Valve timing targets at higher loads / moderate load / above 4400 RPM or so.

We have not received much inquiries about making an 87 octane tune for this vehicle (even though we will be providing one).. VF Tuner is quite confident we will be able to provide you guys a solid 87 octane tune that not only is safe, but will provide you more power too.


This is just our opinion, but Lexus is requiring "premium fuel" for their "premium GX550" which actually does not need it. What is more interesting are the rumors that the GX550 uses a slightly smaller turbocharger than the Tundra, and lexus makes nearly identical power figures as the tundra, but requires premium, and uses less boost at higher RPM. This is very interesting. The lexus version does use lower ignition efficiency targets which would allow but not guarantee more ignition could be given (where power can be increased or decreased pretty easily).

Our opinion of the strategy: use premium fuel, Generate similar to, or slightly higher boost psi than the tundra at very low RPM, and dramatically reduce boost pressure in the higher RPMs while using an ignition strategy that calculates as "less efficient" allowing for more ignition timing at higher RPM.


The Tundra just does this easier and doesn't require premium fuel.

Thank you for this!

I've been curious about why the Tundra makes more power while requiring less octane since the GX's numbers were released. Nobody was able to add technical information to the conversation until now.

Was initially going to wait until the warranty was behind us but I may jump on this sooner. Too bad I missed the discount!

 

[VF Tuner]

Thank you for this!

I've been curious about why the Tundra makes more power while requiring less octane since the GX's numbers were released. Nobody was able to add technical information to the conversation until now.

Was initially going to wait until the warranty was behind us but I may jump on this sooner. Too bad I missed the discount!

There is also some unconfirmed reports that the GX550 turbos are slightly smaller.

 

[VF Tuner]

Thanks everyone! We are so happy to hear you guys are loving the tunes

 

[jfalabrino]

From past experience wouldn't changing the flash on the ECU require a less restrictive exhaust and intake? If you're dumping more fuel it requires more air intake which will increase exhaust back pressure.
That said I am old school from the mid 60's to mid 80's when we used blowers, high rise manifolds with dual carbs. To get the performance we wanted we had to free up the intake and exhaust.
Just wondering.