Vivid Racing VR Tune 4Runner Results
- Thread starter fugereb
- Start date
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Grug556
New member
A bowl of fruitloops with two servings of rage? :loco::wacko::kiss:
Hey Folks,
I have the stage 1 tune from Vivid. For context, I drive a stock 16' Trail and run 91 octane both pre and post tune.
The install process is straightforward, provided you have basic desktop computer experience. A link to step by step instruction is provided. Some of the software steps/menus are slightly different than what is illustrated in the directions, but fairly intuitive. General steps:
1. Download MyGenius software to Windows laptop
2. Connect MyGenius handheld flash device to laptop
3. Prompt the MyGenius Windows software to find and install any updates for itself, as well as the firmware on the handheld flash device
4. Connect handheld flash device to 4R and download stock ECU file to handheld
5. Connect handheld to computer, and download stock tune file via the MyGenius software
6. Email stock tune to Vivid
7. Vivid emails tuned file back
8. Use MyGenius software to load tuned file onto handheld
9. Connect handheld to 4R and write tuned file to ECU
Now the part you actually care about haha, PERFORMANCE... Primary differences I noticed:
1. Increased throttle pedal sensitivity, call it 20%. Response is not completely linear now, but more so.
2. Significantly less hesitation to downshift when medium to heavy throttle is applied.
3. Ability to hold 5th or 4th gear on mild to moderate grades at highway speed without gear hunting. Before, it would downshift to 4th much sooner and inevitably also to 3rd.
4. Truck feels "lighter". Obviously that's ambiguous and subjective, but acceleration seems a little faster and smoother than before, again without necessitating as much downshifting. Accelerating to merge with highway traffic on an uphill on-ramp is noticeably easier.
5. Roughly 0.5 mpg improvement if I drive conservatively.
6. No change in engine noise or idle quality.
The truck is still not a sports car. At no point will you feel pushed back into your seat. The additional performance almost sneaks up on you. The truck just gets up and goes more quickly, without the "drama" of multiple downshifts and sudden high RPMs.
In my opinion, the more lackluster reviews on this product are caused by 2 things:
1. Much heavier trucks. The improvement will obviously be less noticeable on a vehicle with 500+ pounds of accessories bolted on. Same goes for taller / more aggressive tires which reduce effective gearing and add more rolling resistance.
2. Folks not using premium gas. The bulk of the power gain comes from more aggressive ignition timing. The higher octane gas you use, the more aggressive the timing can be without causing detonation.
Hope this is helpful. If you're looking to make the driving experience smoother and more confident, this is a worthwhile mod.
I have the stage 1 tune from Vivid. For context, I drive a stock 16' Trail and run 91 octane both pre and post tune.
The install process is straightforward, provided you have basic desktop computer experience. A link to step by step instruction is provided. Some of the software steps/menus are slightly different than what is illustrated in the directions, but fairly intuitive. General steps:
1. Download MyGenius software to Windows laptop
2. Connect MyGenius handheld flash device to laptop
3. Prompt the MyGenius Windows software to find and install any updates for itself, as well as the firmware on the handheld flash device
4. Connect handheld flash device to 4R and download stock ECU file to handheld
5. Connect handheld to computer, and download stock tune file via the MyGenius software
6. Email stock tune to Vivid
7. Vivid emails tuned file back
8. Use MyGenius software to load tuned file onto handheld
9. Connect handheld to 4R and write tuned file to ECU
Now the part you actually care about haha, PERFORMANCE... Primary differences I noticed:
1. Increased throttle pedal sensitivity, call it 20%. Response is not completely linear now, but more so.
2. Significantly less hesitation to downshift when medium to heavy throttle is applied.
3. Ability to hold 5th or 4th gear on mild to moderate grades at highway speed without gear hunting. Before, it would downshift to 4th much sooner and inevitably also to 3rd.
4. Truck feels "lighter". Obviously that's ambiguous and subjective, but acceleration seems a little faster and smoother than before, again without necessitating as much downshifting. Accelerating to merge with highway traffic on an uphill on-ramp is noticeably easier.
5. Roughly 0.5 mpg improvement if I drive conservatively.
6. No change in engine noise or idle quality.
The truck is still not a sports car. At no point will you feel pushed back into your seat. The additional performance almost sneaks up on you. The truck just gets up and goes more quickly, without the "drama" of multiple downshifts and sudden high RPMs.
In my opinion, the more lackluster reviews on this product are caused by 2 things:
1. Much heavier trucks. The improvement will obviously be less noticeable on a vehicle with 500+ pounds of accessories bolted on. Same goes for taller / more aggressive tires which reduce effective gearing and add more rolling resistance.
2. Folks not using premium gas. The bulk of the power gain comes from more aggressive ignition timing. The higher octane gas you use, the more aggressive the timing can be without causing detonation.
Hope this is helpful. If you're looking to make the driving experience smoother and more confident, this is a worthwhile mod.
honda250xtitan
New member
Got ours done as well. took it to vivid as we are local so we saved $250 from buying the actual tuner. In the end he gave me one anyways since their master tuner wasnt working. Not bad.
We are half thru the first tank of premium, it feels better, downshifts are quicker without having to mash the throttle. Truck feels a bit lighter, kinda feels like stock tires are back on it.
We are half thru the first tank of premium, it feels better, downshifts are quicker without having to mash the throttle. Truck feels a bit lighter, kinda feels like stock tires are back on it.
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Ordered my Stage 1 tune and flashed my ECU this week, I took a few pics of the process, it's super simple and I was very nervous doing it but the results are fantastic and I'm very happy that I did it.
Flashing underway
The flash took around 5-10 mins, I didn't time exactly how long, but it was fun watching all the lights on the dash flash as it was writing
Done!
I went with the Stage 1 flash as I meet all the criteria for the Stage 2 except for having long tube headers, but Vivid assured me that the tune is created with my mods in mind and the fact that I already run 93 octane. Drove the truck several places yesterday and all I can say is wow! I couldn't stop smiling and am very impressed with the increased throttle response and power, and get up and go that the truck has now. I was literally being pushed back in my seat at a quarter throttle, and the shifts are so much smoother as others have indicated. I'm very happy with the tune and feel like this is how my truck was supposed to drive with the intake and exhaust. Forget pedal commanders which are just faking performance, if you want your truck to really run and drive better I highly recommend this tune, I for one am very happy with the purchase, definitely money well spent
Flashing underway
The flash took around 5-10 mins, I didn't time exactly how long, but it was fun watching all the lights on the dash flash as it was writing
Done!
I went with the Stage 1 flash as I meet all the criteria for the Stage 2 except for having long tube headers, but Vivid assured me that the tune is created with my mods in mind and the fact that I already run 93 octane. Drove the truck several places yesterday and all I can say is wow! I couldn't stop smiling and am very impressed with the increased throttle response and power, and get up and go that the truck has now. I was literally being pushed back in my seat at a quarter throttle, and the shifts are so much smoother as others have indicated. I'm very happy with the tune and feel like this is how my truck was supposed to drive with the intake and exhaust. Forget pedal commanders which are just faking performance, if you want your truck to really run and drive better I highly recommend this tune, I for one am very happy with the purchase, definitely money well spent
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honda250xtitan
New member
Ordered my Stage 1 tune and flashed my ECU this week, I took a few pics of the process, it's super simple and I was very nervous doing it but the results are fantastic and I'm very happy that I did it.
Flashing underway
The flash took around 5-10 mins, I didn't time exactly how long, but it was fun watching all the lights on the dash flash as it was writing
Done!
I went with the Stage 1 flash as I meet all the criteria for the Stage 2 except for having long tube headers, but Vivid assured me that the tune is created with my mods in mind and the fact that I already run 93 octane. Drove the truck several places yesterday and all I can say is wow! I couldn't stop smiling and am very impressed with the increased throttle response and power, and get up and go that the truck has now. I was literally being pushed back in my seat at a quarter throttle, and the shifts are so much smoother as others have indicated. I'm very happy with the tune and feel like this is how my truck was supposed to drive with the intake and exhaust. Forget pedal commanders which are just faking performance, if you want your truck to really run and drive better I highly recommend this tune, I for one am very happy with the purchase, definitely money well spent
the improved shifting is crazy huh. For what we're working with, the tune really does make an improvement. Going on a year or so with the tune, trips to california, and up the mountains in az are much less dramatic. It cruises at 80 so much better.
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Yeah definitely, I was amazed with the smoothness of the shifts, it's crazy the difference. I haven't been on the highway yet but I'm sure it will be awesome. Your review and this thread was my main reason for going through with the tune, lots of good reviews and info here. I read every thread on here about it and watched a bunch of YT videos as well.
45,000 miles running my stage 1 tune and still loving it! Even did a cross country move pulling a 16' v-nose trailer over 3,000 miles loaded with the max towing capacity of 5K (trailer brakes) and probably had another 1K of weight in the Runner. Could have never pulled this off without the tune. Did a second trip with the Gx460 pulling the same load, the Runner with the V6 stage 1 tune held up well as a comparison.
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from tacoma world forums , probably most popular tune kdmax. Still holding out on this if I ever decide to have it tuned. Believe the shifting points are still in the works.
4RUNNER KDMax-Pro
Octane learning along with the KDMax-Pro performance, throttle and smooth power delivery.
So anyone with a 4runner that they want tuned, it is the same price as the Tacoma.
Reach out to your local KDmax-Pro tuner
KDMax-Pro
-Aggressive/linear Throttle
-Predictable, smooth shifting, including regular Cruise Control
-Proper/safe air-fuel ratio for power and MPG's
-Custom Tire, Gear and AGM battery settings
-Tune-Packs with all Throttle settings
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Wow, 45K miles is impressive, I'm glad to hear that you're still going strong and haven't encountered any major issues with the tune. Thanks for sharing your experience as well
have you read more about the Kdmax tune, seems like its out of beta
KDMAX-PRO-9.0 for 4Runners by @PapaRee and @TWTaco. | Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com]
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
No, but this thread is about the VR Tune and I already paid for it and am very happy with the results :tea:
aggrobot
New member
Really wish they’d crack the ECU on the newer models. Id love to get this for my 21!
They did a few months ago…
You can get Magnusson SC kit for 20+ now.
5th Gen 4Runner Tuning
This tuner in Birmingham uses VFtuner for 20+ and HP tuner for 15-19.
aggrobot
New member
Yeah, sorry I should have been more clear: i wish Vivid would have cracked this. Im pinching pennies for the magnuson kit myself, and was very interested in the development on that side. Good lookin out!
*edit - I saw these others guys you linked and kind of assumed it was locals only, and I’, nowhere near them. Are they doing remote tunes?
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