2016 5.7L Feels Underpowered??

Hello,

Long time reader, first post:

Well guys, I finally found a deal on a '16 CM SR5 4x4. Already leveled, TRD 18s, rhino lined, tonnaue cover, 295s, bull bar, the works. She's beautiful...

I've been driving the truck for about 3 weeks now, the issue I'm having is I drove my brothers '14 TRD CM 4x4 yesterday and his truck is wayy faster on acceleration than mine. His truck will sit you back in your seat if you punch it....mine will not. Not even close. My truck isn't slow by any means but it now seems under powered after driving my brother's...

The dealership (not a Toyota dealer) gave me some slimy vibes like they would try to pull one over on me or something during the transaction that probably should have put me on guard but I was too blinded by the shiny truck to care at the time. Hind sight is 20/20 and now I'm wondering if I got screwed somehow. Its wearing the 5.7 badge but the cover under the hood is missing. Is it possible this truck has the 4.6L and the dealership just slapped the badges on it? How would I tell just looking at the motor?

Am I missing something here?

Thanks for your help guys, I bought this truck to pull our camper so Im hoping for good news on this one....

-Bubba

 

Push the tow/haul button

 

Disconnect the battery for a few. Then let the Tundy re learn how you drive. That would be where I would start. BTW 2014's are just faster!!! Also MGM!!!

 

Look up the Pedal Commander. I was unhappy with my 2019 until I installed one and now it’s how it should hav even from factory. They wound down the throttle response on the 3rd gens due to the rare issue 2nd gens has of snapped engine mounts but it’s lead to a slow feeling boat. Installing a pedal commander Unleashes the feeling of the 2nd gen

 

Welcome aboard from NW Oregon! Post pictures of your new truck!
One possible explanation for your situation is that these trucks adapt their power delivery and shifting to the patterns of the individual driver. If the previous owner always drove like a timid grandma that is how the truck has learned to respond.
Try disconnecting the battery for 5 minutes and then when you get out on the road, punch it every chance you get for a few days. It should reset to factory defaults and learn new

 

I second what @LarryDangerfield said above about the VIN number.... that's a quick and easy lookup.

 

Ok, great. Thanks for the fast responses. I will disconnect the battery and also run the VIN. Ill see if I can figure out how to get a pic up this afternoon lol

So there is no way I got stuck with the smaller motor?

 

Added weight from bedliner, accessories and those big tires will make it feel less snappy. I noticed a difference just switching from stock SL tires to E load 33s. Your tires are even larger and heavier than mine, so yes, it does make a difference and you will definitely feel it. Aside from the weight you also reduced your effective gearing with the larger diameter tires, which also reduces acceleration. That is part of the game of lifting and installing large meats on a truck. If you have a couple grand to spend, re-gearing to 4.88s will bring that snappy acceleration back.

I do not think the dealer would change badges on the truck.

 

I mean until you run the VIN, anything is possible I suppose. I'd say any dealership that would put fake or wrong badges on a truck probably won't be in business too long. Now a previous owner putting the wrong badges on the truck is also a possibility.

 

The tow/haul button really is no joke. I recently was merging on the freeway and needed the extra oomph to get into traffic smoothly. Without tow/haul, I floored it and was sitting there scratching my head thinking "damn, I really don't drive a sports car anymore huh?". Then later that same day, I tried it again with tow/haul ON, and the difference is incredible.

It seems like in normal mode, 100% throttle doesn't actually give 100% throttle opening. Of course, that just means tow/haul mode feels like a hair trigger.

 

In all her Glory...

I couldn't take it, I went out and ran the VIN: Came back as 5700 cc 32V DOHC. Its legit.

I guess I'll have to see if it will re-learn my driving habits after the battery disconnect.

Thanks again guys

 

Those 295's are having a big impact on your acceleration and your gas mileage. Also what year did they make the throttle less sensitive?

 

What size tires is your brother running? 295s while not huge will cost a bit of acceleration loss compared to stock size.

 

Gas mileage for sure...12.4mpg is the best I've seen on the display. But I kinda expected it...

Brother is running stock everything on his '14 yes.

 

On my truck, tow haul makes my throttle response quicker and makes it more sensitive, but if I hammer down on it, I don't

That's a big reason that I only went with the 275's. I heard a lot of people say that once you make that jump to the 295's that there was a noticeable drop in power. I felt it a little with my 275's, but it wasn't enough to bother me.

 

If he is stock and you are on 295's I would 99% guarantee you that is your issue.

 

Tires do make a huge difference. I recently replaced the stock tires on my truck with E rated tires a bit over 1 inch taller and about 20 pounds per tire heavier. I’ve noticed a big change in acceleration, braking, and mpg.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/breaking-down-the-d-a-p-the-what-and-the-why.17031/

 

Get a pedal Commander. Easy with quick results. For just a little more get a Bully Dog, a bit more involved with more options.

 

Nice truck!

 

Take off traction control and limited slip function. You should see two lights on the dash, red and amber. Press Tow/Haul. Enjoy!

 

We have had some ice (by Texas standards) the last few days and I haven't turned off anything and can get wheel slip with a light tap. Haven't been somewhere to try to really spin it, but thought maybe my traction control wasn't working. We are forecast for some "heavy snow" (again by local standards) so I plan to test this better if we get some of the white stuff.

 

Absolutely, don't use Beast Mode on ice!
It will not go well. Lol

 

Thanks again guys. I feel better about my purchase at least now. Might go to smaller tires when the time comes.

 

Get a DAP tune. It makes all the difference.

 

FWIW...Smoked a fellow Tundra...
He has 295/70/18 (34’s) and 3x1.5 lift everything else is stock.
I have 305/70/17 (34’s) and 3x1.5 lift, BAMuffler (must have), AFE pro dry, DAPtune!

 

CAI Supercharger Tune and Exhaust

 

Been there on a different truck but the end result is the same. The wider 295s are absolutely the issue.

Of note, I just went to a 275/60/20 w/KO2s...they are about an inch taller and I HATE THEM. Getting my 18” TRDs powder coated gloss black and will go back to a stock size and less aggressive tread...I knew better and still did it.

I have the supercharger and I can definitely feel the difference...lots more drag with the more aggressive tread and taller tire. Eats gas worse than it already does. It looks really cool but execution is poor. I cant imagine how sluggish and fuel hungry a stock truck is with a lift and 35s...not for me.

 

Definitely hit the Tow/Haul button before you do anything else. Come back and let us know what you think!