Malone tuning

[ava the a4]

Who’s running malone tunes on there cars? Would you recommend it? Or should i go apr? I plan to go KO4 soon but i wanna get a stage 2 tune in the meantime. How’s the reliability with Malone tuning? That’s the main concern.


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[Der Konig]

I have no experience with malone, only APR. Multiple threads debating this and people's preferences. I have been DD'ing my car with APR s2+ for going on 8 years now and but on 100,000 miles or so with no issues.

It is not the most powerful tune out there, but I prefer to give up a little power for reliability.

Same goes with my s4, its been stage 3 for a long time with APR ko4 kit and turbos still perform great. Just depends on what you want. JHM's launch control is cool and stuff.

[Audibot]

The shop I go to uses Malone, but I haven't used them. I know a lot of folks are happy with JHM's recent tunes.

[canadianA4B7]

Yes 100% won’t be disappointed. Go with the custom tuning options (this is what I’m using) takes a bit more logging but he can remove all this misfit stuff others experience. He can dial in a tune much more detailed then the off the shelf tunes. And being it’s custom if later you decide to add or change parts you can ask them to make adjustment to the file.

They’ve been working with me lately to sort through some odd ball things caused likely by the IE intake. Takes them a few days to respond and usually they want a good number of logs from the file the fix before they will make further adjustments. Data logging 003, 121/118 and 020/031 (3 are used per log unless advanced measurements are asked for). My next file will include 900-1000 rpm idle to maintain higher low idle oil pressure. And likely some MAF adjustments required for the intake. Later larger throttle body, 6 nozzles of meth will be added once the tune is ironed out nicely on current setup. I’m also working on getting the data to tune an alternate set of injectors.

[ava the a4]

Yes 100% won’t be disappointed. Go with the custom tuning options (this is what I’m using) takes a bit more logging but he can remove all this misfit stuff others experience. He can dial in a tune much more detailed then the off the shelf tunes. And being it’s custom if later you decide to add or change parts you can ask them to make adjustment to the file.

They’ve been working with me lately to sort through some odd ball things caused likely by the IE intake. Takes them a few days to respond and usually they want a good number of logs from the file the fix before they will make further adjustments. Data logging 003, 121/118 and 020/031 (3 are used per log unless advanced measurements are asked for). My next file will include 900-1000 rpm idle to maintain higher low idle oil pressure. And likely some MAF adjustments required for the intake. Later larger throttle body, 6 nozzles of meth will be added once the tune is ironed out nicely on current setup. I’m also working on getting the data to tune an alternate set of injectors.

How’s the reliability? How long have you been running it?


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[Der Konig]

How’s the reliability? How long have you been running it?


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Another thing to consider when considering tunes, is how much effort you are willing to put in for a certain return. Canadian's build is going to be more extreme and requires more custom tuning to fully realize the potential. With a simple ko4 set up, if you are willing to go back and forth with logs over smaller gains (lets be honest, most ko4 OTS tunes are pretty good now since its been around for so long) then you will get everything out of it.

If you plan on just going ko4 and stopping there, it may or may not be worth it to you. Custom tuning can also have some weird things pop up that an OTS tune wouldn't I would imagine until you do the logs and sort everything out.

I have some experience with getting vehicles custom tuned, had one done on the dyno for hours and I ended up with a slightly better power curve but minimal overall gains. In hindsight that vehicle was probably fine with the OTS tune.

[james12lucy]

I've used Malone tunes on every TDI I've ever owned. (over 500000 miles) and never once had an issue. Like Canadian, I'm using Malone on my endurance car build. They will gladly make custom tunes if needed, but also have a compliment of off the shelf tunes for your needs. Having said that, I'm fairly certain even the OTS tunes are somewhat custom. Even my TDI tunes were built based on logs and they were complete OTS.

[Audibot]

I've used Malone tunes on every TDI I've ever owned. (over 500000 miles) and never once had an issue. Like Canadian, I'm using Malone on my endurance car build. They will gladly make custom tunes if needed, but also have a compliment of off the shelf tunes for your needs. Having said that, I'm fairly certain even the OTS tunes are somewhat custom. Even my TDI tunes were built based on logs and they were complete OTS.

How was the TDI performance before/after? Once my factory warranty runs out (or I get past my 45k service anyway), I was thinking of getting a new downpipe and getting tuned by them on my C7. I'm new to that platform but apparently the pre-fix and post-fix startup and low-rev states are a bit different.

[james12lucy]

How was the TDI performance before/after? Once my factory warranty runs out (or I get past my 45k service anyway), I was thinking of getting a new downpipe and getting tuned by them on my C7. I'm new to that platform but apparently the pre-fix and post-fix startup and low-rev states are a bit different.

I was a huge fan of the post tune performance. It wasn’t a huge build, but has upgraded injectors, fuel pump, and a VNT17 with straight pipe. I was able to get 1250km per tank highway and about 900km mixed driving. It rolled coal and pulled well when needed as well. Having said that, it was a 1.9ALH MKIV. The car was bulletproof and I’d consider swapping the platform into my B7 (with big turbo and supporting mods).

I can’t comment on the newer Common Rail TDIs, but since Malone built their business on diesels, I’d say you’re well suited with them.


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[Audibot]

I was a huge fan of the post tune performance. It wasn’t a huge build, but has upgraded injectors, fuel pump, and a VNT17 with straight pipe. I was able to get 1250km per tank highway and about 900km mixed driving. It rolled coal and pulled well when needed as well. Having said that, it was a 1.9ALH MKIV. The car was bulletproof and I’d consider swapping the platform into my B7 (with big turbo and supporting mods).

I can’t comment on the newer Common Rail TDIs, but since Malone built their business on diesels, I’d say you’re well suited with them.

Thanks! I appreciate your experience. I don't necessarily want to roll coal (I personally hate when I see trucks do it), but the post-tune performance is what I am looking for. The new emissions warranty is good through 120k for me, so I just need to be careful regarding mods.

Funny enough, top entry on the testimonials (nearly seals the deal for me):

In May of 2018 I purchased a 2014 Audi A8L 3.0tdi. I had heard about Malone tunes for diesels as I have added upgraded tunes to my other non-diesel VW and Audis in the past and that name was common and associated with a quality product. Well once I acquired the car I almost immediately went to Malone site to see it they had a tune for my engine. They did so I ordered the tune and the Flashzilla so I could self install. The Flashzilla came in about 3 days. My laptop wouldn't recognize the Flashzilla. I sent a request out for support. Owain actually got back to me in hours, not days. Problem quickly diagnosed, solved. So I downloaded my stock file same day and sent to Malone. By about 5:00 PST I had the tune and 30min later it was installed. I was so impressed with their support and quick response especially given it was well after normal work hours for them.... now that is dedication to your customer x100. So, I installed the stage 2 tune on my car which had just been "fixed" to be compliant. The factory fix, did decrease power and did lower mileage. I went out for my first drive last night and the first word that comes to mind is WOW. So smooth and soooo much torque. The car is so much more responsive and sooo much faster. Anyway, I would highly recommend Malone and highly recommend that anyone with a 3.0tdi get this tune!!!

[canadianA4B7]

2007 ML320 CDI 3.0Tdi If I can find one of these I wud buy Malone tune and enjoy.