C7 A6 3.0 TDI Tuning Options for U.S.

[DieselDadWagon]

Hey all,

I have a 2014 C7 A6 TDI Prestige and the factory TDI warranty has expired. It is now time to look at some tuning upgrades, but they seem hard to find in the U.S.. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations regarding tunes or some good bolt-ons to squeeze a little more power out?

[petarat]

Get your pipes from nat performance, if you want to do an egr cooler delete which is highly recommended, go with sustdi. I would avoid oakes tuning as aparantly he outsources everything to some European guys. For just stage 2, Malone/tunezilla is probably fine. I'm on their stage 3.5 which is not great for daily driving at all. Darkside also does remote tuning and they probably do the best for stage 2 driveability but they were unable to get rid of missing o2 sensor check engine lights for me after many revisions. Lastly, don't get a TCU tune unless you find someone who will do a pre-dieselgate map on it. Malone's is a waste of money for what it costs.

[Audibot]

Few things off the top of my head. Remember your engine code is

1. There is a "3.0TDI" group on FB, and that chat is actually quite active. There are more options there than I remember.
2. Tune-wise, there's Malone (Canada), Kerma (US), Darkside Developments (UK), and custom tunes from folks in the above group. I think they all require some kind of gateway to be purchased.
3. Parts-wise, Kerma, Rawtek, and Darkside all have parts. Darkside has a pretty good YouTube channel where you can see some of the stuff in action plus some of the more interesting things they are up to, such as racing TDIs. I think there's a dude on the FB group (Nate something?) has also been fabbing up some DPF deletes and other exhaust pieces.

I haven't done some upgrades for a while because I have been working on a bunch of different things, but I had started a build thread too if that helps with ideas.

Just remember that when you add power, you should make sure you can slow it done. Good tires and brakes are essential.

[DieselDadWagon]

Sweet! I will look at some of those, they seem to have some decent options. Will for sure be doing some exhaust work with DPF delete and EGR cooler delete. In terms of tunes, I'll most likely stick with a stage 1 for now. I appreciate the feedback!

[Audibot]

Stage 1 with a DPF delete really wakes the car up and improves throttle response.

[Avantly]

I have done 3.0TDI deletes without any tune, just DPF/DEF/SCR delete only and that alone woke the car up! Could have had something to do with restrictions in the SCR but in general with only a delete it felt like a different car off the line.

[SR7D1]

Waking this thread up. Google brought me here after a "3.0 Audi TDI tune" and I have been a member here for years. This time a new car. 2015 A7 TDI. Used to go with APR for everything (GAIC once for the DP tune). Opening up my serach to other vendors now.

I see a lot of delete discussions, but I live in an E-Check state, so I have to be careful what I put on the car as to not fail emissions. Been out of the tuning game so long I figured I would ask everyone their 2025 thoughts on a proper upgrade path.

Doing the brakes this weekend with HAWK pads. Anyways, hello again!

[Audibot]

Waking this thread up. Google brought me here after a "3.0 Audi TDI tune" and I have been a member here for years. This time a new car. 2015 A7 TDI. Used to go with APR for everything (GAIC once for the DP tune). Opening up my serach to other vendors now.

I see a lot of delete discussions, but I live in an E-Check state, so I have to be careful what I put on the car as to not fail emissions. Been out of the tuning game so long I figured I would ask everyone their 2025 thoughts on a proper upgrade path.

Doing the brakes this weekend with HAWK pads. Anyways, hello again!

Malone is a well-known tuning outfit based in Canada. There's also Kerma. My next is going with Darkside Developments in the UK. There are others you can find on the 3.0 TDI FB group but that place is too busy for me to keep up with.

I just put Hawk pads on mine and happy so far.

[SR7D1]

Thanks! I may go with them. Looking at Unitronic too. I have been away for a while but damn 600 and up for a tune seems pretty expensive. lol

[Audibot]

Everything is more expensive nowadays

[SR7D1]

So true. Thanks for the input!

[jbain2]

I’ve used Malone for my TDI. Pretty happy with the results.


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[Kevin1]

Another vote for Malone. It is a no brainer.

[NorthernGTI]

Thanks! I may go with them. Looking at Unitronic too. I have been away for a while but damn 600 and up for a tune seems pretty expensive. lol

I personally would get something else. I suppose most stage 1 tunes are fairly same but I dont think Unitronic has the support for diesels as someone like Malone, Kerma, or Darkside.

Lastly, don't get a TCU tune unless you find someone who will do a pre-dieselgate map on it. Malone's is a waste of money for what it costs.

I've heard this from quiet a few people lately. If anyone is in Toronto area, I can put you in touch with someone who can do the pre-diesel gate map for the TCU and ECU for a reasonable price. It might not be as quick as any other companies stage 1 tune but way better then stock.

If youre doing DPF delete, any of the reputable TDI tuners will get the job done.