Malone Tune - Whos got it?

WiszMaster

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Mar 31, 2002
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Fort Myers, FL, USA
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'02 Jetta TDI - Silver, '06 Golf TDI, '06 MB 320 CDI
So how many of us here have gone with the Malone Tune for the EA288 ?

Any issues after some miles on it?
 

TDI BR

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Maryland
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Black 2015 Golf TDI SE manual
I've got it. Had it since August. About 6000 miles with the tune. You'll immediately notice flywheel shudder from so much torque. I've had the stage 2 slightly de-tuned in 5th/6th gears to stop the shuddering. I was one of the beta cars. I don't know anyone else who has it.
 

Shife

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May 8, 2015
Location
Michigan
TDI
2015 GSW SE DSG White/Beige
I have Stage 2, but no hardware mods yet and I have a DSG. I do not yet have a DSG tune. I'm sure there is more potential to be had, but they seem to have mapped it with the knowledge that I still need a DSG tune. It pulls hard, but no shudder from the DMF. I am careful with it shifting from 1-2 and 2-3, as the shift can be very hard if I'm not careful and I don't want to damage the trans. I can tell you that the shift into 5th is my favorite, as it begins to pull very hard around 90 and quickly sends me to "go to jail" territory.

I am eager to get the trans tuned, do some logging, and see what else is left before running into shudder issues.
 

TDI BR

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Maryland
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Black 2015 Golf TDI SE manual
My shuddering only happened in 5th/6th when I mashed the pedal at 1500-2000 rpm
 

hardint

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Joined
Jan 16, 2004
Location
Ky
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2000 gl
Quickly sends me to jail is my KIND OF CAR !!!!! Love that post !!!!! I just did the PD150's now i need MALONE TUNE for Christmas !!! Only problem my gift givers can't afford my need for TORQUE !!!!!!!
 

adjat84th

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Virginia Beach, VA
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'01 Jetta TDI/'15 Golf TDI
Most ECUs can be flashed with the flashzilla tool through the OBD port. I went ahead and picked one up when they were running a sale. You can also get a tune at a Malone dealer near you, check the dealer map on Malone's site. You won't regret getting a tune, it's a very nice improvement. Been running the stage 2 for almost 10k miles, and the stage 2 eco for almost 2k miles. Fuel economy bumped up ~5mpg for me, but I run 90% highway too.
 

Chewyeti

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 10, 2015
Location
Orange County, CA
TDI
15 GSW
Few Q's on the malone (or kerma) tunes.

Do you guys do a DPF delete?
If not - are you worried about filling up the DPF with additional soot created from the tune?
Do you also disable EGR?

Do you flash back before an inspection? (if applicable...)
 

Shife

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Joined
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Location
Michigan
TDI
2015 GSW SE DSG White/Beige
I'm keeping my exhaust stock for a while. I'm at 30k and have been tuned about 20k of that. I'm not worried about the DPF, but that's only because I will likely remove it before it has a chance to fail. I'm also not in a state that does any testing.

If you have a 2015 with a DSG, you'll be missing out on some of the fun. I'm patiently waiting for the protocol to be cracked so they can tune it. The stock DSG software can over-ride the ECM software when torque is calculated to exceed a preset value. It is annoying, but even without the DSG tune it is an improvement over stock.
 

pmoulton5018

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Mar 15, 2015
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mcalevys fort, PA
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2015 Golf S 6MT
So I got my ecu back today. the tune is amazing, the added HP and torque is very noticeable. I am very happy! And the added mpg the I've notice so far is very nice.
 

Sosin

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Pinckney, Michigan
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2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI and 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
I'm keeping my exhaust stock for a while. I'm at 30k and have been tuned about 20k of that. I'm not worried about the DPF, but that's only because I will likely remove it before it has a chance to fail. I'm also not in a state that does any testing.

If you have a 2015 with a DSG, you'll be missing out on some of the fun. I'm patiently waiting for the protocol to be cracked so they can tune it. The stock DSG software can over-ride the ECM software when torque is calculated to exceed a preset value. It is annoying, but even without the DSG tune it is an improvement over stock.
I hear ya! I'm not putting any money into an ecu tune or a stage 2 delete until I know for sure what kind of payout or fix is coming out on June 21. Hate to put any money into the car in case I might take the buy back payout or if I keep it and get the fix. If the buy back is enough I might just take that option, pay off the loan and see about getting into a 2016 GTI. I love my MK7 but if I keep it and get the fix and lose horse power, torque and mileage then I don't want that option. I don't want to keep the car if the fix takes away from the overall performance. Whole thing is disappointing. But maybe there will be a tune that can undo the fix? Who knows? My point is I would love this Malone Tune but I think I'll wait for the June 21 options.

Ronnie
 

md1037

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Sep 9, 2015
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United States
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2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI
I would be surprised if anyone affected by the recall is putting money into things like malone tunes right now.
 

Shife

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Location
Michigan
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2015 GSW SE DSG White/Beige
I would be surprised if anyone affected by the recall is putting money into things like malone tunes right now.
That would depend on the individual's perspective. If you are planning on taking a buyback, then buying a tune would not make sense. I plan on keeping mine and the tune has no impact on any pending fix. I'll just flash back to stock, let the dealer do their update, and send the new stock file to the tuner to have modified at no cost. Both Malone and Kerma have agreed to update their files after the "fix".
 

Sosin

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That would depend on the individual's perspective. If you are planning on taking a buyback, then buying a tune would not make sense. I plan on keeping mine and the tune has no impact on any pending fix. I'll just flash back to stock, let the dealer do their update, and send the new stock file to the tuner to have modified at no cost. Both Malone and Kerma have agreed to update their files after the "fix".
This is good to know! So if I do plan on keeping my MK7, I can get the "fix" from the dealer and then have the car tuned by Malone for the increased performance. I wasn't sure if we'd be stuck with the "fix" for a while but it sounds like Malone and Kerma have a plan. :)
 

Shife

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2015 GSW SE DSG White/Beige
This is good to know! So if I do plan on keeping my MK7, I can get the "fix" from the dealer and then have the car tuned by Malone for the increased performance. I wasn't sure if we'd be stuck with the "fix" for a while but it sounds like Malone and Kerma have a plan. :)
The "no charge" part would seem to apply to those who can reflash the car themselves with a Flashzilla or QPro. I've seen some distributors mention a shop fee if you need them to do it for you.
 

Sosin

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The "no charge" part would seem to apply to those who can reflash the car themselves with a Flashzilla or QPro. I've seen some distributors mention a shop fee if you need them to do it for you.
Yeah I'll probably just go to the shop and pay for the flash. I'm a little leery about doing that myself.
 

Shife

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2015 GSW SE DSG White/Beige
Yeah I'll probably just go to the shop and pay for the flash. I'm a little leery about doing that myself.
It is very easy to do. I'd be happy to help. Our local Malone dealer is frustrating at best with this stuff and charges way too much labor for a flash.
 

Sosin

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It is very easy to do. I'd be happy to help. Our local Malone dealer is frustrating at best with this stuff and charges way too much labor for a flash.
That would be great! Thank you! Yeah I know all we have is the Munks Motors out in Waterford. So if I decide to keep my MK7 after the June 21 details I will definitely contact you for help on the ECU flash. How much has the Horse Power and Torque increased with your ECU Flash? I know everybody says they can feel the difference but was just curious about the actual #'s. How much does the ECU tune cost?

Ronnie
 

md1037

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Sep 9, 2015
Location
United States
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2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI
That would depend on the individual's perspective. If you are planning on taking a buyback, then buying a tune would not make sense. I plan on keeping mine and the tune has no impact on any pending fix. I'll just flash back to stock, let the dealer do their update, and send the new stock file to the tuner to have modified at no cost. Both Malone and Kerma have agreed to update their files after the "fix".

So it´s certain that whatever the ´fix´ is can be reversed by having your ECU flashed?
 

Sosin

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So it´s certain that whatever the ´fix´ is can be reversed by having your ECU flashed?
LOL! I love how if we keep our MK7's that we're all gonna get the "Fix" collect the compensation and then flash the car back to the way it was or tune it to defy the "Fix". It seems like the majority of us aren't worried about being environmentally green here! LOL! We just want our diesels to be fast and efficient. :)
 

pmoulton5018

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mcalevys fort, PA
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LOL! I love how if we keep our MK7's that we're all gonna get the "Fix" collect the compensation and then flash the car back to the way it was or tune it to defy the "Fix". It seems like the majority of us aren't worried about being environmentally green here! LOL! We just want our diesels to be fast and efficient. :)
Exactly....this should be made into a poster or something.
 

KERMA

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here
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currently 99 beetle and 2011 335d
I know everybody says they can feel the difference but was just curious about the actual #'s.

kerma stock dyno: 138 hp 258 ft-lb
kerma tuned dyno: 171 hp 328 ft-lb

difference: power 123% of stock and torque 127% of stock
(note the wide torque band - above 300 ft-lb from 1800-3000 rpm)
reference: http://www.kermatdi.com/2015-kerma-tdi-tuning/

Malone stock dyno: 135 hp 230 ft-lb
Malone tuned dyno: 168 hp 268 ft-lb

difference: power 124% of stock and torque 116% of stock
reference: https://youtu.be/0LjbSCpnccA (BTW gratz on the pro video)



Note: kermatdi dyno is at 4500 ft altitude. There is a loss of stock hp compared to torque because of the turbo being derated more at high rpm than it is at low rpm. That's one reason we show percent gains. Then it doesn't matter what the "correction factor" is. We welcome a like for like comparison. Our stock and tuned numbers are SAE corrected on a dynojet.

The biggest complaint we have with the kerma tunes is they are too powerful. The clutch can't handle it (shudder 1700-2100 rpm at WOT). This is something like 20-40% of the tuned customers. When it happens, those guys can choose to run a custom derated tune until the clutch is upgraded, or else just drive at full power being mindful and aware of the limitation of the stock clutch. This is the way we choose to do it: offer the best tune right off the bat then offer a less powerful tune if you need it. It;s like getting stage 3 for the price of stage 1, then giving you stage 2 and stage 1 if you prefer that instead. We chose NOT to upcharge for more powerful tunes as they are developed but instead give free updates as applicable.
 

Sosin

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Joined
Oct 25, 2014
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Pinckney, Michigan
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2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI and 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
kerma stock dyno: 138 hp 258 ft-lb
kerma tuned dyno: 171 hp 328 ft-lb

difference: power 123% of stock and torque 127% of stock
(note the wide torque band - above 300 ft-lb from 1800-3000 rpm)
reference: http://www.kermatdi.com/2015-kerma-tdi-tuning/

Malone stock dyno: 135 hp 230 ft-lb
Malone tuned dyno: 168 hp 268 ft-lb

difference: power 124% of stock and torque 116% of stock
reference: https://youtu.be/0LjbSCpnccA (BTW gratz on the pro video)



Note: kermatdi dyno is at 4500 ft altitude. There is a loss of stock hp compared to torque because of the turbo being derated more at high rpm than it is at low rpm. That's one reason we show percent gains. Then it doesn't matter what the "correction factor" is. We welcome a like for like comparison. Our stock and tuned numbers are SAE corrected on a dynojet.

The biggest complaint we have with the kerma tunes is they are too powerful. The clutch can't handle it (shudder 1700-2100 rpm at WOT). This is something like 20-40% of the tuned customers. When it happens, those guys can choose to run a custom derated tune until the clutch is upgraded, or else just drive at full power being mindful and aware of the limitation of the stock clutch. This is the way we choose to do it: offer the best tune right off the bat then offer a less powerful tune if you need it. It;s like getting stage 3 for the price of stage 1, then giving you stage 2 and stage 1 if you prefer that instead. We chose NOT to upcharge for more powerful tunes as they are developed but instead give free updates as applicable.
Good stuff! Sounds like a lot of fun for sure! If I keep my MK7 I will definitely consider getting this done. Just have to convince the wife to let me spend the money. How much is the tune?
 

J.R.

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Vancouver
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LOL! I love how if we keep our MK7's that we're all gonna get the "Fix" collect the compensation and then flash the car back to the way it was or tune it to defy the "Fix". It seems like the majority of us aren't worried about being environmentally green here! LOL! We just want our diesels to be fast and efficient. :)
I prefer to think of it as a different shade of green;)

The 'fixed' cars will make less NOX but likely produce more green house gasses and reduce fuel economy.

They'll also likely likely require more DET and possibly have an effect on longevity of emissions equipment. So is using more resources to extract/create and ship all of those additional things actually "greener'?
 

Sosin

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2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI and 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
I prefer to think of it as a different shade of green;)

The 'fixed' cars will make less NOX but likely produce more green house gasses and reduce fuel economy.

They'll also likely likely require more DET and possibly have an effect on longevity of emissions equipment. So is using more resources to extract/create and ship all of those additional things actually "greener'?
LOL! I love it!..........."a different shade of green." That's classic! Good point though.......who really knows if using more resources to extract/create additional emissions stuff will actually make the world greener? Sometimes I think this whole EPA thing is just a bunch of crap.
 

J.R.

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LOL! I love it!..........."a different shade of green." That's classic! Good point though.......who really knows if using more resources to extract/create additional emissions stuff will actually make the world greener? Sometimes I think this whole EPA thing is just a bunch of crap.
It's a bit up in the air for me on how 'crap' it all is.

I'm pretty protective of the environment and I can appreciate that without regulations like these, manufacturers would have had FAR less incentive to build 'greener' cars that cause less damage to our environment and hence, us over the past few decades.

I also realize that vast swaths of the general public are too @#$% ignorant and short sighted to demand these emissions improvements on their own. A lot of people would be perfectly happy driving around the equivalent of a coal fired chimney if they were cheap, comfortable and had power. Damn the consequences.

But at this point in the evolution of fossil fuel engines we're very much at the point of diminishing returns. I mean 'improvements' at this level are laughably and kindly described as incremental. And when you get to that point, you REALLY need to start looking at the entire chain to see if a 5 parts per million reduction 'here' is worth the consequences 'there' of increased resource extraction, manufacturing, shipment etc and all the pollution those things add to the chain.

The only real way to improve those numbers overall is to move more and more vehicles to some form of electric (batteries, hydrogen, fusion...whatever). Frankly at this point I'd rather see regulators focus on driving manufactures further towards electric in their overall fleets rather than trying to focus on excessively complex, expensive and questionably 'greener' fossil fuel engines.

To some extent they are doing that but this VW fiasco is a prime example of good intentions with dubious benefit IMO.
 
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