DBL OH 7 Build Thread

[DBL OH 7]

DBL OH 7 Build

Greetings fellow Audi enthusiast and welcome to my build thread where I will post progress updates, photos, modifications and DIYs. I previously once was a Subaru WRX owner, and in 2015 I made the leap toward something that would be more luxurious, comfortable, while still being sporty and fun. No regrets! My S4 is certainly not my daily, nor will it be my dedicated track only car. My intentions with my S4 build is to create a quick, reliable and functional machine that is unique and unlike other B8 S4’s. Whether I’m taking the S4 out for the weekend, picking up groceries, running down the drag strip, maneuvering on the autocross track or competing in a circuit race, I want my car to be able to handle any job thrown it’s way.

Vehicle: 2010 Audi B8 S4 (w/o drive select & sport diff)
Transmission: DSG
Trim: Prestige
Color: Brilliant Black
Current Mileage: 59,375 miles

Modifications:
- SoloMotorsports Stage 2 (E85 tune, 93oct tune, pulley, belt, high-pressure fuel pump & SMS handheld) *scheduled install January 25, 2016
- APR Carbonio Stage 1 & 2 intake kit
- LLumar ceramic 35% tint around w/clear-blue air 80 on windshield & sun visor strip (lifetime warranty) by Carry at AutoEnvy.
- Black powdercoated front bumper crash bar by Final Touch Powdercoating.
- RS4 Mesh Style Grille
- Black Forest Industries DSG shift knob
- Custom Floormats w/silver stitching by tuning-art.com
- De-badged fender V6T emblem
- Headlights: Morimoto D3S XB HID 5500K Bulbs, Orange reflector delete (painted stealth grey) and cleared lenses.
- Custom Exhaust: DMH Performance lectronic exhaust cutouts dual 2.5" located on both downpipes after O2 bungs. Downturns to minimize vibrations in the cab and direct exhaust flow downwards. Cigarette lighter was drilled out and switch button was mounted in it's place for a "James Bond" stealth-like configuration. The wiring is wrapped with Heatshield Products Hot Rod Sleeve to withstand 1100F continuous heat. This setup keeps integrity of the stock exhaust when not being raced. Once ready to race or make a pull, with a flip of a switch I can open the exhaust cutoffs giving me more power due to less travel and restriction.

Future Modifications:
- Bilstein PSS10 coilovers
- BC Forged RS43 20x10 ET 40 wheels (Summer setup)
- Enkei RPF1's 19x9 wheels (Track-only setup)
- After coilovers & wheels: Fenders rolled, suspension dialed-in & alignment
- Enlaes decklid & rear diffuser
- Deval carbon fiber front lip
- P3Cars vent digital gauge
- Chrome window trim deletes
- Eurocode USS Adjustable Sway Bar Set
- 034Motorsports Upper and Lower control arm kit w/rebuild kit
- Eurocode USS front & rear endlinks
- 034Motorsports drivetrain mounts
- 034Motorsports X-Brace
- Eurocode Alu Kreuz stabilizer
- Blacked out rear S4 emblem (retain red) and ring emblem by AutoEnvy
- Truck carpet mat w/silver border stitching
- Center console armrest w/silver stitching
- UV protection clear bra for hood, door handles, mirrors and bumper
- LED interior lighting upgrade: Dome/map lights, ceiling light, trunk light, license plate light & puddle lights
- Red LED footwell underglow
- Silver coolant, dipstick and oil cap
- RS4 pedal set w/dead pedal
- Escort Radar 9500xi hidden mirror detector kit
- Big Brake Kit: Carbotech XP8 pads, JHM lightweight rotors, ECS brake lines, StopTech calipers and Motul 600 brake fluid.
- Audi OEM backup camera upgrade

Future Custom Projects:
- Custom D-shaped steering wheel: Silver stitching, s4 logo and carbon fiber racing paddle shifters.
- Custom Carbon Fiber project: Dash chrome trim, Quattro dash piece, 4 door trim pieces, front & passenger seat plastic control trim, shifter trim and mirror covers by SlickCarbon.
- Custom heat exchanger/cooling system project: AFCO GT500 Heat Exchanger, APR Coolant separator, Silicone heater hosing, Mishimoto oil cooler, G13+ coolant & refresh kit (thermostat, sensor & new coolant tank). Stock heat exchanger: Height - 5.5" x Length - 31.5" x Width - 2.25" / AFCO heat exchanger: Height - 5 7/8" x Length - 31" x Width - 3".
- B&O Subwoofer upgrade project: TBD
- Custom fog light grille project: Cut out left-side fog light cover to match right-side. Carbon fiber overlay both grilles. Install black flat diamond mesh wire to prevent debris and bugs to enter.

Dyno Results:

Current:
- Location: SoloMotorsports
- City/State: Norcross, GA
- Date & Time: Jan 25, 2016 @ TBD
- Dyno: TBD
- HP: TBD on E85 // TBD on 93oct
- TQ: TBD on E85 // TBD on 93oct
- Gear: TBD
- Fuel: *See above
- Modifications: SoloMotorsports Stage 2, HPFP, Pulley, Belt, Custom Exhaust and APR Intake Stage 1 & 2.
- Wheels: OEM 19" wheels
- Tires: BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 255/35ZR19 96W
- Temperature: TBD
- Humidity: TBD
- Notes: No DSG tune, pending DSG tune from Solo's release.
- Dyno report: *click here

Stock:
- Location: Force Fed Performance
- City/State: Fayetteville, NC
- Date & Time: Dec 17, 2015 @ 1:37pm
- Dyno: Mustang 1100
- Baseline (Stock) HP/TQ: 273.7whp @ 5690 rpm / 281.6wtq @ 4228 rpm
- Gear: 3rd
- Fuel: 93 Octane
- Modifications: None
- Wheels: OEM 19" wheels
- Tires: BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 255/35ZR19 96W
- Temperature: 71F
- Humidity: 93%
- Notes: None
- Dyno report: *click here

Drag Results:

Stock:
- Location: Fayetteville Motor Speedway
- City/State: Fayetteville, NC
- Date & Time: Oct 18, 2015 @ 3:26pm
- Fuel: 93 Octane (Full tank)
- Modifications: None
- Wheels: OEM 19" wheels
- Tires: BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 255/35ZR19 96W
- Temperature: 61F
- Humidity: 57%
- Track Results:

Reaction: 1.3849
60ft: 2.0818
1/8: 8.7591
ET 1/4: 13.6174
Trap: 101.21mph

- Time Slip: *click here

Gallery

Day of trade:From my modified 2011 Subaru WRX to now my beautiful B8 S4.


Custom Exhaust Project:
*Pics & Video coming soon!

SoloMotorsports Tuning: January 25, 2016
*Video coming soon!

[14S4GWM]

That's a long future mod list. Time to shorten it up a bit.

[DBL OH 7]

Indeed it is. Majority of the list will be knocked out by summer of 2016. My stage 2 ECU & DSG tune w/pulley, my cooling system project and exhaust project should be knocked out in January.

[b8audis4]

Congrats! Any reason for going with that tune compared to APR, GIAC?

[14S4GWM]

^ I think that's a pro tune, might be wrong.

[DBL OH 7]

Congrats! Any reason for going with that tune compared to APR, GIAC?

I'm very thorough when it comes to my car, so I've been putting in countless hours of research and talking with multiple experts that have experience with APR, EPL, GIAC, etc., to include lambos and high end foreign cars. I was recommended by a friend that received a Malone stage 2 tune on his B8 S4 in which he was running better numbers than APR. He provided me a dyno report of a side-by-side same dyno, same day, back to back in the same weather and location of an APR stage 2 B8 S4 making 350whp, then his car with the Malone tune making 415whp. This is on a dynojet I might add. But anyways, he drove it 25,000 miles with the tune then later sold the car. The Malone tune I'm getting is cheaper than APR as it's a custom tune. It will be a ECU and DSG tune w/pulley. Malone tuning were the first to create a DSG tune for transmissions back when VW TDI's first came out. I'm scheduled for my Malone stage 2 install on January 16, followed by a updated dyno report to show my gains and a 1/4 track report once the track opens after winter season. Stay tuned to my thread as I'll be posting updates, DIY's and showing my custom work.

[jokingjimmy]

You forgot one major mod... The fuzzy dice...

[jran76]

I'm very thorough when it comes to my car, so I've been putting in countless hours of research and talking with multiple experts that have experience with APR, EPL, GIAC, etc., to include lambos and high end foreign cars. I was recommended by a friend that received a Malone stage 2 tune on his B8 S4 in which he was running better numbers than APR. He provided me a dyno report of a side-by-side same dyno, same day, back to back in the same weather and location of an APR stage 2 B8 S4 making 350whp, then his car with the Malone tune making 415whp. This is on a dynojet I might add. But anyways, he drove it 25,000 miles with the tune then later sold the car. The Malone tune I'm getting is cheaper than APR as it's a custom tune. It will be a ECU and DSG tune w/pulley. Malone tuning were the first to create a DSG tune for transmissions back when VW TDI's first came out. I'm scheduled for my Malone stage 2 install on January 16, followed by a updated dyno report to show my gains and a 1/4 track report once the track opens after winter season. Stay tuned to my thread as I'll be posting updates, DIY's and showing my custom work.

I'm assuming you are talking about some of the discussion on the Facebook group? Just looking at that dyno that was posted, I don't see how it was a realistic APR graph. It flattened out and fell off just like a stock tune. If you look around, you'll see that you won't find other APR graphs that look like that. That looks exactly like what I'd expect a stock graph to look like when the bypass valve is open. I can't say for sure what was going on, but just something to consider. Take a look at the 1/4 mile list if you need any evidence that APR and GIAC are more than proven. 034 and JHM also look to have some good results coming (JHM has done an 11.6 on stage 2, and 034 an 11.8 on stage 1).

I can't comment on the Malone tuning because as far as I can tell only 1-2 people even have it, but that should also tell you something. That's great that someone you trust is providing you with information, but I think you need to dig a little deeper. I'd personally want to see some 1/4-mile times, and log files that show me some timing values and that they keep the bypass valve closed. One dyno from anyone is not enough to go off of when it comes to showing what these tunes can do. 1/4-mile times and log files will do a lot more to show you the full picture of what these tunes can do.

[DBL OH 7]

I'm well aware of the thread that list 1/4 times and those results. I stay up-to-date on the forums, although I recently registered and I'm on the S4 Facebook groups as well. The dyno report I have included below. Doesn't look like it dropped off like stock. It drops off right before the malone tune did. Doesn't have the greatest smoothing for the graph lines though.

[jran76]

I'm well aware of the thread that list 1/4 times and those results. I stay up-to-date on the forums, although I recently registered and I'm on the S4 Facebook groups as well. The dyno report I have included below. Doesn't look like it dropped off like stock. It drops off right before the malone tune did. It doesn't include smoothing so hence why the lines are crazy.

OK. Not sure what to say. Power clearly declines a little in the last 1000 rpm. No properly working aftermarket stage 2 tune does that. You only see that when the bypass valve opens. Either something was wrong with that car, or something else/more is going on than indicated. Find a legit third party dyno of an APR tune that looks anything like that.

Let's use some common sense here. I've dynoed APR, Revo and GIAC stage 2 tunes all on the same day and same dyno, and none look anything like that. All were in the same ballpark in terms of awhp, and you think Malone just somehow found 65 awhp over an APR or any other tuner? Seriously? Where did they find it? The only way to do that with all things being equal (fuel, conditions, etc.) would be to jack timing up to an unsafe level, and/or remove factory safeguards for things like IAT and knock. Don't fool yourself; it's not possible to just pull 65 awhp out of a magic hat.

Edit: If a tuner posted a dyno that showed they gained, let's say, 20 awhp over an existing tune, I might believe that. 65 awhp is completely unbelievable. I've logged, dynoed, and seen 20+ cars run at the 1/4 mile, and there is just no way. I have no idea what Malone can do; it's very possibly a fine tune, but there is absolutely no way it puts out 65 more awhp than an APR (or any decent) stage 2 tune. Just the fact they would post that, brings up a lot of questions....

[Thurston]

I thought I'd go to sleep and see who tackled the dyno chart this a.m. - I have to agree w/ JRAN - 65 more awhp is exceedingly fishy - everything inside of me is saying something weird is going on here ... Where is Malone (whomever that is) he needs to speak on this issue, i don't think that is unreasonable. Congrats on the new ride db oh 7 - congrats. Maybe benjamin gilman can comment on this thread - i see he has some posts in other vw communities.

[DBL OH 7]

I thought I'd go to sleep and see who tackled the dyno chart this a.m. - I have to agree w/ JRAN - 65 more awhp is exceedingly fishy - everything inside of me is saying something weird is going on here ... Where is Malone (whomever that is) he needs to speak on this issue, i don't think that is unreasonable. Congrats on the new ride db oh 7 - congrats. Maybe benjamin gilman can comment on this thread - i see he has some posts in other vw communities.

Ben Gillman is the gentleman that I'm working with for my Malone tune.

[B8 S4]

Ya those numbers dont add up, there no way they just found an extra 65 hp in the engine. All the major tuners put out very similar power to each other. Its your car but I would not trust a company that has only tuned a few S4s when there are companys that tune 1000's of S4s and will continue to provide support and updates for the platform.

Also who knows which revision that APR tune is on that dyno, the new 3.1 version has much more power than the old 2.x versions.

[Thurston]

Ben Gillman is the gentleman that I'm working with for my Malone tune.

yessir I just saw his name atop the dyno graph and thought maybe he could shed light. If the tune really is safely putting down those #'s then hot damn my friend, hot damn.

[DBL OH 7]

OK. Not sure what to say. Power clearly declines a little in the last 1000 rpm. No properly working aftermarket stage 2 tune does that. You only see that when the bypass valve opens. Either something was wrong with that car, or something else/more is going on than indicated. Find a legit third party dyno of an APR tune that looks anything like that.

Let's use some common sense here. I've dynoed APR, Revo and GIAC stage 2 tunes all on the same day and same dyno, and none look anything like that. All were in the same ballpark in terms of awhp, and you think Malone just somehow found 65 awhp over an APR or any other tuner? Seriously? Where did they find it? The only way to do that with all things being equal (fuel, conditions, etc.) would be to jack timing up to an unsafe level, and/or remove factory safeguards for things like IAT and knock. Don't fool yourself; it's not possible to just pull 65 awhp out of a magic hat.

Edit: If a tuner posted a dyno that showed they gained, let's say, 20 awhp over an existing tune, I might believe that. 65 awhp is completely unbelievable. I've logged, dynoed, and seen 20+ cars run at the 1/4 mile, and there is just no way. I have no idea what Malone can do; it's very possibly a fine tune, but there is absolutely no way it puts out 65 more awhp than an APR (or any decent) stage 2 tune. Just the fact they would post that, brings up a lot of questions....

I was skeptical, and I still am. But look at the 034Motorsports thread, where off of a stage 1 they made an 11.8 on the 1/4 mile with 104 octane . Granted it's 104, but that translates to 400whp or more to push our 3900lb monster down the track to make that time. Whats your thoughts? I'm not dead set on the Malone tune since there is no literature on this other than my friend. I've seen the threads and all the numbers from various tuning options and I know APR is at the top for track numbers. But yes, I'm skeptical as its a 65whp gain over that APR.

[jran76]

I was skeptical, and I still am. But look at the 034Motorsports thread, where off of a stage 1 they made an 11.8 on the 1/4 mile. That translates to 400whp or more to push our 3900lb monster down the track to make that time. Whats your thoughts? Starting to seem believable.

Are you saying the Malone tune putting down 65 more awhp than an APR tune seems believable?

The ceiling for stage 2 tuning is pretty well established at this point. The platform has been around for 6-7 years now. It's just not possible for a tuner to come along and find more than 65 awhp compared to what is currently the fastest stage 2 tune in terms of 1/4-mile times. Maybe custom tuning yields a few HP, and maybe more aggressive timing does too, but there is literally nothing left on the table that is going to get anything close to what you are showing on that Malone dyno graph- unless it is something completely unsafe in terms of timing/knock, or there was something wrong with the APR car they dynoed. That's not to say APR or GIAC are the end all be all. They've just proven it at this point. I have no doubt someone will come along and squeeze a few more HP out of the stage 2 tune (034, JHM, maybe even Malone, who knows), but it won't be anything close to 65 awhp. Even half that with all things being equal would be a miracle of God.

The 034 time is what I'd expect for an aggressive stage 1 tune on 104 octane. You can run really aggressive timing on 104 with the lower boost, and in a good DA, a time like that is completely believable. I think what 034 is doing is great, but there are not a lot of stage 1 data points to really compare to. Most people that are serious about going fast skip stage 1 and go stage 2. I'm pretty sure if the fast APR or GIAC cars were trying to set stage 1 records on 104 octane, you'd see somewhat similar results.

[DBL OH 7]

Are you saying the Malone tune putting down 65 more awhp than an APR tune seems believable?

The ceiling for stage 2 tuning is pretty well established at this point. The platform has been around for 6-7 years now. It's just not possible for a tuner to come along and find more than 65 awhp compared to what is currently the fastest stage 2 tune in terms of 1/4-mile times. Maybe custom tuning yields a few HP, and maybe more aggressive timing does too, but there is literally nothing left on the table that is going to get anything close to what you are showing on that Malone dyno graph- unless it is something completely unsafe in terms of timing/knock, or there was something wrong with the APR car they dynoed. That's not to say APR or GIAC are the end all be all. They've just proven it at this point. I have no doubt someone will come along and squeeze a few more HP out of the stage 2 tune (034, JHM, maybe even Malone, who knows), but it won't be anything close to 65 awhp. Even half that with all things being equal would be a miracle of God.

The 034 time is what I'd expect for an aggressive stage 1 tune on 104 octane. You can run really aggressive timing on 104 with the lower boost, and in a good DA, a time like that is completely believable. I think what 034 is doing is great, but there are not a lot of stage 1 data points to really compare to. Most people that are serious about going fast skip stage 1 and go stage 2. I'm pretty sure if the fast APR or GIAC cars were trying to set stage 1 records on 104 octane, you'd see somewhat similar results.

I'm with you 100%. I do feel the APR car on that dyno report could of had a better pull. Mind you its a dynopack, so APR's website quotes 388whp and they used a dynopack not a mustang. So the numbers shouldn't be 33whp difference. So if a B8 S4 dynojet makes the APR quoted 388whp, then the Malone tune on dynopack made 415whp which is a 27whp increase. That's more believable! Not as to why it's a 27 increase, that's a good question. I know E85 or race fuel could make up that difference thats for sure.

You seem to have done your research on this subject, as have I. But when it comes to this Malone tune I'm still skeptical and continue to question it! I need some help deciding on a Stage 2 w/pulley and DSG tune. Here are some of the tuning options:
Need help, I keep getting the ring around and want to get some good solid reviews from you guys. I'm thorough when it comes to picking out something for my car. I have a 2010 B8 S4 and I been looking at doing a Stage 2 tune w/pulley and if available a E85 or race fuel tune...preferably E85. I've researched around and can't decide which tune I should go with:

- 034: Stage 1 made 11.8 on the track w/104 octane
- Solomotorsports: Stage 2 385whp/352wtq on mustang dyno w/93 octance (offers e85 for more power, 27whp increase)
- APR: Stage 2 388whp/369wtq on dynopack w/93 octance
- GIAC: Stage 2 w/exhaust and intake made 448whp/396wtq on dynojet w/93 octane
- Malone tuning: Stage 2, 415whp/377wtq on dynopack w/93 octane

[jran76]

I'm with you 100%. I do feel the APR car on that dyno report could of had a better pull. Mind you its a dynopack, so APR's website quotes 388whp and they used a dynopack not a mustang. So the numbers shouldn't be 33whp difference. So if a B8 S4 dynojet makes the APR quoted 388whp, then the Malone tune on dynopack made 415whp which is a 27whp increase. That's more believable! Not as to why it's a 27 increase, that's a good question. I know E85 or race fuel could make up that difference thats for sure.

You seem to have done your research on this subject, as have I. But when it comes to this Malone tune I'm still skeptical and continue to question it! I need some help deciding on a Stage 2 w/pulley and DSG tune. Here are some of the tuning options:
Need help, I keep getting the ring around and want to get some good solid reviews from you guys. I'm thorough when it comes to picking out something for my car. I have a 2010 B8 S4 and I been looking at doing a Stage 2 tune w/pulley and if available a E85 or race fuel tune...preferably E85. I've researched around and can't decide which tune I should go with:

- 034: Stage 1 made 11.8 on the track w/104 octane
- Solomotorsports: Stage 2 385whp/352wtq on mustang dyno w/93 octance (offers e85 for more power, 27whp increase)
- APR: Stage 2 388whp/369wtq on dynopack w/93 octance
- GIAC: Stage 2 w/exhaust and intake made 448whp/396wtq on dynojet w/93 octane
- Malone tuning: Stage 2, 415whp/377wtq on dynopack w/93 octane

The question of what's best comes up a lot. It's a little more complex than a simple answer, and definitely more so than a bunch of different dynos are going to show. In the most basic sense, I'd say go with what is the most proven combined with what offers the best local support to you.

Beyond that, what are you after? Do you want to set records, or just have a fast car. At least right now, I don't think there is any question about who offers the most potential if you are after records. That may change with whatever 034 and JHM put out, but for now that should be obvious.

You also have to consider things like program switching. How important is it to you, and how easy do you want to be able to switch (a definite consideration if you plan to run race gas or E85). In addition to Solo, EPL offers E85 tuning, and APR will at some point.

[Thurston]

- 034: Stage 1 made 11.8 on the track w/104 octane
- Solomotorsports: Stage 2 385whp/352wtq on mustang dyno w/93 octance (offers e85 for more power, 27whp increase)
- APR: Stage 2 388whp/369wtq on dynopack w/93 octance
- GIAC: Stage 2 w/exhaust and intake made 448whp/396wtq on dynojet w/93 octane
- Malone tuning: Stage 2, 415whp/377wtq on dynopack w/93 octane

there is a 450whp giac stage 2 driving around here? surely that's at the crank. Congrats again on your ride db oh

[B8 S4]

I could find a dyno somewhere around me that will read 500 whp. Figures on different dynos in different conditions dont mean anything. Base your decision on something other than dyno figures

[DBL OH 7]

The question of what's best comes up a lot. It's a little more complex than a simple answer, and definitely more so than a bunch of different dynos are going to show. In the most basic sense, I'd say go with what is the most proven combined with what offers the best local support to you.

Beyond that, what are you after? Do you want to set records, or just have a fast car. At least right now, I don't think there is any question about who offers the most potential if you are after records. That may change with whatever 034 and JHM put out, but for now that should be obvious.


You also have to consider things like program switching. How important is it to you, and how easy do you want to be able to switch (a definite consideration if you plan to run race gas or E85). In addition to Solo, EPL offers E85 tuning, and APR will at some point.

Appreciate the input my friend!

[DBL OH 7]

there is a 450whp giac stage 2 driving around here? surely that's at the crank. Congrats again on your ride db oh

My apologies, that was crank. I'm sure if that was the case everyone would be switching. Appreciate it!