Evolve Tuning Stage 1 Tune / GTS DCT / Servo Review

[e46m3to135i]

Hey everyone. Just wanted to share my recent experience with Evolve Tuning.

PURCHASE/CHECKOUT:
After I processed the payment on Evolve's website, I immediately received a confirmation email that contained the tuning software and instructions.

SHIPPING:
Very quick turnaround. I received the EvolveR tuning hardware kit in 2 business days! If you take a look at my location, that’s pretty impressive on its own. Oh and BTW, the shipping was free

READING STOCK DME FILE:
The same day I received my EvolveR cable kit I downloaded my stock DME file. Downloading the stock DME file took about 30 minutes and the instructions that were included in the first email were VERY easy to follow. The software interface is setup to be pretty much dummy proof. The ONLY hiccup I had was not getting the USB driver to download properly. Shot an email to Evolve and got a quick reply back informing me that there isn't currently a USB driver available for Window 8. Wasn't a big, just used a different laptop that had an older version of explorer on it.

TURN AROUND TIME OF TUNE FROM EVOLVE:
About 8 hours!!! Sent my factory DME file at around 8PM and the modified tune was in my email way before I was awake.

WRITING THE MODIFIED TUNE TO THE DME:
Just as before with the reading of the stock DME file. It was simple and only consisted of 2 or 3 clicks of a mouse. One thing to point out during this process:

When I sent Evolve my tune requests, I requested my tune to be built off of the most current DME soft ware (240E). If you request this, you will have to load the 240E software first before loading the Evolve modified tune. I chose to have the tune built from the 240E software because I had no clue what software I was currently running. Sal later informed me that I had previously been running 231E, so it wasn't as old as I had thought.

Each DME write takes about 6-7 minutes from start to finish.

TUNE OPTIONS THAT I CHOSE:
- 240E DME software
- 8500 rev limit
- Rear o2's turned off
- Top speed removed
- Cold start disabled

GTS DCT FLASH WRITING:
There is separate software to flash the GTS software. It’s very similar to the Stage 1 tune programming but in a different interface format. There’s no need to go in to further detail on this one.

SERVO/STEERING TUNE:
It's built in to the modified DME tune. I will discuss my opinions on this feature in a bit.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS AFTER THE FORST 100 MILES:

COLD START is GONE. Woot Woot. I know this will sound crazy to most of you, but this feature being disabled alone is worth the price of the tune IMO. Some people either love it or hate. I'm of the latter. Cold starts no longer shake, stumble, or idle hunt as the did before with the cold start sequence.

My car is driving as smooth as it ever has before and seems a little peppier also. I won't get on here and say I felt a HUGE gain in HP/TQ but I do feel a little more grunt down low and it seems to rev a little quicker in the upper RPM's.

All in all I'm extremely happy with the results.

The GTS flash is AMAZING as I'm sure most of you have already read before. Lightning fast shifts and it all in all smoothes out most of the occasional jerky down shifts when slowing to a stop that the factory DCT software can produce.

The servo tune IMO is noticeable but not over barring if that makes sense. It for some reason just makes you feel more connected to the road. That's really the only way I can explain it. Steering feels tight exactly when you need it to and not when you don't need it to.

I have a set of ACM test pipes on the way and can't wait to upgrade to the stage 2 tune

Sal and Imran have been awesome to work with thus far and I look forward to working with them again for the stage 2 tune and next fall for the blower purchase.

-Nick

[E92M3GT]

Good to know !

[longuyen88]

Evolve is definitely one of the best tunes available (if not the best). I did thorough research not only with this forum but also other online communities. It's crazy the amount of information you dig up about other reputable tunes. I am glad I went with evolve also for my catless tune. Great product, my car is now perfect.

[e46m3to135i]

Originally Posted by longuyen88

Evolve is definitely one of the best tunes available (if not the best). I did thorough research not only with this forum but also other online communities. It's crazy the amount of information you dig up about other reputable tunes. I am glad I went with evolve also for my catless tune. Great product, my car is now perfect.

[spool twice]

Great review! Yes, the servo mapping makes the car more "sucked" onto the road, very little upsets the stability of the car, it just locks onto dead center with very little corrections needed, it's a very satisfying feeling. Also, the added weight seems to have a positive affect on road feedback, a great thing.

A little jealous that you got the GTS tune, I don't have it yet but I should soon Can't wait to try it out, everyone on here raves about it!! If it's anything like the Servo, I'll definitely love it! (Stage 2 is great too, I just can't get over how it feels like a better overall package, it's like stock, but 10x in intensity with test pipes)

[B0feity]

I have an ESS ECU tune.. is it possible to still get the GTS DCT and another servo tune like the evolve while using the ESS?

[spool twice]

Whoa...EDC tune? Sweeet!

[EvenSteven]

Originally Posted by e46m3to135i

Sal and Imran have been awesome to work with thus far and I look forward to working with them again for the stage 2 tune and next fall for the blower purchase.

-Nick

Since you're going from Stage 1 to Stage 2 to blower (why not just skip straight to blower?), we expect dynos at each step!

[e46m3to135i]

Originally Posted by EvenSteven

Since you're going from Stage 1 to Stage 2 to blower (why not just skip straight to blower?), we expect dynos at each step!

For everyone that expects dynos at each step, feel free to PM me and I'll reply back with my PP addy to send donations to(sarcasm).

-Nick

[e46m3to135i]

Reserved for a MUCH different follow up review.

-Nick

[lve2xlr8]

Sal is a good guy

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by e46m3to135i

Reserved for a MUCH different follow up review.

-Nick

Having issues?

[e46m3to135i]

Originally Posted by lve2xlr8

Sal is a good guy

I believe the same also. I'll leave it at that.

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Having issues?

I'll update the thread in a couple days or sooner.

[voigtcjva]

the added weight seems to have a positive affect on road feedback, a great thing.

[mkPOTO]

awesome review!

[sylonien]

Downloading the stock DME file took about 30 minutes

That worries me.

Not exactly the same scenario, but here's my question / concern....

I updated my CIC sat nav to 2014 yesterday, parked on my drive.
Key in ignition, charger plugged in. No low battery issue history.

With the engine off, I can't get update the nav (with DVDs) for more than 5-10%
(which is like 5-10 minute equivalent) without the car turning itself off?

Not sure if doing OBD related stuff will keep the car awake?
I'm worried that If I use the Evolve-r cable remotely myself and it
shuts down during the download/upload process it will f*** up big time!!

[Mason2005]

follow up? was thinking of this tune and would like to hear what changed

[Dr.Mark]

I got this tune last month. Can say only great things about it. Was no problem to install and I am not much of a computer person. On my Windows XP old laptop, it took about 15 min, so no issues with battery or car shutting off. I would certainly recommend getting this tune. I'll post more opinions when my coding is also done.

[Paul@Evolve]

Originally Posted by Dr.Mark

I got this tune last month. Can say only great things about it. Was no problem to install and I am not much if a computer person. On my Windows XP old laptop, it too about 15 min, so no issues with battery or car shutting off. I would certainly recommend getting this tune. I'll post more opinions when my coding is also done.

Glad your enjoying your tune