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      03-08-2012, 11:06 AM   #1
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REVIEW: Evolve Stage 1 Tune

In my many years of research trying to find the right tuner to help me with my E46 M3, I stumbled upon Evolve Automotive. Prior to their entrance to the US M3 Market, I only heard amazing things about their tunes and products on various international car forums. After speaking with them on the phone for quite some time, I realized that they were going to be the right tuner for me.

Fast forward a few years, they have now tuned both my E46 M3 and E90 M3.

I recently tuned our otherwise stock E90 M3. The car is already quite a bit for me handle both on the street and track, but I felt like it could be refined a bit more.

Evolve Automotive was the first to release an OBDII-USB method of flashing for our cars and the process is incredibly simple and fast. The user interface on the computer is extremely easy to understand and rather difficult to mess up. Extracting the data of the DME takes some time since I had to extract the whole DME. Upon sending out my data to Evolve, I received my Stage 1 Tune in less than 24 hours. The flashing process took a quick five minutes or so.

I ordered the tune with the following:
  • Rev Limiter Raised to 8600RPM
  • Top Speed Limiter Removed
  • 93 Octane
After putting on a little over 1000 miles, the difference is actually noticeable. Despite being a conservative increased in power on an already potent motor, the improved driving experience is vastly appreciated. I noticed that low-end power and torque is much more prominent. Cruising around town in 3rd or 4th gear at the very bottom of the powerband no longer has that choking feeling, but more so a quick pickup and pull through the power band.

Where the tune really shines though is above 5000RPM. Cruising on the highway in 3rd gear at 5000RPM, then suddenly punching it is quite a fun experience! The pull is very strong all the way to 8600RPM. Paired with the DCT's quick up shifts, running through all the gears is absolutely seamless. I reach too fast of speeds way too quickly! There is no doubt that there is a gain in power and torque and this is no throttle gimmick.

Additionally, I like the feel of the throttle much better. I feel like there is a much more linear connection between the amount of throttle I induce and the response of the engine. It's almost akin to a throttle-cable type of feel. This coming track season will probably prove this be a great asset in throttle control through turns. In other cars, I sometimes have found non-linear throttle feel to be rather annoying. Modulating the gas will hopefully be much more enjoyable.

Aside from the advantages of the Evolve tune itself, what is also significant are the other things that Evolve offers. With the Evolve-R PC Software, I also have the ability to read and clear DTC codes. It is very handy and efficient to have a software do it all in one. Hopefully they can continue to expand on the software to offer data logging and reset adaptations. Finally, Evolve Automotive's customer service. Their dedication to their clients and our community is unmatched. Look up any post by any of the team members of Evolve Automotive and you'll see that they provide constant education to the forums. Providing proper protocol on how to interpret dynos, measure performance, engineering, R&D, the list goes on. I am thankful to have the backing of an amazing company that take the role of friends, not just a service provider. I feel like they treat all of us not as dollar signs, but as people and automotive enthusiasts.

I encourage you all to continue looking into Evolve Automotive and their dedication to true automotive engineering. They try to share all the data and research they do for all the developments. This is something that some people often miss, but should be appreciated.

As soon as winter subsides, there is no doubt I'll be doing back to back dynos of the tune and hopefully some acceleration runs. It's one thing to have that glorious number and another to have actual measurable gain on the street and track. Stay tuned :thump:

---

Thank you to Sal, Paul, and the rest of the team at Evolve Automotive for your constant commitment to our culture. There is no doubt that your philosophy and dedication are molding this community for the better. 2012 seems like a big year for you with all the projects you're working on. Keep it up and hopefully I find a way to deepen my pockets to acquire some of your new toys
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      03-08-2012, 11:14 AM   #2
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Nice write up. I'm a big fan of Evolve, I currently have the Alpha N Stage 1 tune on my E39 M5 and love it. But, will be going to a Stage 3 tune after the install of the Evolve Madusa headers and high flow cats.

I will be purchasing the Evolve tune for the E92 M3 very soon!!!

Evolve is a great company and Sal is very knowledgable and always there to help answer any questions.
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      03-08-2012, 11:30 AM   #3
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Just put on the Stage 2 an hour or so ago after putting the Challenge Sport pipes on last night. It only took me 5 minutes or so to download the stock file & two - three minutes to upload the tune. Sal was there every step of the way to answer any questions. Great customer service.
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      03-08-2012, 11:32 AM   #4
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I have been very happy with Evolve so far!
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      03-08-2012, 11:53 AM   #5
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With all the great info about the evolve tunes, I think i will go evolve once my warranty is out.
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      03-08-2012, 12:10 PM   #6
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+1 as a fan of EVOLVE tune...great job sal and paul
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      03-08-2012, 02:06 PM   #7
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Excellent and detailed review! Thanks for posting
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      03-08-2012, 05:26 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMBeamerM5 View Post
Nice write up. I'm a big fan of Evolve, I currently have the Alpha N Stage 1 tune on my E39 M5 and love it. But, will be going to a Stage 3 tune after the install of the Evolve Madusa headers and high flow cats.

I will be purchasing the Evolve tune for the E92 M3 very soon!!!

Evolve is a great company and Sal is very knowledgable and always there to help answer any questions.
Their Medusa Headers are INCREDIBLE! Have you seen the S85B50 headers too?!

I'll be installing my Evolve CF Airbox and Alpha-N tune in the E46 hopefully by next month. It's been sitting in my office for way too long collecting dust, haha.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Moxie View Post
Just put on the Stage 2 an hour or so ago after putting the Challenge Sport pipes on last night. It only took me 5 minutes or so to download the stock file & two - three minutes to upload the tune. Sal was there every step of the way to answer any questions. Great customer service.
Congrats on the new power! I am starting to have the craving to delete some cats, the power is just addicting...

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
I have been very happy with Evolve so far!
Nice! I'm glad it's working out well for you too!

Quote:
Originally Posted by biggynuts01 View Post
With all the great info about the evolve tunes, I think i will go evolve once my warranty is out.
Do it! You won't regret it!

Quote:
Originally Posted by mpbruin108 View Post
+1 as a fan of EVOLVE tune...great job sal and paul
I saw you'd nice gains with your setup too! If I don't supercharge the car, I definitely want to go with a similar setup as yours.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cal@Sonic MS View Post
Excellent and detailed review! Thanks for posting
Thanks! Evolve rocks!
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      03-08-2012, 05:29 PM   #9
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Sweet Alex, glad it is working good
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      03-08-2012, 06:02 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin_D View Post
Sweet Alex, glad it is working good
Thanks Martin. I try to only buy from the best
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      03-08-2012, 06:11 PM   #11
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Nice write up Alex! Thanks for posting.
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      03-08-2012, 07:34 PM   #12
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Great write-up. I too share your positive experience with Evolve. My main tipping point for selecting them was after I spoke to Paul. He mentioned they have an in-house dyno with several E9x(s) available to develop the tune.
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      03-08-2012, 09:17 PM   #13
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Nice
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      03-09-2012, 12:46 AM   #14
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Mmmmm evolve :-)
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      03-09-2012, 01:41 AM   #15
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I think i will go evolve once my warranty is out.
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      03-09-2012, 10:04 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarnes View Post
Nice write up Alex! Thanks for posting.
Thanks man!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Money2536 View Post
Great write-up. I too share your positive experience with Evolve. My main tipping point for selecting them was after I spoke to Paul. He mentioned they have an in-house dyno with several E9x(s) available to develop the tune.
Yes I have to agree! Having a proper in house dyno and with them personally owning M cars, is a great advantage. Also a main reason why I chose them to tune my E46 and E90 M3.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmac_E46_M3 View Post
Nice
Time for you to get some V8 goodness

Quote:
Originally Posted by Limey View Post
Mmmmm evolve :-)
Mmmm indeed

Quote:
Originally Posted by WillyGies View Post
I think i will go evolve once my warranty is out.
It is no doubt worth the wait. If you are concerned with any warranty issues, you can just ask them to keep the original 8400RPM redline. From my understanding, that is the only real way for them to see that something has been tuned. I've already gone through a warranty service at the dealer without a hitch...and I hit 8600RPM on my way to the dealer
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      03-09-2012, 10:12 AM   #17
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Wow thanks for all the kind words everyone! Great to see the hard work paying off and you guys happy with the product
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      03-09-2012, 10:15 AM   #18
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subscribed.

I'm almost done with my search, and it will be between evolve and ess!

thanks for sharing and further details/comments/experiences are much appreciated...
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      03-09-2012, 11:08 AM   #19
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Where is the differences on the stages? I don't see it listed on their site or am I missing something? LOL
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      03-09-2012, 11:12 AM   #20
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The 'stages' are simply the level of tune you have based on your mods. As a rule of thumb stage 1 is stock/intake/pulley... the moment you start removing cats is a 'stage 2'.

We don't charge a difference for them, you buy a tune based on whatever mods you currently have.
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      03-09-2012, 04:21 PM   #21
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Thanks for the review Alex.
As usual you always seem to be able to pick up on the real differences.

Look forward to getting our valve based E-Tronic on it .... One day :-)
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      03-09-2012, 04:22 PM   #22
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Thanks to everyone else also for the appreciation.
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