Driving impressions: Evolve vs. IPD

Ramib1 · Feb 4, 2005

First, as a disclaimer, I hope I won't start a religious war with this post - this is not my intent....

Had a chance to drive today in an Evolve modified R (ECM+ exhaust) - courtesy of one of the swedspeed's members. I wanted to get a first-hand impression of the exhaust, as I'm in the market for one. My own R has the most recent IPD ECU upgrade + DP, so naturally I was able to compare the two variations...
IMO, the IPD (MTE) tuning is more aggressive than Evolve's. The latter is linear and very smooth, but the MTE software really brings out the best in the turbo, and the car seems to be faster overall (again, very subjective - can't back it up with data). You feel the difference in particular as you accelerate from the 3.4-4k RPM level, at any gear.

The Evolve exhaust tone is beautiful - but may not be for everyone. It makes the car sound MUCH more aggressive, and you feel that you're in a true sports sedan. It is a bit too aggressive for me, as I use my car for a long daily commute - and occasionally have to be on the phone...

Bottom line: we're all lucky to have choices now, I'm certainly happy with mine.

23109VC · Feb 4, 2005

Re: Driving impressions: Evolve vs. IPD (Ramib1)

not sure you really compared apples to apples.

you say you have IDP ECU + DP. do you have exhaust?

the EVOLVE equipped car you drove had the ECU + exhaust. (91 or 93 octane ECU?)

anyway...while each car had a different ECU, one had a DP and the other had exhaust. not sure which would do more for the car....what you should do is add an IPD exhaust to your car...and then as soon as EVOLVE releases their DP, put that on the EVOLVE car. then each car would have ECU/DP/Exhaust. then compare.

you are right, the EVOLVE exhaust sounds awesome.

dgrotheer · Feb 4, 2005

Re: Driving impressions: Evolve vs. IPD (Ramib1)

Has anyone raced yet? This needs to be settled once and for all, who wants to represent their brand?

23109VC · Feb 4, 2005

Re: Driving impressions: Evolve vs. IPD (dgrotheer)

I'm up for it....EVOLVE all the way!

Ramib1 · Feb 5, 2005

Re: Driving impressions: Evolve vs. IPD (23109VC)

Quote, originally posted by 23109VC »

not sure you really compared apples to apples.

you say you have IDP ECU + DP. do you have exhaust?

the EVOLVE equipped car you drove had the ECU + exhaust. (91 or 93 octane ECU?)

anyway...while each car had a different ECU, one had a DP and the other had exhaust. not sure which would do more for the car....what you should do is add an IPD exhaust to your car...and then as soon as EVOLVE releases their DP, put that on the EVOLVE car. then each car would have ECU/DP/Exhaust. then compare.

you are right, the EVOLVE exhaust sounds awesome.

Apples, oranges or bananas....Trust me, I have no brand loyalty. I just reported what I had observed - you may be right, and the DP may have something to do with that, maybe it doesn't. Bottom line, the IPD-tuned car feels faster.

Philup.. · Feb 5, 2005

Re: Driving impressions: Evolve vs. IPD (Ramib1)

Did you notice any difference in the throttle sensitivities? Supposedly the Evolve ECU gets rid of the DBW lag. Does IPD's do it too?

Britspeed · Feb 5, 2005

Who ever comes out with a Soft loader first will get my money.

BSR seems to have spotty customer service.

IPD: Awsome customer service but no Soft loader.

Evolve: Apparently pretty good customer service and no Soft loader.

Svenske: ECU software from ??, Soft Loader 2nd quater?

SCT: Soft Loader out now, customer service??????????

I have never wanted to unload $1-1500 so badly but no product out there that fits yet. 2nd problem is my being in Europe and definitely wouldn't ship my ECU back and forth from the US if I couldn't wait for a Soft Loader.

dectech1 · Feb 5, 2005

Re: (Britspeed)

I emailed SCT over 2 weeks ago and no response yet! Does this sound like another "softloader" company we all Know and love???

R Kelly · Feb 5, 2005

Re: (dectech1)

Quote, originally posted by dectech1 »

I emailed SCT over 2 weeks ago and no response yet! Does this sound like another "softloader" company we all Know and love???

Wow, maybe SCT and Engstrom think I'm a hot chick because of my name, because they have always e-mailed me back within a couple of days....

Britspeed-

I totally feel your pain, I was all set on PPC, then Svenske teased and SCT announced. I just did the currency conversion on the SCT last night:
SCT software: $1,021.20
SCT softloader with software: $1,235.14

BSR PPC: $895 from Engstrom

other things I was thinking about was SCT's claim:
When connected to a cellphone, SCT are able to carry out a complete diagnostic check up from a remote location no matter where you are in the world - data is transmitted wirelessly between softloader and cellphone.
Softloader is also designed to read engine data, diagnostic codes and even error codes can be read from the vehicles ECU units. The possibilities with SCT Softloader are endless and more is to come...

I was also concerned about PPC software having problems if I added a DP and exhaust, whereas SCT advertises software for full kits using Ferrita exhuast & DP. I also liked that Svenske is tuned specifically for their parts, I think they have the best overall combination, but will not be shipping my ECU off anywhere.

Then I really started thinking, I may be leaving in May, and if I really want to enjoy anything while I'm still in Germany, I need to order it now. Where I could really use the extra juice is on autobahn from 80-130 mph. While I can pull away from most annoying tailgating VWs, Audis, and BMWs, I would like to leave them more convincingly.

I think I'm back to PPC with a BMC filter, total less than a $1000. If I find out I'm headed back to US this summer, I'll worry about exhaust then...

Britspeed · Feb 5, 2005

Re: ("R" Kelly)

Hmm, SCT is $1200+ with Solft Loader?? That's not bad. I also want something before I leave.

Perhaps if I change my email name to "hotblonde@..." I'll get a quick response!

Svenske Racing · Feb 5, 2005

Hey guys... the ECU we are using has been custom tuned for us by Powerchips... I saw the prototype Flash device while I was in Santa Monica... it is scheduled to be released in Q2.

One benefit to our customers... anyone purchasing a stage one kit which includes the ECU will get the flash tool for free as soon as it is released

Lake Powell · Feb 5, 2005

Re: (Britspeed)

Quote, originally posted by Britspeed »

Who ever comes out with a Soft loader first will get my money.

BSR seems to have spotty customer service.

IPD: Awsome customer service but no Soft loader.

Evolve: Apparently pretty good customer service and no Soft loader.

Svenske: ECU software from ??, Soft Loader 2nd quater?

SCT: Soft Loader out now, customer service??????????

I have never wanted to unload $1-1500 so badly but no product out there that fits yet. 2nd problem is my being in Europe and definitely wouldn't ship my ECU back and forth from the US if I couldn't wait for a Soft Loader.

My thoughts exactly, I just don't want to be sending off my ECU via fed ex anywhere.

I've also been trying to get in touch with Engstrom for 2 weeks, no answer to E-mails, no answer to phone calls, no reply to messages left. I even submitted my order with VIN number, ECU number, and credit card number, and still no response from Engstrom.

Does anybody know another way get a BSR PPC? Should I just go to there site and order it, recommendations please!

Thanks in advance--- http://********************/smile/emcocktl.gif http://********************/smile/emcocktl.gif http://********************/smile/emcocktl.gif

Ramib1 · Feb 5, 2005

Re: (Lake Powell)

Quote, originally posted by Lake Powell »

My thoughts exactly, I just don't want to be sending off my ECU via fed ex anywhere.

I've also been trying to get in touch with Engstrom for 2 weeks, no answer to E-mails, no answer to phone calls, no reply to messages left. I even submitted my order with VIN number, ECU number, and credit card number, and still no response from Engstrom.

Does anybody know another way get a BSR PPC? Should I just go to there site and order it, recommendations please!

Thanks in advance--- http://********************/smile/emcocktl.gif http://********************/smile/emcocktl.gif http://********************/smile/emcocktl.gif

Why would you want to deal with a company that has such a terrible customer service? They are not responsive BEFORE they've got your money...God forbids something goes wrong with the car, would you trust them to support you post-sale?

Lake Powell · Feb 5, 2005

Re: (Ramib1)

Quote, originally posted by Ramib1 »

Why would you want to deal with a company that has such a terrible customer service? They are not responsive BEFORE they've got your money...God forbids something goes wrong with the car, would you trust them to support you post-sale?

I think the problem is more with Engstrom than BSR. I just thought that maybe somebody knew the guy and could explain why there has been no response.

trap6435 · Feb 5, 2005

Re: (Ramib1)

Ramib1
It's good to hear that some one is satisfied, good for you! BTW what are you driving? Mine is a 99 v70r awd. This thread has been helpful. Thanks

Ramib1 · Feb 5, 2005

Re: (trap6435)

Quote, originally posted by trap6435 »

Ramib1
It's good to hear that some one is satisfied, good for you! BTW what are you driving? Mine is a 99 v70r awd. This thread has been helpful. Thanks

An 04 S60 R MT. Highly recommended...

R Kelly · Feb 5, 2005

Re: (Svenske Racing)

Quote, originally posted by Svenske Racing »

One benefit to our customers... anyone purchasing a stage one kit which includes the ECU will get the flash tool for free as soon as it is released

you torture me with your carrots...

Britspeed · Feb 5, 2005

Richard, by flash tool do you mean soft loader type device?

Svenske Racing · Feb 5, 2005

You got it, Britspeed

(loves to dangle carrots! HA!)

Sue Esponte · Feb 5, 2005

Re: (Svenske Racing)

Rich,

I'd love to give you my money for a flash-type uploader, but I can't go all out for Stage I at this point. Sure you won't reconsider a Stage 0.5?

lol

-Eric

Driving impressions: Evolve vs. IPD

Ramib1

23109VC

dgrotheer

23109VC

Ramib1

Philup..

Britspeed

dectech1

R Kelly

Britspeed

Svenske Racing

Lake Powell

Ramib1

Lake Powell

trap6435

Ramib1

R Kelly

Britspeed

Svenske Racing

Sue Esponte

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