Any feedback on Elevate? (looking at tunes for my 2.5T)

zanzabar · Post by **zanzabar** » 13 Jul 2018, 17:49

Time to put a tune on my car. I am probably going to go with ARD:
http://www.ardideas.com/ARD-ECU-Softwar ... p_244.html

But there is also this one from Elevate:
https://www.elevatecars.com/store/volvo ... uning.html

And of course IPD, but their price is a bit higher.

I do want to be able to load the stock program back in easily for smog testing. Not clear to me if that is possible with ARD, but I suspect it is.

Does anyone have feedback about ARD vs Elevate that can help me choose one?

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Jul 2018, 12:06

Lucky at ARD has a ton of experience tuning Volvos. He broke off from IPD, where he was employed, about 10 years ago. He knows his fundamentals of tuning. He wrote most of those. So there's that. For the general Volvo tuning population, his tunes are hit-or-miss it seems.

As for Elevate, they're definitely one of the better-known tunes out there. I've had no interaction with them, so I can't comment.

zanzabar · Post by **zanzabar** » 16 Jul 2018, 10:49

What do you mean by:

matthew1 wrote: ↑14 Jul 2018, 12:06For the general Volvo tuning population, his tunes are hit-or-miss it seems.

?
I verified with ARD that it's easy to reload the stock tuning with their softloader. I was worried about CA smog testing, but he also said it's not really an issue with the tune installed anyway.

zanzabar · Post by **zanzabar** » 16 Jul 2018, 12:21

I just discovered Hilton, they seem to have a good reputation as well. Thoughts?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 16 Jul 2018, 12:46

I'm on the other side of the ocean so I don't know anything about those companies but the tunes available here usually mostly increase the boost pressure and thus there is no different at all on low load (idle and elevated idle) where the inspections over here check for emissions.

Post by **matthew1** » 16 Jul 2018, 13:03

My ARD comment is statistically unfounded. Just bits and pieces I've seen. Google it. Remember, like MVS, people with problems are the minority in the real world. The vast majority don't get on fora to speak up when nothing's wrong.

Post by **matthew1** » 18 Jul 2018, 12:36

Let us know what you do, and your reasoning for the choice. There are many variables that lead down different paths for each owner.

zanzabar · Post by **zanzabar** » 18 Jul 2018, 13:32

I went with ARD. They were responsive to emails and willing to match the price of Hilton, as well as let me use my own DICE cable to upload. I have not yet loaded in the tune, but will do so in the next couple days. First I need to check some vac lines (I think I've got a low boost situation and want to verify everything is good beforehand). I'll update soon.

Post by **matthew1** » 18 Jul 2018, 13:45

Cool. Stage 0 that beast.

zanzabar · Post by **zanzabar** » 09 Aug 2018, 17:36

Installed ARD's ST1 tune and it's really nice. More power when you want it and still very smooth. Lucky has been very responsive to emails.

Now I just have to work with him to get the torque limitation in 1st and 2nd gear removed. Seems like it will be straightforward.