I began modifying and racing my Toytota MR2 spyder about 5 years ago. Back then, many others had posted about lost engines from low power mild mods (6-9psi on small turbos putting out only 195hp up from stock 120hp to the wheel), but I always considered these posts to be questionable and prove nothing as the results could be from bad tune, or anything other than i would consider to be too much power/sheer brute force to test the breaking point). Being that I wanted to begin racing this car, and had spare engines lined up... I decided to test the breaking point and look for the 'sweet spot.'

Every two weeks I would raise boost up about a pount or two. At 10psi I was putting out 260whp (blowing out all previous turbo efforts). At 14psi she was an animal. I finally got her up to 16.8psi and a rod twisted up. Where others were breaking pistons and blowing head gaskets at 195whp, my pistons and gasket held flawless past about 330whp where a rod let go. I concluded the first hp limiting factor was the rod (and should be the first upgrade, as opposed to so many who were doing pisons on stock rods basing the need on others results).

Long story short... The test proved very useful to me, and everyone thought I was an idiot and a nut for testing and posting results this way. People question every conclusion, method, and got mad I questioned their low hp failures everyone had the 'my tune is flawless' complex. Oh well. I was happy I did it, and I proved our engine did not have a 'glass jaw.' Weather Noss hits something 300x or 340x to fracture it matters vitally to some and should be at least interesting to others.. that said, the one time he hits a blade 3x and gets a failure... we will all see the benefit of his testing right away...

I am looking forward to seeing results of Busse Family.