As I made each of the modifications to the CRUZMSL, I wanted to know just exactly what effect it made. Fortunately, we have a Dynojet in town. It is only one of two in the entire state. I did not dyno the car before I started so, unfortunately, I don't have a stock baseline to compare to, but I did start after the intake and exhaust.

The following configurations were dynoed:

LEVEL 1 Intake and exhaust This is the first dyno run I made, and was, essentially, my baseline. The car had an RSR 70mm exhaust and a K&N FIPK intake. This would be equivalent to an HK$ stage II.

Level 2 : Electronic boost controller (with Level 1 for comparison) Next up was an electronic boost controller to raise the boost up to about 0.80 bar (11.75 psi). No real change in the shape of the curve, just more power. More is better. This would be the equivalent to an HK$ stage III. The scales are different on the left and right hand axes, and so, the lower set of curves go with the right and the upper set of curves go with the axis on the left.

Level 3 (with level 2 for comparison) When I added the downpipe, the turbo definitely spooled up earlier and made the power sooner. I really didn't get any more power though, but the car felt a lot more willing and eager to run. Definitely a good mod even though it produced no bigger numbers. It actually made a little less torque and a little more hp, but the whole curve shifted to the left by several hundred rpms.

Level 4 (with Level 3 for comparison) Adding the Lexus/Riemer kit really made a big difference! A good hp increase and a huge torque increase. I think the lower part of the Lexus curve would be shifted to the left if I had started the run down at 2,000 rpm allowing the boost to build sooner. Other than that, the picture tells the story.

Level 5 (with Level 4 for comparison) Adding the intercooler didn't really show any power gains. It did, however, shift the whole curve down the rpm range by some 300 rpm. This shows that the resistance to air flow in the IC and piping was decreased and the turbo was able to spool up quicker. Like the downpipe mod, this resulted in more of a feel than measureable power. The car felt more eager to run and gathered itself much quicker.

Level 6 (with Level 5 for comparison) Boom! Another big jump in power level. Almost 55 hp, but interestingly, no real increase in torque. It may be because I didn't start the run soon enough, but I don't know. It is curious. Reg got the same hp number, but almost 400 ft-lbs of torque with a similar setup. Still, all in all, a much peppier vehicle.

Level 6+ I made one more run with the boost set at 1.1 bar (16.2 psi) just to see what it would do. I can't actually run this on the street as I hit fuel cut after a shift from second to third when I get back in it hard. The car will, however, pull thru a gear at this boost without the fuel cut. Some kind of giant gulp of air happens after shifting which causes the fuel cut. Gotta work on this. There's more power to be had here.

Levels 1 & 6 Here's a good comparison of level 1 and level 6. Big difference!