With a total gain of 50 wheel hp and torque, the MR2 feels like a totally different animal. With almost 50 lb-ft more torque in the midrange and much smoother power delivery thanks to the EMS and steady boost of the Blitz SBC, passing no longer requires a downshift and simply stepping on the gas sends the car scurring. We have to admit, we were worried the GT Spec exhaust would be a little too loud for a daily driver, but it's perfect. Tame at idle and cruise, it comes to life when you get on the throttle, snarling and growling under boost. With an EMS, free-flowing exhaust and a boost controller, the car is ready for fuel upgrades, a bigger turbo maybe some cams. Best yet, the next time one of those stupid Toyota sensors break, we can replace it with an inexpensive and easy-to-find GM part and make the necessary changes in the EMS software. Hell, with the price of MR2 sensors and the frequency in which they break, the EMS' ability to use inexpensive GM sensors will pay for the cost of the EMS in no time.
| CONCLUSION |
| | HP Level | +HP | TQ Level | +TQ |
| Baseline | 152.4 | | 161.5 | |
| APEXi GT Spec Exhaust | 167.2 | 14.8 | 177.5 | 16.0 |
| Blitz SBC i-Color | 179.6 | 12.4 | 191.6 | 14.1 |
| AEM Engine Management System | 200.0 | 20.4 | 213.4 | 21.8 |
| Final | 200.0 | 47.6 | 213.4 | 51.9 |
| BANKROLL |
| APEXi GT Spec Exhaust | $ 780.00 |
| Blitz SBC i-Color Boost Controller | $ 888.00 |
| AEM Engine Manage System | $ 1961.90 |
| MSRP Total | $ 3629.90 |