Boost vs altitude

bulldoggie

Registered
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
15
Reaction score
5
Hello all..... so I just bought a turbo and Maxx ecu for my gen 3. I'm still in set up mode, and I started thinking.... I'm at 5000 + feet where I live. Can you increase the boost a small amount on a stock engine say to 5 or 6 psi instead of 4, to make up for the altitude? Isn't it already going to have less compression since the air is thinner and can't get as much into the cylinders? Or am I going off the rails with that idea?

LC4CARL

Donating Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2021
Messages
3,604
Reaction score
7,656
I think that's the magic of boost. On a modern system, set it and more or less, forget it. 10 psi at sea level is 10 psi on Pikes Peak.

That being said, my only turbo experience is from the Jurassic age...

bulldoggie

Registered
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
15
Reaction score
5
Thank you for the reply....I was trying to think if that would be the case or not...I guess as long as the turbo is big enough to fill the cylinders, you can still move enough less dense air to make it the same.

KawabusaRex

Registered
Joined
Jun 6, 2024
Messages
39
Reaction score
66
Keep an eye on the pressure ratio, it rises with the elevation...got to make sure the engine can handle it. Screenshots are from Garrett's boost advisor site:

300HP 1.3L 10500rpm 0ft elev:

300hp_1.3L_10500RPM_0ftElev.jpg



300HP 1.3L 10500rpm 5Kft elev:

300hp_1.3L_10500RPM_5KftElev.jpg


Joined
Jul 3, 2016
Messages
6,476
Reaction score
8,016
Thank you for the reply....I was trying to think if that would be the case or not...I guess as long as the turbo is big enough to fill the cylinders, you can still move enough less dense air to make it the same.
Hi. Give Boost by Smith a call he is a sponsor here he can hook you up.
Back
Top