Mods for High Altitude
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TECH Regular
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Albuquerque
Mods for High Altitude Ok....I understand basic concepts of engines and their workings. I'll also admit that I'm no expert (that's what this forum's for after all.....lol).
Here's the PROBLEM: I live at an altitude of a mile high (about 5200 feet).
In Cali (sea level) I put down about 330 RWHP, but up here I only put down about 260 RWHP.
Forced Induction and NOS are the best ways to compensate for the altitude, but I'm not sure I want to do that to my car.
Here's the QUESTION: What mods would work BEST (Given the altitude problem....remember....the air is MUCH thinner up here)?
All mods will add power......just some combinations will work better given the lack of air. It may sound dumb....but it's the reality that I (and many others) live with. Thanks in advance.
Here's the PROBLEM: I live at an altitude of a mile high (about 5200 feet).
In Cali (sea level) I put down about 330 RWHP, but up here I only put down about 260 RWHP.
Forced Induction and NOS are the best ways to compensate for the altitude, but I'm not sure I want to do that to my car.
Here's the QUESTION: What mods would work BEST (Given the altitude problem....remember....the air is MUCH thinner up here)?
All mods will add power......just some combinations will work better given the lack of air. It may sound dumb....but it's the reality that I (and many others) live with. Thanks in advance.
I mentioned this in another thread, but you want to get the smallest cylinder head port that flows the most air as a foundation. High velocity ports are critical for making strong power at high altitude. AFR 205s, ETP 215s and Dart 205s are excellent examples of the type of heads to use. You can also get away with more compression and you'll need it, even with 91 octane. 11.0:1 is the minimum CR I'd recommend.
The cam needs to be on the smaller side as a large duration, wide LSA cam will be SUPER lazy at mile high elevations. Something in the 225-230 range (intake and exhaust) and an LSA between 110-112 will give you the grunt you need. But remember, the heads are the key.
The cam needs to be on the smaller side as a large duration, wide LSA cam will be SUPER lazy at mile high elevations. Something in the 225-230 range (intake and exhaust) and an LSA between 110-112 will give you the grunt you need. But remember, the heads are the key.
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2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.
2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.
Youre goingto have to so a lot of N/A mods just to get back to where you were when you were at sea level. Its gonna cost a lot of money and you wont likely have much to show for it. Id strongly consider a turbo or other FI, even though its a bit more pricey.
