High Altitude, Horsepower?

[hrcslam]

Hey all,

I have a 2001 Suburban and a 2006 Ion. I have recently moved from Seattle, WA (sea level) to Albuquerque, NM (about 5,300 ft) I notice a lack in hp when I first got here and about 1 month later my Ion seemed to have it's spunk back. My issue seem to be with the Suburban. I thought the bigger engine would do better in the altitude change. My Suburban feels like it lost about 50hp. The tq. seems to have dropped also maybe only 25ft lbs. Am I wrong about the big engine vs. small engine in high altitude? Is there any thing I can do to make it adjust better? I feels like the parking brake is on (it isn't) when and only when I am trying to accelorate. At sea level this thing was a bat outta hell, it would keep up with the Ion at least. I think it is low compression. The engine is original and has 115,000+ miles on it. I don't know what to do. Please, if you have any ideas let me know. I have already done the throttle body coolant bypass and dropped a K&N replcement filter in (not CAI). The exhaust is strait pipe after the cats. And I have a Throttle body spacer. Should I put the Throotle body coolant back on? What would the benefit of heating the air coming into the engine be at this altitude. I'm at a loss of ideas here. Any advice is appreciated.

[free_energy0]

Thin air=less volumetric efficiency. The throttle body coolant thing might be good to have as it will get colder in NM than Seattle.

[hrcslam]

Is there some sort of tune I can do to my Suburban to kind of get some power back?

[IROCNROL1]

Originally Posted by hrcslam

Is there some sort of tune I can do to my Suburban to kind of get some power back?

Not a lot you can do, that I'm aware of. I think this is the reason why they originally started turbocharging airplanes.

At least everyone else has to drive at the same altitude.

[hrcslam]

Damn That sucks.

[nailhead425]

Yup, around 3% loss per 1,000 feet.

Sorry, you're down about 16%.

Your PCM will re-learn for the new elevation, but you'll need a supercharger or turbo to get the air pressure and power back.

Other mods will make the system more efficient, but you'll still be down the same percentage compared to sea-level.

[hrcslam]

Originally Posted by nailhead425

Yup, around 3% loss per 1,000 feet.

Sorry, you're down about 16%.

Your PCM will re-learn for the new elevation, but you'll need a supercharger or turbo to get the air pressure and power back.

Other mods will make the system more efficient, but you'll still be down the same percentage compared to sea-level.

Yeah that just sucks. I was looking at superchargers and turbos they seem to cost the same for the package. I would perfer a s/c but I can't afford the $4000 to get it right now. But that will take me to well over the rated 285 stock. I'll probably be closer to 380 or 400. That would be nice. Now, to talk the wife into letting ,me get it. I figure if I ask her evryday for like a year she'll say yes. Now for the negotiations with the wife. Wish me luck.

[hrcslam]

Any one know about those electric superchargers? I know they are probably a joke, but at higher altitude do you think they could actually correct the pressure difference? I was just thinking. Can you guys tell; I'm getting desparate. I miss the power it used to have.

On a side note, I did the Throttle body port mod. I didn't have anything past a half round file and some sand paper, but I did manage to do a half decent port job of the bottom half of the throttle body. I was supprised on the throttle response difference at lower rpms, just off of idle. It seems to mimik the response from sea level compared to stock, but only for the first 1/4 throttle after that it is still lacking the power I am used to. Any suggestions? I am going to get a dremmel set soon and do the rest of throttle body properly with the polish too. I'll keep you all posted.

[IROCNROL1]

Originally Posted by hrcslam

Any one know about those electric superchargers? I know they are probably a joke, but at higher altitude do you think they could actually correct the pressure difference? I was just thinking. Can you guys tell; I'm getting desparate. I miss the power it used to have.

Yes, they are a joke. I modified an Oreck to fit on my Elantra, but it couldn't keep up with the massive air ingestion of my performance engine. You also need a lot of extension cords just to run the1/4 mile.

[hrcslam]

Originally Posted by IROCNROL1

Yes, they are a joke. I modified an Oreck to fit on my Elantra, but it couldn't keep up with the massive air ingestion of my performance engine. You also need a lot of extension cords just to run the1/4 mile.

LOL, that's funny. I figured a small electric engine couldn't keep up with a big gas engine. I am desparate here. I considering finding a decent turbo from the junk yard and retro fitting it to my suburban. I just don't know how to keep it from pushing more than 6 psi. I guess I am going to have to live with it until I can afford the $5000 wipplecharger. Damn.

[Canyonaro]

Welcome to living in higher elevations, I was the opposite. I noticed quite the change when I went on a trip to Seattle. It made the car "come alive" sort a speak.

Sorry, but like you know now there isn't much you can do besides a tune or other upgrades.

[rhvfd10]

From the high desert, I feel your pain but as sad as it is, you will get used to it and probably stop noticing the difference in a couple years.

[Corr69]

Originally Posted by hrcslam

Hey all,

I have a 2001 Suburban and a 2006 Ion. I have recently moved from Seattle, WA (sea level) to Albuquerque, NM (about 5,300 ft) I notice a lack in hp when I first got here and about 1 month later my Ion seemed to have it's spunk back. My issue seem to be with the Suburban. I thought the bigger engine would do better in the altitude change. My Suburban feels like it lost about 50hp. The tq. seems to have dropped also maybe only 25ft lbs. Am I wrong about the big engine vs. small engine in high altitude? Is there any thing I can do to make it adjust better? I feels like the parking brake is on (it isn't) when and only when I am trying to accelorate. At sea level this thing was a bat outta hell, it would keep up with the Ion at least. I think it is low compression. The engine is original and has 115,000+ miles on it. I don't know what to do. Please, if you have any ideas let me know. I have already done the throttle body coolant bypass and dropped a K&N replcement filter in (not CAI). The exhaust is strait pipe after the cats. And I have a Throttle body spacer. Should I put the Throotle body coolant back on? What would the benefit of heating the air coming into the engine be at this altitude. I'm at a loss of ideas here. Any advice is appreciated.

Makes sense, Less oxygen, thinner air = less horsepower. We noticed it too when we were going through West Virginia in the truck. To be honest, I'd get a Diablo Sport tuner, these things make huge differences in horsepower And if you get your supercharger/force induction system, they will compliment eachother quite nicely.

http://www.diablosport.com/index.php...display&pid=67

Take'r easy.

Best of luck. Corr

[F14CRAZY]

Sounds like you're in the market for a turbocharger

[hrcslam]

I want either a blower or turbo but, I gots no $$$$$$.