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    #1

    Altitude Problems

    Hello All,

    I have a 2003 Protege 5 with a manual transmission. Just a touch over 90k on the odo. I recently moved from the Bay Area (sea level) to Bend, OR (3600 ft). I'm noticing a significant loss of power in Bend. Feels like a 15 horsepower drop. It's a real dog. I know that altitude will have an effect on any naturally-aspirated engine, but this feels like way more than it should. I'm in the Bay Area visiting family and the P5 feels like a totally different car.

    Any thoughts? I mean, besides installing a turbo...

    Cheers,

    Sport-Wagon
    Tags: None
    #2
    Welcome to CP.

    As a start, check out:
    http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/showthread.php?1361


    You are correct. As the article details, at an elevation of 3,600' the power output of the FS-DE engine in the P5 will be reduced to about 114 BHP which is 16 BHP less than than the engine's sea level output of 130 BHP. Since an engine's output power is determined both by the density and temperature of its intake air, short of installing a turbo to accomplish charge restoration, about the only thing you can do is to ensure that the normally aspirated air intake is completely unobstructed to hopefully obtain some ram effect and that the ingested intake air is as close to ambient temperature as possible. Doing so won't compensate much for the loss due to elevation but will at least minimize losses other than those resulting from the decreased air density.

    Do a search on our Forum as there are a number of references that you may find helpful.

    Happy Motoring!
    02 DX Millenium Red - The Penultimate Driving Machine
    MP3 Strut Tower Bar kit; Cusco Front Lower Arm Tie Bar
    MSP Springs, Struts, Stabilizer Bars, Trailing Links, #3 Engine Mount
    Kartboy Stabilizer Bar Bushings; Nyloil Shifter Bushings; Red Line MT-90 Gear Oil
    MP3 Shifter, Knob and Aluminum Pedal Set
    Suvlights HD Wiring Harness; Osram Night Breaker H4 Bulbs; Exide Edge AGM Battery
    Summer: 5Zigen FN01R-C 16 x 7" Wheels; Yoko S.drive 205/45-16s
    Winter: Enkei OR52 16 x 7" Wheels; Falken Ziex ZE-912 205/45-16s
    Modified OEM Air Intake; Racing Beat Exhaust System; Techna-Fit SS Clutch Line
    Denso SKJ16CR-L11 Extended Tip Spark Plugs; Magnecor Wires
    Power Slot Front Brake Rotors; Techna-Fit SS Brake Lines; Hawk HPS Pads
    Red Line Synthetic Engine Oil; C/S Aluminum Oil Cap
    Cyberdyne Digital Gauges: Tach; Ambient Air Temp; Voltmeter

    Comment

      #3
      I would kill for some 3600' altitude right now! That sounds nice!
      Current:
      68 Torino GT Fastback
      86 MR2
      91 F150
      94 Escort Wagon BP swap
      99 Escort Wagon BP swap
      00 Miata LS
      08 Arrow AX8
      14 Mazda5

      Comment

        #4
        I don't blame you considering Arvada, CO is at an elevation of 5,337' (I looked it up).
        At that elevation, the FS-DE engine is outputting ~ 107 BHP.

        Happy Motoring!
        02 DX Millenium Red - The Penultimate Driving Machine
        MP3 Strut Tower Bar kit; Cusco Front Lower Arm Tie Bar
        MSP Springs, Struts, Stabilizer Bars, Trailing Links, #3 Engine Mount
        Kartboy Stabilizer Bar Bushings; Nyloil Shifter Bushings; Red Line MT-90 Gear Oil
        MP3 Shifter, Knob and Aluminum Pedal Set
        Suvlights HD Wiring Harness; Osram Night Breaker H4 Bulbs; Exide Edge AGM Battery
        Summer: 5Zigen FN01R-C 16 x 7" Wheels; Yoko S.drive 205/45-16s
        Winter: Enkei OR52 16 x 7" Wheels; Falken Ziex ZE-912 205/45-16s
        Modified OEM Air Intake; Racing Beat Exhaust System; Techna-Fit SS Clutch Line
        Denso SKJ16CR-L11 Extended Tip Spark Plugs; Magnecor Wires
        Power Slot Front Brake Rotors; Techna-Fit SS Brake Lines; Hawk HPS Pads
        Red Line Synthetic Engine Oil; C/S Aluminum Oil Cap
        Cyberdyne Digital Gauges: Tach; Ambient Air Temp; Voltmeter

        Comment

          #5
          sure is nice to be at almost sea level. my air is nice and thick


          NW MAZDAS

          Comment

            #6
            Originally posted by bogaut View Post
            sure is nice to be at almost sea level. my air is nice and thick
            Me to... Mission raceway... 1/4 mile drag racing at its best... 25 feet above sea level..

            Comment

              #7
              Originally posted by goldstar View Post
              I don't blame you considering Arvada, CO is at an elevation of 5,337' (I looked it up).
              At that elevation, the FS-DE engine is outputting ~ 107 BHP.

              Happy Motoring!


              Yeah and our Dragstrip is partway up a mountain, another 500' higher than here.
              Current:
              68 Torino GT Fastback
              86 MR2
              91 F150
              94 Escort Wagon BP swap
              99 Escort Wagon BP swap
              00 Miata LS
              08 Arrow AX8
              14 Mazda5

              Comment

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