Lots of people posting here from higher altitude states, so thought this might be a good place to ask. I'm living in a flat low altitude state, but plan to travel to the mountains soon. I've seen it written that naturally aspirated V8 engines lose 3% of their horsepower per every 1,000 feet in altitude. Has anyone experienced engine power loss at higher altitudes? I'd be curious to know. Especially since modern engines should have oxygen sensors and such to help correct such issues I would think. Although I'm no fan of turbo engines, they seem to perform better at higher altitudes from what I've read. Thoughts?
Altitude and the V8
- Thread starter TheBigB
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I bought a brand new 2011 Ford Ecoboost F150 when I lived in Montana and that thing sucked ass. Especially going up hills or mountain passes. Gas mileage was nowhere near what they touted on flat ground lowlands. I much prefer the 5.7 in the 200s. Even with the power loss, it's not noticeable. I'll take ci's over bars anyday.
LSUfj
SILVER Star
Power loss will definitely happen. The O2 sensors only control the amount of fuel added, such that it is proportional to the amount of O2 that the engine is capable of pulling in. At higher altitudes, you pull in less air at a given throttle position, so you end up pushing the throttle open further to get the same power. It should be less obvious in a turbo engine where the amount of boost determines air volume. Pretty sure boost pressure remains constant, regardless of altitude. Even with the loss of power in the 200, my guess is that it still has plenty. We havent taken ours up high yet.
Power loss is a reality yes. Can't really get away from the physics of less atmospheric oxygen at altitude with an NA motor. Turbo motors suffer less as they can compensate and maintain boost pressures within the intake.
As I regularly tow ~15k worth of rig into the big mountains out here in the Rockies, there are a few things going for the 200-series. The V8 is big and burly. It has deep reserves so while power does taper off, it still has good power. The 16+ 200-series as excellent gearing to maintain good torque at the wheels.
Turbo motors do suffer at altitude in different ways. They'll have less engine braking overall than V8s, so if towing, that's a common knock against the Ford EB motors.
As I regularly tow ~15k worth of rig into the big mountains out here in the Rockies, there are a few things going for the 200-series. The V8 is big and burly. It has deep reserves so while power does taper off, it still has good power. The 16+ 200-series as excellent gearing to maintain good torque at the wheels.
Turbo motors do suffer at altitude in different ways. They'll have less engine braking overall than V8s, so if towing, that's a common knock against the Ford EB motors.
- Thread starter
- #6
No way, I'm super excited about my purchase. Just curious about it, that's all.
Depending on where you go you won't notice the loss in power much since you will be stuck behind a group of cars with way less power going uphill.
So true!!
Sold my 80 Series because it felt gutless at 7500 feet. But with the 200 Series, it feels absolutely fine at altitude.
Yep. 100 needs to be flogged to maintain highway speeds in the mountains, and forget it if you're towing. 200 is much more powerful and does a much better job. 200 is good.
I took a road trip to the mountains in Co a couple weeks ago, and while everyone has their own opinion, my experience is that it felt like I lost 4 cylinders. My truck felt like a DOG. I have a 2013 LX570 with a Heritage edition Yakima Megawarrior roof rack. After experiencing that, I don't know how a v6 4Runner can survive in CO with tires and a lift. I don't know if something is wrong with my rig, but it feels great in Kansas City, with tons of power, but once I got up to the mountains, I was in S mode, PWR ETC mode, and still felt like I was driving an fj60.
We’re at 5k feet here in Idaho. We regularly go up above 8k feet. No issues with our 200. At all at altitude.
And fwiw I’ve also got a 2016 F150 with the 2.7 ecoboost. Absolutely no issues with it either. And we take it up higher than 5k feet all the time. Loaded. No issues whatsoever.
And fwiw I’ve also got a 2016 F150 with the 2.7 ecoboost. Absolutely no issues with it either. And we take it up higher than 5k feet all the time. Loaded. No issues whatsoever.
Yes, all naturally aspirated engines lose power at higher elevations.
Yes, super-charged and turbo-charged engines feel much stronger at higher elevations.
How noticeable is the loss of power from a naturally aspirated engine depends on
- how much power the vehicle has to begin with
- power to weight ratio
- what altitude the driver is coming from / comparing to
As HGB noticed the drop of power, someone who drives to Colorado from, say, Texas is going to notice the difference readily. It will feel sluggish in comparison to what the driver is used to.
Also, it's not just perception. Its reality ...
My 5700 lb 2016 Land Rover LR4 with 340 hp + 332 ft-lb of torque with its supercharged V6 engine felt peppier in 5th gear than my 5800 lb 2020 Land Cruiser with 381 hp + 401 ft-lb of torque with V8 engine feels in 2nd or 3rd gear. Some of it is how the transmission shift points are tuned but there is no comparison in power delivery and power availability at altitude. On the flip side, I hope Land Cruiser's engine is not going to give me any check-engine lights - the main reason I switched away from Land Rover and canceled my Defender order.
Yes, super-charged and turbo-charged engines feel much stronger at higher elevations.
How noticeable is the loss of power from a naturally aspirated engine depends on
- how much power the vehicle has to begin with
- power to weight ratio
- what altitude the driver is coming from / comparing to
As HGB noticed the drop of power, someone who drives to Colorado from, say, Texas is going to notice the difference readily. It will feel sluggish in comparison to what the driver is used to.
Also, it's not just perception. Its reality ...
My 5700 lb 2016 Land Rover LR4 with 340 hp + 332 ft-lb of torque with its supercharged V6 engine felt peppier in 5th gear than my 5800 lb 2020 Land Cruiser with 381 hp + 401 ft-lb of torque with V8 engine feels in 2nd or 3rd gear. Some of it is how the transmission shift points are tuned but there is no comparison in power delivery and power availability at altitude. On the flip side, I hope Land Cruiser's engine is not going to give me any check-engine lights - the main reason I switched away from Land Rover and canceled my Defender order.
You're a glutton for punishment with the Giulia as well.
Giulia Quadrifoglio's power, chassis, and steering are simply incredible.
In fact, I find it impossible to drive it at legal speeds.
Land Cruiser is a good way to help me keep my license
I hear you. I have an Audi S6 and have a similar problem. I was referring to C&Ds Guilia long term car. It was the worst, most unreliable long term car they've ever tested. They loved it when it was working, though.Giulia Quadrifoglio's power, chassis, and steering are simply incredible.
In fact, I find it impossible to drive it at legal speeds.
Land Cruiser is a good way to help me keep my license
I've had it for almost 3 years it's been solid. I did get influenced by "reviews" such as C&D and bought an 8-year 125K mile warranty. But quite honestly its been solid for me with 31K on the odometer and I don't take it easy on my vehicles.
I live above 6000ft. Regularly take the cruiser down to sea level when on road trips. Definitely notice a difference in power. Ive taken the cruiser up pikes peak a few times (14000+) and there is an obvious lack of power at higher elevations. Have I ever had a problem wheeling, towing, driving, at altitudes above 10k? Nope. Does that change the fact that I wish TRD made a supercharger for the LC, nope.
bloc
SILVER Star
Another thing I noticed with very high altitude is the radiator fan is much more active, which adds to the perception of power loss from altitude. In my 80-series too, actually. Going from 95-100 degrees a few hundred feet above sea level to 85 in Durango (~7000 feet and up) it is very obviously doing more work. I always assumed the thinner air just can’t pull heat away from the radiator as effectively.
Now this doesn’t matter as much once you get rolling, but from stoplights or on steep hills, even when not towing, if you are paying attention you’ll notice.
Now this doesn’t matter as much once you get rolling, but from stoplights or on steep hills, even when not towing, if you are paying attention you’ll notice.
