Looking for High Altitude power improvements!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Looking for High Altitude power improvements!
Hi,
I tow a TT of about 5700 lbs with my 03 5.4L 3.73:1 Expy. Overall it works just fine and it is also a great day-to-day driver. I am interested in any ideas to sqeeze just a bit more power out at high altitides (8-10000ft) since it bogs down quite a bit at this level. One idea is to change the tire size from a 265/70 R17 to maybe a 275/55 R17. This would give me about a 9% effective gear ratio increase over the installed 3.73s (an effective ratio of 4.07). I have a very short commute to work daily so I am not concerned about the decreased MPG.
Do you think this would be noticeable? Are there any other suggestions to increase power at higher elevations?
Thanks,
Gary
I tow a TT of about 5700 lbs with my 03 5.4L 3.73:1 Expy. Overall it works just fine and it is also a great day-to-day driver. I am interested in any ideas to sqeeze just a bit more power out at high altitides (8-10000ft) since it bogs down quite a bit at this level. One idea is to change the tire size from a 265/70 R17 to maybe a 275/55 R17. This would give me about a 9% effective gear ratio increase over the installed 3.73s (an effective ratio of 4.07). I have a very short commute to work daily so I am not concerned about the decreased MPG.
Do you think this would be noticeable? Are there any other suggestions to increase power at higher elevations?
Thanks,
Gary
Last edited by Garyl53; Jul 25, 2005 at 01:55 PM.
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I would consider a supercharger for it. Their are different types, that being centrifugal and positive displacement and also different manufacturers. Everyone has their favorite. Just ensure you get at least a three-year warranty. The only problem you may encounter is that the boost levels the manufacturers use is based at sea-level. If it makes 6-7 psi at seal-level, that goes down to 3-4 psi at 10,000 feet. You can cure that by changing the compressor pulley, but that usually voids your warranty. The other problem is that if you change the pulley and then you operate the vehicle at sea-level, the boost might be too high for your engine. Their are always trade-off's. The other option would be a turbocharger, but I do not know of any.
If you do not want to supercharge/turbocharge, then try a better exhaust, from the headers, all the way back. I think their are some larger MAF meters. Maybe also a free-flowing intake system.
Just a few thoughts. Thanks.
If you do not want to supercharge/turbocharge, then try a better exhaust, from the headers, all the way back. I think their are some larger MAF meters. Maybe also a free-flowing intake system.
Just a few thoughts. Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Here was the original request:
Here was the response:
I think a supercharger is gonna do a little more than "squeeze a bit more power out" at ANY altitude... Sorry, not poking at you Mariner, that just seemed a little extreme considering the original post, kinda made me chuckle.
Seriously though, a CAI and a cat-back will show you an increase in power and better gas milage to boot, which may be important to you hauling a trailer like that. But even more worth considering is a custom tune for your specific needs. I would call MotorHaven and tell them what you need, and perhaps they can come up with an SCT tune for you to use specifically while at altitude towing a trailer. I know they can do a towing specific tune, but not real sure if they can use altitude as a consideration. Seems reasonable to assume they could, though. If this is possible, it would just be a matter of flashing your truck just before you start your ascent and then flashing back once you get back down to a more normal altitude. This is what I would look in to first before anything else, since your needs are very specific. Good luck with your quest!
Originally Posted by Garyl53
I am interested in any ideas to sqeeze just a bit more power out at high altitides (8-10000ft) since it bogs down quite a bit at this level.
Originally Posted by 2005Mariner
I would consider a supercharger for it.
Seriously though, a CAI and a cat-back will show you an increase in power and better gas milage to boot, which may be important to you hauling a trailer like that. But even more worth considering is a custom tune for your specific needs. I would call MotorHaven and tell them what you need, and perhaps they can come up with an SCT tune for you to use specifically while at altitude towing a trailer. I know they can do a towing specific tune, but not real sure if they can use altitude as a consideration. Seems reasonable to assume they could, though. If this is possible, it would just be a matter of flashing your truck just before you start your ascent and then flashing back once you get back down to a more normal altitude. This is what I would look in to first before anything else, since your needs are very specific. Good luck with your quest!
Wow!!!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Thanks for the response. I have considerred a super/turbo charger option but I think it would be too expensive. The performance isn't that bad to spend that much money. I have seen the fantastic results of a turbo in my wifes Volvo V70 XC. You do not really notice any performance change at altititude with her car.
I was wondering if modifiying the air intake will make much of a difference. Is there anyone out there who drives higher altitude that has noticed an improvement with an improved air intake?
Gary
I was wondering if modifiying the air intake will make much of a difference. Is there anyone out there who drives higher altitude that has noticed an improvement with an improved air intake?
Gary
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Originally Posted by 2005Mariner
Again, Wow!!!
I am not going to respond beyond this.
Thanks.
I am not going to respond beyond this.
Thanks.
I'm would imagine a good intake couldn't hurt, but as far as high altitude charactaristics I have no experience. I will call my Bro-in-Law in Colorado and see what he has seen with his truck. I had a old 1985 Mercedes 300TD and it ran great in Houston, but when I took it on a roadtrip to Colorado, it ran like crap. It became totally gutless and would barely make it up hills. It was winter so it may have been the extreme cold air mixed with the altitude and the car was just not used to that, or it may have just been a WAQ. Regardless, I still think for what you are after a good custom tune would hook you right up. It takes less than 5 minutes to switch out the tunes, and you could do it while you were taking a regular gas/bathroom/snack break on your trip. Not saying don't do the intake/exhaust but the tune should be a definate consideration. How often are you at these altitudes? Just for trips or do you live there?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JIMBO_FID
Excursion - King of SUVs
43
Sep 23, 2015 11:21 AM
ernesteugene
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
25
May 8, 2007 07:06 AM
