Mountain Turbo Racing?

[Justin Kirkham]

I got thinking about this now that I live in Salt Lake. I saw a WRX driving by, and I thought: "I know that a WRX would beat me by a good few lenghts, but I wonder if I would have a better chance in the mountains?"

Now, I am guessing that both of our cars would be hurt by altitude just the same, but would an NA or a Forced Induction car have an advantage in the mountains as opposed to sea level?

-Justin

[Arctc Wolf]

forced, no matter what altitude, plus the AWD of the WRX will help it take the curves quicker and better than our cars.

[Justin Kirkham]

Anyone Else? I am just wondering if forced induction gives the WRX as much, or more, of an advantage over NA in a straight drag race.

-Justin

[Pike]

Forced induction is much better in higher altitude. Regardless of what O2 percentage is in the air. Yes he's not going to see the same gains he would at sea level, but neither are you. You both would would be hurt proportionately to that atmosphere in which you are driving in.

[nocutt]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Pike:
Forced induction is much better in higher altitude. Regardless of what O2 percentage is in the air. Yes he's not going to see the same gains he would at sea level, but neither are you. You both would would be hurt proportionately to that atmosphere in which you are driving in.<hr></blockquote>

Remember depending on how boost is actuated...the wastegate will still open up at the desired level of boost espeically on a turbo...therfore if the car is set at 9 psi, the turbo will still provide the engine with that amount of psi...granted not with the same amount of CFM @ sea level...but look at the bigger picture, an N/A engine will be starving :(

[MrCoffee]

just think of it like this...
2 NA engines
then slap on a turbo on one of the engines...
the turbo will help out the engine no matter what, thus giving the turboed car an advantage no matter what.

[pgriffith]

Yeah SLC sucks. WE have high altitude. NA cars suffer. JUstin, I have heard from my Buick Grand National friends that Turbo cars dont lose as much as an NA car or even as much as a supercharger car. Thats why I am getting a Turbo.

[Justin Kirkham]

Thanks pgriffith, exactly what I was wanting to know.

-Justin

[Wicked 3800 V6]

Superchargers were originally used on aircraft engines so that they could fly at higher altitudes -- they needed more air because it was thinner.
All engines lose power from thinner as altitude increases, probably even the WRX. But he could turn up his boost to compensate, while you, umm, shift.
-Rob