It's really bad at 10,000 foot elevations. Last year when I drove around the West I got up that high in the Colorado mountains and it was really tough starting out while pointed uphill.

I stayed at high altitude for a few days and it was quite obvious when I dropped back down below 3000 feet. Suddenly I had power again.

I enjoy the car much more at my home altitude of 350 feet.

 

Isn't the ECU supposed to compensate for this or is that too much to ask? Since being mile high is my only frame of reference, it never occurred to me that perhaps I should have it adjusted for altitude. As I mentioned earlier, my trip up Mount Evans seemed to go quite smoothly and I even think the two 911s I was driving with suffered more of a performance hit (but both had passengers). Anything short of a turbo that can get back some of the performance? I guess it's all relative, though, since every automobile is puffing a bit in the lower oxygen levels.

 

Nope, gotta have a turbo (the latest 911 turbo apparently can maintain optimal peak power all the way up to 8000 feet or so - takes longer to build peak boost, but its a small price compared to an NA car).

I suspect the reason that the S2000 transitions to VTEC at higher rpms at higher altitude relates to the power curve. With less atmosphere, you're moving less air for a given rpm point. Which means that the smaller cam may be o.k. to a higher rpm point. Certainly doesn't feel any more abrupt or like the power takes a downturn when the transition point moves up. Might be referenced to manifold vacuum, which would be higher at altitude and look the engine like it was not quite at full throttle relative to sea level.

UL

 

Yup. There is a reason why the turbo chargers were first used by the aeronautic engineers before they were borrowed by the automotive engineers

 

Even at altitude, the S2000 looks gorgeous !

 

Yes I would have to agree with that.

 

Hi Bash,

Yes, the ECU is supposed to compensate and guess what, it "is" compensating! It's adjusting the fuel flow so that the engine is still getting a proper mixture as the air thins out at higher altitudes. Unfortunately, it can't do anything about the air thinning out. The only thing that will help that is a supercharger or turbocharger.

If you think the S is bad at altitude with fuel injection, you should try it with an old fashioned carburator. It could definitely be worse.

Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

I have a solution- don't drive the car in high altitudes. Here in the arid desert we live in, called Phoenix, we get plenty of punch.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SilverS2KAZ
[B]I have a solution- don't drive the car in high altitudes.

 

I have not been to 5200 in it, but Asheville and the twisties around there seem more responsive and powerful in the S2000 than at home in Myrtle Beach, SC when its 100 degrees and 100% humidity.

Cooler weather wins out atleast for me...