OK, thanks for the clarification -- it seems to want full throttle (or nearly so) to kick in. Now I'm even more interested to see how the system behaves at sea level -- up here, it feels a little like a passing gear on an auto transmission, or something like that -- except it's not a step function in RPM but rather a step function in the change of RPM. HPH

 

Elliot, I might check with Billman on that question.

 

The car will have more punch at lower elevations. I live at 2,500 to 3,000 feet and noticed at decrease in horsies near Denver, which is around 8,000 feet, I think. It is a noticeable difference.

 

Of course you feel it most at full throttle when it transitions as it's really dumping fuel in after the cam change occurs. It changes by rpm not throttle so you're not into it you won'tnotice as much of a shift in power.

You bring up an interesting question. The most gain in hp I've seen on an n/a car was with an AEM compared to a vafc or an emanage.

I'm at sea level but I used to live up on the high plains and I remember changing jets in carbs to accomodate elevation.

I wondering if an AEM ecu would allow you to tune specifically for high elevation and keep the added gains in hp which I think on an n/a 00-03 was around 17 hp.

You might want to post that question in your regional forum.

Kyras that's good info. I don't think mines been more than a couple thousand feet.

fltsfshr

 

The lower air density at higher altitudes will make a hugh difference in performance as well as ambient temperatures in the summer months, versus the winter.

As any General Aviation pilot knows, the take off distance temperature table for a given aircraft is one of the things that one really has to pay attention too when flying out of anything other than a major airport with a 10,000 foot runway. The airport that I use to fly out of had an 1,800 foot runway, and the lower air density at higher ambient temperatures made a HUGH difference in one's roll out to rotation.

 

The ECUs and other "brains" in most newer cars, along with fuel injection, do about as good a job of compensating for air pressure changes with elevation as any NA system can -- the real fix for this problem is either (or both!) turbo- or supercharging. This S2K is the first NA car I've had for a few years, and it's really not bad, all things considered. (In fact the boost from the VTEC is rather similar to a turbo's finally spinning up and kicking in -- it just happens on the S2K at very much higher RPM).

As I recall Kryas,' trip was from Colorado Springs (~6000') up to Denver (mile high) and then west on I-70, which took her through the Eisenhower tunnel at 11,000' and then over Vail Pass at about 10,500'. I'm sure the car wasn't as peppy as at lower elevations, but it seems she made it fine. (And, incidentally, I'm inspired -- and no longer intimidated by the prospect of driving to Florida -- by the account!)

In contrast, I remember a trip on I-70 west of Denver years ago in a four-barreled Pontiac Grand Prix, before fuel injection. That poor thing couldn't do better than about 30mph up in that thin air -- and it got overheated in the process. So we're all a lot better off with the new technology.

As I said, I'm quite interested in how this thing behaves at sea level. HPH

 

It seems to me that the car (n/a) feels significantly more powerful on cold days (20 to 30* F). I imagine that has something to do with the density of the air.

 

DrCloud, here is a map of my whole trip, courtesy of Ralper:



I guess you're correct about the highest elevation being west of Denver. The S was kind of a dog trying to climb the steeper hills outside of Denver but at the higher elevations it was more level and less noticeable. I'm happy to hear the accounts of my trip lessened your intimidation for your own trip. I post a lot of pretty personal stuff and I sometimes wonder if I annoy people with it or maybe help in some way. Probably both, which is OK by me.

 

The worst stretch (in terms of elevation and a car's challenge) of that trip is the final mile or so westbound into the Eisenhower tunnel. Just about everyone slows down getting up there -- but because the scenery is so astounding, no one except locals who've done a jillion times notices the speeds.

I've done the drive from Denver to LA a half-dozen times, and (at least to St. George) it's something I could do for a living -- especially in a hot car -- it's so beautiful. (On the other hand, an 18-wheeler in the winter would just be stressful.)

Over on the main parts of S2Ki, personal accounts are open targets for flamethrowers, but things seem mellower here. HPH

 

You noticed. That is very true. That's why once the Vintage Owners Forum was created I found a home. I think many of us are comfortable in here, knowing the attitude is to disagree with respect, not insults.