A4 (B5 Platform) Discussion Discussion forum for the B5 Audi A4 produced from 1995-2001 B5 FAQ

turbo in high elevations

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Old Mar 27, 2002 | 10:01 AM
  #1  
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Default turbo in high elevations

I have a 2.8 right now (non Quattro), and I'll soon be moving to Denver, CO. I'm considering selling my 2.8 in favor of the 1.8T, due to it's ability to be tuned, cheaper price, and a couple of other factors. One question though. I was reading a review of a 1.8T at high elevations where the reviewer noticed a significant amount of turbo lag. He apparently had driven the car at sea level and noticed a marked difference. Can anyone speak to this potential problem? If it is a problem can it be overcome by a chip or an intake? Thanks!

t-dog
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Old Mar 27, 2002 | 10:09 AM
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Skene @ PES Tuning's Avatar
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Default my take on it...

a turbo uses air to make power, in higher elevation where air is thinner it will tend to need an adjustment in the way the air/fuel mixture is handled. Not sure if it can be overcome by a regular chip and intake. Might want to contact a tuner to find out.

Can anyone correct me if i'm wrong about this?
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Old Mar 27, 2002 | 10:11 AM
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Default theoratically...

turbo will out perform the NA because it's force induced.

your question is very relative, if you drive the car in denver all the time, you won't preceived the lag so much because you've never driven it at sea level.

my guess is, the lag will be greatly reduced by and intake
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Old Mar 27, 2002 | 10:20 AM
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Default what about this...

In high elevations, will the turbo spin faster in order to provide the engine with the same amount of oxygen than at lower altitudes? Does anyone know if the rate of turbo spin is correlated with the oxygen or mass air flow sensors?
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Old Mar 27, 2002 | 10:20 AM
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Default It can be overcome with a chip. you get chips with altitude thingies that vary the fueing and timing

and stuff so yer car will be cool at sea level too
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Old Mar 27, 2002 | 10:23 AM
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Default Re: turbo in high elevations

Yep my experience has been, going through higher
elevations that the car has lost some of its "get up and go". I would assume thats due to the air getting thiner as you go higher. (btw Im running tap stage 2)
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Old Mar 27, 2002 | 10:35 AM
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Default Forced induction is better at altitude

I've only driven my 1.8T in Denver and elevations above, so I can't respond to your question of increased lag but........
at 5,000+ ft, the turbo engine is definitely stronger than the 2.8.
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Old Mar 27, 2002 | 11:05 AM
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Default

Gee you must be an engineer.
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Old Mar 27, 2002 | 11:10 AM
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Default

lol
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Old Mar 27, 2002 | 11:15 AM
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Default I live at 7000 feet and have driven my car to sea level

Noticed a slight gain in performance at sea level, but not like with NA cars. At this altitude an NA car loses at LOT of power, 1.8t loses just a little bit. I tell you what, going up hills, like west on I-70 from Denver is no problem at all, it's very easy to pass cars and break the speedlimit goin up that hill. It's like a 14% grade?
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