[vondiesel]

A little thought experiment for discussion...

From what I've read, each 1000 feet of elevation equals about 3% power loss. So at my home near Denver, CO (elevation ~5500ft) total loss is about 16.5%. Which means:

My 2.5L 185HP Mazda 3sGT = 155HP
A 2.0L 155HP Mazda 3 = 130HP
My previous car, a 1.8L 120HP Corolla = moped

The obvious answer to regain power is forced induction. Altitude is why turbochargers were invented in the first place (think airplanes). But it seems to be a no-go in these engines, and it's well outside my price range anyway. Although I'm curious if a low boost turbo setup would actually work OK. Anyone with thoughts on this?

But onto my main topic: What about the OV tune? Could it be as effective here as in other locations? Or will the gains be reduced by altitude also? Would I only gain a few HP, whereas someone at sea level and other ideal conditions could get much more? Consider that 85 octane is regular here, and 91 is the highest carried by most stations.

 

[Davidval18]

As per many calculators online , for every 1000 feet, you loose roughly 3% on HP. You would not be making less power with a tune, perhaps you would be adding a bit more, but this will depend based on the location, variations and factors related to your car. (Bolt-on and modifications, fuel grade, etc...)

There was even a member that did an OVT with a 2.0L EU engine with a similar altitude as yours in the tuning thread, he did not make any improvements on his engine as the altitude was pretty much killing his gains. *And perhaps others factors.

Finally to answer your questions in a clear way as per my experience and knowledge since I'm tuning my car with OV as well :

1-What about the OV tune? Could it be as effective here as in other locations? It won't be as effective but this necessarily does not mean you will be making less power.

2-Or will the gains be reduced by altitude also? The gains might be reduced by the high altitude.

3-Would I only gain a few HP, whereas someone at sea level and other ideal conditions could get much more? That is possible correct, perhaps you could gain a a few HP and someone else with the same setup on sea level might have better better results.

IMHO, I would not drop 600$ without knowing that there would be possible gains on the engine, and of course you are always welcome to shoot OV a message and check what he says.

I'm pretty sure others members with a similar experience might recommend something else, but every tuning in an "individual" process and it's different from car to car.

Finally the tuning might add a few HP, but the drivability of the car will change, that's definitely certain