effects of altitude

[KPerkins]

HI guys!
Am enjoying your posts.
WE are planning a summer trip to the north west and are wondering what effects altitude would have on performance and egt's
We have a '98 12v with a 5 spd, pulling a 27' 5ver.
I got into trouble once pulling in the mountians with a gasser, to much cam and to much carb. Don't want to repeat that.
Any suggestions for mountain driving would be appreciated.

THANKS!!!!

 

[illflem]

You won't have any problems with a diesel at any altitude you can drive to in this country,maybe if you take your truck to Nepal. Only thing I have noticed is that the boost seems to climb much higher at altitude to do what a low boost would do down by the ocean.
If you don't have an exhaust brake,get one,it will make your trip much more enjoyable.

 

[C Schomer]

You lose 1. 2%/1000' with a turbo diesel. Craig

 

[Happy Camper]

I towed a 30' using a 97 2500 5spd over Montrose pass and red mountain. You will have no problem pulling the grades. It was in September and never raised the radiator temp over 200. Just don't get carried away going down the grade.

 

[OO]

Watch that pyrometer. The higher the elevation the higher the temps you'll see.

 

[Banshe]

Couple of things to watch for.

If ya tow it up one side, it may push ya down the other! #ad


If ya go to Nepal, don't they have one of them Saskuatch kinda dudes there? #ad

 

[KPerkins]

I have been considering installing a #12 tst plate, would this create higher egt's because of the extra fueling at lower rpm or would the turbo orfice compinsate for this also.
I appreciate your replies.
Thanks again!!!

 

[drawson]

KPerkins, GO ahead and get the TST #12 Plate, I never had any problems with EGTs with it. I live at 5000 feet and regularly tow heavy loads to 7000 w/o any problems. I have the reverse effect when I come down lower I pick-up HP. I when down to Vegas and I was getting alittle more boost and the truck was snappier, This could just be that I was close to Joe Donnelly's and she knew she was going to get to sit next to Sickly. LOL

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EAT'M UP
97 2500 Club 4X4 3. 54, Forrest Green/Driftwood, LSD 5 speed, & Psychotty Air System, TST #11, 370 HP injectors, timing at 16 deg. , 16CM2 housing, AFC spring kit, Geno's Exhaust Blanket, TST EGT gauge & 0-60 boost gauge in A Pillar, Cat-be-gone, 4" Dynomax Bullet muffler, Crome 4" turn down, Rad fan removed, AmsOil Through out, Geno's trans filter kit, AmsOil Bypass system, Lund Winter front, Leer Cab Level Shell Driftwood , 255/85R16, Dyno'd 342 HP pre injectors & turbo housing *NRA/USPSA member and proud of it*

 

[Forrest]

KPerkins,

With the stock turbo & the #11, I had 32 lbs of boost @ 5k feet & 38 lbs of boost @ sea level. You bet you can feel the difference. #ad

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Hi KPerkins
My '93 loves altitude and seems to run better the higher I get. The summer of '98 on a trip from Portland OR to Albany NY I was on Interstate 80 just outside Laramie WY heading east. There is a pass named Lincoln Pass altitude 8640' - my '93, with trailer in tow (total wt. 12,000lbs) was passing everything towing anything. The higher I got the better it seemed to run.
Happy Trails

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1993 250 4X2 - Banks Power Pack, BD Power Injectors, K&N Air Filter, 6 gauges and tweaked pump. 27lbs boost unloaded.
Horton fan & NV4500 5 speed.

 

[dieselburner]

ieselburner

Originally posted by Tim Barlow:
A friend and I took my truck to the top of Mt. Evans. 14,200 feet. There is a paved road that goes almost to the top. It's used by a lot of auto manufacturers for testing. My friend was not convinced of the Cummins capability, so as we hit 13, 500 ft, he asked me to stop. Then I floored it. It scared the **** out of him! Once it built some boost pressure it took off.
One consideration is that there is less coolong air at extreme altitudes, so gauges are mandatory to keep an eye on those temperatures.

Thats for sure. If you have an "enhanced" engine and are working the truck hard such as towing up a grade at altitude, be sure to have a pyrometer installed and keep one eye on it. I use my truck to occasionally tow a 13,500 fifth wheel up into the boonies of the CA Sierras for weekend trips and all over the western states on vacations and I'll tell you, these turned up trucks with Cummins power will out pull anything out there but you have to watch the exhaust temperatures on the grades. Just get outfitted with some guages and turn it up. It's a blast to blow away the powderchokes #ad
#ad
#ad
.
Steve

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1998 2500 Quad Cab, 12V, 5spd, 4x4, HD Transfer Case, 370HP Diamond B Injectors, #4 TST, 16cm2 Housing, AFC Spring Kit, BD Governor Spring Kit and other governor modifications, Walker Muffler, 285/75-16 BFG AT's, Stainless Steel Tube Steps, Reese Fifth Wheel Hitch, Leather, CD, LSD Dana 80 Rear, 60 Front, Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch, Rancho RS9000 Shocks, Rancho Steering Stabilizer, ATS Exhaust Manifold, Psychotty Air Induction, BD Exhaust Brake, Enterprise Engine Delivery Valves

 

[Timinator]

A friend and I took my truck to the top of Mt. Evans. 14,200 feet. There is a paved road that goes almost to the top. It's used by a lot of auto manufacturers for testing. My friend was not convinced of the Cummins capability, so as we hit 13, 500 ft, he asked me to stop. Then I floored it. It scared the **** out of him! Once it built some boost pressure it took off.
One consideration is that there is less coolong air at extreme altitudes, so gauges are mandatory to keep an eye on those temperatures.

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'95 2500 SLT ClubCab, automatic, 3. 54 LSD