Turbo and Altitude

[rjrkihap]

Does the turbo have to “suck” harder (spin faster) at higher altitudes than at lower altitudes in order to create a given level of boost since at altitude the air is thinner? I noticed my turbo trying to suck in the piece of plastic tubing connnecting my air cleaner box to the quarter pannel. I only noticed it at the higher altitudes in Idaho and Montana. It seemed to go away back when I got back to Oregon. Just wondering???



Thanks



Ron

 

[Don M]

yep!

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Basically..

The wastegate is a valve that bleeds off the

excess turbo boost

pressure, around 20 PSI on a stock CTD. At sea

level, the wastegate is opening to keep the

boost levels from going over 20. The higher the

elevation, the less the wastegate needs to open

to maintain 20 PSI at full power. Eventually the

wastegate will be fully closed to obtain 20 psi,

and the higher you go, the turbo will not be able

to maintain the full throttle boost level and the

engine will start to loose power.

As for the piece of plastic tubing getting sucked

in, I don't have a clue. .



Anyone else care to add anything?



-Chris

 

[drawson]

I live at kind of hi altitude (4200 feet) and not only does the turbo have to work harder to make boost, EGTs are higher!!!! I went to the Oregon Coast earlier this year. On the coast I never had a problem with EGTs and made 2 - 3 pounds higher boost than up here in the high dessert.