Vtec engines + thin air

[kelviN]

hey guys just wondering how much of a difference the air u drive around in makes on the performance of your car. I drive around in orange ( apparently highest altitude for growing grapes for wine ) so the air is pretty thin and lacking oxygen compared to sydney metro areas. Does this make such a difference or is it just me because wen i drove my em1 around there:

* It felt weak, Taking off at the lights is slow, unresponsive, drinks more fuel, have to rev higher to move, and the engine has a different sound to this.

I thought this was because the B16a was such a small engine and that is why it felt like that. Coming bak to sydney feels like driving a different car.

Now i drive a prelude vtir and have the exact same problem !

What is everyones opionions?

[aaronng]

Same for every car, non-vtec as well.

[dsp26]

^^yep true.

it's also why people on international forums who compare dynos mention altitude of their country and dyno

[IZY-10]

yeap it makes a difference alright! The air pressure around your area is not as high as to apposed to the city areas. IE the air around sea level is 1 bar(14psi) and around your area it may be at about 13.9 somewhere around there. So the air pressure isn't as high going into your air intake giving you a disadvantage.

[kelviN]

still cant believe how much of a difference it makes. Pulling power in each gear feels so much different

[bennjamin]

still cant believe how much of a difference it makes. Pulling power in each gear feels so much different

Practically the same as putting a more restrictive muffler or intake onto a car.
It cant breathe as efficiently so it makes less power and uses more fuel :)