5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

Another thought on altitude and horsepower

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-22-2001, 02:19 PM
  #1  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
 
Maximam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,909
If you take a 300 hp Lexus GS400 and bring it up to 5000ft it now only has 249 hp at 60 degrees.

If you do the same to a Maxima, it now has 184hp at 5000ft.

If you figure there is a difference of 78hp between our two cars at sea level, we only have a difference of 65hp at 5000ft. This makes cars with less hp loose less hp at altitude making the Maxima a closer match to the GS400 than the same race at sea level.

Any comments about this?

Mark
Maximam is offline  
Old 06-22-2001, 02:22 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
AznWontonboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,628
Originally posted by Maximam
If you take a 300 hp Lexus GS400 and bring it up to 5000ft it now only has 249 hp at 60 degrees.

If you do the same to a Maxima, it now has 184hp at 5000ft.

If you figure there is a difference of 78hp between our two cars at sea level, we only have a difference of 65hp at 5000ft. This makes cars with less hp loose less hp at altitude making the Maxima a closer match to the GS400 than the same race at sea level.

Any comments about this?

Mark
well.. i still say the gs400 will spank the max about the same carlengths at 5000ft as sea level
AznWontonboy is offline  
Old 06-22-2001, 02:57 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
BlackAE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 203
works both ways

Originally posted by Maximam
If you take a 300 hp Lexus GS400 and bring it up to 5000ft it now only has 249 hp at 60 degrees.

If you do the same to a Maxima, it now has 184hp at 5000ft.

If you figure there is a difference of 78hp between our two cars at sea level, we only have a difference of 65hp at 5000ft. This makes cars with less hp loose less hp at altitude making the Maxima a closer match to the GS400 than the same race at sea level.

Any comments about this?

Mark
It works both ways. All the neons, sunfires, proteges, etc get closer to the Maxima at 5000 feet also.
BlackAE is offline  
Old 06-23-2001, 07:20 AM
  #4  
Got Bent?
iTrader: (1)
 
UMD_MaxSE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,516
I would think that all cars would lose the same percentage of their hp at a given altitude. Thus, the car with more hp will lose more hp. But it would probably be the same percentage across the board.
UMD_MaxSE is offline  
Old 06-23-2001, 07:51 AM
  #5  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
 
Maximam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,909
Originally posted by UMD_MaxSE
I would think that all cars would lose the same percentage of their hp at a given altitude. Thus, the car with more hp will lose more hp. But it would probably be the same percentage across the board.
That is right, percentage of horsepower. 3% of 300 is more than 3% of 222. Which narrows the gap.

Mark
Maximam is offline  
Old 06-30-2001, 07:47 PM
  #6  
Member
 
palmerwmd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 217
The hp loss may be greater in absolute terms, but in relative terms it will be the same.
As a results the hp per lb will be less for each car but less by an amount that is relatively (not absolutely) the same.
This is all that matters here.
Accordingly the more powerful car will lose none of its advantage.

Fred
palmerwmd is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tarun900
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
19
12-20-2021 06:57 PM
BPuff57
Advanced Suspension, Chassis, and Braking
33
04-16-2020 05:15 AM
REDinLV
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
4
10-18-2015 05:31 AM
ef9
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
10
10-04-2015 08:43 AM
JakeOfAllTrades
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
1
09-30-2015 03:16 PM



Quick Reply: Another thought on altitude and horsepower



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:23 AM.