2k4runner

Hey guys, just trying to get some info, tried doing a search but found no topics regarding this.

I drive a 2000 4 Runner SR5 Highlander, I am planning on moving from Missouri to Colorado in the next few months, and I was curious if I will notice any performance lose due to the altitude change. I have heard varying info from different people on this, some say they don’t notice anything, some say they notice a big difference.


Thanks for your info.

Darren

Yes, you will notice it to a degree. But the lack of power up here is more than made up by the "More Mountains" factor.

Where do you plan on moving to?

DH6twinotter

From what I hear, you engine won't make as much power when at higher altitudes becuase the air is thiner. That's where forced induction such as turbos and supercharges come in. Al least that's what I understand about higher altitudes.

Well, have fun all.
DH6twinotter

Del

I totally noticed a major lack of power when I was working at Mammoth Mountain. I went from about sea level (I live by the beach) to 9000 feet. When I came home, I though I had a supercharger

CTB

You lucky guy. Each time I drive out there, I have to go through Missouri...at least it's better than Kansas!

You will love Colorado - I wish we had never left there.

Well, to get back on topic, I think I read one time that you lose approx. 3% of horsepower for every 1000 ft. increase in elevation.

2k4runner

Darren, I am hoping to get this job in Englewood, so it would be in the Denver area.

heh, Missouri isn't bad, but it's no Colorado!
I was there a week last fall, loved everything I saw. Hoping to get up there soon.

Darren

I don't know what elevation Missouri is at, maybe ~700' average or so?

Anyway, to be more specific, at 1 mile up you have ~83% of the horsepower you would have at sea level. So yes, if I added a supercharger here, I would only then be pretty much equal to a stock 3.4 at sealevel. I bet those guys can really scoot on the coasts!

alanh

Never had my 4Runner to high altitudes, but I sure noticed the lack of power in my old carbureted pickup truck going over mountain passes and that was quite a bit lower than some places in Colorado. Nothing like foot to the floor, down-shifting, wondering how slow it would be going by the time I got to the top!

2k4runner

Maybe I will add in the cost of a supercharger to the cost of the move!

Red Chili's

Your 4Runner will perform fine at high altitude, you only feel a lost of power very little when you arrive in Denver. The only thing, you will notice the gas octane at the pump about 2 point lower from your home state. Just stick with the same octane level, no matter what gas grade does on the pump.

I often drove from my home at approx. 6000 ft. to the mountain range between 12K-14K ft. which it will notice a huge difference on the engine performance due thinner and drier air. It was not a big deal to me.

But, when I am traveling down to the beach in Texas, Oregon, or east coast, inside my 4Runner, it feels like driving a BMW M3.

Beavah

Yes there is a slight difference in performance.
I went from 400+ feet above sea level in NJ to a little over 6000 in CO.

I notice it even more at 10,000+

When you get here cruise on up Pikes Peaks and test it out for yourself.

:beaver:

CTB

Haha, I remember trying to go up Pikes Peak in our old carbureted Dodge Van when we first moved out there...that was pretty interesting. My dad had the pedal to the floor and I don't think we ever broke 5 mph!!!

count dorkula

well, it looks as if you've gotten plenty of information . . . i live up at about 7,800 feet in estes park and often drive over trail ridge road - highest continuous paved road in the u.s. - peaking at 12,100. i didn't get my 4runner till 2 weeks ago, so i've never experienced anything but high altitude with it - so obviously i'm looking forward to a trip to texas!! anyway, from what i've learned, there is no way to adjust the computer or oxygen sensor for high altitude, but i'm gonna start some experimentation on my own. i'm interested in any results you may have with a supercharger, so keep us/me posted if you do the install . . . meanwhile, if i discover any "ahaaa!!" i'll do the same . . . have fun. the count

CBDenver

Hey,

I moved back home to Denver from New Orleans and I noticed the same slight performance decrease in my 97 4-Runner. But, it's worth it to live here! It's most noticable at high altitudes.

But the good thing is that once your body adjusts to altitude (4-6 weeks I heard), when you return to sea level you can drink way more than you can at altitude before you feel it. It's weird.

Good luck!

2skinny

Hello everyone,

I've read several threads about loss of power at altitude. We recently drove up to Keystone (over 10,000 feet) and I had serious problems maintaining highway speeds. We were getting passed by everyone including cars I know only had 4 bangers. I'm looking for any advice on upgrades (other than supercharger) I could do to help compensate for the altitude. Thanks.

fullmann

the biggest thing I noticed about changing to higher elevations is that I get better gas mileage the higher I go. I purchased my truck in kansas city Mo, and drove it home to Denver. Im getting a pretty consistant 20-21 mpg with winter gas, and all the way driving it home from Mo I was getting 15-16.

my truck didnt feel like it was loosing too much power as I increased in altitude, although I could feel the difference. course my old ride was a 87 4 banger 4runner with 200k+ miles on it. so pretty much any vehicle would have been an increase in power.

Gerdo

Fuel injection helps, it will adjust for altitude. You will have less power. That is a fact of life, not much you can do about it. You will need to change your driving habits. When climbing the mountains you will want to rev higher. Get into the power band. I can climb over Eisenhower tunnel at 65 if I shift right. You don't need a SC, but I bet it would be nice (mine is NA) The mountains suck the power out. Around Denver, no big deal. It's not like they turn into Yugo's.

Simon

I've driven both an auto 2001 and a 5 speed 2000 from Denver to Moab and the 5 speed does a lot better in the mountains in my opinion. May be an obvious statement. Just my .02.

-Simon

2skinny

Gerdo,

You mentioned getting into the power band. I searched for more information on what rpm range that is and it looks like somewhere between 3500-4000 is where peak power is at. I normally don't get into the throttle like that and I'm guessing that was my problem. Would adding an intake like trueflow or volant, and a freeflow exhaust help much with the thinner air? Thanks.

Gerdo

I've been driving the mountains in that 3000-3500 rpm range and it does much better. If I'm towing I'll run up around 4000 rpms. Yes a more freeflowing filter helps. I also added another hole to the side of my airbox, just below the stock hole, which also helps.