Notices

Choosing piston c/r... for altitude

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-20-2003, 11:37 PM
  #1  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
servion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Choosing piston c/r... for altitude

Another altitude question!

I am currently rebuilding my motor, and I'm putting in some CP pistons. I've elected to go with 9.8:1 c/r for the pistons. With the decked block (4 thousandths off) and 6 thousandths off the head, I'm shooting for somewhere around 10:1 c/r. I am planning on putting some decent boost through this motor (goal is 450WHP).

I believe that since I'm running everyday at 6000ft elevation, bumping up the compression ratio a bit (to 10:1) could make up for some of the altitude losses. My goal of this post is to see if its possible to equate a 10:1 c/r at 6000ft to a xxx c/r at sea level. If you do a compression test on a healthy 9:1 c/r motor at sea level, what kind of #'s do you get? My theory is that it will be similar to a 10:1 c/r motor up here.... any numbers you guys can provide will be great.
Old 04-20-2003, 11:53 PM
  #2  
Honda-Tech Member
 
DD_JonnyLee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Greenville, S.C
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Choosing piston c/r... for altitude (servion)

good question , i would like to see the answer to this
Old 04-21-2003, 03:26 AM
  #3  
Honda-Tech Member
 
Bottoz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Choosing piston c/r... for altitude (TrboGSR)

Hehe you're great Servion. I was wondering the same thing for when I upgrade mine.

Bump

Bottoz
Old 04-21-2003, 07:47 AM
  #4  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
servion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Choosing piston c/r... for altitude (Bottoz)

any thoughts?
Old 04-21-2003, 10:06 AM
  #5  
Honda-Tech Member
 
*Boostwerks*'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I heart tool, US
Posts: 9,455
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default Re: Choosing piston c/r... for altitude (servion)

Your theory IMO, is correct. You will be able to account for some of the lost power created by the increase in altitude. However, you will still need to deal with the fact that a High CR leaves a small window for reliable tuning.

The reason that I'm going with 10:1 on my Built ZC:

- To gain more power off boost.
- To correct some of the lost HP at altitude.
- To be able to reasonably spool up a large T3/TO4E with a 78mm bore.

However, I am going to make sure the car is tuned a little richer than it normally would, to aleviate any detonation problems.
Old 04-21-2003, 11:32 AM
  #6  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
servion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Choosing piston c/r... for altitude (Bryson)

Cool... I think we're going along the same reasons for a higher c/r. If I was at sea level, I would try 9:1..... but I think that might equate to somethign significantly lower down here....

I found a set of equations to answer the quesiton here... All I need to know is what the atmospheric pressure is here at elevation (~6000ft). Sea level is 14.7 (I forget the units)... does anyone know the number I'm looking for? I'll post up my answers once I get the atmospheric pressure # at altitude
Old 04-21-2003, 11:39 AM
  #7  
 
Firedrake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Choosing piston c/r... for altitude (servion)

I haven't done any calculations or anything, but I think what you'd want to do rather than changing the C/R of your pistons is to run more boost to make up for the altitude......your effective compression drops because you're not actually getting as much oxygen in there at the same amount of boost, so up the boost....I think it's around 2-3 psi to compensate for sea level compression....
This sound right?
Brian
Old 04-21-2003, 01:30 PM
  #8  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
servion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Choosing piston c/r... for altitude (Firedrake)

From what I understand, you can go either way.... I'm choosing to go the higher compression route because the extra psi of boost will only be effective under boost... whereas the higher c/r will add more power everywhere (providing I can tune it well and aviod detonation)
Old 04-21-2003, 01:44 PM
  #9  
Honda-Tech Member
 
01ITR#700's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: CO, USA
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Choosing piston c/r... for altitude (servion)

I'm not much help, but my ITR is now sporting 9.0-1 Compression. I am awaiting Hondata, and I'm hoping to meet up with you and/or Justin to get it semi-tuned. So maybe my car will be of some help to your questions.
Mark
Old 04-21-2003, 01:56 PM
  #10  
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
 
servion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Choosing piston c/r... for altitude (01ITR#700)

Well, I found this:
http://www.slcc.edu/tech/mecha....html

Our altitude atmospheric pressure (~6000') should be around 11.478053 psi.

This page says that my old JDM b18c (10.6:1) was really at 13:1.... I don't think those equations are accurate.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Frost7177
Honda CRX / EF Civic (1988 - 1991)
5
07-02-2008 08:44 PM
anothersickhatch
All Motor / Naturally Aspirated
2
05-27-2004 08:55 AM
91EF
Drag Racing
60
05-22-2003 07:18 AM
MOTOR R
Acura Integra Type-R
4
11-26-2001 03:29 PM



Quick Reply: Choosing piston c/r... for altitude



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:25 AM.