turbo vs non turbo at altitude

[csilks]

I've been looking at a MX48 at a dealership at 4600ft and they know I live at 7700ft. The salesperson never mentioned altitude and the performance of the MX48. When I called a different Kubota dealership, this one at 6,900 ft, to price a MX48, they said they don't even sell MX48's because they aren't turbo charged. They only sell MX52's because it has a turbo charged engine. The salesman told me that a non turbo engine loses between 3-5 per cent for every gain of 1000ft in elevation. Is this true? Is a turbo charge engine essential at my altitude or is a normal engine fine? Not sure what to believe.

 

[BruceP]

I cannot confirm the specific power-loss... but YES, it is true. Any normally-aspirated engine loses power as the intake-air density goes down.

A turbocharger essentially compensates for the loss of air-pressure at altitude. The boost-pressure is maintained into the engine. Hence, the power-loss with a turbocharged engine is negligible.

 

[greenacresnorth]

the percent loss is relative to displacement but still dramatic. my stock L2501 at my house (6200') made 17HP on the PTO, adding a small turbo and setting the waste gate to open at 3psi bumped my PTO HP to 29HP with no changes to fuel settings or timing. you will start to see a dramatic change in performance above 2500-3000' above sea level with a normally aspired diesel.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yes at mountain altitudes you want / need a turbo to keep the performance of the engine up.

 

[Jchonline]

I am at 8600. The power loss on diesel is 3% per 1000 ft. Do NOT buy a tractor without a turbo at 7700. You are welcome!

 

[Jchonline]

Just saw you were in CO. I am in Red Feather Lakes west of FT Collins. Welcome!