c32 high altitude performance ?
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: SA
SLK 55
c32 high altitude performance ?
Hi there I just got a c32 2002 model with 40000 km on the clock , normaly i race my calibra 2l turbo on sundays at the drag strip. We have run as low as 13.4 on the quarter mile with the calibra .The problem now is we live in SA and are 5000 ft above see level the best time I got out the c32 was 14.3 speed was 157kmh with luck on my side running against a c55 that clocked 14.2 about half a car lenght infront of me .
Im happy that the c55 didnt crimate me but why are the times so bad is it the high altitude or something wrong with the car.
It drives great just doesnt get the numbers i have read all the rest are getting here on the posts.
Oh ye and it guzzles allot of petrol like 24l / hundred even if i drive with the gearbox set in w and never push the car the petrol is allot more then my c320 that averages about 12 to 11l/h any way i drive it .
Im happy that the c55 didnt crimate me but why are the times so bad is it the high altitude or something wrong with the car.
It drives great just doesnt get the numbers i have read all the rest are getting here on the posts.
Oh ye and it guzzles allot of petrol like 24l / hundred even if i drive with the gearbox set in w and never push the car the petrol is allot more then my c320 that averages about 12 to 11l/h any way i drive it .
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Hey dude, I'm also from SA. We should hook up & do some tests.
There is nothing wrong with your car. I've seen a few C32's run at Gosforth Raceway. They all do around 14.4-14.6. I've seen a chipped one run 14.1.
Problem is that at 5000ft the air is almost 20% less dense than at sea-level & therefore an NA car loses a lot of power. The 'blown' C32 shouldn't lose as much but for some reason (maybe fuel quality) it does.
There is nothing wrong with your car. I've seen a few C32's run at Gosforth Raceway. They all do around 14.4-14.6. I've seen a chipped one run 14.1.
Problem is that at 5000ft the air is almost 20% less dense than at sea-level & therefore an NA car loses a lot of power. The 'blown' C32 shouldn't lose as much but for some reason (maybe fuel quality) it does.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: SA
SLK 55
Thanks M im going down to durbs on sunday ill test the merc there and see what i get, dont understand why they run so slack at high altitude considering compressor , if you wanna meet we are always at westbank on sundays iether with allot of kadets , or a black calibra or black c32 I have run against a silver m3 with the calibra the driver and I had a chat while hogging towards the line was that you ? oh ye the m3 crimated me again on that run , will have the calibra running again in about two weeks blew the mottor wile testing , installed a efi and mesd and nitros tried to hit 11000 rpm but didint get there got about 9800rpm before it broke , it was running .
This sunday will be in durbs next week will be at westbank c32 we constantly film our races so maybe we can post the video on the net here .
This sunday will be in durbs next week will be at westbank c32 we constantly film our races so maybe we can post the video on the net here .
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
I'm sure you know the gut with the 11 second Nissan 200SX. He also has a C32 (as a tow car funnily enough). I think he ran 14.1 @ Tarlton.
I'm sure I'll see you at Wesbank soon. Traction is not very good there though. My best there is 13.71.
I'm sure I'll see you at Wesbank soon. Traction is not very good there though. My best there is 13.71.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: OC
C32
A supercharged car with the same amount of horsepower as a NA car at sea level has no advantage at higher elevations. If you are talking about a turbocharged car with a wastegate set at a specific PSI then yes it would have an advantage because it would actually be making the same PSI of boost at higher elevations. Since the supercharger has a fixed boost level there is no way to vary it without going to a smaller SC pulley.
