For those contemplating towing in the Rockies, the following is a quote from the
BorgWarner Website concerning the performance of turbocharged engines vs. normally aspirated engines at altitude:
"Because of the lower air pressure at high altitudes, the power loss of a naturally aspirated engine is considerable. In contrast, the performance of the turbine
improves at altitude as a result of the greater pressure difference between the virtually constant pressure upstream of the turbine and the lower ambient pressure at outlet. The lower air density at the compressor inlet is largely equalized. Hence, the engine has barely any power loss."
Estimates indicate a 3% drop per 1,000 ft. of elevation gain for normally aspirated engines vs. <1% for turbocharged engines. Obviously this applies to turbodiesels as well as turboed gasoline engines. So, in Colorado a turbocharged engine is certainly worth the money.
