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Originally Posted by knucklesplitter
I think this is only true for some. If you have a stand-alone boost controller (manual or electronic) or UTEC in closed loop (I think), then your boost builds to whatever the setting is despite the elevation (assuming the turbo can boost that high in that air). Somebody correct me on this if they know for sure, please. I need to drive down to Sac. to see how my UTEC boost varies for myself.
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When I was running a MBC (back in the UniChip days), every time I went to the bay area I'd overboost like a madman. But up at altitude I was rock solid at 14.5 psi.
The ECU + stock EBC seems to do a pretty good job of reaching target boost at altitude, but I believe it's at the cost of turbo efficiency. The difference between a cool 14.5 psi and a hot 16 psi is probably negligable, or worse, faster at lower boost if the ECU has to pull timing to prevent knock on a hot motor. Remember, the stock WRX intercooler is pretty small.
And 17.5 psi on a stock WRX turbo!
That sounds out of the turbo's efficiency range at any altitude! I hope that's tapering to about 13 psi at red line, or you'll probably end up with a motor like mine: on the floor of a shop somewhere!
