High Altitude Adjustment?

This truck came from the original purchaser. He lived at an altitude of approx 5000 above sea level. I am operating daily at 8.5K to 11K above sea level, rarely lower, sometimes higher.
I know for a fact that my Jeep has about 20% better performance at sea level which is noticeable in the seat of my pants. It's a different animal but it illustrates the point to me that altitude effects internal combustion engines adversely.
I'm already running a K&N intake kit minus the oil-type conical filter, which I don't believe in. Replaced with a washable conical dry filter (AEM).
Is there any adjustment or mods recommended to mitigate potential performance loss for the 4.7 at high altitude? The engine runs very well in all respects but I can't help but wonder if I might be missing something here.

 

Atmospheric pressure is the hurdle here, as I'm sure you understand. There just isn't enough to replace what is drawn in by the engine. The only way to alleviate this is to force air into the engine via a supercharger or turbo; even those have their limitations. I estimate that running my S/C'd truck at 8k where I live is akin to driving a N/A truck at 5k. Power adders are really the only solutions of any significance, passive intakes will only yield minor results. There are no other "adjustments".

 

Thanks for that response, kinda what I thought. I'll just run her as-is, it's not terrible. This one has 350K miles so I'm not willing to SC or Turbo it.

 

LOL... I know it's the way, just a bad investment on a high mileage 4.7. I'd rather throw my $$ at an LS swap for Jeepy... which I won't likely be doing anytime soon since it has a new ATK long block. The Tundra still kicks Jeepy's ass (on the hwy).

 

It may not necessarily be fair to caricaturize it as a "bad" investment; the "performance", or lack thereof, is more a result of the high elevation environment.

 

"Bad investment" in my case, is referring to spending a few grand upgrading a 4.7 with 350K miles.

 

You could also re-gear. You'll run higher RPM on the freeway, but pickup some mechanical advantage to make the best use of the available power. Helpful especially if you're often climbing and descending grades. Very helpful if you're towing.

 

One simple thing I was told when taking my first truck from sea level to 6,000 feet was to take out the fuel injection fuse which will reset the computer and will optimize the air/fuel ratio. It's supposed to be calculated over time and so resetting it will start it at the current altitude. Not going to help a lot, but cheaper than a supercharger or re-gear.

 

Excellent suggestion. I'm rolling 33s so that is the logical best investment by far. Not something I'm willing to do myself, I'd estimate about $1500ish? That's about what they charge for a Dana regear. Gonna have to research ratios for this combination.

 

This is interesting and kinda what I was asking for in terms of "adjustment". Hmmmm

 

A black paint job costs less than a supercharger and yields comparable results.

 

4.56 if no plans to go larger.

4.88 if you will eventually go 34/35's.

 

Oh damn, you nailed it! This discussion is over.

 

Thank you!

 

I live at 6500 feet and go to 10 plus towing a fair amount. Honestly, I would just say drive as is and save your cash.

 

I'm too dumb for that, always gotta fiddle with shit.

 

Fiddle away, my friend. Keep us in the loop if you find something that actually makes a difference.

 

I'm on the other side of the mtns from Castle Rock... years worth of O2 deprivation and coldness has given me the dumb.
This morning... Merry Christmas!
2020-12-25_09-25-50 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr

 

Damn. Gunnison area? Merry Christmas and stay inside.

 

It's warming up pretty quick with the sun. Currently -9 at my place. Winter Park/Fraser area. Tundra fired right up at -20 this morning.