Quote:
Originally Posted by TorqueDog
Supercharged engines also see a similar drop due to their belt-drive system being tied directly to RPM and not the boost itself, and thus are unable to accommodate for this change in atmospheric pressure. Turbocharged applications don't have this limitation as they're free-spinning compressors and will bleed off excessive PSI once the target boost is reached. A S/C'd car designed for 8 PSI at sea level won't reach peak boost in Calgary, but a turbo'd car will no matter what elevation you operate in.
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Most superchargers have bypass valves that allow them to hit peak boost well below redline. They will open the bypass valve as boost exceeds the designed peak. In Calgary, your bypass valve just stays shut a bit longer than at sea level.