We all know that the 6.2L V8 in the 2014 Ford Raptor is rated at 411 hp @ 5,500 rpm and 434 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm at the crank (when using 93 octane fuel). How does this translate to real-world power at the wheels and at a mile above sea level? Well, for starters – Colorado gas stations do not offer 93 octane gasoline (91 octane is as high as they go).
There are numerous factors that effect horsepower and torque, but the main ones are: air pressure, ambient air pressure, and relative humidity. These dyno runs were performed at: 851 mBars, 83.6 F, and 21% humidity. It is usually very dry in Colorado, although we have been getting daily rainstorms recently.
The corrected horsepower and torque at the wheels were 333.89 and 350.56 respectively. This represents an -18.7% loss due to the transmission and driveline components. Not a big loss – well done! However, there is another loss we have to talk about, and it is the one due to lower air pressure due to elevation. The uncorrected numbers were: 274.82 hp and 289.12 lb-ft. This represents an additional -17.6% loss. Ouch! Total loss from the factory rating is -33%. A third of the power is gone.
Forced induction (turbo or super-charging) can help remove most of the power loss due to air pressure. This is also why we are very excited about the rumors of the next Raptor being turbocharged. Will the next Raptor have an EcoBoost V8?
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, producer, and software engineer. He has been writing and reporting at TFL since 2011. Likes ‘going for a drive’.
