TuneVault

Effective compression calculator

See effective compression and pressure ratio from your static CR + boost.

: 1
psi
Pressure ratio
1.54
Effective CR
14.7 : 1
🔴 High effective compression — pump gas will likely knock; raise octane (E85/race) or drop boost/timing.

Approximation using sea-level atmospheric pressure (14.7 psi). Real detonation margin also depends on IAT, chamber design, and fuel — this is a planning aid, not a tune.

Why effective compression matters

Boost raises cylinder pressure, so a boosted engine behaves like a much higher-compression one. Effective CR ≈ static CR × (boost + 14.7) ÷ 14.7. A 9.5:1 engine at 8 psi acts like roughly 14:1 — which is why pump-gas boost demands richer fueling and conservative timing, and why higher-static-compression motors knock sooner under boost.

This uses sea-level atmospheric pressure; real knock margin also depends on intake air temp, fuel octane, and chamber design. It's a planning aid, not a tune — verify fueling with a wideband and keep timing conservative before adding boost.

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