Shark Attack

For the first time I was able to run the 85.. I mean RUN. Ya know, like i stole it.

Did I just have weak 16V OB cars or is the 32 valves powerban really high?

the thing that really made me go wow was at the top end, it seemed HP built. As the tach would climbe twards redline, it would climbe faster. Then when you pull 2nd, it runs through 2nd like nothing at all. My OB 16v cars would not run to a strong redline.

Now I do understand I am dealing with 60 more horses. but the overall way the power is delivered is so different

Panzer9

To paraphrase a circa 1987 review of the "new" S4: This is the car the world has been waiting for. It's faster than anything you've ever driven, It's better looking than anything you've ever been seen in, It's quicker than a cat, and It's sturdier than a tank!

Mike Frye

And the '85s rock too!

SA,

I never drove an OB, but wait until you get a set of chips or the Porken EZ-F'er in there and some crossovers.

My clutch didn't burn itself out.

Shark Attack

I think it may already have a chip. It doesn't shut down at redline. Does the stock chip shut down at redline?

Kyle

James-man

I used to have this stuff down, but it has been so long.... I kinda forget.

The book says max permissible RPM is 6400, but the rev limiter kicks in well before then. I think 6,100 was the stock rev limiter setting and chips bumped it up a couple hundred.

6100 stock, 6400 chipped. Does this sound correct folks?

Imo000

Yes, that sounds correct! The original limiter would kick in as soon as you reach redline and the chips would let it go till ~6400.

Shark Attack

huh, i think it may have chip or a rebuilt lh. I think when rich did my 89 lh he bumped the limit. but im not sure. I know for sure, this revs into the red.. Dont get me wrong. i didnt hold it in the red. but lets say I didnt take my foot out of it till the red

V2Rocket

I got to do 100 on the freeway today...

that was just keeping up with crazy SoCal drivers..

John Speake

Stock 85/86 rev limiter is set to 6520rpm.....

Shark Attack

no one has really answered my question.

Is the 16V power bad more equal across the rpm range where he 32 valve units do have more of a power ban in the upper RPM range? or were my 16 valve engines all junk?

James-man

Euro or US? On my US 86.5, the limiter kicks in well before that point with/without chips.

Imo000

mine did too, it kicked it maybe about a needle width into the red.

John Speake

That was where the default appears to be set for a 85/86 US. I could be wrong...

What does the drivers handbook state ? I oan't find a figure in my various tech data books.

James-man

The only 16 valvers I drove were while test driving, years and years ago. I think that they were geared differently, so they felt fairly lively at low speeds. For example, 5mph rolling in a Weissach, + wife punching it = two smiles. Never had the chance to pull at upper highway speeds which is where the 32V cars really show their legs, so I don't have a 16v reference point for comparison in this range.

What you are feeling is the combination of three things, 1) more power, 2) a lot more power (many of us are finding 288hp may be a conservative rating, and is definitely a lot higher when chipped), 3) Gearing (2.2 rear end on a 16v US car would make it feel a lot less lively) - my 4 cylinder low hp pickup truck has a lively 1st gear up to 10 mph, then it has absolutely nothing to offer.

Most of the 85-86.5 drivers that I have conversed with have found a low RPM dead zone after which the car really kicks. Once you are past the dead zone which is in the upper 2000s, the car really zips, and the additional power is what makes redline come up so quickly. This kinda gives the sensation of a turbo kicking in near 3000 rpm. I am guessing that the 16 valvers have a less dramatic crossover from low RPMS for drivability's sake. Acceleration may seem smoother low to high.

Guessing doesn't properly answer your question, but hopefully provides insight to the notchy character of the early 32valve power band which provides the effect of impressive mid rpm acceleration, getting you to the upper RPM band faster, and letting you enjoy the effect of higher power once you are up there. There is a reason why the S4 engines added an intake flappy.

James-man

Handbook says "Max Permissible RPM 6400" but does not have a specification for rev limiter. I think that 6400 is a general engine specification.