TR6

I just came back from the track this weekend where my RSA spent the majority of its sessions running up to the top of the rev range. No harm done. I really don't understand the mindset of not revving these engines. That's what they're designed and built to do. Its like buying some really kickass mountain bike with top end components and then saying I don't want to take it on any tough trails because it might hurt it.

When its cold, I baby it til the oil temp comes up a bit. Certainly not over 4K unless I'm about to be run over by a semi truck.

kgorman

+1

SimonExtreme

I am really careful when cold. It's not just about revs, it's about load. I get to (say) 3500 rpm using a light throttle or WOT. I know which is better

However, once warmed up I don't really think about it. There are so few chances to get to max revs on the road I take them whenever I can. The cars can more than take it. I also believe that it is actually better for the car to occasionally give it some WOT to max revs.

A wise (old) man once told me that if you drive a car at 100% for 80% of the time it will only last a short while. However, drive at 80% for 100% of the time, it will last for ever. As it's hard enough to drive at 80% all the time, I think I am probably averaging under 80%, except on the track when it is close to 100%. I guess that is why they say 1 track mile is equal to 10 road mile.

Mike Murphy

Exactly. I'm glad someone pointed out that when cold, you should keep the load on the engine low, not just the revs. You see, even 50% throttle at low revs can produce 100% of the available engine torque at that particular RPM, so you are putting undue pressure on the engine when it's still cold.

For sure. Rods and pistons stretch when revved up, so it keeps the cylinder walls clean throughout the entire stroke. If you take a 100,000 mile engine that hasn't seen above 3000 RPM in its entire life, and you suddenly rev it to redline, you can actually break piston rings. It is better to keep that engine flexible by revving it up under full power.

Mike Murphy

Also it has been frequently said that there is no power above 6000 RPM, but that is only half true. Although the torque curve drops rapidly after 6000, revving it to 6500 or redline actually puts you in a better position when you upshift, thereby giving you more power in that next gear. You will therefore be faster when shifting a redline.

Cupcar#12

cold: 3-4K
Hot: 4-7K
Track: 6-7K (however it spends far more time above 5k than below on the track)

Bull

+1

Gelignite

This is my first post to Rennlist so Hi to everyone.
I was wondering; how hot is hot? The owner's manual says wait 5mins before going over 4.5k, but some people say it takes about 90mins to reach full operating temp, so who is right? I, rightly or wrongly, side more with the owner's manual otherwise I would rarely get the chance for any fun. I do always wait until the needle is clearly above the first mark though before 5k or more, although it is difficult to get it to climb to half way at this time of year. The problem is that even in third you are breaking most UK speed limits before it gets really interesting.
Steve

Tom W

Once the oil temp is to the second mark (at about 7 o'clock), I considered it warm enough to push it.

hawk911

I love to shift at Revs once warmed up. Cold, I baby it up to 3500 or so. Gotta love the G-pipe and cut airbox at WOT!!!

Bull

Two different answers...."hot enough" to use the revs vs. at "full operating temp". Both depend on the season where I live. As memtioned, the "7 o'clock" mark is a good place to let 'er rip!

dfinnegan

Wow. 7 o'clock. I usually wait until the t'stat opens. That takes quite a while this time of year so I push a bit earlier now, but still never go above 5k rpms until I get to t'stat temp.

So, do others concur that 7 o'clock is warn enough to go the full rpm range?

I'd like to hear that!

aeroman

Shoot it was cold enough here that most times it never got above 7 o'clock this winter.

Dave R.

Shift cold at 3,000 rpm until second mark (7 o'clock?), then less than 5,000 until thermostat opens, thereafter as high as circumstances allow or desires dictate.

Cruise at 2,700 - 3,100, cold & warm.

I used to hit redline after the needle passes the second mark, I think that is sufficiently warm.

These days I wait for the thermostat to open before I hit redline with the hope of minimizing oil consumption. But, I don't think it makes much difference since in highway cruise in cool or winter weather, often the thermostat does not seem to open at all - temp needle stays midway between 2nd & third marks. Only in slower driving with more stop-and-go will the thermostat start to slowly cycle.

Mike Murphy

Steve W confirmed this "when is the car warmed up" problem for me, since in the Chicago winter, my car never goes above 176F (1st T-stat opening). He said "after 10 minutes of driving." So, yes, that appears to be about 7 o'clock for me.