What Actually is An Italian Tune-up?
#16
Burning Brakes
Long ago I had a '72 911S, that did not enjoy city driving. It required regular 140mph blasts down the near empty interstate to keep it running smoothly. It was certainly more fun than changing plugs.
#17
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Originally Posted by Edward
Actually, I use 6th all the time on my fwy commute. While you obviously don't want to lug it at 1500RPMs, buzzing (a modern) engine like ours at elevated RPMs when cruising does little to clear or prevent carbon buildup. Engine management systems are soooo clean these days, you are doing little more than wearing engine parts. At cruise, the car is perfectly happy at about 2500-3K RPMs, given that this is a steady cruise and not taxing the engine (like climbing a grade). As Chris said, the beneficial aspect of said "Italian Tuneup" is from the increased combustion pressure/heat from WOT at high RPMs ...crusing doesn't do it. Which is why from a stop, I personally tach to about 5K in 1st and 2nd ...and of course, fwy onramps are a joy
Edward
Edward
So is it more beneficial (clearing carbon) or damaging (unecessary wear on transmission, engine, clutch?) shifting at a higher RPM on 1st gear??
#19
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Lots of hard driving...
Drive the car hard always. That is not to say rip the gears and hit speed bumps,,,, Just DRIVE and enjoy a great car. Carbon build up? Call me I'm glad to help and would dog your car for you for a small price. I'll need several beverages first and then we'll take care of it. Really it's no problem.
#20
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Originally Posted by Arrwin
So it is OK to shift from 1st to 2nd at such a high rpm (5k)? I always have been shifting to 2nd at about 3-4k RPMs, but it based on the thread I started, (1st Gear Thread) the consensus seems to be that most shift into 2nd pretty much right away.
So is it more beneficial (clearing carbon) or damaging (unecessary wear on transmission, engine, clutch?) shifting at a higher RPM on 1st gear??
So is it more beneficial (clearing carbon) or damaging (unecessary wear on transmission, engine, clutch?) shifting at a higher RPM on 1st gear??
#21
Addicted Specialist
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Hi Arrwin,
Yes, shift you car at higher RPMs with glee, so long as your shift feels smooth, you're treating your engine/tranny just fine --as well as really feeling the 993 in it's power curve! Very satisfying at acceleration ...I just don't believe that *keeping* the RPMs there does anything beneficial. Depending on the traffic ahead of me, I even accelerate in 1st and 2nd to 5K+ RPMs, only to drop it straight to 4th to keep the speed below 50 on city streets. This way, I am "maintaining the car" while not getting the attention of the local constabulary.
Edward
Yes, shift you car at higher RPMs with glee, so long as your shift feels smooth, you're treating your engine/tranny just fine --as well as really feeling the 993 in it's power curve! Very satisfying at acceleration ...I just don't believe that *keeping* the RPMs there does anything beneficial. Depending on the traffic ahead of me, I even accelerate in 1st and 2nd to 5K+ RPMs, only to drop it straight to 4th to keep the speed below 50 on city streets. This way, I am "maintaining the car" while not getting the attention of the local constabulary.
Edward
#22
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Some of the best advice I've heard (which has dramatically improved my enjoyment of my car) was to drive these cars hard--they're designed for it and doing so makes us down right happy!!!
#23
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I swear by the Italian tune up i really believe that these cars like to rev and these revs keep things nice and clean. Guys ever notice how good the car runs on the way home from a good hard track day,smooth and crisp.
#24
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Originally Posted by 96C4S
I swear by the Italian tune up i really believe that these cars like to rev and these revs keep things nice and clean. Guys ever notice how good the car runs on the way home from a good hard track day,smooth and crisp.
#25
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LOL! I've been tuning up Italian style since I got my permit. Ironically enough my Alfa GTV6 didn't like it as it would overheat. Still made beautiful music though.
#27
King of Cool
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Remember, it's not only the revs, you need to be hard on the gas (WOT).
Day at the track is the best way to really do a proper "Italian tune-up".
I once did it with my dad's Ford Fiesta that was running rough... I floored it and drove WOT for about 60 miles, only lifting twice along the way and few times for gear shift (between 4th & 5th).
Car was capable only about 170 km/h, either in 4th or 5th gear, the speed remained the same, most of the time I drove in 4th.
When I stopped, inside of the exhaust was very light gray and needless to say, since it didn't blow up, engine run perfectly after that!
Day at the track is the best way to really do a proper "Italian tune-up".
I once did it with my dad's Ford Fiesta that was running rough... I floored it and drove WOT for about 60 miles, only lifting twice along the way and few times for gear shift (between 4th & 5th).
Car was capable only about 170 km/h, either in 4th or 5th gear, the speed remained the same, most of the time I drove in 4th.
When I stopped, inside of the exhaust was very light gray and needless to say, since it didn't blow up, engine run perfectly after that!