RPMs vs longevity
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2015
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,089
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From: Vancouver, BC
I tend to agree with the OP's theory. The problem is, when I get in the car I can't seem to control my right foot and I end up in the "drive it like you stole it" camp. I think I need professional help.
Rat Balls
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Scottsdale AZ, USA
No, it doesn't.
Do you honestly think that that your car is building up so much carbon due to daily driving that it is having a noticeable impact on how the car runs?
Back when carburetors were popular, cars didn't run as well when cold, at low rpms, and small throttle openings. Hence the italian tune up would work reasonably well.
Its placebo on a modern car.
Do you honestly think that that your car is building up so much carbon due to daily driving that it is having a noticeable impact on how the car runs?
Back when carburetors were popular, cars didn't run as well when cold, at low rpms, and small throttle openings. Hence the italian tune up would work reasonably well.
Its placebo on a modern car.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,858
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From: ..............
Race engines are completely different. They are not only driven differently, but are designed differently. In an effort to shed weight, individual components aren't designed with an endurance limit. Race engines are arguably disposable, so parts are designed for x amount of cyclic loads. To compare an engine designed for x years to x races is completely useless.
A particular driving style may shorten your maintenance intervals, but that doesn't necessarily kill your engine. Neglect kills more engines than one's driving style ever has.
A particular driving style may shorten your maintenance intervals, but that doesn't necessarily kill your engine. Neglect kills more engines than one's driving style ever has.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10,424
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From: SOcialist republic of CALifornia
One of my employees is a boy racer who loves to speed-shift his "'Teg" - which is boy-racer-speak for his beater Integra.
Twice now he has tried to slam the car from 4th to 3rd and hit first gear instead - and in both cases, new engines were required. Curiously, his enormous red shift light doesn't seem to help when he over-revs the car by several thousand RPM.
So, if your "style" includes being an absolute idiot, it MIGHT kill more engines than merely being neglectful.
Twice now he has tried to slam the car from 4th to 3rd and hit first gear instead - and in both cases, new engines were required. Curiously, his enormous red shift light doesn't seem to help when he over-revs the car by several thousand RPM.
So, if your "style" includes being an absolute idiot, it MIGHT kill more engines than merely being neglectful.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Sherman Oaks, CA
Trust you butt and your right foot. The sweet spot is when the throttle is most efficient and responsive. The engine is happy and you are happy. When you feel it you know it. And you will know when that is not where you want to be, such as stop and go traffic or a long 500 mile stretch of road without a turn in sight.
The Variocam Plus is very oil dependent, and low oil pressure and supply (level) can combine to cause expensive unpleasantness. Unless you are drag racing there is no logical reason to mash your foot to the floor from a standing start in first gear and winding it out to seven grand.
That said I did own an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce and stock from the factory the 1290 cc engine went to 8000 rpm. The tach didn't even move until 2000 rpm. The sweet spot came in about 4,500 to 4,800 rpm and it stayed to north of 7000. I raced it for three years, never shifted under 7000. The motor was bone stock except for playing with the jets on the Webers.
But apples and oranges...the Italians think differently than the Germans.
The Variocam Plus is very oil dependent, and low oil pressure and supply (level) can combine to cause expensive unpleasantness. Unless you are drag racing there is no logical reason to mash your foot to the floor from a standing start in first gear and winding it out to seven grand.
That said I did own an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce and stock from the factory the 1290 cc engine went to 8000 rpm. The tach didn't even move until 2000 rpm. The sweet spot came in about 4,500 to 4,800 rpm and it stayed to north of 7000. I raced it for three years, never shifted under 7000. The motor was bone stock except for playing with the jets on the Webers.
But apples and oranges...the Italians think differently than the Germans.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 149
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From: Central Ohio
In experience, most modern automotive motors will suffer a major mechanical failure from abuse or flaw/defect before actually wearing out. Assuming the rest of the car/chassis lasts that long
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
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Totally different. Direct injection engines have carbon buildup largely due to there being no fuel sprayed over the intake ports and valves to keep them carbon free. M96 motor is still port fuel injected.
In experience, most modern automotive motors will suffer a major mechanical failure from abuse or flaw/defect before actually wearing out. Assuming the rest of the car/chassis lasts that long
In experience, most modern automotive motors will suffer a major mechanical failure from abuse or flaw/defect before actually wearing out. Assuming the rest of the car/chassis lasts that long
If there is no fuel passing through the intake ports or over the back of the intake valves and the gas charge is injected on the comp stroke with intake valve closed then burned then expelled then on the next intake stroke it has a vacuum pulling in and down more clean air, how is carbon getting there?