ast95035

I drive a 99 formula a4 and im wondering how to tell if the engine has a govenor on it and how to take it off? Thanks

oberth1

iTrader: (6)

#1 why?

#2 there is a computerized rev limiter built into your ECU. You can have it removed/adjusted by a tuning shop that works on F-bodys/GTOs/Vettes. But understand its on there for a reason. Your not making power any higher than what the factory one is set to, and its there to prevent (or slow you down) from blowing your engine to hell. You raise that much at all your going to start getting piston slap, floating valves and kill your valvetrain very quickly...

Unless you plan on changing out your cam, heads, rockers, lifters, rods, springs and valves i wouldn't start screwing around in this area. Gets real pricey real fast.

xBrian

I believe they all do, set by computer at 168mph. If i'm wrong i'm sure someone will chime in soon.

LunarWillow

iTrader: (3)

^ My '98 T/A came with factory Z-rated tires and it clicks off at 154mph, I believe all F-bodies that came with factory Z-rated tires are set this way, but I've been wrong before lol

Z28/2002

iTrader: (27)

Factory governer is set at 162 for the cars with Z-rated tires


The cars with non Z-rated tires is 110 (i think)

ast95035

Im putting long tube headers on soon and was told i had to get the govenor off, if its on therer the max speed is like 110, ive taken my car 100 and it was still climbing,

LS-ONE_DAY

Not sure what tires my '99 Formula had when it was new but I had it up to 130 before letting off the gas so I find it hard to believe its 110 lol

Z28/2002

iTrader: (27)

You need to slap whoever told you that in the teeth. Having the speed governer has nothing to do with installing headers

71novaguy

iTrader: (2)

this is about an engine governer, not about a speed governer correct?

Texas_WS6

iTrader: (9)

Your ENGINE does not have a governor. The PCM has speed limiter settings and rpm limiter setting. Both of which can be adjusted by a tuner. The factory set both limits diferently from year to year. Your answer is no, your engine does not have a governor, but there are limiters programmed in the PCM that you can have changed by a tuning shop or with different tuning software/hardware you can purchase.

Texas_WS6

iTrader: (9)

Z28 is correct. I second his testomony. I would like to add this, FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO INSTALL YOUR HEADERS! If he thinks your car has an engine governor, or that putting headers on requires you to raise your speed limiter or rpm limiter, he does not know enough for me to waist my money with.

71novaguy

iTrader: (2)

isnt that technically a yes? the fuel cut off limits the engine rpm, so thats technically a governor correct?

Texas_WS6

iTrader: (9)

No, a governor is a devise that will either control the airflow or fuel flow. It will not cut the fuel, or spark off until the engine falls under the set limit. It will maintain a steady engine RPM at its limit. A govenor can be used to control the engine speed at multiple diferent setting depending on the input to it. The newer Fly by wire cars throttle body works very much like a governor, but you would never want to remove those throttle bodies and start the engine. Well, I would once just for fun, but not on my car.

What GM uses is software based, and it cuts the fuel flow and or the ignition off until the engine or speed falls below the setpoint, and everything comes back on. They are symular but not really the same thing. They do not do the same job. A governor holds a constant engine speed while the limiter in the software are hard stops.

Technicaly there are no govenors on the F-body cars, but there are programmed limiters.

4WOFURY

iTrader: (2)

Me and a friend started his Mercury Cougar without the intake on because I didn't believe it would crank without it and he said it would..

Sure enough, it cranked right up. Ran like it had a crazy huge cam in it for a few minutes, and sounded like a nasty v8 (it was a v6), until he tried to move it and the rpms shot up to 9k before he could shut it off (the tac wrapped over into the speedo area)

Still drives that car... don't know how it held together..

Texas_WS6

iTrader: (9)

Sweet! Lets try it again!

Orange Juice

iTrader: (3)

Yes I would be worried about someone that gave you that advice.

WhiteKnight '01

I read that a base Camaro Z28 with the non-Z rated tires FROM the factory is governed at 108MPH. The Z28 and SS with the Z-rated tires is governed at somewhere between 155 and 163.

The Formula is basically the same thing as the Z28. I know my Z28 came with Kumho's when I got it, but I bought it used. I've had my Z28 up to about 120MPH before, never faster.

SuperStock99

iTrader: (1)

Someone correct me if Im wrong but Im pretty sure they came stock with Goodyear Eagle F1's? I had a 99 SS and got it up to 145 and it was still pulling pretty good I just ran outa road so Im gonna agree with you. If OP's car is stock you dont wanna be going much faster than that with no suspension upgrades. As for your header installer he has no idea what hes talking about, headers have nothing to do with your cars governor.

71novaguy

iTrader: (2)

thats odd. my t/a didnt stop at 154, I put it to the limiter in 5th, which maxed out the speedo.

WhiteKnight '01

You are saying it's odd your car didn't max out at 154MPH? The speedo only goes to 155MPH...

Anyways, I believe reading that the car is governed at about 160MPH. With no governor they can get the car up to 180MPH, top speed for the engine.