Worried I am hurting my car. Am I?
#1
Worried I am hurting my car. Am I?
My friend and I were talking about the best shifting times for the BEST gas mileage and he says bigger engines should rev higher because they have longer gear ratios or something. I say since the engines are bigger, they can rev lower because of the extra power. Which is right? Also am I hurting my car at all if I pop it in 5th gear at 35 mph just to maintain speed? My rpm's are at about 1100 or 1200. I was never too worried about the engine part, but I just dont want to give all that power from the engine and hurt the drive train or transmission.
My girlfriends co worker said he shifts his ls1 once the rpms hit 1800. I tried doing that today and it doesnt feel like the engine is hurting, but is it?
Last thing. Many of you say you skip gears and go 1,3,5. What rpm would you guys shift at? When I would do that, as soon as it hits 2,000 rpms, I would go into the next gear (third) and then as soon as it goes to 2,000 again, ill shift into the next gear (fifth). Am I hurting my car at all?
My girlfriends co worker said he shifts his ls1 once the rpms hit 1800. I tried doing that today and it doesnt feel like the engine is hurting, but is it?
Last thing. Many of you say you skip gears and go 1,3,5. What rpm would you guys shift at? When I would do that, as soon as it hits 2,000 rpms, I would go into the next gear (third) and then as soon as it goes to 2,000 again, ill shift into the next gear (fifth). Am I hurting my car at all?
#3
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
You don't want to lug it real low, you can hear that yourself, it's pretty easy to figure out. Shifting at 2k is fine too.
Also, your friend is wrong, the weaker powered engines operate at a higher rpm for the same speed when compared to a more powerful one generally speaking.
An example would be a 6 speed LS1 car vs a 5 speed cavalier. The 4 cyl will need to be revved higher on each shift to keep it from "bogging" vs the V8. Once on the highway in top gear, the 4 cyl will also be revving higher at the same mph.
This is all with stock gearing of course. With that said though, I bet at 75mph, my 4.30 geared WS6 is still turning less rpm than a 4 cyl at that speed.
Also, your friend is wrong, the weaker powered engines operate at a higher rpm for the same speed when compared to a more powerful one generally speaking.
An example would be a 6 speed LS1 car vs a 5 speed cavalier. The 4 cyl will need to be revved higher on each shift to keep it from "bogging" vs the V8. Once on the highway in top gear, the 4 cyl will also be revving higher at the same mph.
This is all with stock gearing of course. With that said though, I bet at 75mph, my 4.30 geared WS6 is still turning less rpm than a 4 cyl at that speed.
#4
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (71)
you arent hurting anything... if you car is lugging horribly that isnt good...
for instance, dont drive in 6th gear at 30 mph... no reason for that...
if your transmission shakes and stuff when you go into gear and you have no power.. you shifted too earlier... the lowest rpm you can shift at without it doing that... is where you should be shifting...
for instance, dont drive in 6th gear at 30 mph... no reason for that...
if your transmission shakes and stuff when you go into gear and you have no power.. you shifted too earlier... the lowest rpm you can shift at without it doing that... is where you should be shifting...
#7
you arent hurting anything... if you car is lugging horribly that isnt good...
for instance, dont drive in 6th gear at 30 mph... no reason for that...
if your transmission shakes and stuff when you go into gear and you have no power.. you shifted too earlier... the lowest rpm you can shift at without it doing that... is where you should be shifting...
for instance, dont drive in 6th gear at 30 mph... no reason for that...
if your transmission shakes and stuff when you go into gear and you have no power.. you shifted too earlier... the lowest rpm you can shift at without it doing that... is where you should be shifting...
Trending Topics
#11
Don't lug it. But, these engines get better mileage at lower rpms. That is why these cars came with "skip-shift" with a manual and a lockup converter in the auto.
But, that is not the rule with every engine. Engineers design each vehicle to get the best mileage at whatever they determine. They play with gear ratios, intake manifolds, heads, cams, etc. to get the mileage they are shooting for in each different vehicle. They also have to keep in mind what kind of service the vehicle will be seeing. An engine used in one vehicle may have a lot of different changes depending on what that vehicle's needs are.
But, that is not the rule with every engine. Engineers design each vehicle to get the best mileage at whatever they determine. They play with gear ratios, intake manifolds, heads, cams, etc. to get the mileage they are shooting for in each different vehicle. They also have to keep in mind what kind of service the vehicle will be seeing. An engine used in one vehicle may have a lot of different changes depending on what that vehicle's needs are.
#12
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (27)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
just shift at 2 grand and dont skip any gears or any of that bullshit. U will not notice any better fuel economy anyway... Dont shift too early cuz u gonna end up accelerating too slow and end up pissing everyone off....
I usually shift at 3 grand with a respectable 13 mpg fuel economy....
drive ls1 like it was meant to be driven, powershifting through all the gears
I usually shift at 3 grand with a respectable 13 mpg fuel economy....
drive ls1 like it was meant to be driven, powershifting through all the gears
#14
TECH Senior Member
My friend and I were talking about the best shifting times for the BEST gas mileage and he says bigger engines should rev higher because they have longer gear ratios or something. I say since the engines are bigger, they can rev lower because of the extra power. Which is right? Also am I hurting my car at all if I pop it in 5th gear at 35 mph just to maintain speed? My rpm's are at about 1100 or 1200. I was never too worried about the engine part, but I just dont want to give all that power from the engine and hurt the drive train or transmission.
My girlfriends co worker said he shifts his ls1 once the rpms hit 1800. I tried doing that today and it doesnt feel like the engine is hurting, but is it?
Last thing. Many of you say you skip gears and go 1,3,5. What rpm would you guys shift at? When I would do that, as soon as it hits 2,000 rpms, I would go into the next gear (third) and then as soon as it goes to 2,000 again, ill shift into the next gear (fifth). Am I hurting my car at all?
My girlfriends co worker said he shifts his ls1 once the rpms hit 1800. I tried doing that today and it doesnt feel like the engine is hurting, but is it?
Last thing. Many of you say you skip gears and go 1,3,5. What rpm would you guys shift at? When I would do that, as soon as it hits 2,000 rpms, I would go into the next gear (third) and then as soon as it goes to 2,000 again, ill shift into the next gear (fifth). Am I hurting my car at all?
#15
TECH Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NW burbs of Chicago
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are people who monitor their enjector pulse width and say that in a low RPM like 1000-1200, in 5th gear. Fuel economy actually suffers. But if you are just maintaining speed it is not going to hurt the car.
Go wideband!
Go wideband!
#18
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I feel like either my O2's are messed up or something, but last summer i couldnt get my car over 18MPG. i usually do the 35mph 5th gear thing, maybe its hurting me... this is me driving like an old man. I feel like saying **** it and just rice out everwhere because my MPG would probly not change and i would have more fun.
#19
You'll snap off the landings inbetween the ring groves if you labour a motor too much for too long.
I worked for an engine builder and we had a few yonger fellas engines come in.
Mainly RB30's out of Holden VL commodores (old Skyline motor)
They drive around town in 5th gear at 50km/h (30mph) labouring them to make the exhaust rumble real low and the piston ring landings must vibrate too much and snap.
They stay in place and just float around
Best bet would be copy close to an auto's shifting points if your worried.
But in saying that, whats better than a rebuilt or new engine
I worked for an engine builder and we had a few yonger fellas engines come in.
Mainly RB30's out of Holden VL commodores (old Skyline motor)
They drive around town in 5th gear at 50km/h (30mph) labouring them to make the exhaust rumble real low and the piston ring landings must vibrate too much and snap.
They stay in place and just float around
Best bet would be copy close to an auto's shifting points if your worried.
But in saying that, whats better than a rebuilt or new engine
#20
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (31)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Dover DE
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Drive it however you drive it. If the engine dosn't like it, it will tell you.
Re'