revs and gears

[tom]

hello all

i have a bravo 1.6 16v and the instruction manual gives a table showing maximum speeds in certain gears. it says 30mph in first, 50 in second, 80something in third and so on...

today i left changing up too long and found myself doing nearly 60 in second.

i worry a bit that this might have done damage. if you stick to the speeds in the manual the revs hardly go above 6k... not even in the red...

what (revs) do you think i can get away with without trashing my engine? is there an electronic rev limiter, and at what rpm does it cut in?

thanks in advance...

tom

ps. im not a boy-racer! i just left it too long whilst overtaking!

 

[Anonymous]

i've been to 7300rpm in first @40 mph.No there is not rev limiter and you won't damage your engine as long as you don't rev for too long through the red line.If any damage is done you will know about it straight away.(1.6 sx)

 

[Jonathan]

power

There is no point revving the hell off it, as peak power is at around 5500 revs i think.

 

[Nigel]

Power Curve & Rev Limiter

The actual power drops off after a certain limit, on most cars this is around 5,500 - 6,500 rpm. Although the actual drop in power may be less than it would be if you changed down.

For example you will have 150bhp at 6,500 rpm after having 155 BHP at 6,000. If you moved up a gear at 6,000 you would drop down to 145bhp as the revs dropped to 5,000 rpm. Most race prepped cars have change up and down lights that indicate from power curve diagnosis, the best time to shift gear. I hope that was understandble!

Also most cars have rev limiters, in fact every car I have owned in the last 8 years has and my 1.4sx has one as does my HGT. The latter I drive in the red on most occasions and the limiter cuts in at least once ro twice on short journeys.

It is there to stop the car from over-revving and PREVENTS damage to the engine. If you drive in the red all the time, i.e. at 90mph in 3rd gear on a long jurney then you will wear the engine out. Short burst do it little harm and in my opinion give it a good clear out!
I change gear generally between 6,500 and the rev limiter and hit it when I over do it or intend to leave it there as I may need to blip down a bit then back up before I change.

So, after all that... use the rev limiter you have more often!