First Visit to the Read Line

[astark]

Took my new SC out for a little air tonite. Let it warm up and took it for a ride on my favorite road. Now I’ve driven this road many times in my various BMW’s, but tonite it felt like I drove it for the first time. I am just getting used to the car and this is as good a road to drive on as I can find around my house: nice twisties, various elevation changes, and the surface was recently repaved. The firm footing, the g-forces, the balance, and the sound of the flat 6 approaching the red line through the SSI’s/Bursch -it’s ok to rev the engine to the redline, isn’t it (just kidding.) WOW it was everything I wanted and more. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

Now I have to drive it more and become more comfortable with the way the car is set-up. I plan on joining PCA tomorrow and enrolling in the first driving event I can (DE, AutoX), anything to become more proficient driving this car. I’ve waited a long time for this, and I’m going to enjoy it.

Alan

[astark]

Sorry--the title should read:First visit to the RED line. Guess I was excited!

[klaucke]

Congrats guy! Hope you have fun with the car.

[Beethoven]

Know what you mean. First time hitting the rev limiter is a real shocker--then it becomes addictive.
Where do you do your driving?

[rbcsaver]

Congrats, just don't LIFT in the twisties/
regards

[masraum]

Yep, pretty awesome isn't it? You know what? It just keeps getting better and better. Yes, it's never quite the same as it is the first few times when the excitement and newness are high, but as you begin to learn how to push her buttons just right, take her right to the edge, and get the most out of her.... man, that's an awesome thing!

[Phoenix]

Quote:

"Yep, pretty awesome isn't it? You know what? It just keeps getting better and better. Yes, it's never quite the same as it is the first few times when the excitement and newness are high, but as you begin to learn how to push her buttons just right, take her right to the edge, and get the most out of her.... man, that's an awesome thing!"

sounds just like my fiancée ;-)

[RickM]

Originally posted by astark
Sorry--the title should read:First visit to the RED line. Guess I was excited!

That's OK, we red between the lines.

Have fun.

[Westy]

I didn't even know I had a rev limiter. And taking the engine to red line would scar the #$%* outta me. This rookie stuff is killin' me!!!!

[masraum]

Oh, you've gotta hit redline. They are made to do it. You can even do it with relative impunity when you have broken head studs. Remember, these are basically detuned racecars. Redline your car today, and at least once a day here after.

[Westy]

Yeah,,,you just want me to rebuild the motor so I can REALLY belong to this club LOL

[Early_S_Man]

There is a big difference between taking shifts to redline ... and hittting the rev-limiter!!!

I recommend that new 911 owners test the rev-limiter in first gear under controlled circumstances ... just to know what it feels like, and so you won't be shocked or panic/worry if it happens during spirited driving!

That said, the rev-limiter shouldn't be encountered during normal driving, though it is 'normal' and expected at autocrosses ...

There is nothing wrong with running a 911 engine up to redline, regularly -- after the oil has warmed up to 180°F or above, and it is one of the auditory and visceral pleasures of driving a 911! It shouldn't be worrysome to new owners ... the engine and car were designed for that style of driving ... it is 10-minute drives to the job or grocery store that cause extra wear on 911 engines, not spirited driving!

[astark]

Here are some pix of my new 82 SC.

Alan





[img]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads2/b1083788204.jpg[/img]

[RickM]

That poodle looks mighty proud!

[astark]

Yea--he took to the car right away, so did I.

alan

[john70t]

That looks like a well-maintained car. Nice purchase.

[astark]

Thanks John, yes it was well maintained local car. For it's whole life it has been serviced by two wrenches in the area, I spoke to both. They agree it is a "tight, fast, upgraded SC". The PO (a real nice guy) was anal retentive about maintaince, and the owner before him was too. What can I say, I spent 6 months looking for the best car- and I found it!

Alan

[SpeedracerIndy]

When I first started driving a 911, I remember I used to hit the rev limiter on accident constantly. It would scare the crap out of me. I was not used to an engine that climbed to red line so quickly and I would shift too late because of it. Now when I drive my other car, which is a stick also, it feels like it takes eons for it to reach red line.

Nice car, congrats!

[}{arlequin]

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

Alan,

Friendship my a$$! I believe you'll do yourself a favor if you right away start calling it what it is, a love affair. Pretty soon you'll start treating it like a mistress. When you are one-on-one, you will feel like a new man. You will begin pampering it, getting the fanciest/best and most expensive parts for it (sure it costs, but you'll be convinced it's worth it b/c it will return all the "favors" with a fervor), taking it to secluded locations, and giving it the hardest driving/flogging you can dish out....

[vash]

the words, "mistress" and "flogging" in the same paragraph always makes me smile.

nice damn car. welcome to the red line!