Long road trips = performance. Imagination?

akkbhart · 10-10-2012, 04:53 AM

Recently, I have been driving my 1988 Carrera on some relatively long and hard road trips to various colleges across the eastern US. My car is is good shape, is driven very day, and has almost 140,000 miles on the clock. Nearly all daily driving has been commuter type-- but I drive hard and fast when I can.

I have only a few things to the car for performance enhancement, including AC delete, cat delete, SW chip, Fabspeed dual, and 17" BBS.

After several weekends of 6-7 hour trips, each way, -- I swear the engine is smoother, sounds better, and gets better MPG. Like the daily driving, I really push it on the highway, when I can safely. Easily, it's 10-11 hours of 85-90 mph in 1-2 days. Sometimes over 100, when it's safe and clear.

Honestly, the care drives and feels better now than it ever has.

My imagination or what????

ivangene · 10-10-2012, 04:57 AM

nope - 100% agree

mine always runs better after back to back track days - but the tires dont always like what I did to them

akkbhart · 10-10-2012, 05:26 AM

Also, (and I will probably jinx myself), I havent had a significant issue on any of these long. Now, thats probaly just good luck, but I have been fortunate. I do change the oil every 3k, so thats getting burdensome. Its seems like I every time I turn around, its due for a change, with all this driving.

The only real issue I have occasionally, is that after a long, (and typically) hot drive -- the idle wiill stick around 1500-2000. If I jab the throttle, it'll go back to 880-900. But it does sorta stick, every now and then, immmediately at the end of a long drive. I havent looked into this at all, yet.

All and all, I am extremely pleased and comfortable taking these cars on long, fast trips. (Sort of what they were designed to do!)

widgeon13 · 10-10-2012, 05:43 AM

Where are you driving in the east that you can sustain 100 MPH? Most of the roads I drive I'm concerned about deer or state troopers.

Good for you if you can do it but I don't know where those roads are.

My car always runs better after a few hours on the road as well.

porterdog · 10-10-2012, 05:53 AM

Also agree. 3000 mile oil changes on a car with a 12qt capacity? Sounds excessive; try an oil analysis to confirm that longer drain intervals are alright.

Wiese · 10-10-2012, 12:49 PM

The sticking throttle may be related to the throttle mechanism near the engine. The tend to get sticky with time. Clean it and lube/grease it and it may be solving your problem. It may show itself after a long drive only since you don't move the throttle that much.

rwest · rwest's Garage

Agreed, these cars like being driven. Mine always behaves better with frequent drives.

-Rutager

Ronnie's.930 · 03:04 PM

Yes, totally in your imagination (and in the imaginations of those saying otherwise).

The 3000 mile oil change interval is nuts - the need for this is a myth conceived by the oil companies, and/or quick-lube places, and perpetuated by individuals who do not know what they are talking about.

Oldmother · 10-10-2012, 02:54 PM

I concur as well. I drove my '84 about 2000 miles this summer, to include two track days and two long road trips. The car ran better than ever at the end of the summer.

procan · procan's Garage

I agree. I picked my '69 up in San Fran and drive it up to Calgary over a 3 day period. My car felt the crispest and strongest on day 3 pushing 90 mph. That is in a 2.0 liter. I felt like the harder I pushed her, the more she liked it. Never felt that in any other car before.

bike2ride95 · 10-10-2012, 05:15 PM

You've unleashed the beast, that's all.

akkbhart · 10-11-2012, 09:10 AM

3000 mile oil changes is probably a bit unnecessary, but honestly, I like the idea of fresh, clean oil. And it's fun to drain it too. Although, I did drop about 9 hot quarts on the driveway about two changes ago, when the plug on my collecting pan was clogged.
The wife wasn't too happy about that...

While we agree there seems to be anecdotal evidence that driving long and hard is beneficial -- my question now is why? Example, High fuel flow through injectors, valves seating, gaskets, seals, what?

It would be good to hear from a technical guy to explain this.

Ronnie's.930 · 10-11-2012, 01:45 PM

The explanation for the perceived performance gain is simple; the human mind is very adept at deluding itself . . .

equality72521 · 10-11-2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

The explanation for the perceived performance gain is simple; the human mind is very adept at deluding itself . . .

Definition of butt dyno....

Fixer · 10-11-2012, 02:40 PM

Long drives or periods of use are absolutely good for any vehicle or machine. I have noticed the same, it's not your imagination.
Any body who owns any conveyance with a motor and is tuned in knows that.
You have really cleaned out the combustion chamber.
Short trips bad, long trips good but i would not drive too fast because you wear bearings and pads faster and generally beat it up over ruts more.
Not to mention the paint on your hood..

Fixer · 10-11-2012, 02:42 PM

Because of ethanol blending, 3000 miles is not a bad idea at all unless washing out your cylinder walls excites you.
Thanks again Al Gore.

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

hehehe.....better believe my oil comes out every 3K,..and that's how she will live her life! And I use non-ethanol, 93 octane with Techron adds.

Without question, driving her frequently makes for better "conditions" (wear is a given). Not sure about extended long runs but would think this would be a good thing...as well. Clearly short trips are a no-no...engine oil temps should always achieve operating temp whenever she's cranked to go somewhere.....

Nothing like "burning off the carbon"........

Aside, I've noticed (at least on my car) that there is a margin to be gained with more frequent changeout of plugs, dist. cap, rotor button,...I feel that difference....(the butt-dyno). But,..not to distract from the post.....

I, too, like keeping that oil (and filter) fresh....my wallet doesn't mind it either.

Doyle

Ronnie's.930 · 10-11-2012, 02:55 PM

WOW, Mr. "The Fixer", you are pumping out some serious nonsense!

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

What misinformation?

Thanks,

Doyle

Fixer · 04:22 PM

A Porsche technician at Don Rosen's here in the Philadelphia area, agrees due to ethanol in fuels (10-15%) they are seeing pistons slapping in newer models that have gone higher intervals than factory says to between oil changes.

call Don Rosen Porsche Audi in Plymouth Meeting, Pa ask for the Cayenne Tech and ask him about ethanol: 610 279 4100

He also says the slap is due to the cylinder walls washing out because of ethanol.

Ethanol will wipe grease away very quickly, try it.

Fuel gets in your oil. Smell your used oil after a oil change.

I have never paid a mechanic in my life, you learn a lot when you do all your maintenance.

I am painting and re assembling my 928 right now.

Change your oil frequently it is cheap insurance and fun.