Redline driving

Brian993 · Brian993's Garage

I have never brought my car up to the redline. I want to try it, but I am afraid of blowing it up. I would like some advice on doing it. What gear should I do it in ,2nd to 3rd? What concerns should I have. I have gone up to 5500 rpms but I backed off. The engine starts screaming, which honestly makes me nervous. I would like to hear it scream more. Any insight would be helpful.

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

Your kidding right?

I take mine to the red every time it is driven and in every gear.
I can even tell you the exact speeds it gets in each one.

Ever see two 13.5 inch black marks on the pavement? They're mine.

Don't be afraid of it. My 915 has taken everything the little 200hp wonder can throw at it, and then some. Just don't miss a shift - that could very well ruin your week.

stuttgart · stuttgart's Garage

WHAT!!!! you have never redlined your car.. god know's I have and most i know do it all the time.. she will sing to you so sweet when ya do.. nothing sound's like a flat six at speed... I agree with one things as well DO NOT miss a shift.. but you should for sure run her at line once and a while.... hahaha hell it's good to blow the carbon out! haha

Brian993 · Brian993's Garage

Is it hard on the clutch? Do you have to shift and release quick?

mwbaum · mwbaum's Garage

These cars are built to take high revs....just make sure it is well warmed up first

makaio · 03-24-2002, 03:43 PM

Make sure it's well warmed up & DON'T miss a shift.

My car sees redline every time I drive it! These cars were made to be driven hard. It's harder on them if you just lug them around than to take them to redline.

You don't have to worry about the clutch, unless your're doing Kurt B style drag launches!

Which these cars were not made for.

mm86911 · mm86911's Garage

Redline everytime I take her out ( after warm, of course) . Runs strong and uses a Qt. around 1000 miles. Bought it to drive it so let 'er rip! I see 6500 rpm consistently at every track event.

island911 · 03-24-2002, 04:05 PM

If you take it too far, it will cut-out. . but don't freak-out, it's just the rev limiter stopping the fuel supply for the overly exuberant.

Brian993 · Brian993's Garage

Has anybody experienced a missed shift? What happens?

makaio · 03-24-2002, 05:10 PM

There was a guy( can't remeber the user name) on here about 6-8 months ago that missed a shift on his buddies 930 and grenaded the motor. It was a 4 speed and he went from 2nd to 1st I think.

Basically, missed shifts = engine damage of some sort.

Dantilla · 03-24-2002, 05:11 PM

Go attend an autocross and you will hear engines all day up at their rev limiter. At the end of the day, count the blown engines.

(The answer will be zero.)

The factory redline is conservative to keep street engines reliable.

dad911 · 03-24-2002, 05:18 PM

no problem accelerating in gear up to redline. Downshift instead of upshift, or downshift to too low a gear under braking will cause the drivetrain to 'push' the engine to over rev. In my case it was a 3-2 instead of 3-4 accelerating at a track event. Bent valves, chipped pistons & scored cylinders.

Doug E · 03-24-2002, 05:19 PM

Let it eat! If I don't hit the redline at least once in each gear when I am out driving I don't consider it a spirited drive.

Moses · 05:21 PM

It's not easy to miss a shift unless you're slamming the gearbox aggressively. Shift with confidence and care. You'll be fine. I frequently redline my SC between second and third. With the targa top off and the GHL exhaust roaring,"Give me MORE!" Ah, life is grand.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Redline is a suggestion...

Seriously though, the redline is the factory designation to the stress an engine can take before ANY undue wear occurs. Meaning that when you shift at redline, you are within factory tolerances...

Hell, I've zinged my motors INTO the redline a few times with no ill effects. Just make sure you are in gear before shifting. Most motor grenading happens when you shift, and in your mind you know you didn't make the gear all the way, but the body is still continuing with the clutch and the gas before the brain can put a halt to the process...

GO FOR IT.

Brian993 · Brian993's Garage

Kinda wanna go out and try it now!!!

pwd72s · 03-24-2002, 05:46 PM

5 to 2 is the most common shifting error with the 915 gearbox. THis error often results in...Well, it's expensive.

Brian993 · Brian993's Garage

I've done the 5 to 2 thing a few times in the 911. Not at high rpms though. I think I spent too many years in my 72 LT1 corvette (4 speed). The 5 speed is new to me, it will take time before I am ready to mess around in the higher gears. I think I am ready from 1thru4 though. I'll let you know how I make out, next nice day I'm gonna give it a thrash'in. Once it's fully warmed up. Hope you guys are right, if she blows up I'll ***** myself.

pwd72s · 06:05 PM

When attempting 5-4? Don't use the knob. Rather, place the palm of your hand on the inside of the shaft, use your curved fingers to move the lever down...the 5-R spring tends to shove the car into 2nd if you use the knob alone...so you do it gently, kind of "feel" things in. Gosh this is hard to describe, but after nearly 30 years of doing it, it becomes automatic. Kind of like a good pool shooter trying to explain how he aims...and I'm a LOUSY pool shooter who has grilled the good shooters..it's just a feel & practice thing. Another thing to remember? The shift linkage in a P car is longer, much longer than on a Vette...a longer distance between the trans and the shifter...

MikeS · 03-24-2002, 06:11 PM

I was a bit cautious with my 73.5 - at first. As I approached the red line the engine sounds were so smooth and powerful I had to take it all the way! Throw caution to the wind! It won't be your last time.