Running the engine hard
 

Running the engine hard (within it's practical limits) would not do anything really bad, correct? i mean, the only thing that could happen would be more vigorous wear, or if the timing belt breaks you destroy everything, but other than that, it's not like the engine will just come/fly apart, right?

i don't know why, but i always thought/think while hearing my engine revved high, something inside would just break and all hell would break lose. but then i rationalized that thought, and was like "metal doesn't just tear apart... it just wears down..."

well, it might just BURST into flames


;)

Or a bearing could go. Seen a sled motor with a connecting rod through the crank case. It was ugly.

Not really pertinent to this discussion, but...
I used to go to this event every year for air cooled Volkswagens, since I used to restore bugs and Ghias. One of the best parts, aside from the huge swap meet, was this event where the organizers would put an old but running engine on a stand, start it, and let it run at full or nearly full throttle. As you may or may not know, the old air cooled VW engines needed a well sealed engine tin and compartment to adequately draw air up through the cylinders and stuff to achieve the miracle or "air cooling" the engine. With the engine on the stand, no such cooling can take place. A big crowd would gather and within about 10 minutes the engine would suffer cataclysmic failure, usually with a crowd pleasing rod punching through the side of the crank. What fun!

Go to an autocross and you will see lots of cars banging up against the rev limiter and then driving home

do people often wreck at autocrosses? i'm kind of interested in autocrossing, but this is my only mode of transportation, and i'd worry about losing that freedom...
if someone hits you, it's just like if they hit you on the highway, right? do i need more than liability? can you just sign up, and go race?

the whole point of autocrossing is to provide a safe, fun environment to race therefore you can't ever crash into anything cause the course is designed that way
first of all, you only go one at a time so it's nearly impossible to hit someone
secondly, the course is plotted in a large area using cones therefore, if you miss a corner, the worse you can do is hit some cones
lastly, the course is designed so that you never really top out at more than highway speeds and even then, you only hit it briefly therefore one should never be in a situation where they can crash their car. that's also why roll-cages are not necessary in autocrossing.
but helmets are (SNELL SA-2000 rating is the way to go)

it seems to me that autoX speeds up your maintenence schedule. id love to go but i have stuff like control arm bushing and the like that should be replaced first.

Running the engine hard once in a while can actually be good for the car. But keeping a car pegged at redline for a long period of time will wear the engine out very fast. Drive it nice nice unless of course aliens are chasing you.

I don't know what sort of tracks you guys do Autocross on, but here in Durban we use large parking lots with the track laid out with beacons, or a small track in Pietermaritzburg used by go-carts, super single bikes etc. The 944 does not go beyond 3rd gear, and 2nd is as low as you go as there is enough torque and more time is wasted changing. It is really important to watch the temperature as revs are taken high, and that is the main danger to the car apart from spinning out and hitting tyres. Accidents are few but there are the occasional, and it is the best place to learn the cars characteristics and keep reckless driving off the roads. If one does not go for best times but rather consistant times and not feel pressurised to keep up with faster cars it's a great experience.

Good question ds475....

I have the same fear as yourself (mostly because I've gone through the broken belt ordeal already).

I just can't get comfortable driving the car hard. Could be because I've been driving a Suzuki Sidekick prior to the Porsche, but I have the same "what is going to snap/break" syndrome.

I think what both of us want to hear is the good ol' "these cars SHOULD be driven hard" quote.

I guess it will just take time and trust so we can get used to driving a high-performance car that NEEDS to be pushed to do what it was designed for!

Jeff (944S Boyeee)

I drove my first auto-cross this past Sunday and had a blast. Never thought twice about the car hard. It's my daily driver and can't wait to get some dedicated tires/rims to do just that. Other than the "road rash" that comes with driving street tires past (oops) the limits, no other concerns. It also helps alot if you are in tight with a racing speed shop that says, "Go for it"! It's absolutly the most fun I've had with my cloths on.

i didn't know you went one at a time... i thought it was an orgy.

I drove my 951 in the autocrosses this season........... and you could say I drove the piss out of it. THe suspension/steering/braking is in top form so I did not worry about it..... but I do check the components before any track event. Control arms for sure.

In the Seattle area, we are fortunate to have an airport's old runway/taxiway combo to autocross on. Acres of run-off room if you loose it. The best way to learn what you car is capable of. I've bashed lotsa cones, and the scuffs come off the car right away with a bit of "Goof-off" on a rag.

My 944 is now mostly a track toy- roll cage & race seats and harnesses, but the engine is still stock, and I run it hard with no worries.

These cars SHOULD be driven hard.


Don't forget to keep your oil level topped up!

Oh the horror! The funky horror! To be driving at full chat only to recall the oil level was right on the bottom of the dipstick when you checked three weeks back.

That is what low oil lights are for, my good Sir.

I keep my oil a wee bit over the full mark, just incase!

Jeff (944S Boyeee)

Okay then,

Oh the horror! The funky horror! To be driving at full chat only to discover the oil light bulb has gone. And it's been months since you last checked your oil.

Perfect!

Jeff (944S Boyeee)

It comes down to how much money you have and how well your car is/has been maintained. If you can't afford to break it, then be gentle. Driving harder increases wear on the clutch and other drivetrain components, burns more fuel and oil, increases your risk of a missed shift (ask me how I know from my 69 911), wears tires, etc.