Bunch of baloney?

[tanmanbgoh]

I read an article that said the 3.2 engine could go 250,000 miles between rebuild. That sound possible?Also, I have 155,000 on mine,have had it 2 months with no probs. Does taking it to red line actually do the engine good,or does that risk doing harm? I love this car and plan on it being a "forever" car. Nurse it, or run it?"

[DCinVA]

I have around 250k on mine and it is still running strong. I believe it had some head work done at 170k.

So yes, possible, or even probable with proper care.

And I suggest you run it.

Have fun

Dave

[livi]

I suppose the key word here is "could". Of course it could, but most will likely need at least a top end renovation long before that. At least if you want to play with the full 231 (Euro) ponies. Many authors state that the 3.2 typically needs a look over at between 100-150k miles.

[andyt11]

Mine was in desperate need of valve guides at just 120k miles.

Personally I think 250k is baloney, however others have had better luck. I'm sure there are a number of well documented high milers on this forum.

[Drisump]

Yes, I've ran into a few 3.2s (north of 200K...miles) that hadn't been opened up. Most though do seem to need the top end redone somewhere around 80-130k. (Touch wood) but mine is doing well at 92K and I routinely give it "an Italian tune-up". "Nursing it" would not be in the cards for any sports car I would own.....besides, with a 911 (I think) you can "kill it with kindness". Last year I met a Seattle Pelican who uses his 3.2 as his DD and he'd had it for a number of years. At 270K, he said the engine had never been opened up....and believe me , he didn't nurse it on the tour we were on! Cheers and good luck.

[Quicksilver]

When my car was ready to roll over 200k miles I planned it out so we could take it out early Sunday morning and it would actually hit 200,000 on a section of freeway that is always pretty empty.

I have a rather shaky video that shows it rolling over at 145mph as it is just short of red line in 5th. So yeah, change the oil regularly, shift it correctly, and once it reaches operating temperature drive it hard.

[Laneco]

Now THAT is the proper way to roll the odometer over!

angela

[techweenie]

Like this? The needle is over a "3."



Unfortunately, having bought this '85 at a dealership and getting no records, I do not know what's happened in the past. I did some investigation with two shops near where the (now deceased) owner lived, and found only routine maintenance.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

250K is indeed possible.

Taking it to redline is good for the engine. Nursing it can actually be worse for the car.

[Nine9six]

Originally Posted by Jared at Pelican Parts

250K is indeed possible.

Taking it to redline is good for the engine. Nursing it can actually be worse for the car.

Well stated...For a parts supply house
Kidding of course

[john walker's workshop]

i don't think i would be redlining my 250,000 mile, never been touched 3.2 very much. but that's just me.

[andyt11]

There will be a fair few people who have cars achieving very high mileages without being opened up, however I think they are the exception rather than the norm. I think if you started a poll along the lines of "how many miles did you manage before having to refresh your engine" you'd may find that the majority don't make it past 150.

Thats just what I think, I'd actually be interested to see what "the norm" is.

[darrin]

Since many (myself included at 8x,xxx miles on my '86) have had top end overhauls to fix premature valve guide wear well before 250k but have not had their cases cracked, the obvious follow-up question is whether an untouched bottom end with 140k+ miles should be cause for concern/reduced exuberance?

[nkotselas]

200,000 miles is possible, but a 3.0 tends to stay stronger longer. As mentioned before the valve guides tend to go and that's the problem with our 3.2s. Many tests show that a healthy 3.0 with 100,000 still to this day can test at stock levels or even a bit better with no major work to the motor. A healthy 3.2 motor with 100,000 miles may test about 225-230.

Instead of being equal or above like the 3.0 they can be about equal or a few ponies short. Obviously motors not maintained well or tracked all the time won't see these results. But I do believe and have seen over 200,000 miles 3.2s running great.

As for the redlining it to keep it in shape, I am not sure. I've heard that many times myself and yes running hard and long will remove carbon deposits, so in that case its true. It may not be true beyond that but it makes sense to me. Cars should get a workout just like us

[dshepp806]

My driving has become a bit conservative (relatively-speaking) , as related to redline,..I'll go there sometimes,..otherwise, I'll stay just under that zone,..as she has about 40K on the rebuild.....that is to say: she doesn't "live" at redline,..but she gets plenty enough carbon extraction,..trust me.....sometimes I think the suspension is tested MORE!!!!!!!!!!

She has an Auto Authority chip in her (as rx'd from the PO,..and runs like a batt out of hellllll)..I've yet to get Master Wong involved just yet (but will)......firstly: I don't "know" exactly where the present programming is,..and won't until it's read......part of the MANY chip upgrades is to raise the rev limit a bit,...SO: I don't go there....... without "knowing" the programming.....she'll kick some butt at +6K revs, however....not a sputter,..smooth as silk....but I'll not yet take her above that until I "know" where the rev lmtr is set....(S/W-wise).

As to longevity: I can/will say she gets fresh oil (religiously) at 3K miles....new filter, too. This IS LAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BEST!

Doyle


My conversation with Steve (about rev limit) was quite comforting, in that I could say : NO..

[aston@ultrasw.c]

My 86 has 210,000 miles. Top end refresh was done around 150k.

I have done over 3,500 track miles and the engine still runs great!

[nkotselas]

Doyle,
What exactly did Steve say about the rev limiter? I believe I had mine raised to 6820, but I'm a bit scared to hit it.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by dshepp806

As to longevity: I can/will say she gets fresh oil (religiously) at 3K miles....new filter, too. This IS LAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
..

You are just throwing money away if you change the oil every 3K. One of the advantages of the dry sump system is longer oil change intervals.

As long as you are running a high quality oil with enough ZDDP additive, you should be able to go at least 6K or more.

[gtc]

Originally Posted by drisump

yes, i've ran into a few 3.2s (north of 200k...miles) that hadn't been opened up. Most though do seem to need the top end redone somewhere around 80-130k. (touch wood) but mine is doing well at 92k and i routinely give it "an italian tune-up". "nursing it" would not be in the cards for any sports car i would own.....besides, with a 911 (i think) you can "kill it with kindness". Last year i met a seattle pelican who uses his 3.2 as his dd and he'd had it for a number of years. At 270k, he said the engine had never been opened up....and believe me , he didn't nurse it on the tour we were on! Cheers and good luck.

[p911dad]

Tanman, the engine will indeed last that long. It is a very well made unit in most cases. In regards to running it to the redline , it's kinda like whipping a horse. You can do it, but why? Our old Carrera sees 5,000-5,500 rpm from time to time, but we never approach the redline. A torched motor is an expensive mistake and will likely mean the end of that car, since the extreme rebuild cost will in most cases make the car salvage only. I don't believe in nursing it, but we don't run at at super high rpm.