EJZero1

Curious question from a kinda 944 newbie...

In a typical around-town daily driving scenario, I'll usually upshift at around 3500-4000 RPM. That's just where my ear tells me to shift. Then, when I get to the interstate stretch on the way to/from work, speed limit 75, I notice between 75 and 80 MPH I'm in the RPM range where I would normally shift. So the little voice inside my head is saying, "Dude, you're revving pretty high! This is where you normally shift!"

Given 1: I know 3500-4000 RPM isn't exactly "revving pretty high"

Given 2: I'm pretty gentle with her ('89 944) and probably have only seen the tach above 5K once or twice in the last year I've owned her, and then only slightly.

Question 1: I know each has their own driving style, but generally speaking, do the gurus think I'm in the right RPM neighborhood for shifting during the daily drive?

Question 2: Does running at 80 MPH/3-4K RPM for any extended period of time pose any significant risk?

Question 3: I'm pretty easy on the car and she's maintained very well, both by myself and the PO. By doing the vast majority of my driving below 4K RPM, am I missing her "comfort/performance" zone?

I'm sure that's vague enough for me to field a bunch of "newbie" comments. Bottom line question: Am I being too cautious?

Inputs greatly appreciated!

racer

1) sounds about right
2) no significant risk
3) the factory decided redline should be where it is (6250 from memory) so don't be afraid to use it all.

I don't recal specifically, but someone here will likely point out where peak HP and TQ are achieved along the RPM scale. This would tell you a bit more where the motor makes the most power and something to consider when driving and the performance you wish to achieve.

Enjoy the car.. maintain it properly and have fun!

odurandina

you need a 6th gear. but unfortunately, it never came until 1992.... on my 968 i need a slightly taller 6th gear, like a .730 (instead of the stock .778) which would be about perfect for the power i'm running.

read the transmission gear posts in on the "190 mph in a 944" thread.


https://rennlist.com/forums/944-turb...ml#post8189122

V2Rocket

you are definitely missing the fun zone.

these cars love running at 5500 and higher -- thats where peak power is anyway.

bounce it off the 6500rpm limiter all day, no damage...

pcarfan944

I use to baby my car for no particular reason, hardly ever above 3-4k, but these motors don't really "come on cam" until past 4k. Mind you, if you thrash it and always wind it up, you'll do nothing but wear it out faster, but as others have said don't be afraid to let her run a little. The only critical step is to make sure the oil is up to temp before you run it past 3-4k on the tach. When you're oil pressure drops to around 2-3 bar at idle, let her rip. To answer your questions above.. you're driving style is perfectly normal perfectly healthy for the car. These motors have almost zero pull below 3k.

odurandina

no way in hell you're getting my engine.

m73m95

1. Its higher than I shift.... but it is 100% preference. Do what feels right.
2. I drive the **** out of my car. I've been to Colorado and back 3 times in the last 2 months (1800 round trip). I cruise 80-90 all day long. No problems (other than with the police ). These engines like to rev. They are not fragile.
3.YES! I find that my engine actually runs better after a few runs to redline. Its a Porsche man! It was built to drive! (Though, I like to stay off the rev limiter)

max_boost951

It's going to break whether you baby it or not!! Run it so you'll never have a carbon build-up problem!!

odurandina

run synthetic oil. and no carbon problem.

V2Rocket

odd reasoning, driving the car as it was meant to be driven is what i do...

i dont actually bounce off the rev limiter, i shift at 6400 usually which is still shy of the limiter, but even if i did theres no damage to be done. all that happens is fuel gets cut until engine rpm falls below the limiter

its not going to do any damage to the engine to run it that high. my motor has like 30k miles on it and if youve ever seen the way these things are built you would have no reservations about driving the living **** out of them

M758

3500 rpm is fine. The issue is not the rpm you shift from, but the RPM you land at in the next gear. These motors don't realy run well below 2000 rpm even in light duty. So do't run it below 2k and from 2000 to 2500 don't expect alot of power.


Now running on the hwy at 4000 rpm is no big deal. Unless you need the power no sense in running 4000 rpm in 4th when lower RPM in 5th is just fine, but at 80 mph you will be turning more RPM.


My race car has a stock motor any every shift is 6000-6200 rpm. I rarely even run it below 4000 rpm at speed and even warm up/cool down laps an rarely run below 3500 rpm.

EJZero1

Thanks for all of the responses so far, everyone. I have no intention of initiating frequent and severe beatings on the ol' girl, but it's nice to know I've got some room to explore the higher ranges of the RPMs. Took her up to about 4500 on this morning's drive in...wincing. This exploration could be fun!

V2Rocket

flog it like a racehorse

944Ross

An NA car has little choice but to rev, unless you want to hang back with the minivans.

There was a thread on a forum I frequent, a generic question about what internal mods are needed to a production engine to make it live at sustained higher RPMs (~7k). The list of improvements the engineers offered read like a description of our 944s' engines.

M758

the 944 motor will run all day at 5800-6000 rpm. It will bend valves for even a second at 9500 rpm.