Optimal RPM -Advice needed

SallySky · 08-19-2007, 11:21 AM

I am trying to determine the optimal RPM range for my 08 RL. I was used to driving the V6 Crossfire and it seemed happy in the 2000RPM range most of the time. I have only had the Sky for a little over (3) weeks but in that time I have noticed that it does not like the lower RPM. I seem to be downshifting into 4th gear alot at speeds of 55 to 60. I was wondering if this was normal for the turbo? Should I keep the RPM about 2500 all the time?

**GoThunda** · 08-19-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyarington

I am trying to determine the optimal RPM range for my 08 RL. I was used to driving the V6 Crossfire and it seemed happy in the 2000RPM range most of the time. I have only had the Sky for a little over (3) weeks but in that time I have noticed that it does not like the lower RPM. I seem to be downshifting into 4th gear alot at speeds of 55 to 60. I was wondering if this was normal for the turbo? Should I keep the RPM about 2500 all the time?

We have a 2007 NRL (NonRedLIne) and we too find that it runs better at high RPMs we tend to shift around 3000 rpms on a regular basis, seems like to shift in the 2000s it just tends to bog down.

YellowSky · 08-19-2007, 12:47 PM

3000K shift?!?!? are you kidden me!!!! shift that car right before the REV limiter!!

ggccg · 08-19-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyarington

I am trying to determine the optimal RPM range for my 08 RL. I was used to driving the V6 Crossfire and it seemed happy in the 2000RPM range most of the time. I have only had the Sky for a little over (3) weeks but in that time I have noticed that it does not like the lower RPM. I seem to be downshifting into 4th gear alot at speeds of 55 to 60. I was wondering if this was normal for the turbo? Should I keep the RPM about 2500 all the time?

Find one of the Dyno charts that have been published on this forum and study it for some clues. Your basic observation is correct. These are not low RPM engines. On the 2.4 L Sky, I don't even consider putting it into 5th gear unless I expect to be able to maintain 60+mph (on more or less level ground) for the forseeable future. Just because you have 5 gears doesn't mean you have to use them all.

**Rail Jockey** · 08-19-2007, 11:34 PM

I've noticed the same thing on my 2008 RL I've had it about the same amount of time. It seams like at 2200 rpm or below the engine is lugging.

xmicro_Redline · 08-20-2007, 01:16 AM

If I am driving calm and relaxed, I shift at about 4000. If I am nailing it then I go right up to about 5500 or so and shift. I never shift lower than 3500, it is too doggy.

hdwizard · 08-20-2007, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowSky

3000K shift?!?!? are you kidden me!!!! shift that car right before the REV limiter!!

My kind of guy ...

Riddla · 08-20-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdwizard

My kind of guy ...

MY kind of guy indeed

coopcj7 · 08-20-2007, 06:56 PM

At first after driving a lot of V8's and noticing that shifting occured lower in the RPM range. My Sky did not like that at all. I started shirting anywhere from 3000-4000 now and it likes it a lot more. plus the power is availible once you get to the higher rpms

SallySky · 08-20-2007, 07:21 PM

Today when I drove to work I kept it in the 3000 RPM range. It seemed alot better. I hit the 500 mile mark and was tempted to let her rip but I have an unresolved leak issue and I did not want to push it. It's been real hard not to "push" the limit so to speak...

Polar Wind · 08-20-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coopcj7

At first after driving a lot of V8's and noticing that shifting occured lower in the RPM range. My Sky did not like that at all. I started shirting anywhere from 3000-4000 now and it likes it a lot more. plus the power is availible once you get to the higher rpms

Maybe there is thread somewhere but I thought it was better to go easy (relatively) for 1000 miles. What is the recommended brea-in period?

SallySky · 08-20-2007, 07:35 PM

Hum, thought it was the first 500. I have not exceeded 69 yet. On my trip this past weekend the posted limit was 65. I was doing under it and getting weird looks. Like why is this person driving so slow.....should have put a sign on it the read break in period.

wireless · 08-20-2007, 07:54 PM

The name says it all REDLINE!

Polar Wind · 08-20-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyarington

Hum, thought it was the first 500. I have not exceeded 69 yet. On my trip this past weekend the posted limit was 65. I was doing under it and getting weird looks. Like why is this person driving so slow.....should have put a sign on it the read break in period.

well, I hope some of the mechanics weigh in on this but I beleive it is more important to give the engine a range of RPMs. It is OK to go hard but just not for very long and not right off the mark. Things need to seat and burrs (hopfully none) need to bevel. That is my take.

I will have 180 miles to get back from my dealership in Santa Fe. I am not going to use the freeways and cruise control, I will have to use the curvy back roads and shift alot....darn the luck

coopcj7 · 08-20-2007, 08:53 PM

I am not a mechanic but I am ASE certified

In the engines that I have built and had last here is what I do

For the intial break in period you want to clock at least 500 miles and you want to vary your RPM's and your MPH. The biggest thing that you are trying to seat are the piston rings, If you do not follow the break in correctly the rings will not seat properly and could cause premature oil blowby

When you redline it in the breakin period you may cause the cylinder wall to heat up quickly and glaze over the small amount of oil on the walls. Thus you will not achieve seating of the rings in this option.

If you dont drive it enough the rings dont get a chance to heat up and expand properly like they are supposed to. thus it will leave a fine film on the cyliner walls just like if you were over revving it and then eventually it would glaze as well

You RPM's must vary in order to properly heatup the rings and cool them down. Never do you want to overheat them in the breakin period.

On a new engine Short little trips can be a killer thus if you are planning short little trips add a couple extra miles to the trip to allow the engine heat up to operatin temps and be broke in correctly

Polar Wind · 08-20-2007, 09:15 PM

Thanks coopcj7. I think I am with you on this. Jyarington - I did do a search for "engine break-in period" here and got a boatload...interesting stuff. I have not figured how to cut and paste threads (newbieness) but there is a link that says get on it and go. I am not there yet...I don't even have a car yet!

YellowSky · 08-20-2007, 09:20 PM

If you baby the car the car will learn and become a baby.... i had the car burning rubber on the test drive when i bought it.. there has not been a mile that has gone by that was easy... DRIVE IT LIKE U STOLE IT!

lil goat · 08-20-2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowSky

If you baby the car the car will learn and become a baby.... i had the car burning rubber on the test drive when i bought it.. there has not been a mile that has gone by that was easy... DRIVE IT LIKE U STOLE IT!

Amen to that! Several people who had the early Solstices without the turbo that didn't push them ended up with clogged catalytic converters. If you are not going to drive it like a sports car why did you buy a sports car. I shift at over 5000 most of the time and hit the rev limiter at least once a day if not more AND MINE HAS BEEN INCREASED WITH THE TUNE! If you don't get over 5000 you will never see what this car can do. The car has no trunk but it can still haul a lotta ass!

PoppyH · 08-20-2007, 11:30 PM

There's a previous thread that tells about how the Redline engine is broke in at the factory so it needs NO breakin period!

Like others have said drive it like you stole it or at least like you're going to drive it and don't baby it as it will become a shop baby...

coopcj7 · 08-20-2007, 11:32 PM

The break in period varys from person to person and car to car. Each engine that leaves the factory has been run to ensure that infact it does run and your engine is put together with assembly lube for the initial couple of starts to ensure lubrication. Every new or rebuilt engine needs to be broke in and in the long run it is worthwhile.

By taking it out and everynow and then revving it high is good in the break in period but you wouldn't want to hold like that constantly.

Your cylinder walls are not matched to your rings, Until you break your engine in. When a cylinder wall is new it has a cross hatch pattern (like a bunch of x's in the wall.) The rings scrapes the wall of the bore as the piston moves up and down and the rings match themselves to the cylinder wall. Moving them fast and slow down the bore causes heat expansion and the rings seat better, if they never heat up then they never mate

hence the previous saying
"If you baby the car the car will learn and become a baby" curtious of Yellow Sky and its a good quote

Take it out and have fun but not all the time be nice to it for the first 500 and then change the oil put sythetic in it and enjoy.

cerberus · 08-20-2007, 11:41 PM

During the break-in, you don't want to forget the rest of your driveline. There's more to break-in than just the engine. While the engine may be run-in, the trans and diff, epecially some think the diff, need a break-in period as well.

08-19-2007, 11:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
SallySky Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 147 My Photos: (0)	Optimal RPM -Advice needed I am trying to determine the optimal RPM range for my 08 RL. I was used to driving the V6 Crossfire and it seemed happy in the 2000RPM range most of the time. I have only had the Sky for a little over (3) weeks but in that time I have noticed that it does not like the lower RPM. I seem to be downshifting into 4th gear alot at speeds of 55 to 60. I was wondering if this was normal for the turbo? Should I keep the RPM about 2500 all the time? __________________ 2008 RL Bluestone/Tan/Black Leather "Sally" "SKY4JOY" License Plate 5 Speed Spoiler Chrome 18" Wheels Stubby Custom Etched Windscreen Monsoon 6 CD w/XM PAL 3rd Brake Light Decal Painted Calipers Silver Marker Bulbs RPI GT exhaust

08-19-2007, 12:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
YellowSky First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Near the Red line and the Keys Posts: 1,298 My Photos: (0)	3000K shift?!?!? are you kidden me!!!! shift that car right before the REV limiter!! __________________ Opel GT conversion ONYX Black *ADD ON* RACE PRECISION EVERYTHING opel badges and lights Flurecent halos SOL black rims FIREFIGHTER Tag "SKYYY"

08-19-2007, 11:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rail Jockey Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Syracuse, Utah Posts: 245 My Photos: (0)	I've noticed the same thing on my 2008 RL I've had it about the same amount of time. It seams like at 2200 rpm or below the engine is lugging. __________________ Wait list 9/9/06 ordered 6/02/07 Born 6/24/07 Adopted 7/26/07 2008 Midnight Blue Red Line Black/Tan Chrome Wheels 3 Pedals Monsoon XM V2 Wind Restrictor Stubby Antenna Salt Lake City Roadsters http://www.saltlakeroadsters.com/

08-20-2007, 06:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
coopcj7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: My Very Own Trunk Monkey Posts: 906 My Photos: (0)	At first after driving a lot of V8's and noticing that shifting occured lower in the RPM range. My Sky did not like that at all. I started shirting anywhere from 3000-4000 now and it likes it a lot more. plus the power is availible once you get to the higher rpms __________________ Chili Pepper Red #3060 3 Stainless Pedals 1 plastic foot rest Black Top/Leather Interior LSD 6 Disc Monsoon Flowmaster Dual Exhuast Redline Gauges Bullet Door Locks WERKS Stage II Turbo "FOUNDER OF CENTRAL OHIO CUSTOM KAPPAS"

08-20-2007, 07:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
SallySky Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 147 My Photos: (0)	Today when I drove to work I kept it in the 3000 RPM range. It seemed alot better. I hit the 500 mile mark and was tempted to let her rip but I have an unresolved leak issue and I did not want to push it. It's been real hard not to "push" the limit so to speak... __________________ 2008 RL Bluestone/Tan/Black Leather "Sally" "SKY4JOY" License Plate 5 Speed Spoiler Chrome 18" Wheels Stubby Custom Etched Windscreen Monsoon 6 CD w/XM PAL 3rd Brake Light Decal Painted Calipers Silver Marker Bulbs RPI GT exhaust

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08-20-2007, 01:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
xmicro_Redline Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York Posts: 4,477 My Photos: (1)	If I am driving calm and relaxed, I shift at about 4000. If I am nailing it then I go right up to about 5500 or so and shift. I never shift lower than 3500, it is too doggy.

08-20-2007, 07:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
SallySky Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 147 My Photos: (0)	Hum, thought it was the first 500. I have not exceeded 69 yet. On my trip this past weekend the posted limit was 65. I was doing under it and getting weird looks. Like why is this person driving so slow.....should have put a sign on it the read break in period. __________________ 2008 RL Bluestone/Tan/Black Leather "Sally" "SKY4JOY" License Plate 5 Speed Spoiler Chrome 18" Wheels Stubby Custom Etched Windscreen Monsoon 6 CD w/XM PAL 3rd Brake Light Decal Painted Calipers Silver Marker Bulbs RPI GT exhaust

08-20-2007, 07:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
wireless First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Vicksburg, MS Posts: 194 My Photos: (0)	The name says it all REDLINE! __________________ *Wireless* "Imagine Everything Wireless" SKY Redline Mnite Bl, Man Blk/Tan leather Monsoon 1CD Chrome Wheels Spoiler Splash Guards MagnaFlow Exhaust Stubby B Antenna Windrestrictor V2

08-20-2007, 08:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
coopcj7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: My Very Own Trunk Monkey Posts: 906 My Photos: (0)	I am not a mechanic but I am ASE certified In the engines that I have built and had last here is what I do For the intial break in period you want to clock at least 500 miles and you want to vary your RPM's and your MPH. The biggest thing that you are trying to seat are the piston rings, If you do not follow the break in correctly the rings will not seat properly and could cause premature oil blowby When you redline it in the breakin period you may cause the cylinder wall to heat up quickly and glaze over the small amount of oil on the walls. Thus you will not achieve seating of the rings in this option. If you dont drive it enough the rings dont get a chance to heat up and expand properly like they are supposed to. thus it will leave a fine film on the cyliner walls just like if you were over revving it and then eventually it would glaze as well You RPM's must vary in order to properly heatup the rings and cool them down. Never do you want to overheat them in the breakin period. On a new engine Short little trips can be a killer thus if you are planning short little trips add a couple extra miles to the trip to allow the engine heat up to operatin temps and be broke in correctly __________________ Chili Pepper Red #3060 3 Stainless Pedals 1 plastic foot rest Black Top/Leather Interior LSD 6 Disc Monsoon Flowmaster Dual Exhuast Redline Gauges Bullet Door Locks WERKS Stage II Turbo "FOUNDER OF CENTRAL OHIO CUSTOM KAPPAS" Last edited by coopcj7 : 08-20-2007 at 08:56 PM.

08-20-2007, 09:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
Polar Wind Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ruidoso, NM Posts: 102 My Photos: (7)	Thanks coopcj7. I think I am with you on this. Jyarington - I did do a search for "engine break-in period" here and got a boatload...interesting stuff. I have not figured how to cut and paste threads (newbieness) but there is a link that says get on it and go. I am not there yet...I don't even have a car yet! __________________ [i] White Lightning 08 Polar White T/T RL manual tint and mud flaps Kappasphere Chrome Radiums

08-20-2007, 09:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
YellowSky First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Near the Red line and the Keys Posts: 1,298 My Photos: (0)	If you baby the car the car will learn and become a baby.... i had the car burning rubber on the test drive when i bought it.. there has not been a mile that has gone by that was easy... DRIVE IT LIKE U STOLE IT! __________________ Opel GT conversion ONYX Black *ADD ON* RACE PRECISION EVERYTHING opel badges and lights Flurecent halos SOL black rims FIREFIGHTER Tag "SKYYY"

08-20-2007, 11:30 PM	#19 (permalink)
PoppyH Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Flower Mound, TX Posts: 81 My Photos: (0)	There's a previous thread that tells about how the Redline engine is broke in at the factory so it needs NO breakin period! Like others have said drive it like you stole it or at least like you're going to drive it and don't baby it as it will become a shop baby... __________________ Red Line, black w/tan top & blk/tan interior Loaded w/auto, XM, Monsoon, 6 CD. Prototype multi-color v1 Windrestrictor; love it! Super shorty stubby.

08-20-2007, 11:32 PM	#20 (permalink)
coopcj7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: My Very Own Trunk Monkey Posts: 906 My Photos: (0)	The break in period varys from person to person and car to car. Each engine that leaves the factory has been run to ensure that infact it does run and your engine is put together with assembly lube for the initial couple of starts to ensure lubrication. Every new or rebuilt engine needs to be broke in and in the long run it is worthwhile. By taking it out and everynow and then revving it high is good in the break in period but you wouldn't want to hold like that constantly. Your cylinder walls are not matched to your rings, Until you break your engine in. When a cylinder wall is new it has a cross hatch pattern (like a bunch of x's in the wall.) The rings scrapes the wall of the bore as the piston moves up and down and the rings match themselves to the cylinder wall. Moving them fast and slow down the bore causes heat expansion and the rings seat better, if they never heat up then they never mate hence the previous saying "If you baby the car the car will learn and become a baby" curtious of Yellow Sky and its a good quote Take it out and have fun but not all the time be nice to it for the first 500 and then change the oil put sythetic in it and enjoy. __________________ Chili Pepper Red #3060 3 Stainless Pedals 1 plastic foot rest Black Top/Leather Interior LSD 6 Disc Monsoon Flowmaster Dual Exhuast Redline Gauges Bullet Door Locks WERKS Stage II Turbo "FOUNDER OF CENTRAL OHIO CUSTOM KAPPAS"

08-20-2007, 11:41 PM	#21 (permalink)
cerberus Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,387 My Photos: (19)	During the break-in, you don't want to forget the rest of your driveline. There's more to break-in than just the engine. While the engine may be run-in, the trans and diff, epecially some think the diff, need a break-in period as well.