HEY. I know this might be better off in the racing section but who knows the V6's better than the v6 owners right.

I'm Going autocrossing on Sat. for the first time and was just had a couple of questions
(my car is an 89' firebird, 2.8l with a 5 speed) all stock. A friend told me led it red line until 5500 rpm. my question is how long can I do this before I haave nothing left of my car. Also does anyone know what tire pressure I should be running at - stock 15x7 with performance tires.

I know its along post but this newbie needed a few questions answer before I mess my daily driver. thanks in advance

 

The highest I take my engine is around 5800-6000; but that's usually when I shift, I don't hold the engine at that. My 2.8 has 213,000 (or is that 214? I forget, heheh) miles on it, with a new timing chain at around 180,000 miles. I don't see you being at redline that much for autocrossing; so I don't imagine it'd be a concern. Hey come back here after you go and let us know how it went!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

i don't see the purpose in going past 4400 rpm. that's your peak horsepower and after 4400 it will start to drop off.

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Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

 

thanks for the tips guys.unfortunatel I picked up a rattle in my exhaust yesterday, but it should do okay. and I'll be sure to let you guys know

 

Trying to impress this chick down the street from me once, I thought I had it in second and floored it anticipating a downshift, however, I was already in first and ended up pegging the tach (7000 rpm) before I realized my error. It scared the bejesus outta me. With the cutout off (right in front of CC), the engine sounded like a howling screaming something. It was loud and high pitched. It was cool, but I was worried about the car. Anyway, that is the highest I revved it ever. It usually shifted around 5900.

Vman

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1969 Camaro Sport Coupe
383, 700R4, leather, everything black but the lights

Previous owner of an 89 RS Camaro
2.8L V6, 700R4

 

Well after a day of class instructions, course instructions, we finally got to the racing. The 2.8 held up well. Just to let you's know how I did for my first time, My best time was in the 54's on a stock 2.8l v6 (thats lacking power from what it usually has )with only a catback system. and other 3rd camaro race preped managed only around 49's so I'm happy with it.and my friends 79 bird with a milly modded 400 and a 4 speed on managed around 46's - he also let one of the instructors drive the car and got about the same time.(all who have done this before).
Just to let you know, NO I AM NOT A BS'er WHO THINKS V6's CAN WASTE A V8 - wished that could be true but with equal driver, V8's come out on top.
so all in all it was a good day for me.

 

Thanks for the update! Sounds like you had a helluva time... I'd love to try that one day. So you were only 6 seconds behind that other V8? Sounds damn good to me!

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

I had mine in the redzone for about 3 mins and i was around 6500 RPM's down hill doin god knows how fast. I love havin no govener.
it should be ok tho and my car has 180,000 miles on it

 

um peak torque is 3900
peak horsepower is 4900, so shifting @ 4400 is kinda stupid.

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1988 Camaro Sport Coupe
2.8 V6, TCI 3200 Stall TC, B&M Transkit, 80 Series Flowmaster w/ Catback, '85 Firebird SE 3.73 Rear (soon)
'83 CFI Z/28 Hood, '87 16" IROC Wheels on Kumho Ecsta Supra 712's, '92 Z/28 Bowtie Grille
IROC Gauges, IROC Taillights, IROC Foglamps w/ retrofitted 9005 hi-beam headlight bulbs

1985 Firebird SE
2.5 I4, T-5, 3.73 rear (going to the sport coupe)
Beat to a pulp.

 

Kinda depends. My powerband seems to go from 3000 rpm to 5000 rpm. If I upshift at a high (past 5000) rpm, my engine will drop to 3000 rpm after the shift. That way, I stay in my powerband. Things might be different for a manual transmission; I guess you could let the clutch slip to bring you back into the powerband...


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

yeah TomP, I had a helluva time I can't wait to see how I'll do now that I've fixed my plugged cat and got a tune-up done. MY suggestion to you is to go for, YOU'LL love it. try and go when a club offers a school, it shouldn't be that expensive, and you get tons of tip and lots of seat time. keep in mind you may want a second set of tires on hand.

 

That's one thing on my mind- tires. I'd probably have to swap to "normal sizes"... I have P225/60r15 in the front on 15x7 rims, and P275/60r15 in the back on 15x8 rims. The back's also raised with air shocks. The front's stock-sized, but the back sure isn't.. and while my cornering is nice & tight on the street, it'd probably perform like crap on an autox track.

What I like about the autocrossing is that the engine doesn't matter as much as the driver....


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

yeah TomP was handling wasn't the greatest but I can add a set of koni's and r-compound rubber and still stay in stock class. my tires folded a little but if you just want to try it out to see what its like, you should look for a set of used tires that are in decent shape, and swap them on your car for the day

 

OK, OK, laugh at me if you want, but here in Texas, I've never heard of Autocross. What is it? Everyone around here just focuses on "headin to Hallsville." That's our local 1/4 mile drag strip.

 

I took the 3.1 up to ALMOST 6 grand, then later on that day my engine started knocking, but I was two quarts low on oil, so thats probably why.

I had Reno's 2.8 pegged at 6000 rpm's at gateway international raceway

 

i was referring to a 3.1L. sorry


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Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

[This message has been edited by CaliCamaroRS (edited May 01, 2001).]

 

Autocross.. heh.. hehehe.. now that's more a test of man than machine (although machine does play an awfully big role). Nice time

Overclk: Autocross is on a road course. Ever watch non-oval Formula-1 races? The ultimate test of man and machine.. No straight line.. no all-left turns.. you gotta be able to control that car to the ultimate limit (if you plan on going fast anyway)

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'86 Camaro SC, black /w silver racing stripes
2.8l MPFI/700r4 /w special 2nd gear delete option
In search of new v8 engine & transmission, now contemplating t5 swap to get me out of this mess.
Misc Mods: Cut air box, '83 Firebird spoiler.
Performance Parts: MSD coil, Accel 8mm wires, SplitFire plugs, Gabriel hijackers.
Audio Mods: Pioneer DEH-P3000, two 12" Optimus Pro Audio subs in hand-made enclosure each powered by a 260 watt Optimus amp. Working on shaving the box for weight.
My Homepage, with pics.

 

Sweet, I wanna do that.