I want to add one on my engine as well. Too many choices in the summit catalog... don't know what to get.
Rev limiter?
Thread Starter
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Rev limiter?
I've read thru a couple of the "rebuild" books during my BB rebuild and don't remember reading about a Rev Limiter anywhere. Maybe it was selective omission.
Do I need one? Do I have one? Where is it? Why do I want one? My Vette probably won't frequent the strip.
Len
Do I need one? Do I have one? Where is it? Why do I want one? My Vette probably won't frequent the strip.
Len
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Smile, it's just the internet.
A rev limiter keep you from turning the engine beyond a preset point (usually redline). most modern (computer controlled) cars use them, but ours didn't. You don't have one unless you added it with an aftermarket ignition system. I wanted one just as an added measure of safety. With as much power as our engines have, it's easy to turn them well beyond redline before you realize it. It's a personal choice.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Pettis Performance 565 with two stages of Nitrous Supply nitrous 1.082, 4.61 at 155, 7.17 at 192
Probably a good idea to run one. You never know when you will have your foot in it and have a driveline failure or other issue that would cause it to spin to the moon. The MSD 6AL's are nice units.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 958
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From: In the Beautiful Shenandoah Valley of VA
I've read thru a couple of the "rebuild" books during my BB rebuild and don't remember reading about a Rev Limiter anywhere. Maybe it was selective omission.
Do you need one? That depends. It can take only one overrev condition to destroy an engine. One missed shift going up through the gears can do it. I blew one of my old 396s once simply be getting into some slick asphalt winding through first gear. The old two bolt main engine hit about 7800 before I could get my foot off the throttle. Kaboom.
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Little Rock AR
I have a Crane HI-6 with a built in adjustable rev limiter. You can set it at any RPM you want using a small screwdriver. Realy nice because you do not have to buy a different chip if you want to change the setting. It is triggered off a set of points in my car but it works with a variety of triggers. The box is mounted inside the passenger compartment so it still looks stock from under the hood.
I probably do not realy need the rev limiter with a 302 but I can relax a bit while driving knowing it is there. On a big block with a stick I would seriously consider adding one. They are not as happy at high RPM as a short stroke small block. A missed shift can cause all kinds of messy damage.
-Mark.
I probably do not realy need the rev limiter with a 302 but I can relax a bit while driving knowing it is there. On a big block with a stick I would seriously consider adding one. They are not as happy at high RPM as a short stroke small block. A missed shift can cause all kinds of messy damage.
-Mark.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,222
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From: Pomfret, CT
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
A reve limiter is a good idea running a 4 speed. That way if you are messin around and happen to miss a gear...you are safe!!! MSD-6AL is good. Having the MSD ignition box is good anyway!
-Rick
-Rick
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
I have one on my Crane HI6. I have bounced it off the limiter many times. I just did it this weekend. Came out of a turn onto a desolete road and jumped on it, tires broke loose and before I could think about it the engine is missing due to the limiter kicking in. Mine is set at 7000 rpm and my shift light is on a 6400 rpm. Missed shifts or the tires just letting loose brings the rpms up in a hurry. It is cheap insurance against the cost of a new motor. I would put one in.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
if your foots too heavy get one of those funny looking bolts that buses use on the floor board so you can't press the accelerator down too far....... just kidding.....
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 315
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From: North Richland Hills TX
Yeah, I just dropped $1,400 because I did'nt have one; missed a gear due to a bad shifter, cracked bock, blew a head and through a rod, all because I didn't have one. So, if your running a lot of power and have a manual trans., definatly get one! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by cicch95
A reve limiter is a good idea running a 4 speed. That way if you are messin around and happen to miss a gear...you are safe!!! MSD-6AL is good. Having the MSD ignition box is good anyway!
-Rick
-Rick
Well said
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,642
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Originally Posted by cicch95
A reve limiter is a good idea running a 4 speed. That way if you are messin around and happen to miss a gear...you are safe!!! MSD-6AL is good. Having the MSD ignition box is good anyway!
-Rick
-Rick
it can't prevent a mechanical overrev. if you hit second instead of fourth it won't do anything to prevent the engine from winding up.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 687
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From: Atascadero Ca
it won't prevent mechanical reving up, however it will stop the cylinders from firing, which will VERY quickly bring the rev's back down and hopefully save your wallet from heavy trauma. I've got a 6AL and a muncie, i highly reccomend getting a rev limiter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 917
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From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
never a bad thing on a high output engine...Ive got the MSD Digital 6 Plus on order for when I FINALLY get an engine to use it on hahaha.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Originally Posted by munday
it can't prevent a mechanical overrev. if you hit second instead of fourth it won't do anything to prevent the engine from winding up.
Dep
Thread Starter
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
I normally shift in all gears between 3,000-4,500 rpm. Would there still be an issue?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
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From: roanoke va
as long as you never try to get on it hard should never be a issue. but if it gets good to you and something breaks it is a life saver. i had a 67 chevy2 was talking good to me and broke 2nd gear sprag. rpms went to the moon before you could say oh shoot. msd 6al saved my tail. you can buy a separte rpm control for about half price of the complete ing. setup. remember the saying pay me now or pay me later.
Race Director
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by wills670
you can buy a separte rpm control for about half price of the complete ing. setup. remember the saying pay me now or pay me later.
hello Roanoke! I graduated from college there in 1980... good times liked the area alot..any way.... that separate rpm limiter yu mentioned is that compatible with an HEI dist for my 77'????
Last edited by bobs77vet; Oct 20, 2004 at 07:58 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
yes it is compatable. i have used them on trucks to limit rpms they had hei . it is very reliable i ran them on delivery trucks it sure beats 600.00 for a governered carb. and it kept drive train in tact. so you went to roanoke for school. i go buy there all the time. i am a mechanic for verizon and i go all over the valley when your in town drop me a line and i will show you my 72 project.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: roanoke va