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What does a rev limiter sound like?

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Old Nov 28, 2004 | 11:29 AM
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Default What does a rev limiter sound like?

I heard an unpleasant noise some time ago near 5500 rpm. The car lost power and went "kluff de kluff kluff" (best I can do with text). Kind of sounded like I had hit a garbage bag and it was stuck under the car for a second.

So... I'm looking for a description of what a rev limiter sounds like.
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Old Nov 28, 2004 | 11:36 AM
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Depends really on the type of cut being imposed, if its a fuel cut or a spark cut, sometimes they can sound like you described, sometimes like a backfire (thats what it sounds like on a supra anyways when hitting 7500 rpm)
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Old Nov 28, 2004 | 03:25 PM
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if you are curious just stab the throttle and you will hear what it sounds like. You can sit in park and try it shouldnt hurt the car.....I have done it on rental cars plenty of times
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Old Nov 28, 2004 | 04:15 PM
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I have bounced mine off the limiter a lot. It just sounds like it is missing (which is actually wha tit is doing). Mine cuts out individual cylinder so it does not load up any and backfire. I have mine set at 7000 but to try it I dialed it back to 5000 and just stood on it. Let it bounce for a few seconds just to know what it felt like. Now when it bounces off at 7000 I know exactly what it sounds and feels like.
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Old Nov 28, 2004 | 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
I have bounced mine off the limiter a lot. It just sounds like it is missing (which is actually wha tit is doing). Mine cuts out individual cylinder so it does not load up any and backfire. I have mine set at 7000 but to try it I dialed it back to 5000 and just stood on it. Let it bounce for a few seconds just to know what it felt like. Now when it bounces off at 7000 I know exactly what it sounds and feels like.
I'm waiting to hear some good stories from you about the camaro, wonder if you hit the rev limiter down in Virginia
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Old Nov 28, 2004 | 10:15 PM
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am told hitting the rev limit frequently is hard on the drive line and can expand mufflersexhaust systems due to backfiring in exhaust (gas buildup). therefore, i'd say a rev limiter could sound like a big VISA bill!
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Old Nov 28, 2004 | 10:50 PM
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I dont see how it would be hard on the drivetrain, you are simply losing hp to prevent the engine from revving past a certain point.
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Old Nov 29, 2004 | 12:03 AM
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Very interesting replies. Thanks guys. I've only gone past 5000 RPM twice on this EFI setup since I kind of have to pick the right time and place to tune that area of the maps. The first time I heard a tremendous bang followed immediately by a quieter bang. The second time was as I described above. At first I thought it was detonation so I took some timing out. When it happened again I began to wonder about the temporary, el-cheapo, tachometer I'm using. I'm now fairly certain the while the tach was reading 5100 I was actually closer to 5500. I never thought to check for this in the logs and I don't have them anymore.

By the way.. the rev limiter seems to be a two stage type. Exactly how intelligently it works I don't know
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Old Nov 29, 2004 | 06:52 AM
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Originally Posted by greyghost79
am told hitting the rev limit frequently is hard on the drive line and can expand mufflersexhaust systems due to backfiring in exhaust (gas buildup). therefore, i'd say a rev limiter could sound like a big VISA bill!
Depends on which type you have. Mine randomly kicks out cylinders so it just missis at the set limit. No back fires or violent jolts. Just a smooth missing. Won't hurt the driveline or motor a bit. Not the best for 1/4 mile times. My shift light is at 6600 so it is under the limiter and I should shift before the limiter kicks in but not always.
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