C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

L98 Redline

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Old Sep 13, 2008 | 07:36 PM
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Default L98 Redline

I have an '87 L98, whats the redline limit? I guess I cant really tell from the digital dash.
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Old Sep 13, 2008 | 07:39 PM
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I shift at 5000 RPM. The car falls on its face around there.
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Old Sep 13, 2008 | 08:22 PM
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Five grand would be the upper end for these motors, assuming you mean 'stock'. I believe 4800 rpm is redline. Honestly, it's been my experience that you're wasting your time revving the snot out of it...I find mine runs best when I let my L98 do what it does best: Put out pretty respectable bottom-end torque, shift early (42-4300 rpm), and let it ride that torque curve. You wanna rev it? Move on to an LT1.
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Old Sep 13, 2008 | 09:26 PM
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No, I was just curious. Its my first vette and I have only driven it twice... Just tryin to feel it out and get a sence for it. I just wanted to make sure I didn't over rev it so I was making sure.
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 01:43 AM
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Originally Posted by ride250s
I just wanted to make sure I didn't over rev it
No chance of that , has built in rev limiter;
called TPI intake
I'm with the others , best times at track shifting at 4500 Will rev higher but you will be slowing down.
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 02:20 AM
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roger that, thanks guys!
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by rodj
No chance of that , has built in rev limiter;
called TPI intake
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 09:11 AM
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Default ECM Programmed Redline Is 5800 RPM

The ECM is programmed to cut off fuel at 5800 RPM, but you're well past peak HP at that point as the other posts have explained. I'd stick with the previously recommend shifts points between 4500-4800 RPM to keep your Vette in it's best torque/HP band. Have fun!
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by rodj
No chance of that , has built in rev limiter;
called TPI intake
I'm with the others , best times at track shifting at 4500 Will rev higher but you will be slowing down.


That seems to be the best on stock TPI motors
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by mr.beachcomber
The ECM is programmed to cut off fuel at 5800 RPM, but you're well past peak HP at that point as the other posts have explained. I'd stick with the previously recommend shifts points between 4500-4800 RPM to keep your Vette in it's best torque/HP band. Have fun!
That cant be. I have revved mine to 6-6500 RPM before without any fuel cutoff. This wasnt for shifting it was in between corners in an autocross where shifting wasnt possible.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Kubs
That cant be. I have revved mine to 6-6500 RPM before without any fuel cutoff. This wasnt for shifting it was in between corners in an autocross where shifting wasnt possible.
From what I remember the L98 is 10,000 RPM cut out, the LT1 computer is programed at a different RPM.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Aardwolf
From what I remember the L98 is 10,000 RPM cut out, the LT1 computer is programed at a different RPM.
its 10K, which makes no sense. I've hit 5800 with mine and it definitely falls off after 5K. I also shift at 4500
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 01:42 PM
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Damn you think they would have made it lower than 10K... that sounds like a Dangerous number!
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 02:06 PM
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It is, I'd be curious why they did that. I have a much lower number editted into mine.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Aardwolf
From what I remember the L98 is 10,000 RPM cut out, the LT1 computer is programed at a different RPM.
And you'll be floating the valves long before that. I've had mine float at the end of a straight doing autocross. One of the guys with an '89 changes his springs every couple of years because of float and beating on them for autocross.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 02:40 PM
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Engineers knew it would never rev high enough under load to hurt itself so why bother (bean counting) is my guess.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Engineers knew it would never rev high enough under load to hurt itself so why bother (bean counting) is my guess.
But its still there, just at 10k.

I let a buddy take my tpi out for a spin, he came back revving the **** out of it (clutch in). I saw every light on the digital tach light up and cringed waiting for some valve train damage, but stupid abuse after 100k and it still runs great. I wished I had set the limiter to 6500 on that one, he would have hit it.
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To L98 Redline

Old Sep 16, 2008 | 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Kubs
That cant be. I have revved mine to 6-6500 RPM before without any fuel cutoff. This wasnt for shifting it was in between corners in an autocross where shifting wasnt possible.
I've over-revved my 88GTA with the 305 TPI 5spd to around 6500rpm on downshifts.
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 10:50 AM
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Default My Bad! I Quoted the Redline for an LT1, Not the L98

Originally Posted by Kubs
That cant be. I have revved mine to 6-6500 RPM before without any fuel cutoff. This wasnt for shifting it was in between corners in an autocross where shifting wasnt possible.
You're correct. The L98 has a ridiculously high redline fuel cutoff of 10,031 RPM while the LT1 has a redline fuel cut off of 5850 RPM. :o

I'm sure that there's a excellent story of why the L98 has such a high fuel cutoff programmed into the its prom. Maybe it was for the SCCA Corvette Challenge series or other such racing? Surely there was a logical reason!
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by mr.beachcomber
You're correct. The L98 has a ridiculously high redline fuel cutoff of 10,031 RPM while the LT1 has a redline fuel cut off of 5850 RPM. :o

I'm sure that there's a excellent story of why the L98 has such a high fuel cutoff programmed into the its prom. Maybe it was for the SCCA Corvette Challenge series or other such racing? Surely there was a logical reason!

Those damn crazy GM engineers...
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