'88 L98 redline?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
'88 L98 redline?
My engine is mostly stock, how fast can it safely spin? I know it runs out of breath above 4500rpm, so it's not really necessary to spin higher, but how high can it go without sustaining damage?
Thanks
J :seeya
Thanks
J :seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: '88 L98 redline? (JCAIRE2)
I think the tach red line is a pretty good indicator for a stock L98.
I've heard that the bottom end will stand revs well into the 6k RPM range and maybe a wee bit beyond but don't think the stock valve train would like you to go over tach red line. If you should encounter valve float you can expect each subsequent float to occur at a lower RPM, since float damages the valve springs permenantly.
If you toss the tin oil shedders, install a little stronger valve spring (with higher seat pressure) and upgrade to RRs and Ti retainers you should be good well into the 6k RPM range though. This upgraded spring setup is about 1/2 the weight of the stock combo.
To determine your best shift points you need a dyno pull or do it empirically with 1/4mi runs if you have a stick shift.
I've heard that the bottom end will stand revs well into the 6k RPM range and maybe a wee bit beyond but don't think the stock valve train would like you to go over tach red line. If you should encounter valve float you can expect each subsequent float to occur at a lower RPM, since float damages the valve springs permenantly.
If you toss the tin oil shedders, install a little stronger valve spring (with higher seat pressure) and upgrade to RRs and Ti retainers you should be good well into the 6k RPM range though. This upgraded spring setup is about 1/2 the weight of the stock combo.
To determine your best shift points you need a dyno pull or do it empirically with 1/4mi runs if you have a stick shift.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
According to your owners manual, the ECM cuts off the injectors at about 5600 rpm.
Fuel Cutoff: 10031 RPM
Fuel Resume: 9544 RPM
...apparently the GM techs figured the TPI intake was a good enough rev limiter. :)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,019
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From: down that one road next to that big tree
Re: (scorp508)
the tpi is the rev limiter, with some porting of the manifold and a great exhaust you'll go up to 5500 pretty strong but fall off over that. as far as how high you can spin one. 6,000 is as high as i'd dare, clearances suck on production engines.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Re: '88 L98 redline? (JCAIRE2)
You answered your own question. If its stock, it stops making power at 4500, revving it past that does nothing but weaken the springs.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Re: '88 L98 redline? (Fastguy)
Thanks for the answers guys. Wasn't paying attention the other day and revved it up to 5200 in 2nd, was just wondering if I could have damaged anything by spining it that fast.
The last v8 I had was a '79 ford 351M in my bronco, it didn't spin past 4k:D
J :seeya
The last v8 I had was a '79 ford 351M in my bronco, it didn't spin past 4k:D
J :seeya
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
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From: Charleston, WV
Re: '88 L98 redline? (JCAIRE2)
OK I wonder something here..........When I destroyed my torque converter a few weeks ago I was pulling real hard in 2nd (watching the road not the tach so the Rs are unknown) ............I looked quickly at the panel and the tach display was flashing .............. never saw that before or have I heard of it happening. It was like a missed shift when it blew........ I mean the Rs went WAY up there............ anyone ever heard of a tach doing that? :seeya
