WOT, eventually, when is it not good for the engine?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 1
From: MA
WOT, eventually, when is it not good for the engine?
I know, I know, when the engine finally blows up.
Now I love putting the pedal down every chance I get. My question is, how often or, for how long can I do this, safely?
Now I love putting the pedal down every chance I get. My question is, how often or, for how long can I do this, safely?
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
No one can really answer that question.
Truth is, the LSx series of motors are extremely reliable, especially when left stock. I have a 98 SS with over 100k miles that I stand on the gas in every time I get the chance. No problems. I have the 5.3L in my Silverado with almost 150k miles, still pulls like a champ and has seen some pretty heavy duty work.
I wouldn't sweat it.
Dope
Truth is, the LSx series of motors are extremely reliable, especially when left stock. I have a 98 SS with over 100k miles that I stand on the gas in every time I get the chance. No problems. I have the 5.3L in my Silverado with almost 150k miles, still pulls like a champ and has seen some pretty heavy duty work.
I wouldn't sweat it.
Dope
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Your trans will probably be the 1st thing to BITE unless you miss a shift with a MN6/12 trans-then you can break the engine EASY.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Best way to answer this is------ When the Vette is running way too HOT and you run it into the ground and blow a head gasket and or crack the block!
Heat kills motors and tranny's - so enjoy it and try to be safe
Thanks,Matt
Heat kills motors and tranny's - so enjoy it and try to be safe
Thanks,Matt
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 155
From: Rain Festival Headquarters, Upstate NY
As another noob to 'vettes, I've been wondering myself how guilty to feel after flooring it for a nice 0 to 60 thrill. My experience with other automobiles is this is classic "beat on the car" behavior, and it adds up. The question is how much. Why else do we feel a thrill at buying a low-mileage garage queen?
In conversation, a member of the local Corvette club into road racing his Z06 scoffed at potential buyers who held the notion that taking his car to track was hard on it, and then later ticked off the list of parts that he had replaced specifically due to racing wear and tear.
My conclusion: the thrill is there, but it's not for free.
In conversation, a member of the local Corvette club into road racing his Z06 scoffed at potential buyers who held the notion that taking his car to track was hard on it, and then later ticked off the list of parts that he had replaced specifically due to racing wear and tear.
My conclusion: the thrill is there, but it's not for free.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
My question is, how often or, for how long can I do this, safely?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 1
From: MA
Czarvette, you summed up my thoughts exactly.
It is such a guilty pleasure romping on the gas pedal every chance I get on the highway and at lights, with no other cars around of course.
I thank all for helping us get an idea of what the car can take every now and then.
I just think of the 2-stroke snowmobile/dirtbike/outboards I've have/have had, and it doesn't take too long for those to wear out, however, it is easy to replace rings or pistons before anything catastrophic occurs.
So long as I know that our C5's can take some, I'll agree and emphasize the, some-part, WOT every now and then, I'll feel better as I like to have the fun AND to not beat on the car too much.
At least, since I have gotten the car I have replaced about everything that can be replaced. The only thing I have not done yet are the shocks.
It is such a guilty pleasure romping on the gas pedal every chance I get on the highway and at lights, with no other cars around of course.
I thank all for helping us get an idea of what the car can take every now and then.
I just think of the 2-stroke snowmobile/dirtbike/outboards I've have/have had, and it doesn't take too long for those to wear out, however, it is easy to replace rings or pistons before anything catastrophic occurs.
So long as I know that our C5's can take some, I'll agree and emphasize the, some-part, WOT every now and then, I'll feel better as I like to have the fun AND to not beat on the car too much.
At least, since I have gotten the car I have replaced about everything that can be replaced. The only thing I have not done yet are the shocks.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 155
From: Rain Festival Headquarters, Upstate NY
Given that the average speed of a car over its life is about 30 mph, and assuming a useful life of 150,000 miles, my calculations suggest one can comfortably punch the accelerator to WOT once every 77 minutes of driving.
I can live with that.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 155
From: Rain Festival Headquarters, Upstate NY
P.S. I just red in "All Corvettes Are Red" last night that GM requires all engines it develops undergo a durability test of 50 hours of full-load, WOT operation. The LS1 engine passed this test with flying colors; no visible wear was evident on teardown after the test.
But I'll stick with the maxim of all good things in moderation.
But I'll stick with the maxim of all good things in moderation.
Last edited by Czarvette; Jul 22, 2009 at 11:58 AM. Reason: added maxim
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 1
From: MA
Great number crunching Czar!, I love it!
I do concur with the 30 mph average. When I first got the car, I used to reset the average MPH with every tank and it was usually around 35 mph. I have left it on for a few thousand miles now and the average is still around 34-35 mph due to the town traffic/city traffic during my commutes.
50-hours at full-load, man, now I know that these LS1 motors are tough.
I do concur with the 30 mph average. When I first got the car, I used to reset the average MPH with every tank and it was usually around 35 mph. I have left it on for a few thousand miles now and the average is still around 34-35 mph due to the town traffic/city traffic during my commutes.
50-hours at full-load, man, now I know that these LS1 motors are tough.