soldave Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Just something that's crossed my mind as I was driving along the motorway a few days ago. I usually cruise along between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm, and if I really feel like a bit of a spurt, I'll put my foot down to 4,000 in 3rd before shifting up. But do any of you out there keep your foot down that little bit longer and get higher up the rpm range? The car always seems happier the faster it goes and the higher it revs although I've always the worry something could go bang in a big way, and things that are usually inside the engine could end up outside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don.Hasi Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Here! Everytime I drive her, she'll get 5k+ that is where the real fun begins and what she likes most... When the objects get smaller in the mirror... A sports engine needs revs... Don't miss the best of it. Don't worry about what will ever happen... It will happen, whenever it should. And the worst would be, not to have all the fun between 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Good answer Await a "Engine made a big bang and I found a conrod 200 yards down the road" type of post next weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 I remember an Evora owner of several months asking why there where red lights showing up in his rev counter. They were the shift lights and he'd not seen them before! Whatever Lotus I'm in, I like to tickle the redline at least once per journey! 1 Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 (edited) An Evora up to redline I can definitely relate to. My Evo only woke up at 4,300rpm when my huge turbo eventually spooled up, shifting at around 7,600rpm. Nice to see people are using their sports cars as sporty cars Speaking of redlines though, what is the Eclat's redline?! Edited January 6, 2015 by soldave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM johnpwalsh Posted January 7, 2015 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Old Banana used to love a good blast out, it did her the world of good and that engine is good for miles to come. David give her a bloody good blast now and again, it repays with smiles for all the hard graft getting her running well enough to do it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalli Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 I must confess, theres not a single journey where I dont put the car into sports mode. Normally on my commute theres a specific junction where unless a risk of ice is present, i'll stick it into sports mode. After that, I leave it for the remainly 90% of the journey Naturally, that also means I rarely have a journey where I dont take it to 4-5k revs at certain points. I always used to be an MPG worrier. But jesus...I have a sports car for a reason. Plus, my Evora always shifts much better when at higher RPM. I've convinced myself that its better for the car 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted January 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 That's one thing I loved about owning an FC3S RX-7; it was good for the engine to redline it each time you drove in order to get the carbon off the rotor faces. I know its a bit of a different beast but much the same inside but my turbo doesnt really like being below 3000rpm. 4000 thing start happening and the rpm jumps pretty quick to 6500rpm. Buddsy Out of curiosity, what rpm does the turbo start to spool, and reach full boost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 One thing I noticed after driving the V8 engined eclat for 5+ years then going back to a "normal" Lotus was that you really need to wring its neck to get it to move briskly through the lower gears, so yes - once its warmed up, I'm near the redline at the changes in the 2.2. The V8 by contrast - I find myself pootling along in high gears at lower speeds, and I never hang onto it that long before selecting the next cog. The power band comes in so early compared with the 907/912. It is a completely different driving experience. Which do i prefer....? ........it is the V8 for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted January 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 One thing I noticed after driving the V8 engined eclat for 5+ years then going back to a "normal" Lotus was that you really need to wring its neck to get it to move briskly through the lower gears, so yes - once its warmed up, I'm near the redline at the changes in the 2.2. What is the redline for it? 6k... 6.5k? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive59 Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 red at 7000, yellow 6500-7000 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don.Hasi Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Await a "Engine made a big bang and I found a conrod 200 yards down the road" type of post next weekend! Please... no negative waves! Otherwise you have to pay half of the bill One thing I noticed after driving the V8 engined eclat for 5+ years then going back to a "normal" Lotus was that you really need to wring its neck to get it to move briskly through the lower gears, I could understand this in comparison with the Excel SE but I dont could subscribe it with the S2. If there is any chance in the future we should swap the cars. I do not doubt, that the V8 is mightier in low revs. But in my experience the S2 has enough torque for running it also lazy in cases of overtaking. Nevertheless overtaking with full throttle is more fun for the car, for the driver and the disappearing point in the mirror Even with the V8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 My excel still needs revs to move. The 912 engine is no stump puller... Better than the 907 yes, but torquey low down relative to other cars? not really.... It likes to sing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red vtec Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Had a Prelude VTEC 6800rpm for vtec to kick in, what a noise The turbo used to get a boot full as well, and will do again when its back on the road Quote Amateurs built the Ark Professionals built the Titanic "I haven't ridden in cars pulled by cows before" "Bullocks, Mr.Belcher" "No, I haven't, honestly" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeeech Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 My rx7 fd3s had at change gear buzzer at 8k and I would get there on every journey but 13mpg was hard to stand with a ported engine but it was so much fun. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM johnpwalsh Posted January 8, 2015 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 8, 2015 One thing I noticed after driving the V8 engined eclat for 5+ years then going back to a "normal" Lotus was that you really need to wring its neck to get it to move briskly through the lower gears, so yes - once its warmed up, I'm near the redline at the changes in the 2.2. The V8 by contrast - I find myself pootling along in high gears at lower speeds, and I never hang onto it that long before selecting the next cog. The power band comes in so early compared with the 907/912. It is a completely different driving experience. Which do i prefer....? ........it is the V8 for me. Dunc, please explain the term NORMAL Lotus, is there such a beast. Over the years I have seen and owned a few, but NORMAl. Never. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted January 8, 2015 Report Share Posted January 8, 2015 Normal as in stock and the same as its eclat or excel brethren. My first yellow éclat was exactly as it left Hethel. It was even on points. Excel also, apart from fuel pump. Even got its original radio cassette... there is a blast from the past "stereo radio cassette" ! reminds me of when my dad decided to sell his Jaguar XJR: "For Sale: Jaguar. Power steering, stereo radio cassette.." old people..... ha ha ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nut Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Hi to all Happy New Year, I must confess to being very cautious about putting the boot down, Lotty will quite happily spin the rear wheel's if you kick down at 70 mph, last time I tried it two years ago, October 31st, it cost me a blown head gasket, head skimming and a very large pool of oil on the warehouse floor. but it is amazing when you think shes 33 years old and all original. Lennie's, ready for the MOT but its a bit cold at the moment and I have no where to store him, as soon as he leaves the warehouse I will need to find a home for him. Have spent the Christmas break trying to clear the garage to make room, along with all the other jobs that needed doing. I have been very fortunate over the last 7 years with being allowed to have a car in the warehouse at work, but I have been told its time to move out, a pain to say the least. Regards to all John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis247 Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 Never, do they go a bit faster if you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest saraphee Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 (edited) It's just not safe to do it here on public roads. Intercity highways are 90kph, the "motorway" is 120. 99% of the time if you can reach those speeds you are in danger from other traffic. Most of that other traffic is dangerous at any speed as it is unpredictable. I don't exaggerate, of reported road deaths I think the roads here rate third world wide and a high % of cases involve motorcycles. Due to the behaviour of many motor cyclists drivers are advised to constantly look left, right, front, rear and well as up & down. This advice applies equally on divided highways and one way streets. However road death numbers cover only those dead at the scene. If you're loaded into the converted pick up truck which is used as an ambulance and you die once the wheels are rolling you count as DOA and are not recorded in road safety statistics. Lots do.................... That's why my Elite is bright yellow, has indicator repeaters as well as running lights and high power headlights. Edited January 11, 2015 by saraphee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest saraphee Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 I'm here in the land of the 125cc 'Motoesai' - Thailand. When I write that you need to look all six ways I do emphasise the necessity - the next time a bike; or car for that matter; shoots out the side of a multi-storey car park onto the road below won't be the first. (inadequate barrier + stupid/drunk driver) We have yet to have a case of them emerging from the flood water/sewage system, but who knows when? Drive safely out there.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonwat Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Rex, how is that supercharged Beemer engine running in your Excel? Quote Cheers, John W http://jonwatkins.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest saraphee Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 The M44 is running extremely well in my Elite, Thanks Jon. However the supercharger has been removed and may well be used in a non public road context project. The reasons for removal include a hiccup in weight distribution, a great thirst when 95 fuel was so expensive here - now down to less than 75p a litre thank goodness - and finally lack of opportunity to take advantage of the thrust. As you will see from the above, it's becoming increasingly difficult to do a foot down, even on the so-called super highways. Super Highway = In the country, 2 lanes each way divided highway and after the rainy season watch out for potholes. In Bangkok, can be up to 4 lanes each way either ground level or elevated, ditto re potholes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonwat Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Good oh, shame about the supercharger, maybe you'll reconsider now petrol is so cheap. Last time I was in Bangkok I saw the elevated roadway, looked good for a spin. PS I new you had an Elite, just not how to spell it. Quote Cheers, John W http://jonwatkins.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCoolA Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) My Excel red lines at the moment at 8800 running 253hp and 191lbft. And she is no slouch And she regularly gets there. Edited January 13, 2015 by MrCoolA 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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