A&Q about Lotus
Q:
I credible source told me that if the tach needle ever touches 9000 RPM, it's goodbye warranty automatically and you are on your own. This applies to the very first time 9000 RPM is achieved. No second chances.
Can this be true?
A:
i bought mine at lotus of durham with 5800 miles. there were 2 instances of over 9000 rpm's and of course i got the warranty. I also asked if i would have the warranty if i skipped the services and they said yes.
A:
get it in writing
A:
IMO, it has to be some kind of downshifting mistake to hit 9,000 RPM. I downshifting into a wrong gear once, but caught it in time. I had the dealer print out the ECU dump and it showed 8800+ RPM... However, I don't think hitting 9K briefly would hurt the engine.
A:
Everything I've heard is that warranty claims are made on a case by case basis. The ECU data is just used to help figure out if the car was misused.
Also, keep in mind that if there IS any warranty issues due to the engine speed, it would only affect related parts, most of the car would still be under warranty.
A:
Originally Posted by spider
IMO, it has to be some kind of downshifting mistake to hit 9,000 RPM. I downshifting into a wrong gear once, but caught it in time. I had the dealer print out the ECU dump and it showed 8800+ RPM... However, I don't think hitting 9K briefly would hurt the engine.
I'll keep it short.... every motor can have a bad day. I have seen rocker arm
and lift bolt issues at 9k. I have also seen eng- historys with 10 k+ on racecars with broken motors. You have to ask yourself....do I feel lucky today ? Above all try not to ever make '' THE MONEY SHIFT''.
Built motors with performance valve spring and rods are in another class.
Cheers, Don.
A:
Originally Posted by bluejae
get it in writing
Exactly, if you have any questions regarding the warranty, email the Lotus warranty group. They have always been prompt to answer my questions, and emails are great since you have physical documentation of the conversation.
A:
Originally Posted by MattG
Everything I've heard is that warranty claims are made on a case by case basis. The ECU data is just used to help figure out if the car was misused.
Right, and they are all denied on a case-by-case basis. There are too many people getting denials based on the ECU dumps to be able to count on it with any trips above 8600rpm. That said, they will only kill your powertrain warrany, not the rest of the chassis.
A:
I never drive my car over 3,500 rpm. What the heck kind of people are you?
xtn
A:
better not be true...my first track weekend saw several instances of 9K rpms..
still getting used to this hi reving engine
A:
Originally Posted by APOGEE
I'll keep it short.... every motor can have a bad day. I have seen rocker arm
and lift bolt issues at 9k. I have also seen eng- historys with 10 k+ on racecars with broken motors. You have to ask yourself....do I feel lucky today ? Above all try not to ever make '' THE MONEY SHIFT''.
Built motors with performance valve spring and rods are in another class.
Cheers, Don.
I bought some new rocker arms with the integrated variable lift setup. I never knew how they worked. Just wanted them in case I went with a larger cam. I noticed they appear to be cast iron (hopefully nodular), somewhat heavy, and perhaps fragile on the high lift side. I don't feel 100% safe increasing the load much on the big cam side. That means no sudden accelearation from higher lift. More duration would be ok. I suppose I'll see if I can get a spring retainer and whatever if there on the spring and see what can be lightened (meaning titanium). May not be worth doing but I'll see.
A:
Originally Posted by xtn
I never drive my car over 3,500 rpm. What the heck kind of people are you?
xtn
You have got to be kidding...
A:
Originally Posted by APOGEE
Above all try not to ever make '' THE MONEY SHIFT''.
Okay what's a "money shift?" I'm suspecting it's like a money "shot" and that I shouldn't have asked.
A:
Originally Posted by smicker
Okay what's a "money shift?" I'm suspecting it's like a money "shot" and that I shouldn't have asked.
Years ago I was friends with a Toyota shop foreman, the money shift was
when some poor soul downshifted from 6th to 3rd at speed.You can learn a great deal by inspecting grenaded motors.
A:
Originally Posted by APOGEE
Years ago I was friends with a Toyota shop foreman, the money shift was
when some poor soul downshifted from 6th to 3rd at speed.You can learn a great deal by inspecting grenaded motors.
that should properly be called the "OH SH*T!" shift.
A:
Hmm... I have done that... whats the problem if you know your road speed? If you are doing 80 and third tops out at around 90, I am assuming there is opportunity for a quick burst on the cams in third before shifting into 4th. So are you talking about people doing plus 90 who then try and stuff it into third? Or am I missing something here?
A:
Originally Posted by GaryD
Hmm... I have done that... whats the problem if you know your road speed? If you are doing 80 and third tops out at around 90, I am assuming there is opportunity for a quick burst on the cams in third before shifting into 4th. So are you talking about people doing plus 90 who then try and stuff it into third? Or am I missing something here?
They're talking about mis-shifts.
A:
Hah! Good - I don't do those
... err... so far !!!
A:
Originally Posted by GaryD
Hmm... I have done that... whats the problem if you know your road speed? If you are doing 80 and third tops out at around 90, I am assuming there is opportunity for a quick burst on the cams in third before shifting into 4th. So are you talking about people doing plus 90 who then try and stuff it into third? Or am I missing something here?
When upshifting (or neutral), the rev limiter is there to protect the engine, so there's nothing to worry about.
A:
Originally Posted by APOGEE
I'll keep it short.... every motor can have a bad day. I have seen rocker arm
and lift bolt issues at 9k. I have also seen eng- historys with 10 k+ on racecars with broken motors. You have to ask yourself....do I feel lucky today ? Above all try not to ever make '' THE MONEY SHIFT''.
Built motors with performance valve spring and rods are in another class.
Cheers, Don.
I totally understand. I was actually a little shocked when I first learned that the upshift rev limiter was set at 8500 from the factory for this engine...