Why would more power ruin the car??

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Th3rdSun

The problem,for me at least,is that after years and years of making the car work hard,it can't be good for longevity. It's like making a 70 year old run,instead of walking,every where he goes.

Actually no, isn't an issue. Subaru boxer engines are often used in applications where they are run at 80% to 90% of power most of their lives. For example, many experimental aircraft use Subaru auto engine conversions with no issues where they run wide open constantly. This is usually after having seen life in a car first, then being rebuilt.

Even if used for pure track use, you are not likely to stress the engine that much.

Honda and GM Corvair engines are also often used for this purpose.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Honda and GM Corvair engines are also often used for this purpose.

I have a Honda v6 outboard motor on my boat that will just hum at 6k rpm all day long.

I take my twin up to redline all the time. It just gets there a bit faster now than when I first bought it.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

I have a Honda v6 outboard motor on my boat that will just hum at 6k rpm all day long.

There's also a marine version of the GM Vortec V6 used for an outboard motor. This is basically a slightly modified version of the engine that was used in the Chevy Astro and some of GM's small trucks.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Actually no, isn't an issue. Subaru boxer engines are often used in applications where they are run at 80% to 90% of power most of their lives. For example, many experimental aircraft use Subaru auto engine conversions with no issues where they run wide open constantly. This is usually after having seen life in a car first, then being rebuilt.

Even if used for pure track use, you are not likely to stress the engine that much.

Honda and GM Corvair engines are also often used for this purpose.

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

I have a Honda v6 outboard motor on my boat that will just hum at 6k rpm all day long.

I take my twin up to redline all the time. It just gets there a bit faster now than when I first bought it.

This is a rehash of the whole "don't drive around at 4.000 rpms you will wear your engine out faster" thread.
Most gas engines are designed to operate at high RPMs. Their oiling and cooling can deal with it with no issue. Any "increase" in wear by running consistently at high RPMs over the life of any engine is so small that it is meaningless.
What engines don't deal well with is frequent extreme and abrupt changes in RPMs especially if you go into a sudden over/max rev situation. An engine can go forever at redline but one sudden change from 1,000 RPM to 7,500 RPM could cause irreversible damage.
I find it fun that on a forum where people love to boost their engines, change tunes, run high grade fuels, etc there are so many that are worried about the "damage" driving at high RPMs will cause.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Most gas engines are designed to operate at high RPMs. Their oiling and cooling can deal with it with no issue. Any "increase" in wear by running consistently at high RPMs over the life of any engine is so small that it is meaningless..

Exactly, the worst thing you can do for an engine is NOT run it. That's where the "old people" analogy that @Th3rdSun uses comes into play. If you leave your car parked in the garage, or just idle it around town that is the equivalent of me never getting up and moving. Do that long enough I WON'T be able to get up and move.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

I have a Honda v6 outboard motor on my boat that will just hum at 6k rpm all day long.

I take my twin up to redline all the time. It just gets there a bit faster now than when I first bought it.

So you are saying you ruined it then? You have less time to enjoy the acceleration and therefore it is less fun.

[Dave-ROR]

More power is never less fun. Not needed, but less fun? Nah. Not very usable on the street maybe, but since I'm more track focused more power will never be bad. Just have to keep the brakes and handling balanced with the additional power.

But low power is fun too. Hell I still track the BRZ and it's definitely the slowest car I own. Well the truck is probably slower on track I guess.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Spuds

So you are saying you ruined it then? You have less time to enjoy the acceleration and therefore it is less fun.

Yea, that's it.

[Th3rdSun]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

If you leave your car parked in the garage, or just idle it around town that is the equivalent of me never getting up and moving. Do that long enough I WON'T be able to get up and move.

That's a interesting way of putting it.Never thought of it that way. I will say though that metal doesn't atrophy like muscles,so I don't know if that comparison is accurate,but I understand your point.I'll give you plastics and rubber though.

I'll also say that from a value standpoint though,many more times than not,you are way better off with a car with low mileage and usage than the opposite.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Th3rdSun

That's a interesting way of putting it.Never thought of it that way. I will say though that metal doesn't atrophy like muscles,so I don't know if that comparison is accurate,but I understand your point.I'll give you plastics and rubber though.

I'll also say that from a value standpoint though,many more times than not,you are way better off with a car with low mileage and usage than the opposite.

No you are better off with a maintained car with low mileage and usage. One that has just sat untouched in a field or even garage will lose value greater than one that was driven.


Metal most certainly does suffer from atrophy if not maintained or used!

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Th3rdSun

I will say though that metal doesn't atrophy like muscles,so I don't know if that comparison is accurate,but I understand your point.I'll give you plastics and rubber though.

As @Tcoat says it does in a sense. If the parts of the engine sit, and is not lubricated, it will corrode. It will also be more likely to damage itself when it starts up. This goes for other parts of the car as well.

[Th3rdSun]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

As @Tcoat says it does in a sense. If the parts of the engine sit, and is not lubricated, it will corrode. It will also be more likely to damage itself when it starts up. This goes for other parts of the car as well.

But wouldn't that depend on where the cars are? Metal take much longer to rust in the desert than say near coastlines. Maybe that's why some of those filthy rich Arab dudes have multi million dollar car collections in climate controlled garages,that they never drive,and they stay in mint condition.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Th3rdSun

But wouldn't that depend on where the cars are? Metal take much longer to rust in the desert than say near coastlines. Maybe that's why some of those filthy rich Arab dudes have multi million dollar car collections in climate controlled garages,that they never drive,and they stay in mint condition.

It doesn't have to rust to seize up solid. If we are talking climate controlled environments for cars then we need to apply advanced medical attention, fitness programs, perfect diet, etc to the people we are comparing it to.
The statement was that people sitting around doing nothing can not all of a sudden become active but cars can. Even those perfectly maintained, climate controlled collector cars that are never run would be a serious risk if you just hauled it out of it's showroom and ran the crap out of it right away. Hell, half this forum had a hissy fit when some shop revved a car twice after running for 10 minutes so how can it now be OK for a car to sit for long periods and be perfect as soon as you start it again?

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Th3rdSun

..Maybe that's why some of those filthy rich Arab dudes have multi million dollar car collections in climate controlled garages,that they never drive,and they stay in mint condition.

It's because they have a squad of mechanics that make sure they are maintained, but yes the condition would vary depending on the storage mechanisms. Even just starting up a car that has been sitting with fuel in it's tank (which spoils) for a few years will cause havoc if not treated or maintained properly before the car is started up.

Originally Posted by Tcoat

It doesn't have to rust to seize up solid. ....

Yep, pretty much what I was saying.