Is there such a thing as up-shifting a car's gear at too low of an RPM? I usually up-shift my 355 at a low RPM when I am just driving regularly and wonder if I am doing any damage to anything. It doesn't stutter or anything like that.
I have never heard you can damage anything by "short shifting" as they call it. As long as you are getting the amount of acceleration you want its OK People used to say you could damage your bearings by "lugging" the engine, but that was just a way of blaming the owner for the poor quality of British engines in the 1950's. Or so I have read Jim O
I can only cite my own experience. When I first purchased my car (after the 30K service was done) I noticed that it had some detonation (aka "pinging") upon hard acceleration. This is sometimes caused by carbon buildup on the top of the pistons when a car is not driven hard enough or long enough to develop sufficient combustion temps to burn those deposits off. After 2 tanks of Techcron and consistently shifting at 4K or above in all situations, the detonation is gone. Plus, I get to hear the real sound of the 355 motor on every shift because the bypass valve opens.
I read once that this belief arose when old Porsche 356s had delicate roller bearing crankshafts, which could indeed be damaged by "lugging".
I suggest keeping the car near 3K during around town cruising. Lower then that for extended periods may create carbon build up issues, fuel quality also affects carbon buildup. I know how you normally drive Brock, just let her rip. Fuel mileage LOL? By the way Brock I am sorry I could not catch up with you before you moved. I enjoyed meeting you and appreciate your business. If there is anything else we can do please do not hesitate to call.
As long as the car is not lugging, you will cause no damage at all driving it the way you are. An Italian tune-up occasionally will keep things clean. Taz Terry Phillips
I have found that 2700RPM is the perfect shift point so that the gearbox shifts seamlessly. So, I will try and keep it around 3k. And, no worries, Mark. I am just terribly disappointed that I have to leave the PNW after finding you and your expertise and passion. I trust that I wil no longer have any damn P1132 codes and no cat codes. I've put close to 700 miles on her since and everything seems to be running perfect. I put those O2 spacers on for the cats about 300 miles ago and there are no CELs. Thank you again for all of your help in getting everything fixed and sorted. I know this sounds wrong, but I am HOPING that I cacn get through the next year without any major expenses. LoL....I own a Ferrari, right...?
I didnt know that, Franklin. Would this also apply say, driving low rpm in ANY gear, or only as you say in high gear?
Seems that I recall warnings of lugging back in the 60's when you could feel so much slop in the system from the engine all the way back through to the rear end that any component was likely to fail from being slapped back and forth. Today's cars just don't have the same loose feel to me.... Brock
Upshifting at around 2k is a bit of a waste imho... italian engines like revs, and your ears should too, otherwise you bought the wrong car Lots of throttle at low revs loads the engine a lot, much more than at mid-range. 2k is low, you go to a higher gear and go to what, 1.5k? Not very good. Of course an engine can take low revs, just feather it at such revs and certainly not floor it, it's not made for it and yes it loads the engine bearings much more, and also the crank and gearbox. Bearings can take a *lot* more load when turning faster.
That doesn't make sense. A clutch slips if more torque is applied to it than it was designed to handle. Engines make less power / torque at low revs, not more.
I think you are describing what we used to call "bucking"-- when the engine misfires you get that rhythmic shock wave that goes back and forth thru the driveline. EFI engines don't misfire unless grossly provoked so you seldom feel that bucking
Excellent! We seem to be few and far between....not sure why, I always thought it was a cool name.... Brock
A higher gear at too slow of a speed makes it much more difficult for the engine to twist the clutch plates resulting in slipping and excessive wear. In fact, if you get too slow the clutch will start shuttering and result in the engine stalling. One of the best way to test a car for a slipping clutch is to accelerate from a low speed in a high gear.
