What RPM do you shift at?
Discussion
I'm a new owner, having only driven 300 miles on my 89 non-SE so far. I'd like to know how you drive your car - because while I'd love to drive it hard everytime I'm in it, I'm under the impression this will result in premature wear and maintenance. I've been mostly upshifting at around 3500 RPM when just cruising around. It would obviously be more fun to shift at 5,500 or 6,500 while pouncing on the throttle (which I've done a few times 
)
How do you drive and how do you think it effects the car long-term?
>>> Edited by njcpa on Sunday 9th May 16:52
) How do you drive and how do you think it effects the car long-term?
>>> Edited by njcpa on Sunday 9th May 16:52
For just cruising, I shift somewhere in the 3,000 range.
I rarely go above 3,400 in firat gear, even when punching it. Second gear synchro doesn't like it. After that, when I'm dropping the hammer, I feel comfy taking it to about the redline.
Driving aggresively does cause more wear and tear, sure, but how much more? These are performance cars, meant to be driven. They like to be wrung out now and again.
That doesn't neccessarily mean burnouts and donuts, now. But your Esprit will appreciate a healthy sprint, probably more often than you'd think.
Mike
I rarely go above 3,400 in firat gear, even when punching it. Second gear synchro doesn't like it. After that, when I'm dropping the hammer, I feel comfy taking it to about the redline.
Driving aggresively does cause more wear and tear, sure, but how much more? These are performance cars, meant to be driven. They like to be wrung out now and again.
That doesn't neccessarily mean burnouts and donuts, now. But your Esprit will appreciate a healthy sprint, probably more often than you'd think.
Mike
madmike said:
For just cruising, I shift somewhere in the 3,000 range.
I rarely go above 3,400 in firat gear, even when punching it. Second gear synchro doesn't like it. After that, when I'm dropping the hammer, I feel comfy taking it to about the redline.
Driving aggresively does cause more wear and tear, sure, but how much more? These are performance cars, meant to be driven. They like to be wrung out now and again.
That doesn't neccessarily mean burnouts and donuts, now. But your Esprit will appreciate a healthy sprint, probably more often than you'd think.
Mike
Really... 3500? I'm surprized. I "feel" right about 4600ish for running up the street to the store. I'll go just over 5000 for really wanting to go... but I NEVER "quik shift". I'm always very deliberate.
This shift range also surprized me when I got the Esprit as my buddy's 308GTS shifts at 6400 and my also beloved MX-5 shifts best at 6000. My Esprit baby is an 88'... so maybe that's the difference? but save the intercooler and the injection systems, I do not believe the motors are that different. As far aS the shift points go, My Esprit shifts in almost the same place my Austin Healy Sprite shifts... Hey... British straight 4 (well there is that slant)...
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
For leisurely shifting, I looked at the gear ratios for my '84 Esprit and observed that shifting out of first at 3000 and picking up second at 2000 seems to work smoothly (i.e. the road speed for 1st @ 3000 is roughly equal to 2nd @ 2000). Likewise, shifting out of second at 3000 and picking up third at 2000 also works well.
I should point out that on my car, rpms tend to drop more quickly than I think they should. Part of the reason for this is that some mass was removed from the flywheel a few years ago (that's another story...). Also, for me it's difficult to shift the Lotus quickly, so the tachometer usually shows around 2000 by the time I'm selecting 2nd or 3rd gear.
For some reason, my shift points seem to be higher and shifting seems to be smoother once I set the idle to be around 1100 rpm. I don't see why that would have any effect, however.
-Dave
I should point out that on my car, rpms tend to drop more quickly than I think they should. Part of the reason for this is that some mass was removed from the flywheel a few years ago (that's another story...). Also, for me it's difficult to shift the Lotus quickly, so the tachometer usually shows around 2000 by the time I'm selecting 2nd or 3rd gear.
For some reason, my shift points seem to be higher and shifting seems to be smoother once I set the idle to be around 1100 rpm. I don't see why that would have any effect, however.
-Dave
I most cases, the UN1 does not like fast shifting, the gearlube used can have a pretty significant affect on this and the health and operation of the clutch can also affect shifting. Many owners have switched to RedLine MT-90 and like it. Others have sourced the Castrol TAF-X which is Lotus spec'd while others (including me) have gone with Mobil SHC630 as per a conversation with Dave Simkin (as Castrol TAF-X is not distributed in the US). I have also found that the local dealer uses Mobil1 synthetic gearlube 75-90W.
You may want to check your clutch adjustment as the V8 uses a twin-plate clutch and the adjustment range is quite narrow. Going outside of the spec, particularly the pedal travel may give you problems. Also, always fully depress the clutch for all shifts!
If everything is working well, you can get decent shift times at a wide RPM range and in all gears. For most casual driving I lightly rev the engine to about 4000 RPM and shift there... nice sound, small whoosh from the turbos and adequate acceleration in most cases.
If you're in a hurry, pushing towards 7000 RPM is okay but realize you're dancing on the engine cutoff line and could lose time if you hit it. For first gear, going much beyond 5000 RPM doesn't buy that much unless you're shooting for a best 1/4-mile time and don't mind abusing the box a bit.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
You may want to check your clutch adjustment as the V8 uses a twin-plate clutch and the adjustment range is quite narrow. Going outside of the spec, particularly the pedal travel may give you problems. Also, always fully depress the clutch for all shifts!
If everything is working well, you can get decent shift times at a wide RPM range and in all gears. For most casual driving I lightly rev the engine to about 4000 RPM and shift there... nice sound, small whoosh from the turbos and adequate acceleration in most cases.
If you're in a hurry, pushing towards 7000 RPM is okay but realize you're dancing on the engine cutoff line and could lose time if you hit it. For first gear, going much beyond 5000 RPM doesn't buy that much unless you're shooting for a best 1/4-mile time and don't mind abusing the box a bit.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Just cruising around I shift anywhere from 3-4K rpms and go maybe half throttle at the most. Car seems to hate it though. It just wants to go and drives and shifts better when I am beating the crap out of her. On spirited drives, I'll rev it up, full throttle, straight to redline, shifting quickly but not power shifting, every gear. No point in going if you don't go all the way. Oddly enough, my second gear doesn't like shifting at low, slow speeds but if you rev it up, it absolutely loves it.
As for maintenance and wear due to driving habits, yeah, you'll have some, but not much. Being a performance car, it requires performance maintenance and demands attention. I am kind of anal about it and check specs, fluids, etc quite often. Doing so is a good thing though and keeps you in tune with the car. Treat it right, look after it and it will reward you with reliability and lots of fun. Will you have to eventually replace parts? Sure, but it is just par for the course and is to be expected.
As for maintenance and wear due to driving habits, yeah, you'll have some, but not much. Being a performance car, it requires performance maintenance and demands attention. I am kind of anal about it and check specs, fluids, etc quite often. Doing so is a good thing though and keeps you in tune with the car. Treat it right, look after it and it will reward you with reliability and lots of fun. Will you have to eventually replace parts? Sure, but it is just par for the course and is to be expected.
The rev limit is more a mechanical limit than a lubrication limit. I would be extremely disappointed if the bottom end of the Esprit let go under 7000 rpm. I have always owned 4 cylinder cars (mostly Italian) and haven't had one destroy itself yet.
A good quality oil will protect the engine up to these revs. I have got good mileage out of my cars despite pushing the cars hard (on a warm motor of course) There are a lot of steep hills on the roads around here and 4s tend to need 4000+ to keep on the boil. So I keep the revs in the 4-5000 range 6000 on overtaking. If it sounds smooth it's not going to hurt it.
The only exception among cars I have had would be my current Lancia. The supercharger seems to give it a lot more power in the 2-3000 range and starts getting unhappy over 5000, I have been told probably due to shock waves from the rootes type blower.
In conclusion if is sounds happy give it the workout it deserves.
A good quality oil will protect the engine up to these revs. I have got good mileage out of my cars despite pushing the cars hard (on a warm motor of course) There are a lot of steep hills on the roads around here and 4s tend to need 4000+ to keep on the boil. So I keep the revs in the 4-5000 range 6000 on overtaking. If it sounds smooth it's not going to hurt it.
The only exception among cars I have had would be my current Lancia. The supercharger seems to give it a lot more power in the 2-3000 range and starts getting unhappy over 5000, I have been told probably due to shock waves from the rootes type blower.
In conclusion if is sounds happy give it the workout it deserves.
When shifting does anyone double clutch? The PO recommended that I do as it would extend the life of the clutch and was generally better for the car. I've found that to be both 1) a real pain, and 2)that it tends to slow down my shifting as it seems so un-natural to go thru the additional motion. He did tell me that the original owner went thru 2 clutches in the first 30K, and the PO never had to replace his. The car now has 62K and is getting a clutch.
Kevin
88 Turbo
Kevin
88 Turbo
I learnt to drive in a FIAT 500 which has a non synchro box. You can make fast changes when you get the knack. I have had various old cars which appreciated the assistance given too.
If clutch life was considerably different between owners then a couple of possibilities.
1. The clutch actuator was not adjusted to maintain free play at the start of the pedal action.
2. The owner drove with their foot resting on the clutch pedal. Naughty, naughty. There was a driving instructor who carried a stick to whack students on the ankle who did that. Probably not allowed to do that these days.
If clutch life was considerably different between owners then a couple of possibilities.
1. The clutch actuator was not adjusted to maintain free play at the start of the pedal action.
2. The owner drove with their foot resting on the clutch pedal. Naughty, naughty. There was a driving instructor who carried a stick to whack students on the ankle who did that. Probably not allowed to do that these days.
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