Re: RPM Limiter

[Rolf Mair <waves@epix.net>]

Yes, I did say that right. Although every car is different, for the most 
part, when we are talking about flat autocrosses, as opposed to 
hillclimbs, we are more concerned with horsepower than torque. Therefore, 
we must find what the hp curve for our particular car is and use it 
wisely as far as shift points are concerned. Torque usually falls off 
slightly before HP anyway, so that argument probably isn't valid. 
Flywheel or rear wheels, it's all the same HP. What happens after the 
flywheel is 'parsley' (doesn't matter) in terms of RPM limits. The fact 
is the motor is still spinning too fast for it's ability and really isn't 
making enough power to warrant the excess revs. The original question 
about the 4000 cut-off problem needs to be addressed as it was given. If 
in fact the motor cuts out entirely for a second, that may be bad for 
times in a race, and I can understand the reason for altering it. BUT, if 
one wants to eliminate that limiter for the hell fo it, that isn't the 
best idea. 
One final note on the diff. between flywheel and rear wheel HP. You lose 
alot in that distance, but for the most part we are speaking of a 
consistant factor. If we bolted an audi 4cyl motor to a motorcycle, 
redline would be achieved quicker and under much less stress, thereby 
allowing possibly higher rpm simply based on a rapid spool-up. If it were 
bolted in a one-ton dually pick up, if redline could be reached, the 
stress and lenght of time needed to hit max rev would surely clap the 
motor out in short order. The motor in either case would still be making 
the same HP, but the rear wheel HP would change. That's the only change, 
so rpm  stays the same, it may just be the ammount of load that alters 
the practical redline.
r.mair