Rev Limiter

[CThompson31]

So I've been wondering lately if there was a way I could raise or remove the rev limiter. Is this a good or bad idea? Will it even impact performance at all?

[00Beast]

Which rev limiter are you talking about? The one when in park or when you go WOT? There isn't a real performance benefit of moving it until you modify the valvetrain with stiffer valvesprings allowing you to rev higher w/o valve float. There are a lot of things that go into it. You need a tune to change the rev limiter.

[CThompson31]

The one where you go WOT! Haha. I've noticed that a few times whenever I floor it (Yes I do that) it only goes up to 4500, and yet it shows it can go to 7000+ rpm on the tachometer.

[00Beast]

Should go up to around 5200 at WOT. They make the tach go to 7000 just for show. I've yet to see a 3800 that needs to spin 7k RPM. Our motors are more about low and mid-range torque.

[CThompson31]

Do you perhaps think that it's an engine issue then, or just does it need to be tuned?

[CThompson31]

Do you perhaps think that it's an engine issue then, or just does it need to be tuned?

Total grammar fail by the way. Haha

[viper8907]

No, Stock rev limiter according to the stock HP tuner file I just downloaded for an 01 L36 is 5850. (spark cutout at 5850, fuel cutout at 5950.)

But otherwise Ed is right, you need to have stiffer valve springs to rev higher, and even then, without a cam or rockers, there's not reason to.

If you can rev to only 4500 under WOT, you do have a problem somewhere though.

[00Beast]

Does it seem to hit a wall at 4500 or does it miss? When did you last do plugs and wires?

[CThompson31]

No, Stock rev limiter according to the stock HP tuner file I just downloaded for an 01 L36 is 5850. (spark cutout at 5850, fuel cutout at 5950.)

But otherwise Ed is right, you need to have stiffer valve springs to rev higher, and even then, without a cam or rockers, there's not reason to.

If you can rev to only 4500 under WOT, you do have a problem somewhere though.

Oh crap....that's what I feared.

[CThompson31]

Does it seem to hit a wall at 4500 or does it miss? When did you last do plugs and wires?

I have no idea when. Ever since my dad bought the car for me we've taken it to a GM dealership once. They told us that everything checked out, but that was when the right rear window motor gave out. That was a while back.

However, I am starting to think that there probably is a spark issue. Sometimes when I start the car it just rocks. I'm thinking it's a spark issue because my mother had a Ford Escape once and it had the same problem. The engine would just shake the whole vehicle because a spark plug was out (that or it was literally a Fix Or Repair Daily) Yet whenever I back out of the garage or go down the street, it doesn't do that anymore.

[00Beast]

Replace your spark plugs and wires. NGK TR55 and NAPA Beldin Premium plug wires. All you need is an hour, a cold beverage, a 5/8" spark plug socket, ratchet and extensions. Don't pay the stealership $100 to do what you can do for $50.

[CThompson31]

Replace your spark plugs and wires. NGK TR55 and NAPA Beldin Premium plug wires. All you need is an hour, a cold beverage, a 5/8" spark plug socket, ratchet and extensions. Don't pay the stealership $100 to do what you can do for $50.

That's the problem. I don't have the money or tools to do that.

[00Beast]

Well then it's time to park your car, because you are probably doing damage to the car driving it in this condition.

[CThompson31]

Well then it's time to park your car, because you are probably doing damage to the car driving it in this condition.

That's going to be awfully hard to do since both my father and I use it. It's a long story. I'd really hate to do that, but since it's for the sake of keeping it then I'll have to talk to my father about getting another vehicle until the Bonneville is in good shape.

[00Beast]

Well then you need to tell your dad the car needs some maintenance. I'd do the fuel filter and the plugs and wires and have everything else looked at.

[CThompson31]

Well then you need to tell your dad the car needs some maintenance. I'd do the fuel filter and the plugs and wires and have everything else looked at.

I'll be sure to tell him that. After all, since it has 113K miles it really needs the work done.

[repinS]

Well then it's time to park your car, because you are probably doing damage to the car driving it in this condition.

That's going to be awfully hard to do since both my father and I use it. It's a long story. I'd really hate to do that, but since it's for the sake of keeping it then I'll have to talk to my father about getting another vehicle until the Bonneville is in good shape.

Can't afford to maintain it but want to buy another car that you'll still have to maintain?

[CThompson31]

Well then it's time to park your car, because you are probably doing damage to the car driving it in this condition.

That's going to be awfully hard to do since both my father and I use it. It's a long story. I'd really hate to do that, but since it's for the sake of keeping it then I'll have to talk to my father about getting another vehicle until the Bonneville is in good shape.

Can't afford to maintain it but want to buy another car that you'll still have to maintain?

I'm tired. So I'm not thinking right for some reason. I feel stupid. Haha

[Jrs3800]

spark limiter is a bit different than shift RPM...

Most of the OBD2 3800 have a forced shift between 5400 and 5500... Meaning you will shift at 5600-5700

95 was the only year I know of where GM had the engine spin to 5950.. Fuel cut off was 6200...

I have altered my Van to force a shift at 6000, the PCM is set to 5800, but you will see 150-200 rpms more than what you set it for... My rev limit is shall we say adjusted up.. But I am still forcing it to shift before it can get there...

If you were to tinker with the shift RPM, Rev Limiter, Spark limiter and fuel cut off I would tell you to look at all of these tables first... and on the stock valvetrain I would not go too much past 6000..

Now if you are shifting at 4500 Rpms WOT, you may want to look at the TPS sensor as this is what the PCM uses to see load... If it didn't think you were 100% Throttle angle it could shift early when you are WOT...

My 03 SLE is on a 100% stock Binfile... I would love a couple hundred more revs before it shifts... But its the one car I am trying to leave alone...LOL

[viper8907]

spark limiter is a bit different than shift RPM...

Most of the OBD2 3800 have a forced shift between 5400 and 5500... Meaning you will shift at 5600-5700

When I went into HPtuners I was looking for that table, but I for some stupid reason I went to the engine page instead and couldn't find it. You are correct, 5450 for 1-2 shift, 5700 for 2-3 shift.