taking my Honda civic to the track...?

Question

OK, i have a question that might sound stupid, but i still want to ask it anyway

i have a 2003 honda civic manual, and i have RPM question-
my redline is 6800, sooo what is the worst that can happen to the car if i will get it to high RPM's like 6000, and i mean, will i break the car, ENGINE???? transmission, and as for how much i will be taking it that high, and umm maybe like twice/week.

(i always get mixed answers when i ask this question to people)

Answer 1

your engine is protected from overreving by the computer. the computer will shut off spark to the plugs when you exceed the rev limiters pre set rpm limit. it will make a funny sound, and you will slow down until you are back in the safe range, and then your computer will re apply power to the ignition system again. any other answer, and they dont know what they are talking about. the factory sets the rev limiter for much less than would actually damage the engine, to reduce warranty claims. if you drive at the limit, and too aggressively all the time, you will wear things out faster, but your engine will not die just because you got into the rev limiter a little bit. when I race my motorcycle, I always run it to the rev limit, and when I hear it miss I shift. that way I can keep my eye on the track, and not watch the tach. my redline is at 11,500, but the rev limiter kicks in at almost 12,000. you will be fine.

Answer 2

You can run into the 6's, and your rev limiter will keep it safe for the most part. Keep the temp down and oil changed regularly, very regularly.

Running it like that breaks down the oil really quick so you might want to change it every 2000 miles or so, depending. At that rate you don't have to change the filter every time but use a good filter, like a Mobil One or K&N.

If you're racing, remember - you need the torque, torque comes in before the redline in these cars - all the HP is up top in the red.

Find some sites with dyno pulls showing the torque and HP curves and that is what you can base your shift patterns and such on - run to the red, shift where the torque is peaked so you can still accelerate

Good luck, have fun and don't kill anyone...or yourself

Answer 3

No, it wont break down, you'll just make the engine work a little more then usual, and burn a little more oil and gas.

Since your civic redlines at 6800, take your civic about 6800 or 6900. Not to much like 8000, or else it will surely heat up and break down.

Answer 4

I take my 6,200 rpm Pontiac 2006 GTO to Motor Sports Ranch and never get close to red-line. Car control first, speed second. Learn apex of the turn, proper braking, double clutching, trailing braking, early braking and when to floor the throtttle, then try for lowering your lap times. Smoothness will be rewarded. And a good instructor will teach you the proper line thru the corner and tricks around each track. Buy your own helmet that fits properly. Try driving with it on to see where your driver seat needs to be set and get closer to the steering wheel. Tire pressures need to be checked after a couple of laps shoe polish helps you know how the side wall of the tire is preforming. You want to use the whole tire tread. I set mine at 24 psi front and 20 rear Bridgstone pontenza RE090R 245/40/18" and get around nicely. 5 year old car at the track? fresh brake fluid is essential. and everything in order no bungee cord battery tie downs. fresh oil good maintence. And it is hard on your motor to drive like that. \Clutch engine and syncros will all talk to you.

Answer 5

Listen to Brian H. I had a 01 civic ex and I took it to red line everytime. I actually opened up the engine and made my car feel like it ran better and that I was gettting more power out of it. You rev limiter is gonna stop you from putting your car in any real danger and all thats gonna happen is that you might burn more fuel and all cause the engin is working harder after all.

Answer 6

no your engine wont break down, but you do have to watch your engine temp. If it gets to high that is when it can start to smoke and break down. So go ahead and run your little civic up to the 6000+ rpms, just watch out for the engine temp.

Answer 7

u will be fine i have a 89 civic with a 07 b16 5,000 miles and i take it to 8rpm all day the msd is for 8,700rpm and the computer goes for 9,300rpm, and ur car is new u will be fine for a while..trust me.

Answer 8

OK WELL IT DEPENDS ON WAT MOTOR YOU HAVE BUT YOUR PEAK HORSE POWER SHOULD BE ABOUT 63OR64,OOO RPM AND YOUR CAR WIL BE FINE EVEN IF YOU REDLINE ITS FINE HONDA MOTOR ARE THE BEST FOR HIGH RPM JUST NEVER TAKE A SOHC OVER 7 UNLESS YOU HAVE REBUILT YOUR HEAD YOU CAN FLOAT A VALVE REAL EASY ABOVE 7 BUT NOW DOHC YOU CAN TAKE TO ABOUT 9000 SAFELY BUT FORGET SOME DOHC. SOHC ALL THE WAY BALLIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

No ur car will be fine. But I wouldnt even take it above 5000, anything above that and you're making barely any power, it would actually be faster to upshift!

Answer 10

just dont redline it, other than that you are OK. its good to open it up a little bit, cleans all the pipes out, you know what i mean.