Rev Limiter
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
It bounces because the computer cuts ignition and fuel to the engine. When fuel and spark are resumed, the engine revs again until both are cut again - so it bounces. That's the only way the computer can control rpm if the throttle is wide open. The turn on rpm, where the fuel and ignition resume may be a lot lower than the turn on point too, causing it to bounce pretty slowly.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
I really don't know for sure. On our FSAE car here at NC State, the rev limiter bounces really fast, but we've tuned the computer for that. I don't have any experience with the MSD rev limiter. I think the smoothness all depends on the rev limiter itself.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: england UK
over here 99% of factory rev limiters only cut out the injection so it will bounce as engine revs reach and then drop back below the limter, the after market ones cut only ignition but im 95% sure they still bounce becasue of the fact that it will cut the engine at say 5000rpm so as soon as it drops to say 4800rpm it will rev back up to the 5000rpm limit then drop again etc etc goes on for ever till it blows or ya take ya foot off!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 1
From: Copley, OH
The rev limiter in a Crane Hi6 drps cylinders in sequence but holds the RPM constant. It's a "soft" limiter rather than a cutout like the factory limiter. It's still not all that smooth though.
You really don't want to be running on the limiter. The unburned fuel washer all the oil off your ctlinder walls and can ruin your rings in short order if you do it often enough. Besides at the limiter setting, you're way above the engine's power peak so you're not gaining anything.
You really don't want to be running on the limiter. The unburned fuel washer all the oil off your ctlinder walls and can ruin your rings in short order if you do it often enough. Besides at the limiter setting, you're way above the engine's power peak so you're not gaining anything.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Ok so heres how I see it, Ford messed up when they decided to cut fuel as the rev limiting factor. So when the engine is turning as hard as it can, maybe even under a hard load, just cut the fuel and lean it all the way out. That is just a burnt piston waiting to happen. The MSD soft touch drops out ignition pulses randomly so it is a smoother stopping point for the climb of rpms and doesn't lean out the engine. Another option is have a chip burnt by somone like Superchips to give you the rev limit you want, and it will do it with the ignition instead of the injectors. I hope this helps. Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Usually for who? It sucks, I know, but in stock form, the fords like we have cut fuel only. I am not sure how or why they made that decision, but that is how it is done. When I first heard it I didn't believe it either, but I have done alot of research on it, and never found any data anywhere that said different. If you know of some, I would love to see it.....Thanks, Martin.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 93
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From: Las Vegas, NV
On a VW Passat I used to have, the rev limiter would kick in at exactly 6500rpm, and it would hold steady there. No bounce at all. So it is possible, I just don't know how they did it.
Just for curiousity's sake, when does the rev limiter kick in these trucks?
Just for curiousity's sake, when does the rev limiter kick in these trucks?