[Navigator]

I drive my Camaro SS year round, even in subzero temperatures, and was wondering if there’s any recommendations for RPM limits until the engine reaches certain coolant and oil temperatures.

I’m coming from owning a GT350 where everyone was very aware of potential issues with the Voodoo engine going above 4k RPMs when the oil temperature was below 190. I drove that car year round too, and it could take a very long time to get to that temperature. On some days it would never happen. I’m not seeing much concern about that around here with the LT1.

With my commute, I live a mile from the expressway on ramp. Can I do a redline pull when the car is still warming up?

Or in my way home, my office is a couple blocks from the on ramp, but I’m in a heated garage that stays at 60. Can I do a redline pull leaving the office?

I’m so used to not doing that with the Shelby, but kind of tired of driving a fast car slow always and having a RAV4 blow past me on the on ramp because I’m being cautious.

[DeuceCam]

I usually wait until oil temp is above 160*F to go past 3K RPM and above 180*F for a WOT /redline pull. I'm probably overly cautious. I also live in a warm climate so it usually doesn't take more than 5-10 mins of commuting to reach those temps.

[Navigator]

Originally Posted by DeuceCam

I usually wait until oil temp is above 160*F to go past 3K RPM and above 180*F for a WOT /redline pull. I'm probably overly cautious. I also live in a warm climate so it usually doesn't take more than 5-10 mins of commuting to reach those temps.

That’s probably the safest route, even if it’s less fun in my case. I’m always surprised at the number of people who gun it on onramps by the office even though their car has probably been on for all of two minutes. I guess most people just don’t think about it.

Has Chevy given any recommendations on safe parameters for this? I haven’t seen any.

If I recall the issue with the GT350 was that it used Hypereutectic pistons that could lead to piston slap and oil consumption issues if you got on it before they warmed up. I don’t think that’s an issue with the LT1 though?

[speedyink1]

I wouldn't push any engine hard when it's not yet up to temp, especially not to redline territory.


For me in the Camaro, I go by the oil temp gauge while warming the engine up. I won't do any hard accelerating or anything past 2500 RPM until the gauge is at about quarter way (70ish celsius?) Once it gets to 80 I'll do some harder pulls, maybe take it to 5000 RPM or so. WOT/Redine action isn't until the oil temp is stabilized near the half way mark.


I am definitely being conservative, just how I roll

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Navigator

Can I do a redline pull when the car is still warming up?

Or in my way home, my office is a couple blocks from the on ramp, but I’m in a heated garage that stays at 60. Can I do a redline pull leaving the office?

I’m so used to not doing that with the Shelby, but kind of tired of driving a fast car slow always and having a RAV4 blow past me on the on ramp because I’m being cautious.

If you redline an engine when the oil and engine components aren't up to temp, you're running it at an extreme load with insufficient lubrication, which will cause premature wear. The engine won't grenade for one or two cold WOT pulls, but you'll actively reduce its lifespan.

Now, I'm not sure what responses you're expecting from people on the internet (us), but you probably won't get any validation, no one here will say "you can do whatever to a cold engine, it's gonna be okay". That said, it's your engine after all , and if beating RAV4s and CR-Vs on the on-ramp matters, I genuine don't blame you, just be aware of the tradeoff

[bishopts]

The onramp entrance next to my job is about 75 feet from the driveway. My engine is usually still cold and I'm doing about 80 when the onramp ends. I shift at 5k rpm and I'm usually spinning most of the ramp. I will be damned if RAV4 is gonna beat me to the highway!

[SSShark]

Originally Posted by bishopts

The onramp entrance next to my job is about 75 feet from the driveway. My engine is usually still cold and I'm doing about 80 when the onramp ends. I shift at 5k rpm and I'm usually spinning most of the ramp. I will be damned if RAV4 is gonna beat me to the highway!

[JT6Speed]

There is no set temp from GM, and it will vary person to person.

To me, until about 140 or so, I keep it at 2k or under. I have a lot of backroads around here so that's not hard. Around 170 is when I'll push to 3k maybe. Once I'm at 200 then all bets are off

[Navigator]

180-190*F oil temp seemed to be consensus for a safe temperature for the Voodoo and everyone was very concerned about it given the fragility of those engines. Just surprised to not see more discussion of it around the LT1, but I know it’s a more durable engine so maybe most drivers don’t overthink it.

That being said, I do hate the oil temp gauge digital display for the SS and wish they came up with a more easily legible design. Way too many lines and not enough numbers.

[p47dman]

My question is " why would you want to do that when the road temp is -20? Traction is far less in cold weather.

[Navigator]

Originally Posted by p47dman

My question is " why would you want to do that when the road temp is -20? Traction is far less in cold weather.

I am running a set of Michelin X-Ice tires in the winter. Days like -20 aren’t too common but was wondering more about days like today where it’s 45 out. Even in mid summer on hot days the engine doesn’t have much time to warm up when the on-ramp is right next to my parking garage.

[sscentex]

My car gets the .75 miles from my driveway to the main road and then I drive it how I want. I’ve done it with my scat pack, Durango, turbo’d tundra, my two previous silverados, and my blazer. These cars aren’t the delicate flowers the internet makes them out to be. They are designed for the regular Joe to get out and just drive however they want whenever they want.

[Joshinator99]

My AMG actively flashes the oil temp number at you when it’s too cold for redline, and I thought that was a good idea. It stops flashing at 80 degrees Celsius which is 176 degrees Fahrenheit, so there’s your answer.