governer?
04-02-09, 09:36 PM
#1
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governer?
i have an 85 gslse and i hit 119mph the other day but then stoped? it was only at 5200 rpm so thats not the top speed i dont think, im guessin its a governer. if so how can i take it off??
04-02-09, 11:08 PM
#3
no governer, rev limiter or speed limiter were ever installed on an SA or FB. a lot of factors can limit top speed. factors such as altitude, performance modifications, restrictive or worn components, improperly tuned engine (i.e. poor spark plugs, weak spark, dirty injectors or filter etc), tire inflation etc. the GSL-SE's top speed was listed at 125mph so i dont think you're doing so bad. this was taken in 04 on a stock 84 SE that i had. the converters were on the way out and starting to break apart and clog:
04-02-09, 11:29 PM
#4
Damn man, up around 165km/h my front end starts floating so bad that I wouldn't DARE go any faster for fear that a good sideways gust would sent me off the track... I wouldn't recommend going faster than that with the stock front bumper, there's too much front end lift and you really start to lose grip and steering control.
But to the original poster : The way limiters work is by computer control doing one of two things, either a) cutting spark or b) cutting fuel. Since our spark system is distributor-based, there is no computer involvement here, so our cars literally can't have that kind of limiter without completely overhauling the ignition system and installing a stand-alone management computer and direct fire system. As for cutting fuel, this would be *possible* on the GSL-SE, though it's completely impossible on all the 12a models (S, GS, GSL) because the fuel there is controlled by carburetor - again, a mechanical system that can't be controlled by computer without replacing it with fuel injection and a stand-alone fuel management computer. While the GSL-SE technically could have a limiter because it has electronic fuel injection, that technology is rarely (if ever) found on such early FI systems as the one on the GSL-SE. I don't even know if the idea had crossed engineer's minds yet at that point. Figure that in 1985 the state of "computers" was very VERY different than it is today, and more than likely the GSL-SE fuel injection isn't "computer" controlled as much as it's "electronically" controlled - using simple circuitry to trigger the fuel injectors based on conditions such as the signal from the ignition coil, throttle position sensor, etc...
Long story short, it's highly unlikely that the -SE has a limiter (in fact we *know* it doesn't, but just going on theory alone it'd be improbable) and we can assert that the 12a models *can't* have one even if someone wanted one.
So start looking at other limiting factors. Exhaust is probably the biggest one. After a certain point the backpressure from the stock exhaust would be too much for the engine to overcome and you'd hit a wall. Upgrading your exhaust to something like a Racing Beat "Street Port" exhaust system would do wonders. Assuming you've got that, turn to your engine next. If it's anything like mine, it probably has about 200,000km on it by now, and nowhere near the compression it did when it was new. Even new, a stock ported engine only puts out so much power and flows air to a certain efficiency, so porting and compression have a huge effect on what your car can do. The fact that a 24yr old engine is still pulling our cars up this high and hard is a real tribute to Mazda's engineers!
Past that, the stuff mentioned already above all applies : air filter, spark plugs, spark plug wires, tires and pressure all have an effect on the efficiency of your car and it's ability to intake air, output exhaust and transfer that power to the road. A K&N Cone filter will help a little, compared to the stock airbox, though not as much as things like exhaust.
And this is the point where I remind you that if you're not doing this on the track, you shouldn't be doing this. It's fun to own a sports car, but putting yourself and others in danger by doing crazy speeds on the highway is just not cool. Barring that, I hope this post gave you some info about what's likely going on with your car.
Jon
But to the original poster : The way limiters work is by computer control doing one of two things, either a) cutting spark or b) cutting fuel. Since our spark system is distributor-based, there is no computer involvement here, so our cars literally can't have that kind of limiter without completely overhauling the ignition system and installing a stand-alone management computer and direct fire system. As for cutting fuel, this would be *possible* on the GSL-SE, though it's completely impossible on all the 12a models (S, GS, GSL) because the fuel there is controlled by carburetor - again, a mechanical system that can't be controlled by computer without replacing it with fuel injection and a stand-alone fuel management computer. While the GSL-SE technically could have a limiter because it has electronic fuel injection, that technology is rarely (if ever) found on such early FI systems as the one on the GSL-SE. I don't even know if the idea had crossed engineer's minds yet at that point. Figure that in 1985 the state of "computers" was very VERY different than it is today, and more than likely the GSL-SE fuel injection isn't "computer" controlled as much as it's "electronically" controlled - using simple circuitry to trigger the fuel injectors based on conditions such as the signal from the ignition coil, throttle position sensor, etc...
Long story short, it's highly unlikely that the -SE has a limiter (in fact we *know* it doesn't, but just going on theory alone it'd be improbable) and we can assert that the 12a models *can't* have one even if someone wanted one.
So start looking at other limiting factors. Exhaust is probably the biggest one. After a certain point the backpressure from the stock exhaust would be too much for the engine to overcome and you'd hit a wall. Upgrading your exhaust to something like a Racing Beat "Street Port" exhaust system would do wonders. Assuming you've got that, turn to your engine next. If it's anything like mine, it probably has about 200,000km on it by now, and nowhere near the compression it did when it was new. Even new, a stock ported engine only puts out so much power and flows air to a certain efficiency, so porting and compression have a huge effect on what your car can do. The fact that a 24yr old engine is still pulling our cars up this high and hard is a real tribute to Mazda's engineers!
Past that, the stuff mentioned already above all applies : air filter, spark plugs, spark plug wires, tires and pressure all have an effect on the efficiency of your car and it's ability to intake air, output exhaust and transfer that power to the road. A K&N Cone filter will help a little, compared to the stock airbox, though not as much as things like exhaust.
And this is the point where I remind you that if you're not doing this on the track, you shouldn't be doing this. It's fun to own a sports car, but putting yourself and others in danger by doing crazy speeds on the highway is just not cool. Barring that, I hope this post gave you some info about what's likely going on with your car.
Jon
04-03-09, 04:16 AM
#6
You've just simply reached the limit to where hp can no longer overcome drivetrain loses, rolling resistance and aerodynamic resistance. A fresh tuneup and increasing the tire pressure might net you a few more mph but the car is pretty much maxed out. My FC would only hit 120 with under 100k original miles. I could gain another 5 mph going down a long hill. My friends TII however had no problem hitting 135. Other than the engine/drivetrain, our cars are nearly identical, including color, lol.
04-03-09, 06:47 AM
#7
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These cars are better at being "quick" than they are at being "fast". With proper modifications, like a good air damn and spoiler, you can overcome the tendency for the front end to lift at higher speeds, but then you'll also need some hp mods to get there.
I'd rather be quick than fast, at least for now. Most of my battles take place at 70 and under, unless I'm doing a Solo I in which case I'll get up to around 80-90 mph. Its a lot harder to kill yourself if you keep it under 70 or so...
.
I'd rather be quick than fast, at least for now. Most of my battles take place at 70 and under, unless I'm doing a Solo I in which case I'll get up to around 80-90 mph. Its a lot harder to kill yourself if you keep it under 70 or so...
.
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04-03-09, 09:20 AM
#8
Man, have we all gotten spoiled with modern cars, or what? "Only" 125 to 130 MPH... with cars basically designed in the 70's, before any kind of real computer modelling was even possible. Technology has come a long way in 30 years.
If you look at the average performance of cars from that era, 125-130 was exceptional for all but the exotics. Hell, the published top speed of the 1980 Corvette, with a 190hp 350 V8, was only 124mph!
I'll agree with Vipernicus, too; upwards of the 120's, the first-gen's front-end aerodynamics start producing noticeable lift. Gets real skittish.
If you look at the average performance of cars from that era, 125-130 was exceptional for all but the exotics. Hell, the published top speed of the 1980 Corvette, with a 190hp 350 V8, was only 124mph!
I'll agree with Vipernicus, too; upwards of the 120's, the first-gen's front-end aerodynamics start producing noticeable lift. Gets real skittish.
04-03-09, 10:28 AM
#9
another thing i woul dlike to add is that a lot of the real limts come from the tires ability or lack thereof to sustain the high speeds. all tires have a speed rating and even today's cars top speed are limited in many cases because of the tires used.
04-03-09, 10:42 AM
#10
No governor.
FWIW, I have had my '85 S up around 125 between Copper Harbor, MI and just north of Calumet. Middle of the night. Story goes that my room mate wanted to make it to Wal*Mart before 2am to buy booze. It was 1:20 when we left Copper Harbor, and we made it to Wal*Mart in Houghton by 1:50. It's normally a ~50 minute drive... Only real danger was from wildlife, but with moose, black bear, and large deer, it is a dangerous proposition. I agree that these cars are most fun below about 70mph. It doesn't take nearly the concentration to cruise at 100+ as it does to race an auto-x course.
FWIW, I have had my '85 S up around 125 between Copper Harbor, MI and just north of Calumet. Middle of the night. Story goes that my room mate wanted to make it to Wal*Mart before 2am to buy booze. It was 1:20 when we left Copper Harbor, and we made it to Wal*Mart in Houghton by 1:50. It's normally a ~50 minute drive... Only real danger was from wildlife, but with moose, black bear, and large deer, it is a dangerous proposition. I agree that these cars are most fun below about 70mph. It doesn't take nearly the concentration to cruise at 100+ as it does to race an auto-x course.
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