i sometimes find myself tempted to race someone early in the morning (or when first starting the s2000) and can't because the car doesn't have 3 bars on the temp (if you've tried, you'll know what i mean). do you decline the race or try and stall til the engine warms up?

 

While I wasn't racing, I have experienced this. Kinda wakes you up with a wtf happened?!?!? Oh yeah, just testing the seat belt again

 

if i am in a good mood (which i usually am when driving the s) i will stall....just touching 6k RPM to tease the other driver then when warm...just friggen rail on it!

 

This is exceptionally bad for your motor. When your engine isn't operating at its nominal temperature, the cylinders aren't fully expanded and the seal between the rings and the wall isn't completely formed.

It can lead to long-term damage like putting little scratches and sh*t on your cylinder walls (which, in turn, robs compression and power from the engine).

But, do what you wish. Later.

 

Let them pass. Or, get out and warm er up a little bit earlier. ummm...that won't work...the lurkers are everywhere, and out at all hours.
Let them pass till she's nice and hot.

 

is it really that important to race? unless your cars leased and you know your'e giving it back to the dealer, I would let the engine warm up to proper temps, especially with such a high strung motor.

 

mine is leased!!!!!

 

3 bars is NOT warm. That is simply a coolant guage. Oil temperature is what matters. On cars that have oil temp guages (some M cars for instance) I have noticed the oil temp is not within the normal range for 6-10 minutes whereas the coolant will indicate normal within a couple...

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but when you bracket race, you try to cool your engine down as much as possible between runs. A cooler engine does indeed mean the pistons are slightly smaller, but the rings are forced to the cylinder wall by combustion pressure and spring tension, so engine temp is less of a factor as far as rings are concerned. The slightly smaller diameter on all the bearing surfaces mean less friction, and more oil flow, not engine damage. Some people complain about the piston slap in their LS1. Those people are fools, because the piston slap is a sign that the engine is "loose," meaning less friction. You never hear of an LS1 engine failure, but we all know that oil temp gauges won't save a new M3 (E54?) powerplant. The only oil gauge that means anything is the oil pressure gauge, because regardless of the temp of the oil, if it isn't getting to the top of the engine and all the way down to the main bearings, you will have engine damage.

A cool engine makes more power than a hot engine. Whether or not you want to trust that all will be well is up to you, either way, you aren't gaining or losing much on the street. I seriously doubt Honda would sell an engine that would grenade if raced, hot or cold. FWIW Ford Mustang GT owners' manuals state very clearly that warming up the car is a waste of gas, and real-world testing proves it warms up faster when driven, it takes forever when just idling.

 

99GT, our cars are designed not to go above 6000 rpm's unless we have three bars on out temp gauge. My friend has a prelude, and his will not go above 5000 rpm's ( I think)unless he is at the correct operating temp. Also on other Honda's, VTEC will not work if the car is not at nominal operating temp either. I do agree that a cooler engine makes more hp's, but I also agree with zig184. I suppose there's a happy medium some where.