<VV> LUG - not nuts

[J R Read_HML]

Hi Matt,

Well, yes I know how to recognize it, the kinds of driving situations which 
could lead to it, and how to avoid it.  I was just trying to figure out if 
there was a specific well formulated definition that could be used when you 
are telling a "new" driver of an older car NOT to LUG the engine.

Just WHAT is that supposed to mean to the person who steps out of the modern 
car you mention in example 1 below and into a stick shift Corvair?  It just 
seems that it is not all that clear cut.  BUT, I would think that it might 
be something along the lines of too much throttle for the speed of the 
vehicle considering the gear currently selected and resulting (among other 
things - mainly bad) in little or no actual acceleration.  This was the type 
of thing I was shooting for with my question.  Don't know if this is the 
best answer or if it fully conveys the message.  It might be a starting 
point for a more concise definition?  I liked your "torque" explanation.

BTW - you often hear that same admonition when someone is breaking in a 
newly rebuilt engine.

Sometimes I like to THINK that I'm 17 - well, at least 21.

Attachments (if any) are scanned with anti-virus software.

Later, JR

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <UltraMonzaWest at aol.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 7:03 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> LUG - not nuts


> In a message dated 3/8/2006 4:20:31 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> hmlinc at sbcglobal.net writes:
>
>> just what is the precise (if there is one) definition?
>>
> **************************************************************************************
>
> I'm shocked!   YOU  don't know this?   Then again..when you're only
> 17........LOL!
>
> 1
> "Lugging"  the engine  is when you use the TORQUE to keep you moving up 
> that
> hill...versus  downshifting....
>
> Example:   todays cars.......you can drive up the steep grade at 70 
> without
> shifting down / unlocking the Torque Convertor in your automatic...done it
> 100's of times...
>
> Today you have your arm around your "partner of choice".....and use the
> Cruise Control......same hill......same speed.....your POC  is not 
> overweight [ we
> hope!]
>
> All of a sudden the  trans shifts down a gear...or 2!!....
>
> Computor says: " it's more efficient to rev the engine higher while under
> this "load"  than "lugging" it..."
>
> 2
> When driving NON  computor cars.....with manual transmission.....and only 
> a
> Vacuum Advance / weights and springs....to adjust timing......it is 
> possible to
>  leave the engine in a higher gear.......loading it to a point where the
> timing is too far advanced...even when the VA  falls off....and the engine 
> speed
> is too slow...and you foot is too far down on the accelerator! [  quite 
> common
> when going around a street Corner  and forgetting to downshift ]
>
> This also causes pinging / detonation...
>
>
> 3
> "Motor Octane"  gasoline test.........Using Dynometer, they "lug"  the 
> engine
> down to a certain RPM / Throttle opening / Timing advance.......depending 
> on
> what these 3 parameters are......determines the Motor Octane  Rating  [ 
> Also
> done by varying compression ratio]
>
> Source:   various mechanics , Hot Rodders, Engineers...
>
>
>
> Matt Nall / Patiomatt / WCUH / Mr. DeckRug
> 69 Monza Cpe., 66 Monza vert, 65 Crown v8 Cpe.
> Somewhere between Reno, NV and Coos Bay, Or.
> http://members.aol.com/patiomatt    Corvair Info!
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