Ignetek rev limit

[garyS-NJ]

Just got new skins and had the '84 xvz12 out with the Ignetek ignition. I brought it to the pre-set (but changeable) 7500RPM rev limit and seemed the motor wanted to go so much more (I wanted to go so much more). I read specs noting max hp at 7000rpm and max speed in gear at 7500rpm. And see that my tach redline is 8000 rpm (showing red from 8-10Krpm). So what is the real max rpm before we get valve float and would it be reasonable for me to set the rev limit to 8500rpm or 9K???

[Flyinfool]

Valve float has a lot to do with the health of your 31 year old valve springs, and how freely your valves are moving in the guides. There are a few people on here that have been able to get much higher RPM numbers than others. You will have to experiment to find the limits of your engine. Those limits may also change with temperature. You do not want to floating the valves on a regular basis, they just will not live long and will do real bad things if the valve drops.

[garyS-NJ]

So 8500rpm is safe?

[Flyinfool]

Anything over red line is always at your own risk. The bottom end can handle it. As long as your not floating the valves, you are fine. The valve float is the limiting factor.

[garyS-NJ]

8500 it is..

[lonestarmedic]

I set my Ignitech at 8300. Seems to be a good compromise. I did modify my curve slightly at that point. Lowered the vacuum advance to 50 degrees and worked the table down from there. Did not have any problems. But felt at 8000 RPM that I was dancing on the edge!