Idle up? Or idle down?

C

custom89stang

New Member

Dec 9, 2003

705

0

0

Seattle, WA

Mar 30, 2004

#1

• Mar 30, 2004

• #1

What are the advantages and disadvantages to having your idle higher or lower? Some guy said he set his idle to 900RPMs..... (which is higher?)

 

bmorrisj

Member

Sep 26, 2003

449

0

17

Buena Park, CA

Mar 30, 2004

#2

• Mar 30, 2004

• #2

unless you got a lopey cam and you need the engine to stay alive, or you feel like coasting with the clutch pedal leave it around ~600-700....

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Mar 30, 2004

#3

• Mar 30, 2004

• #3

some folks have done mods which require higher idle setting to get the car to run decently (like a cam, as BmorrisJ said).
also some folks mess with the idle to try to lessen the effects of idle surge. i say if you can have it idle at 650-ish (stock), then do it. i have a few cars that idle at 1K rpm or just under, but it is to help other problems.
my two cents worth.

 

93tealstang

Founding Member

Jan 24, 2002

1,242

1

39

McSherrystown/Hanover Pennsylvania

Mar 30, 2004

#4

• Mar 30, 2004

• #4

CHARGING......my car charges bad with any idle below 800 even with stock pulley's. Make sure your alternator charges good if you want a lower idle. A higher idle consumes a bit more gas, I'd say that meaning anything 1,000 RPM's and up. My cars seem to like about 800-850ish.