SR4 2006 Radical Owners Manual.docx
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issue
2
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5
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Issued:
21/09/06
Starting The Engine
Motors with flat-slide carbs
– depress the throttle fully 2-3 times, then depress it a small amount and
start the engine. Allow the engine to warm before depressing throttle further.
Motors with electronic fuel injection
- Start the engine with the throttle closed. To start the engine
when the engine is warm, depress the throttle a small amount before starting the engine.
WARNING
The starter clutch may be damaged if the engine is turned over slowly. Only start with fully charged
battery, or battery jumper kit
Power Seating
After the motor has been brought to working temperature, it should be driven off, short shifting
through the gearbox until you are in top gear. Drop the speed down to the lowest it will reasonably
pull away in top gear. Then accelerate hard for a few seconds and then snap shut the throttle and
coast for a few seconds. Do this fifteen times as a minimum. Accelerating hard, but only using low
revs, pushes the rings hard onto the bores. By then snapping shut the throttle, oil is then dragged up
to wash the bores clean. Keeping the revs low will eliminate the chance of glazing the bores.
Running-In
Now the motor needs to be run in for at least two hours. You must not use more than 80% of the
engine revs. Vary the speed, short shift, and do not hold it at constant revs. The engine is supplied
from the factory with mineral oil for running-in purposes.
Change to Radical-recommended synthetic based racing oil when running-in is complete.
Watch the temperature and pressure gauges, return to the pits regularly, and thoroughly check all
hose fittings for leaks.
Running the Engine
Do not run the engine under load if:-
a)
oil temperature is below 60°C
b)
oil temperature is above 120°C
c)
water temperature is below 60°C
d)
water temperature is above 100°C
e)
oil pressure when up to temperature at 4000rpm is under 50psi.
The oil pressure when the engine is started should run at 90psi at 4000rpm when up to temperature
the oil pressure should read 60psi at 4000rpm.
Maximum engine revs:- 10,500rpm
If over-revved from 11,000rpm – 12,000rpm for more than 2 seconds per hour, in any 1 hour of
operation the engine will require stripping for inspection and repair, at the customers cost, prior to any
further running. (Any over-rev will be recorded on a data logger or ECU histogram, if fitted.)
The rev limiter is set to 10,500rpm. Persistent use of the rev limiter will damage the engine.
It is important to log the number of hours the engine is run. The engine should run for no more than
30 racing hours before being returned to the factory for a rebuild. If the engine is stressed less (i.e.
trackday or road use) the car should be returned to the factory every 30 hours for a rolling road
dynamometer test. Engines which are not raced, regularly cover 90 hours without requiring attention.
