Cheap Rev Limiter?
- Big Ratfink
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:37 pm
Cheap Rev Limiter?
I'll have 2 teenagers driving shortly, l feel the need to install some sort of rev limiter.
I'm running a stock German crank and for now a stock vacuum advance points distributor.
What's the cheapest, easiest way to add protection short of yanking a spark plug wire.
What would a good limit be- 5000 rpm? 5500? Lower???
I'm running a stock German crank and for now a stock vacuum advance points distributor.
What's the cheapest, easiest way to add protection short of yanking a spark plug wire.
What would a good limit be- 5000 rpm? 5500? Lower???
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- Posts: 17881
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:17 pm
Re: Cheap Rev Limiter?
There is a German rev-limitating rotor available from Bosch. It is available in several RPM limits; I have been running one that has limit of something like 5500 revs
- Marc
- Moderator
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- Joined: Thu May 23, 2002 12:01 am
Re: Cheap Rev Limiter?
If it's a distributor which takes the 04 012 or 033 rotor (most later stock ones, plus the 0 231 178 009) there are a few different rev-limiting rotors you can use in it. Lowest is the one that was stock on Buses w/Type IV engines, just 5400 RPM...there are a couple of higher options available too, and ones as low as 4500 that were used in Euro-spec Buses with the 1600 Type I engine. Expect to pay around $25-$30 for one if you shop around (aircooled.net has'em at $37.95 + shipping), some places ask >$40
...but some will ship for free.
4500, 5400, 5800, 6500, 6600, 6800, and 7100 versions exist - with a stock crankshaft I'd opt for the 5400 (04 016).
CIP1 has a Bruck clone of the 5400 which should be good enough for your purposes: http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... D332%2D144
1 234 332 144 / 04 016 (5400 RPM) normally used in T4 engines
1 234 332 207 / 04 030 (5800 RPM) normally used in 4-cyl 914s VW P/N 022 905 225A
1 234 332 198 / 04 023 (6500 RPM) `69-`77 911, 914/6 Porsche P/N 911-602-928-00
1 234 332 205 / 04 028 (7100 RPM) `69-`73 911E Porsche P/N 911-602-925-00
Baywindows with Type I engines (never sold in the US but available in other markets) had:
1 234 332 192 / 04 021 (4500 RPM)
1 234 332 314 / ? (4800 RPM)

4500, 5400, 5800, 6500, 6600, 6800, and 7100 versions exist - with a stock crankshaft I'd opt for the 5400 (04 016).
CIP1 has a Bruck clone of the 5400 which should be good enough for your purposes: http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... D332%2D144
1 234 332 144 / 04 016 (5400 RPM) normally used in T4 engines
1 234 332 207 / 04 030 (5800 RPM) normally used in 4-cyl 914s VW P/N 022 905 225A
1 234 332 198 / 04 023 (6500 RPM) `69-`77 911, 914/6 Porsche P/N 911-602-928-00
1 234 332 205 / 04 028 (7100 RPM) `69-`73 911E Porsche P/N 911-602-925-00
Baywindows with Type I engines (never sold in the US but available in other markets) had:
1 234 332 192 / 04 021 (4500 RPM)
1 234 332 314 / ? (4800 RPM)
- sideshow
- Posts: 3428
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2003 11:00 am
Re: Cheap Rev Limiter?
Think small venturis also, a little less harsh that the sudden fire/no fire
Yeah some may call it overkill, but you can't have too much overkill.
- Big Ratfink
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:37 pm
Re: Cheap Rev Limiter?
Thanks. It can't get much easier than swapping out a rotor!
I'm only running the stock 34 pict carb but because the apple doesnt fall too far from the tree, I think when nobody's looking they'll step on the gas so hard that you'll be able to see toes stickin out the top of the carburator!
I'm only running the stock 34 pict carb but because the apple doesnt fall too far from the tree, I think when nobody's looking they'll step on the gas so hard that you'll be able to see toes stickin out the top of the carburator!
- gtmdriver
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 1:38 am
Re: Cheap Rev Limiter?
VW Heritage have a 4500rpm limiting rotor arm listed for T1 1600 engines.
https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/2119052 ... m-cut-out/
https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/2119052 ... m-cut-out/
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- Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:11 pm
Re: Cheap Rev Limiter?
limit the throttle opening




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- Posts: 428
- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2014 1:26 am
Re: Cheap Rev Limiter?
Limit it through valve float 

---
2165cc on a Borg Warner S257 SXE, DTA S60 on E85.
Boost was created only to make people smile, and make power!
10.626 @ 132mph SCC2016
10.407 @ 134mph SCC2017
10.221 @ 135mph SCC2018
2165cc on a Borg Warner S257 SXE, DTA S60 on E85.
Boost was created only to make people smile, and make power!

10.626 @ 132mph SCC2016
10.407 @ 134mph SCC2017
10.221 @ 135mph SCC2018
- petew
- Posts: 3928
- Joined: Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:05 pm
Re: Cheap Rev Limiter?
BAHAHA! That's what I was thinking!bug66 wrote:Limit it through valve float

Seriously though, a really restrictive carb will do it. Ditto for the exhaust and aircleaner. Look out for a 30pict and a tiny venturi.
Failing that, you could hook up some single port heads and lower the comp ratio.
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- Posts: 17881
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:17 pm
Re: Cheap Rev Limiter?
Could that method end up in a lean out condition and destroy some components? If so that is not a cheap rev limiter.petew wrote:BAHAHA! That's what I was thinking!bug66 wrote:Limit it through valve float![]()
Seriously though, a really restrictive carb will do it. Ditto for the exhaust and aircleaner. Look out for a 30pict and a tiny venturi.
Failing that, you could hook up some single port heads and lower the comp ratio.

- petew
- Posts: 3928
- Joined: Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:05 pm
Re: Cheap Rev Limiter?
Well that would be down to jetting. The motor is more likely to run rich because you're constricting the amount of air it gets.