Cruising RPMs

[Goldmember]

I was out with my brother in law in his '06 GTO yesterday. It's modded and pulls like a goddamn freight train. Full throttle sounds like the gates of Hell opened.

I noticed that instead of using that deep double-overdrive (fifth and sixth taller than 1:1) he kept it in fourth most of the time at 55-60 mph, motor turning over 24-2500 RPM. Is that excessive? Causing needless wear? I think no because there's not much load on the motor, I think yes because everything is turning over faster than necessary. I drove his other '06 and it had no problem pulling sixth from 45 mph, that small-block Chevy laughing at me as it built RPM's and speed easily.

In cruise mode I always keep the RPM's in the 1500-2000 RPM range. Am I doing it wrong? Seems like it's lugging a little but picks up speed well enough.

 

[KillNThrill24]

Mustang guys with 4.10s and maybe even us with 3.73s will tell you your not gonna get any lower than 2500 cruising on the highway unless your driving 50. That being said I don't think it really causes excess wear but I can't say for sure.

Bet that GTO sounded ****in amazing...

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Goldmember]

Should have taken a video. It was nasty.

 

[Shifty Powers]

He has to know what hes doing. I am sure he has driven it enough. But yes he could technically drop it into 5th or 6th and be at a lower rpm with less load. But if he wants to cruise at that rpm to hear the exhaust and can afford to. More power to him! lol

With stock 3.27s I cruise at about 2k right around 70mph. Which actually equates to about 2050-2100. That seems to be where I get my best mpg. 65-70.

While yes generally higher gear and and lower rpm help get better mpg. But your right on the load part.. Sometimes even in 5th gear ill watch my engine load and in 4th gear depending on whats happening I will put less load on the car then in 5th. Unless I am at a consistent 70mph and whatnot. then 5th it is.

Fun to sit there and drive and watch fuel trims, load, intake temp,voltage, coolant temp and actual rpm compared to the stupid needle. Its distracting but still fun lol

 

[CC'S95GT]

I just drove 7 straight hours with my 5.0 over 2500 rpm's. and that with 210,000+miles

 

[whiplash473]

I'd use the gears if I had them but I've made trips in my car in 5th at like 2400 or so. Sounds high when you're in it but it really won't hurt anything. When I tow with my truck I leave it out of OD and 70ish is about 2300. Made plenty of 700mi Canada trips like that with 150,000. You won't hurt anything.


Sent from bored/stroked iPhone

 

[TLSF150]

I got 4.10s on my fox and cruise about 2800 RPMs on the highway lol... I really just try to keep it under 3000

Id like to stay around 2500 but at 2500 Im running about 60 to 65 which will get you ran over in Atlanta haha

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2!

 

[OnyxCobra]

I think it's excessive, that's why we stopped making 3 and 4 speeds and started making transmissions with overdrives. All it's doing is running the engine higher than it needs to and using more fuel, maybe he does it cause he likes the noise it makes better but that's the only thing you'd gain from it.

 

[Goldmember]

Makes sense. Nice for the sound, but unless you really need the extra RPM's to pass, or towing, not really worth it. When I have the V6 tune (aka A/C on) I have to keep the revs up anyway...