what's the correct cruise rpm
03-07-2004, 05:44 PM
#1
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
what's the correct cruise rpm many people are saying different things onto where to keep the rpm's at when cruising. what are your guy's thoughts. I try to keep it above 1750 rpm.
03-08-2004, 01:31 AM
#3
Staging Lane
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1750 rpm in a 2002 Camaro SS with the 3.42 rear axle and an M6 transmission is 53 mph in 5th and 78 mph in 6th.
Personally, I shift into 6th at about 60 mph (1340 rpm) if the terrain is level. If it is uphill, I stay in 5th unless I'm above 1700 rpm, and you have to be going illegal speeds to be in 6th at 1700 rpm.
I think the "best" rpm is not an rpm at all. It is a combination of RPM and load.
If you are coasting downhill at 1000 rpm, it is no strain on the engine. If you are lugging it uphill at 1200 rpm, it IS a strain on the main bearings ... so downshift.
If you are looking for performance driving, stay above 3500 rpm and go for it. When I am on a road course, I stay at "best power" rpm when I can, and wind up from there to a shift point of about 5.8 to 6k.
I don't speedshift my own car since I am not interested in drag racing it, and my clutch is in GREAT shape. Want to trash a clutch and maybe a rear end? Easy!
Just drag race it and use the wrong technique. You certainly won't do it for long, at least not with stock components.
Personally, I shift into 6th at about 60 mph (1340 rpm) if the terrain is level. If it is uphill, I stay in 5th unless I'm above 1700 rpm, and you have to be going illegal speeds to be in 6th at 1700 rpm.
I think the "best" rpm is not an rpm at all. It is a combination of RPM and load.
If you are coasting downhill at 1000 rpm, it is no strain on the engine. If you are lugging it uphill at 1200 rpm, it IS a strain on the main bearings ... so downshift.
If you are looking for performance driving, stay above 3500 rpm and go for it. When I am on a road course, I stay at "best power" rpm when I can, and wind up from there to a shift point of about 5.8 to 6k.
I don't speedshift my own car since I am not interested in drag racing it, and my clutch is in GREAT shape. Want to trash a clutch and maybe a rear end? Easy!
Just drag race it and use the wrong technique. You certainly won't do it for long, at least not with stock components.
03-16-2004, 04:19 AM
#4
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 57 Bel-air Vette
That's about right with overdrive,is that at 50mph?
Also, I'm referring to M6's since automatic transmissions shift automatically. Somefolks have said to always keep the rpm above 2000 rpm. Others say to keep the rpm at 2500. I'm talking about the normal cruise speeds when you're just driving straight at a steady mph. Do you guys think 2500 rpm at a constant rate is too much for the engine?
03-16-2004, 08:06 AM
#5
TECH Addict
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Bailey, Co
Posts: 2,031
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you guys think 2500 rpm at a constant rate is too much for the engine?
I'm usually cruising between 2000-2500 in 5th gear which is around 70-75 mph. I rarely see 6th gear. My car isn't stock though.
03-16-2004, 08:10 AM
#6
TECH Resident
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by soundmaster
I have a stickshift. don't know the mph.
Also, I'm referring to M6's since automatic transmissions shift automatically. Somefolks have said to always keep the rpm above 2000 rpm. Others say to keep the rpm at 2500. I'm talking about the normal cruise speeds when you're just driving straight at a steady mph. Do you guys think 2500 rpm at a constant rate is too much for the engine?
Also, I'm referring to M6's since automatic transmissions shift automatically. Somefolks have said to always keep the rpm above 2000 rpm. Others say to keep the rpm at 2500. I'm talking about the normal cruise speeds when you're just driving straight at a steady mph. Do you guys think 2500 rpm at a constant rate is too much for the engine?
03-16-2004, 10:12 AM
#7
Staging Lane
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is your speedometer hooked up or working? 2500 isn't too much for the engine,but you will have some interior noise at that rpm,which can be annoying on a long drive and your gas mileage will suffer a little. How fast are you going at 2500rpm's?
Trending Topics
03-16-2004, 02:42 PM
#10
Launching!
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: ABILENE TX
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Been awhile since I was cruz`in @2500 in the last hole 
I usually cruz 73`ish @ 1625-1650 ......in 6th
I usually cruz 73`ish @ 1625-1650 ......in 6th
Originally Posted by 57 Bel-air Vette
Is your speedometer hooked up or working? 2500 isn't too much for the engine,but you will have some interior noise at that rpm,which can be annoying on a long drive and your gas mileage will suffer a little. How fast are you going at 2500rpm's?
03-16-2004, 04:47 PM
#11
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 57 Bel-air Vette
Is your speedometer hooked up or working? 2500 isn't too much for the engine,but you will have some interior noise at that rpm,which can be annoying on a long drive and your gas mileage will suffer a little. How fast are you going at 2500rpm's?
03-16-2004, 05:13 PM
#12
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I'm in no hurry, just getting from point A to B I usually shift about 1500-1700 rpms to the next gear.
Do you guys remember skip shift, shifting to 4th going like 18?!? That is lugging the engine a little. God that thing was annoying.
Do you guys remember skip shift, shifting to 4th going like 18?!? That is lugging the engine a little. God that thing was annoying.
