Crusing RPMs

Author Topic: Crusing RPMs  (Read 2468 times)

Offline one54dodgetruck

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Crusing RPMs
« on: March 09, 2011 - 01:54:02 AM »
How high of RPMs can you cruse for distances with big and small block mopars? The reason I ask is because my 340 auto and 4.10 gears makes 60 MPH at about 3000 RPMs. So how high can i rev it for periods of time?
Thanks
Andrew
73 challenger rally 340




Offline aris_unlimited

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2011 - 02:11:20 AM »
I don't know about the reliability of certain motors to run on higher revs than any other motor. For me it would all be on how good the internals were.

That's why I'm planning to be sitting around 2000-2200 rpms at 65 mph when I finish my build.
Cuda is gone :(

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Offline Moparal

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2011 - 04:33:56 AM »
Try this....i5t is fun. We have a sticky for it in the wheels n tire section. 


http://vexer.com/68rt/speed.html

Offline Oldschool

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2011 - 08:46:30 AM »
How much is too much rpm at a given mph? Not sure if there is a right or wrong answer.  Some motors sound sweet @ 3000 rpm and some motors sound busy at the same rpm. I don't think it will damage an engine turning whatever rpm, as long as there is a load on it and the engine has the components installed to handle it. There are a couple of issues concerning cruising rpm and what is acceptable.
The first is this: Is the engine cooling system up to the challenge of the rpm's it is turning?
If it stays relatively cool while turning 3000 on the highway, no problem at all.

The second is this: Does the engine sound too busy, like the transmission needs another gear.
That to me is a personal taste thing. What sounds busy to me might not to the next person. If the sound is acceptable and the engine runs cool enough, then let it turn. It won't damage a thing....    :2cents: 
Ken  --  In Georgia

MOPAR-------"Built To Run------Here To Stay"

Offline Rare_T_A

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2011 - 10:05:08 AM »
Back in the days when these cars were new they turned 3K on the highway. They all pretty much did. Now with everyone used to 5-6 speed trsns and overdrives you get used to seeing 1800 RPMs on the highway and think the old engines cannot take double that.  They were built to run up there and most well built old V8s like it there better then lugging it down.
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Offline brads70

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2011 - 10:28:50 AM »
I drive mine at 3000RPM on the hwy. The speedo is out to lunch so I use the GPS if I need to see the speed and for long trips.
440/727  3:55 with 255/60/R15 rubber out back.
I'd love to get a 5 speed manual but just can't swing the  :money: yet.
Brad
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Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2011 - 11:25:26 AM »
You must have tall tires to only turn 3000 RPM with 4:10 gears on the hiway. That isn't bad at all.    :burnout:

Mike

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Offline shadango

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2011 - 11:39:10 AM »
You must have tall tires to only turn 3000 RPM with 4:10 gears on the hiway. That isn't bad at all.    :burnout:

Thats what I was thinking.

I am hoping my RPMs stay at or below 3k with the 3.55s I have coming.

I just got back from a road trip to NY....had a 2010 Chevy Suburban rental.

That beast turned about 1700 rpms at 70....LOL

Surprisingly it got 17.5 mpg...it has the system where it drops 4 cylinders while cruising.

Offline one54dodgetruck

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2011 - 12:11:39 PM »
I live next to I5 and the speed limit is 70 so I would like to go about 75 and its about 3500 rpms. the engine sounds smooth at 3500 rpms and when a ch*vy pulls up next to me my little 340 will launch from 3500 rpms. I just dont want anything to break from sustained higher rpms. BTW the cooling system is great, doesent really heat up at higher rpms.
Andrew
73 challenger rally 340

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2011 - 03:52:31 PM »
I live next to I5 and the speed limit is 70 so I would like to go about 75 and its about 3500 rpms. the engine sounds smooth at 3500 rpms and when a ch*vy pulls up next to me my little 340 will launch from 3500 rpms. I just dont want anything to break from sustained higher rpms. BTW the cooling system is great, doesent really heat up at higher rpms.
Andrew

I think you are in fine shape then. If we were talking several hours over 4000 RPM, then that would be a different story.

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
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Offline Moparal

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2011 - 03:56:26 PM »
This white shaker 440-6 4 spd cuda I have here was built by me 15 yrs ago. 906 race ported heads 11/1 comp 410 dana and 14 inch tiny tires. The guy lives in Baton Rouge area.  He would drive to the Mobile to the battleship car shows, on the interstate 10 at 3800 rpms all the way. He drives to New Orleans all the time, always between 3500 and 4200. After all these years, he still has 80 lbs of oil pressure. This is not an everyday car tho. I would assume he should be needing valve springs sooner or later, but the engine turns like it should. If clearances are right, they dont get hurt. He was here 2 weeks ago and we got his car out. He drove it 35 miles at close to 4000 , that's how I know what he runs.

Offline ESGEE

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2011 - 12:09:27 PM »
My Sublime Challenger with 440 Magnum is at 3000 at 60mph
70 Challenger RT/SE(Looking for 383 Magnum N0B196875)
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Offline _Russ_

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2011 - 09:13:45 PM »
My '70 R/T -  383/727/3.23 combo with 255/60/15 on the rear:

2400rpm @ 60mph.

2900rpm @ 70mph.

Offline bordin34

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2011 - 11:01:20 AM »
My 73 Charger, 400, 727, 2.45 rear gears.
2100rpm @ 70mph
1900rpm @ 60mph
Its like I have an overdrive, it also has enough torque that it doesn't feel like it needs to downshift to climb any hill.

1973 Charger SE Brougham Black 400 auto
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Offline Road_Runner

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Re: Crusing RPMs
« Reply #14 on: March 16, 2011 - 01:08:08 PM »
I agree with the others that 3k rpm is probably ok for a car that's not a daily driver but I remember driving the Roadrunner with 4.10's and it got old really fast having to ride around in the slow lane all the time.  I have a 4.10 Dana to go back in it and some kind of O/D trans is definitely in the plan.
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