Cruising Speed/RPM

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:50 am

Just wondering what speed you guys cruise at, and what RPM that shows. I was told that driving above 3000 RPM for long periods of time would not be too good for a small diesel engine. I drive between 80 (2500 RPM) and 90 (3000 RPM) and wouldn't really want to go much faster just by the feel of the vehicle. Am I driving slow for no reason? Or should I keep things to this speed? I am driving a 5 speed by the way. Does the automatic have more effective gearing for high speeds? Or could it be the fact that it is an 89?

Breadman · Post by **Breadman** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 7:05 am

i believe it is the 5 speed that runs higher. a friend here on the island has one and complains about the same thing. in my auto at 100 km i am running below 3000 rpms. hope that helps
paul

biozach · Post by **biozach** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 4:31 pm

Going to a larger tire size might keep your RPM's down a bit. I try to stay at around 2750-2900 RPM. For me that's a speed range of 100-110 with an auto trans. and a tire size of 235/75. I would agree that driving consistently with your RPM's over 3000 wouldn't be ideal for this motor.

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 4:55 pm

the next step will be larger tires for sure. I just have to decide whether I want to lift it first or go veg. decisions decisions...

mitch · Post by **mitch** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:56 pm

Yeah I tend to have the same issue.. Id like more speed with less RPM. have the 5spd and I've already gone to 30" tires... next time i'll go 31" on 8" wide rims.

anyone know if the diffs in the auto are running different pinion gears or is it all in the tranny? look forward to swapping drivers seats at the meet.

Mitch

josh · Post by **josh** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:53 pm

My Delica revs:

2500rpm at 100km/hr
2750rpm at 110km/hr
3000rpm at 120km/hr

I have an auto tranny and am running 235/75/r15's tires and i dont know how much of a difference that would make compared to what tires other people are running. Hope that helps.

Josh

mitch · Post by **mitch** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:36 am

im jelous....

my 3000rpm = 100km

Mitch

josh · Post by **josh** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:45 am

Guess thats the difference between Autos and manuals... manuals must be mean pulling machines, whereas autos are basically jet engines on wheels...

ok, maybe not that fast. :P

Josh

terrain · Post by **terrain** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:25 pm

I think it would be hard to kill this engine so I think its more a question of fuel economy. I could cruise at 120 at 3000 but the fuel consumption is at least 2L more per 100 than running at 100. Vehicle seems to drive well and sound good at even higher speeds (not up hills).

I'm just figuring it out and actually enjoy driving the beast at lower speeds. Comfort level for my foot right now seems about 90-100 on longer trips.

argo · Post by **argo** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:42 pm

These engines very likely devlope peak horsepower at around 2800rpm.

While it is nice to feel the connection with a manual, If you tow anything with a 5 speed Delica the clutch and pressure plate are going to feel it too.

These vehicles are cetainly not overpowered. If that little 2.5 wasn't supercharged it wouldn't be able to pull your pecker out of a lard bucket

Torque converters cushion the engine and drive line from potentially harmfull shock loading.