What is Considered Low RPM Driving?
03-23-2019, 02:59 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
If Jake and experts mention it, it’s probably real.
That said, how fast in MPH is 2,200-2,400 in 6th gear? Probably too slow for any 911 driver should be driving in that gear.
That said, how fast in MPH is 2,200-2,400 in 6th gear? Probably too slow for any 911 driver should be driving in that gear.
03-23-2019, 03:13 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
The m96/7 engine seems to me to be happiest at 3k rpm, when not idling, keep as close to that as possible until you are ready to RIP !! 
03-24-2019, 12:02 PM
#19
Rennlist Member
Same here, 3-4K all day long!
03-24-2019, 04:16 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
By the way, I feel like there are different sweet spots for the 3.4 Variocam vs. the 3.6 Variocam Plus.
The 3.4 will just rev freely throughout the 1300-5,920 RPM without much drama or excitement. Torque below 3000 feels pretty boring. I feel like 4200 is when things get exciting, so when I’m letting it rip, I tend to start at 4200 minimum, and not afraid to downshift to 3rd gear at 75 mph to start the redline journey that high up, again, without much drama.
The 3.6, on the other hand, with a slightly lower redline, but 20+ more HP/Torque, gets its torque bump not from the continuously variable valve timing, but from the increased stroke and differently designed intake manifold and engine management design. And that torque bump occurs lower than the 3.4 engine, well below 4,200 RPM (I don’t recall exactly where, but I think it’s in the 3000’s).
Either way, 3000’s are good, it’s just that the 3.4 is probably more designed for slightly higher RPMs as the sweet spot compared to the 3.6, which doesn’t need quite as many revs to sit pretty and still get the work done. For the 3.4 cars to be able to keep up with the 3.6 cars, you have to rev the 3.4 engine all the way to redline on every shift.
The 3.4 will just rev freely throughout the 1300-5,920 RPM without much drama or excitement. Torque below 3000 feels pretty boring. I feel like 4200 is when things get exciting, so when I’m letting it rip, I tend to start at 4200 minimum, and not afraid to downshift to 3rd gear at 75 mph to start the redline journey that high up, again, without much drama.
The 3.6, on the other hand, with a slightly lower redline, but 20+ more HP/Torque, gets its torque bump not from the continuously variable valve timing, but from the increased stroke and differently designed intake manifold and engine management design. And that torque bump occurs lower than the 3.4 engine, well below 4,200 RPM (I don’t recall exactly where, but I think it’s in the 3000’s).
Either way, 3000’s are good, it’s just that the 3.4 is probably more designed for slightly higher RPMs as the sweet spot compared to the 3.6, which doesn’t need quite as many revs to sit pretty and still get the work done. For the 3.4 cars to be able to keep up with the 3.6 cars, you have to rev the 3.4 engine all the way to redline on every shift.
Last edited by Mike Murphy; 03-24-2019 at 05:41 PM.
03-24-2019, 06:27 PM
#23
Rennlist Member
My town has school zones, and many 25mph areas. So 1st gear at under 20mph, then second above that. If I’m in a 30 or 35 zone, everyone around here drives 10mph over, so 40-45 is easy to attain in 3rd gear.
If I just shifted to a higher gear and then traffic suddenly slows, however, I do leave it alone and then gently accelerate from 2,000 back to speed. It’s only when I really want to accelerate quickly do I downshift and try to pull from 3,000 or above.
Lugging has more to do with wide wide open throttle conditions at low RPM. I don’t think the occasional dip down into 1500-2,000 range is going to do any damage if the throttle application is light and we are only in that range for a short duration (starting off in 1st from a stop, after all, happens thousands of times). We just want to avoid keeping the engine at that range for extended periods. We also want a lot of oil circulation, especially the oil jets, which don’t get activate at very low RPMs
03-25-2019, 07:29 PM
#24
Rennlist Member
Drove 80+ miles today trying to avoid the 2,200 - 2,400 rpm range, what a nightmare! I have a 03 C2 w/tip.
I had to drive in manual mode the whole time and I realized that I had been cruising a LOT in that range. In 5th it's at about 65mph, 4th about 55mph, as you can see, what a pain, but I will keep doing that if there's a big benefit in the end.
Argh! hope this is all worth it...
I had to drive in manual mode the whole time and I realized that I had been cruising a LOT in that range. In 5th it's at about 65mph, 4th about 55mph, as you can see, what a pain, but I will keep doing that if there's a big benefit in the end.
Argh! hope this is all worth it...
03-25-2019, 07:49 PM
#26
Rennlist Member
By the way, I feel like there are different sweet spots for the 3.4 Variocam vs. the 3.6 Variocam Plus.
The 3.4 will just rev freely throughout the 1300-5,920 RPM without much drama or excitement. Torque below 3000 feels pretty boring. I feel like 4200 is when things get exciting, so when I’m letting it rip, I tend to start at 4200 minimum, and not afraid to downshift to 3rd gear at 75 mph to start the redline journey that high up, again, without much drama.
The 3.6, on the other hand, with a slightly lower redline, but 20+ more HP/Torque, gets its torque bump not from the continuously variable valve timing, but from the increased stroke and differently designed intake manifold and engine management design. And that torque bump occurs lower than the 3.4 engine, well below 4,200 RPM (I don’t recall exactly where, but I think it’s in the 3000’s).
Either way, 3000’s are good, it’s just that the 3.4 is probably more designed for slightly higher RPMs as the sweet spot compared to the 3.6, which doesn’t need quite as many revs to sit pretty and still get the work done. For the 3.4 cars to be able to keep up with the 3.6 cars, you have to rev the 3.4 engine all the way to redline on every shift.
The 3.4 will just rev freely throughout the 1300-5,920 RPM without much drama or excitement. Torque below 3000 feels pretty boring. I feel like 4200 is when things get exciting, so when I’m letting it rip, I tend to start at 4200 minimum, and not afraid to downshift to 3rd gear at 75 mph to start the redline journey that high up, again, without much drama.
The 3.6, on the other hand, with a slightly lower redline, but 20+ more HP/Torque, gets its torque bump not from the continuously variable valve timing, but from the increased stroke and differently designed intake manifold and engine management design. And that torque bump occurs lower than the 3.4 engine, well below 4,200 RPM (I don’t recall exactly where, but I think it’s in the 3000’s).
Either way, 3000’s are good, it’s just that the 3.4 is probably more designed for slightly higher RPMs as the sweet spot compared to the 3.6, which doesn’t need quite as many revs to sit pretty and still get the work done. For the 3.4 cars to be able to keep up with the 3.6 cars, you have to rev the 3.4 engine all the way to redline on every shift.
TC
03-29-2019, 02:50 PM
#28
Three Wheelin'
If you are just "cruising along" with very little throttle at 2500 is that a no no?
Because I do that...then if I need acceleration I downshift one or 2 gears and acceletate at over 3000....good?
Because I do that...then if I need acceleration I downshift one or 2 gears and acceletate at over 3000....good?
03-29-2019, 03:11 PM
#29
Rennlist Member
The tip seems to "cruise" in the dreaded RPM zone on the highway. I also find myself often using manual mode for cruising to avoid that RPM range. But, you know, the 6M guys have to do the same, so I guess one can survive. 
Is it worth it? Don't know what the typical valve train repair bill is, and I never want to see one.
Is it worth it? Don't know what the typical valve train repair bill is, and I never want to see one.
03-29-2019, 03:14 PM
#30
Rennlist Member
Assuming is bad but I would think the middle of that range (2250-2350) is the real bad place to be so following the advice would keep you far enough away from the danger zone.
I just stick red tape with a big $ on it over that RPM range as a subtle reminder.
