RPMs
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RPMs
I just installed a tach on my 91 f250 5.0 4speed. was just wondering what would be the best rpms to shift at for gas mileage, what it redlines at, that kinda stuff. not quite sure because I'm used to driving my Capri and it redlines at 7500 and I shift at 3 to 5k. was drivin the truck with a friend and he said I was revving it too high before shifting (That was before I had the tach)
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Not too familiar with the 302, but I generally go by wherever the rpm is at in top gear at 55, use that as a base cruising rpm, and shift at about 500 over that. Otherwise just do what feels right. My 300, I usually cruise along with it spinning only 1500 rpm. 3k is more than plenty of revs to shift an unloaded 5 0 truck.
It's a truck motor, unlike the Capri, it's tuned to have more guts down low. If you stick low you'll wind up getting fairly "good" fuel economy.
It's a truck motor, unlike the Capri, it's tuned to have more guts down low. If you stick low you'll wind up getting fairly "good" fuel economy.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
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Been a while since I had a 302/ manual combo, but it seems like I shifted around 1800-2000 RPM's and got pretty decent fuel mileage. It will depend on what gears and tires you have, and if you have the truck loaded or not.
Redline should be taken care of by the computer, I want to say it is somewhere close to 5200, but you won't be making much power with a stock cam at those engine speeds.
Robert
Redline should be taken care of by the computer, I want to say it is somewhere close to 5200, but you won't be making much power with a stock cam at those engine speeds.
Robert
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From: Roseville, MN
A reasonable rule of thumb for best fuel mileage is to shift as low as you can. How low is too low? If there's any rattling or knocking noises from the engine as you get on the throttle after letting out the clutch you are too low. Or if the performance is unacceptable you are too low. Play with it, you'll figure out where you want to be.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: SW Florida
Let's see I *think* full throttle shifts are around 5000 RPM on my 96 351W with E4OD auto trans, but that could be the RPM limit of the torque converter too, so actual factory redline on the engine is probably 5400 or so. You'll know it if you get there, you'll hear it as the PCM starts cutting out injectors and there's no way you can over-rev on a stock tune UNLESS you downshift into way too low of a gear for a given groundspeed.
Anything I've ever owned or driven with a manual, I could just listen and feel when it was time to shift. It depends on throttle setting, load, outside air temp, etc. When you're at a particular throttle setting and accelerating, you'll kinda just feel where the torque levels out and it's time to shift. I like having the tach for engine/trans monitoring, but for regular shifts I don't even bother looking.
Just drive her, she'll let you know when she wants the next gear or when to downshift.
I even hold gears in my auto truck sometimes, I know when the PCM wants to shift but I keep adding throttle so as to not allow it, and then back out when *I'm* ready for it.
Anything I've ever owned or driven with a manual, I could just listen and feel when it was time to shift. It depends on throttle setting, load, outside air temp, etc. When you're at a particular throttle setting and accelerating, you'll kinda just feel where the torque levels out and it's time to shift. I like having the tach for engine/trans monitoring, but for regular shifts I don't even bother looking.
Just drive her, she'll let you know when she wants the next gear or when to downshift.
I even hold gears in my auto truck sometimes, I know when the PCM wants to shift but I keep adding throttle so as to not allow it, and then back out when *I'm* ready for it.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
A '91 5.0 truck motor makes peak HP at 3500rpm so revving it more than that is a waste of time, and best milage is obtained at a steady 2000rpm cruise.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Baltimore
My '96 150 302 idles @5k,
Powerband kicks in @2k.
M5OD
I normally keep the shifts at 2k, unless I'm needin' the RPM's.
I currently don't have a speedo,
so I rely on feel, sound and tach.
Rarely do I throw my foot into it...
Powerband kicks in @2k.
M5OD
I normally keep the shifts at 2k, unless I'm needin' the RPM's.
I currently don't have a speedo,
so I rely on feel, sound and tach.Rarely do I throw my foot into it...
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I've been drivin it by feel and I've sshifted at all kinds of different rpms and I knew lower was better just wasn't sure if there was a sweet spot. Thanks for all the info Ithink I'll be cruisin round 2k round town but I work several miles out of town so I have to get on the freeway and if its peak is at 3500, seems like that would be a good timne to shift to get to speed on the freeway.
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