When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Sorry if this is a stupid question. I have a 2006 XL 2.3 5-speed and I am wondering, for average driving at what RPM do most of you shift gears? And also, how high on rpm's can you go without worrying about damage? Thanks for any info.
You can run the 2.3L way up there to get it's maximum power output and let it get outta it's own way. Don't redline it, but you can run it up to 4K or so with no problems. Just be gentle until it's fully broken in (say 5K miles or so).
with a broken in engine you out to be able to bounce it off the rev limitor (as far as 2.3 is concerned) they love rpms. but for now take it easy til its broken in a lil bit. the 86 2.3 i had in my mustang loved rpms took it to rev limitor all the time 6250 rpms
I know the newer 2.3Ls are different make from my '93 2.3L, but I rev mine regularally to 5K without any problems. It's a little rinky dink engine so you can take her up there pretty well. I'd just be nice to it until everything gets broke in and you get a couple of oil changes done. I don't know if they use special break-in oils like we do on aircraft, but like I said, just take her easy for now, eventually you can rev that little sucker to the moon and it'll keep on truckin'.
I wouldn't recommend trying this , but I redlined my old 79' Pinto (2.3L) for over a minute straight pedal to the floor.It was being junked so i figured i might as well experiment with it a little. The engine held up just fine. No problems at all. Lots of black smoke though. engine had over 200,000 miles on it. My whole property was all smoked up it was crazy.
I wouldn't recommend trying this , but I redlined my old 79' Pinto (2.3L) for over a minute straight pedal to the floor.It was being junked so i figured i might as well experiment with it a little. The engine held up just fine. No problems at all. Lots of black smoke though. engine had over 200,000 miles on it. My whole property was all smoked up it was crazy.
You held an engine with over 200K on the clock at redline for over a minute. Don't understand what you were trying to accomplish with that "experiment", but guess it does say something about the "quality" of the engine.
I can relate. I've got 317,000 miles on mine 91 with the 2.3. Last year I decided it was time for an engine change. So I tried blowing it up. Layed a brick on the pedal and walked away. Came back 5 minutes later, still running. It was then when I realized, it's staying in there. That was about 24,000 miles ago...
Now likewise, I don't rev it up any more than 3200 RPM, unless I'm trying to get out of the way of a BIG vehicle, which it will SOMETIMES see 4000. It's done at about 4000 anyways. If I'm driving around normally, it will get to about 2800 or 2900 RPM. If it gets much above 3300, she'll start burnin some oil!