RE: High RPMs at highway speed?

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

> In fact, I've read numerous road tests where the top speed was attained in
> 4th rather than 5th on a 5-speed tranny regardless, so making 5th a little
> taller would seemingly be irrelevant under "performance driving"
> conditions.
> For instance, I never try to pass anyone in 5th.  It's possible given that
> my engine is pulling 3500 RPM at 70 in 5th, but when I want to punch it, I
> always drop to 4th first, always will. So why not make 5th a little taller
> so I could wring out another 4-5 mpg and kick the noise level down a
> decibel
> or two?  Guess it's all academic, but 3500RPM at 70mph seems buzzy and
> excessive to me.  Guess I'll be fighting Huw in the junkyards for that
> scrap
> 6-speed...
> 
... there are quite a few cars that actually have a higher top speed in
fourth gear than in fifth ... I must say that with an extremely rare
exception I will usually grab a lower gear when attempting a passing
maneuver ( ... there was that time out in the middle of New Mexico with the
urQ in cruise control ... :)

While I would agree that it seems a bit strange Audi chose not to put in a
taller high gear, I am not concerned about the "excessive" revs seriously
shortening the expected life time of the engine.  An engine running at a
constant rate, not accelerating or decelerating and well away from redline
is perhaps the best situation it could be for longevity, whether that be at
2500RPM or 3500RPM ... perhaps other than being completely shut off ...

> Walla Walla, WA (soon to be Portland, OR).
> Pics&details: http://131.107.68.28/a4.org/registry/details.asp?car=761
> 
OH!  I was expecting details about the conversion from Walla Walla to
Portland!  This has certainly piqued my interest ... I would imagine that
not only would the residents of both communities be up in arms about just
such a move that the involved states and the Federal government might have
something to say ...

... sorry, I couldn't resist ... :-)

Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)