RPM @ 80 mph Automatic vs. 5 speed - Page 3

Pimpn E · 11-12-2003, 07:06 AM

Uhm people, this is TOTALLY NORMAL for a 4 banger manual of any kind. These motors are small, built to wind up and have no tourque even worth measuring. If they didn't run over 3,000 to 3,500 at highway speeds you'd have to downshift to third to even get passing someone. They simply need to be wound up to produce any sort of power and the power isn't even available until 3,500 rpms at minimum. Real power is over 5,000.

It's like this in all Hondas, all Toyotas, all Mitsu's (including my Eclipse)...any 4 cylinder for that matter.

Manuals have more "pep" than autos because they are geared deeper, causing higher rpms.

eleMentalCase · 11-12-2003, 07:39 AM

4000 RPM at 80. In fact, it's a constant:

2500 @ 50
3000 @ 60
3500 @ 70
4000 @ 80

To me, the answer would have been a 6th gear with a big OD to drop the RPM down substantially at 75-80mph for steady, flat cruising: say 20% reduction- 3200 @ 80?

Ah well,

Steve

nolanwinkler · 11-20-2003, 07:02 PM

THANKS to someone for asking about the RPMs when driving at 80MPH!! I just bought a 2003 Element EX, manual and had it delivered. When I drove it I noticed the RPMs seemed SO high compared to the 'normal' I'd been told about and experience with my other manual transmission vehicles. That range being 2200-3000. My Element went to 3800-4000 while 'cruising' at 80mph. I have called my Honda dealer and spoken with the service guys and they haven't a clue what it is supposed to be. I called Honda and they couldn't give me an answer. My service manager has been trying to find out for two + days what it SHOULD be. After reading the replies to one question on this site, I now know I can continue to drive it as it runs higher than 'normal.' Whew

Xenon-E · 11-20-2003, 07:23 PM

80 mph = about 3100-3200 on the tach.

ghilber · 11-21-2003, 05:20 AM

I have been driving a SOP FWD 5 speed EX for the past month. I compute 80 miles, one way to work, on freeway & country roads. On the freeway I avarage between 75 & 80. At 80, the rpm is just under 4000. At first it may seem that the rpm is too high, but for this motor I don't think so. The motor runs very quiet. I use to have a del sol that ran high rpms as well, and its still running. My son drives it. Plus, the way the 5 speed is geared, at 80, you still have power to pass if you want to, unlike my Accord. With 4000 miles on the E, and running these speeds, I am getting 26mpg.

hownowcb · 11-21-2003, 11:39 PM

I don't typically drive UNDER any posted speed limits, but I find it interesting that some folks "need" to have the power to pass (other people? things?) when they're already going 80 miles an hour? Like what, other people already going 80 is somehow hindering your progress? Wish I had somewhere to be that quickly that was that important. Sadly...

brendan · 11-22-2003, 01:12 AM

[quote:93d2e6cf0f=" "]I don't typically drive UNDER any posted speed limits, but I find it interesting that some folks "need" to have the power to pass (other people? things?) when they're already going 80 miles an hour? Like what, other people already going 80 is somehow hindering your progress? Wish I had somewhere to be that quickly that was that important. Sadly...[/quote:93d2e6cf0f]

Driving 85mph in Texas, between Dallas and Austin, it was clear I *was* hindering other people's progress. Even with the rental car, I wouldn't go faster, so I just stayed to the right...

-brendan

elemantal · 11-22-2003, 05:47 PM

I normally cruise at about 83 to 84 in my auto and the rpms are 3500, or just a tad less.

sspiller · 01-14-2004, 09:14 PM

3000 74mph
3100 77mph
3200 80mph

give or take a little... i chose the auto as it was not a 'buzzy' as the 5spd at my normal cruising speed but i did like the better acceleration of the 5spd.

1Dumbassscreenname · 01-15-2004, 07:16 AM

[quote:f57b0bfdc6=" "]I calculated an RPM for the 5 Speed of 3840 using the fifth gear ratio of 0.825 and the final drive ratio 4.765.

I based it on the rpm of 3200 reported by one of the previous posts. I did the math using the fourth gear ratio of 0.738 and the final drive ratio 4.438 which is listed as the specs for the automatic.

Seems to confirm the reported 4000 rpm in one of the previous posts which doesn't state it but I assume was for the 5 speed.

This was a good question, I was wondering the same thing.[/quote:f57b0bfdc6]

Nice math!!!

yeah its right at 4k

11-12-2003, 07:39 AM	#22
eleMentalCase EOC Rank: Hydrogen 2007 SC 2WD 5AT Alabaster Silver Metallic (ASM) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Missouri & Michigan Posts: 70	4000 RPM at 80. In fact, it's a constant: 2500 @ 50 3000 @ 60 3500 @ 70 4000 @ 80 To me, the answer would have been a 6th gear with a big OD to drop the RPM down substantially at 75-80mph for steady, flat cruising: say 20% reduction- 3200 @ 80? Ah well, Steve __________________ '07 Alabaster Silver Metallic SC '07 Black Cherry FJ Cruiser '07 Vivid Black Harley Low Rider

11-20-2003, 07:23 PM	#24
Xenon-E EOC Rank: Helium Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 157	80 mph = about 3100-3200 on the tach. __________________ It's an E thing, you wouldn't understand! The 1st NBP EX AWD Auto w/HID conversion

11-21-2003, 11:39 PM	#26
hownowcb EOC Rank: Iron 2003 4WD EX AT Nighthawk Black Pearl (NBP) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hopkins, MN Posts: 3,309	I don't typically drive UNDER any posted speed limits, but I find it interesting that some folks "need" to have the power to pass (other people? things?) when they're already going 80 miles an hour? Like what, other people already going 80 is somehow hindering your progress? Wish I had somewhere to be that quickly that was that important. Sadly... __________________ Original, & Shameless Instigator of EOC MISFITS!

11-22-2003, 01:12 AM	#27
brendan EOC Rank: Iron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 3,330	[quote:93d2e6cf0f=" "]I don't typically drive UNDER any posted speed limits, but I find it interesting that some folks "need" to have the power to pass (other people? things?) when they're already going 80 miles an hour? Like what, other people already going 80 is somehow hindering your progress? Wish I had somewhere to be that quickly that was that important. Sadly...[/quote:93d2e6cf0f] Driving 85mph in Texas, between Dallas and Austin, it was clear I was hindering other people's progress. Even with the rental car, I wouldn't go faster, so I just stayed to the right... -brendan __________________ 2003 NBP Auto AWD EXS Empeg MkIIa (RioCar)/Pioneer DEH-750MP/XM Roady [KD4YJS] Parrot CK3000 bluetooth speakerphone w/ SE T610 / TomTom Go GPS Valley Hitch/Softride 4-bike rack/Weatherflectors/Cloud Riders/Lots of dirt

01-14-2004, 09:14 PM	#29
sspiller EOC Rank: Helium Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: York, Maine Posts: 180	3000 74mph 3100 77mph 3200 80mph give or take a little... i chose the auto as it was not a 'buzzy' as the 5spd at my normal cruising speed but i did like the better acceleration of the 5spd. __________________ 2003 Element EX AWD AUTO Shoreline Mist INTERIOR: Black/Gray, 10 Disc, Silver Interior Trim Kits, Carpeted Floor Mats, Bungies EXTERIOR: Hitch, Side Steps, Rear Deflector, Mud Flaps, Rear Bumper Trim, Chrome Exhaust Tip, Roof Rack

11-12-2003, 07:06 AM	#21
Pimpn E EOC Rank: Helium Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near 7 Springs Ski Resort in PA Posts: 173	Uhm people, this is TOTALLY NORMAL for a 4 banger manual of any kind. These motors are small, built to wind up and have no tourque even worth measuring. If they didn't run over 3,000 to 3,500 at highway speeds you'd have to downshift to third to even get passing someone. They simply need to be wound up to produce any sort of power and the power isn't even available until 3,500 rpms at minimum. Real power is over 5,000. It's like this in all Hondas, all Toyotas, all Mitsu's (including my Eclipse)...any 4 cylinder for that matter. Manuals have more "pep" than autos because they are geared deeper, causing higher rpms.

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11-20-2003, 07:02 PM	#23
nolanwinkler EOC Rank: Hydrogen Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: hillsboro, new mexico Posts: 7	THANKS to someone for asking about the RPMs when driving at 80MPH!! I just bought a 2003 Element EX, manual and had it delivered. When I drove it I noticed the RPMs seemed SO high compared to the 'normal' I'd been told about and experience with my other manual transmission vehicles. That range being 2200-3000. My Element went to 3800-4000 while 'cruising' at 80mph. I have called my Honda dealer and spoken with the service guys and they haven't a clue what it is supposed to be. I called Honda and they couldn't give me an answer. My service manager has been trying to find out for two + days what it SHOULD be. After reading the replies to one question on this site, I now know I can continue to drive it as it runs higher than 'normal.' Whew

11-21-2003, 05:20 AM	#25
ghilber EOC Rank: Hydrogen Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 72	I have been driving a SOP FWD 5 speed EX for the past month. I compute 80 miles, one way to work, on freeway & country roads. On the freeway I avarage between 75 & 80. At 80, the rpm is just under 4000. At first it may seem that the rpm is too high, but for this motor I don't think so. The motor runs very quiet. I use to have a del sol that ran high rpms as well, and its still running. My son drives it. Plus, the way the 5 speed is geared, at 80, you still have power to pass if you want to, unlike my Accord. With 4000 miles on the E, and running these speeds, I am getting 26mpg.

11-22-2003, 05:47 PM	#28
elemantal EOC Rank: Helium Join Date: May 2003 Location: DFW Area Posts: 110	I normally cruise at about 83 to 84 in my auto and the rpms are 3500, or just a tad less.

01-15-2004, 07:16 AM	#30
1Dumbassscreenname EOC Rank: Hydrogen 2003 2WD DX 6MT Eternal Blue Pearl (EBP) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The Key Fla Posts: 32	[quote:f57b0bfdc6=" "]I calculated an RPM for the 5 Speed of 3840 using the fifth gear ratio of 0.825 and the final drive ratio 4.765. I based it on the rpm of 3200 reported by one of the previous posts. I did the math using the fourth gear ratio of 0.738 and the final drive ratio 4.438 which is listed as the specs for the automatic. Seems to confirm the reported 4000 rpm in one of the previous posts which doesn't state it but I assume was for the 5 speed. This was a good question, I was wondering the same thing.[/quote:f57b0bfdc6] Nice math!!! yeah its right at 4k __________________ 03' Eternal Blue Pearl (EBP) going the 6th speed route!! 92 b16 SI allmotor 9800 RPM'S WWWWOOOOOOOO!!! 96 minime boosted coupe 98 non-vtec hatch boosted 228 whp baby!!!

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