Topic: Engine RPM
in Forum: C3 Engines
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Former Member
Send PM
West Bend, WI - USA
Joined: 3/18/2010
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1985 silver coupe & 1975 red coupe
I've got a question for you guys. I bought a 1981 Vette recently and I'm wondering what's up with the engine RPM. The car is bone stock and when I'm cruising at 60MPH my tach is showing about 2800 RPM. The car is three speed auto and is supposed to have a 2:87 rear end in it. Does the indicated RPM seem high for what I have? Thanks for the help, Darrell
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
This is just a swag, of course, but the rpm calculator from
http://www.powerblocktv.com/resources/
shows about 2280 RPM.
That's assuming you have a TH400 auto (1:1 final drive) with 265/50R15 tires (diameter of 25.4"). Kind of scares me about what my TH400 with 4.11 gears will run when it's finished... Might be time to invest in a ring and pinion.
http://www.powerblocktv.com/resources/
shows about 2280 RPM.
That's assuming you have a TH400 auto (1:1 final drive) with 265/50R15 tires (diameter of 25.4"). Kind of scares me about what my TH400 with 4.11 gears will run when it's finished... Might be time to invest in a ring and pinion.

"Let them that don't want none have memories of not gettin' any."
- Brother Dave Gardner

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
'81 will have a 350C trans, with lock-up torque converter....assuming it is still stock. 60mph @ 2800 rpms does sound a little high, also assuming the tach is accurate. My guess is the lock-up is not working. A functioning LU would drop the rpms around 200 or so.
|UPDATED|7/22/2013 7:26:29 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
It sounds like you may not be 100% sure of the rear diff ratio. The stock '81 ratio for automatic was 2:81, but it may have been changed.....
|UPDATED|7/22/2013 7:26:29 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Engines
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)