mark keller wrote:
>My 91 Automatic at 72 MPH is indicating a RPM of 4000. However when you
?climb  a grade I've noted about a 5% increase in RPM.
...
>Well the Red area is at the 5500 or so RPM. Thankfully I cannot report an
>idicated speed to go along with it.  As far as "significant wear" A good
>rule of thumb is to keep piston speed below a 1000 fpm. That RPM for a 3"
>stroke of the 2.1 engine is 4000 RPM.  It seems that at around and above
>this 1000 fpm piston speed the rings begin to resonate and increased wear
>occurs.
...

Mark,  you sound like my dad!  :) Your both probably right though!  I commute
daily in my '86 GL auto (166K miles -the van's mileage, not my commute!) at
75-80 MPH. I dont recall where it gets to the 5500RPM mark but I know its just
at or beyond 90MPH. On long trips (Georgia - Canada) I have cruised at 85MPH for
hours on end.. and it seems to be happy doing this. The engine runs cool, is
dry,  and burns zero oil between 3k oil changes.  I may someday regret demanding
so much of the van,  but for now.. I'm late for work!

Eric Small
Dallas, TX
'86 GL
'93 Audi 100