RPM's at 55

[TheBender]

So this is interesting. I started looking into this because I just picked up a 1980 carbureted project, and I have family that I visit a lot about 2.5 hours south of me. The speed limit on most of I75 is 75mph. So flow of traffic is about 75-80. that being said, how healthy is it to maintain those high RPMs for hours at a time? And does anyone know what kind of MPG to expect at those speeds? I plan to eventually go dual weber idfs so I expect it will be a bit worse than stock.

The most I’ve drive at 80 mph is across the metro plex for about 45 minutes. Car runs great but much prefer my daily driver for a 2-3 hour freeway drive. Now if you have a country road option, that’d be fun. I bought a truck so I had the option to tow the Fiat to a fun location. Guess it comes down to safety and comfort vs. fun Fiat driving.

[RRoller123]

Highway in this thing is terrifying, looking out sideways at the hub of an SUV. That ride back from Tutto each August on 128 takes a couple of years off my life each time. Once instead, I went down Rt 1 and across 106 to 44..... Locals know what that is all about. Took forever. LOL

[81SPIDERMATT]

Good morning,

I found out that someone changed the gear ratio on my 1981 Spider. ...... I plan on having the rear end fixed but in the mean time, ....... Any feed back would be appreciated.

Thanks,

WCM

i also have the 4.3 rear end.... I love it .... best seat of the pants change i have made yet.... worth every extra rpm...even doing 85 on the highway ....Matt

[PaulC]

Highway in this thing is terrifying, looking out sideways at the hub of an SUV. That ride back from Tutto each August on 128 takes a couple of years off my life each time. Once instead, I went down Rt 1 and across 106 to 44..... Locals know what that is all about. Took forever. LOL

Sounds like the experience I had driving my Saab Sonett. Great view of the odometer on the center of big rigs wheels.

[gbsailing]

I haven't had my 78 124 out on the highway yet as still trying to correct the problems the original owner did and didn't do to it. This said as for low cars on the open highway our jag XJS sit about the same or lower than the fiat and I haven't had any trouble with trucks or other cars. The most I have is the little fart cans wanting to show off and wanting to race (no contest) I let them go there own way. Having enough power to get out of the way always helps so with these having good response and stability there shouldn't be any reason not to do highway traveling. As for loud exhaust I made a trip across country in my 71 elCamino with a set of Purple Horney (if any remembers them) turning higher RPM's that was loud wouldn't do it now but I enjoy a good sounding engine turning good RPM's. I hope to do a lot of good road work with this new addition.

[RRoller123]

I went Boston to CA and back again, in the early 80's in my X1/9, outfitted with an Ansa 4 tipped exhaust. I probably should get hearing aids. Man that was Awful.

[SteinOnkel]

I went Boston to CA and back again, in the early 80's in my X1/9, outfitted with an Ansa 4 tipped exhaust. I probably should get hearing aids. Man that was Awful.

Last weekend I drove 3.5 hours each way in my other car, which has a 2.25" performance exhaust. Cruising it's fine, but under load it gets real loud real fast. Once I was in the foothills, I popped in my ear plugs

[RRoller123]

We weren't bright enough for earplugs back in the 70's, also had to have the windows slightly open, since we had a huge pile of stuff tied up on the roof, with ropes coming across the cabin and out the other window. What an unpleasant drive! Hahahah! But we spent time in the Gore Range in Colorado, climbed up to 14 thousand feet and stayed up there for a few days. That was wickhud pissah.