NinerBikes wrote:
More rpms = more parasitic drag and friction = more engine wear. Don't forget E=MC2 The engine parts load squares with increase in rpms. Side thrust from the connecting rods to the pistons, to the bore of the engine, etc.
At 57-58 mph trailering, in 8th gear, my Touareg is at 1550, maybe 1600 rpms? I'd have to double check. Both 7th and 8th gears are overdrive, direct lock up gears, no use of the torque convertor.
That's a gross oversimplification. Engine wear has more to do with design, lubrication, and the parameters of it's use vs design. Longer stroke engines makes more torque, but piston speed (distance the working parts travel) is still significantly higher for a given engine speed. A long stroke torque rich engine can have double the piston speed of a short stroke engine, so the RPM debate is one of philosophy, not engineering.
Higher revving engines that rev higher generate lower cylinder pressures, have lighter parts, and generate less "load" against their own parts.
And all power floes through the torque converter, locked or not.
And Ford's 5.4 was a toilet of an engine, but it did manage to make wards 10 best a few times back in the day.
Mow that turbo DI tech is common, a 2.0 Eco in the Ford escape has many of the characteristics that are so called "diesel" engine characteristics, for a much lower cost, the only actual tradeoff is mileage vs hp.
