V-10 problems
I started out years ago towing our 7,000 lb trailer with my old chevy 2500 with the 350. I tow mostly in the Sierra and Rocky Mts. I hated the way I had to slow down to 45 mph going up the grades. So ...
Forum Discussion
Turtle is right... However it's not always intuitive, and some things specific to keep in mind re: the V10 and the TorqeShift 5-speed:
1) Yes, keep those RPMs up. Even exceeding peak HP can be desirable, when the alternative is to either slow down, or go up to the next gear, which will then be making less HP, since it will be way below peak RPM.
2) Low gearing matters. With 3.73 gear, the V10 won't make peak HP in 3rd gear until you reach a speed that is probably un-safe in most mountain conditions. Also higher-speeds increase HP needs anyways..... Which in the real world means you might be dropping into 2nd gear. Too slow.... 4.30 gears lets you hold 3rd gear and pull the grade with the rest of traffic.
3) 4.30 gears puts peak HP in 3rd gear right about 55 MPH, and you can climb to about 62 MPH without losing out on much steam, but much faster than that and you hit the stock rev limiter. With a tuner and better breathing, you can bump that up to 68 MPH. It won't hurt it. The shift points on the V10 were programmed low because stock breathing makes the HP fall off fast above 4700 RPM. The internals aren't any different from 5.4L applications which spin way faster.
1) Yes, keep those RPMs up. Even exceeding peak HP can be desirable, when the alternative is to either slow down, or go up to the next gear, which will then be making less HP, since it will be way below peak RPM.
2) Low gearing matters. With 3.73 gear, the V10 won't make peak HP in 3rd gear until you reach a speed that is probably un-safe in most mountain conditions. Also higher-speeds increase HP needs anyways..... Which in the real world means you might be dropping into 2nd gear. Too slow.... 4.30 gears lets you hold 3rd gear and pull the grade with the rest of traffic.
3) 4.30 gears puts peak HP in 3rd gear right about 55 MPH, and you can climb to about 62 MPH without losing out on much steam, but much faster than that and you hit the stock rev limiter. With a tuner and better breathing, you can bump that up to 68 MPH. It won't hurt it. The shift points on the V10 were programmed low because stock breathing makes the HP fall off fast above 4700 RPM. The internals aren't any different from 5.4L applications which spin way faster.
