V10 Revs- how high should i go?

[GSGracie]

On a recent thread, I saw that folks were recommending that the V10 does not like low revs. I thought that the ideal was keep the revs around 2000, which is around 65 mph in top. When I hit hills on my recent trip around the South Island of New Zealand, I tried to keep the revs below 3000, particularly when climbing. Now it appears from some other posts I was quite wrong! Where can I find definitive info on the ideal revs to pull up a hill, and the best revs for cruising along the flat? I thought I was helping my fuel economy by keeping the revs down. Help please!

[Fiesta48]

You are right about keeping the RPM down. For engine longevity and gas economy. I've never had mine over 3500 rpm even up and down steep hills.

[Damon Outlaw]

I just try to maintain my speed and let the transmission function as designed by Ford's engineers. I also use full chemical synthetic fluids to assist in cooler temperatures, longevity, mpg and performance.

[scgator]

Check the specs that Ford provides to find out at what point in your RPM range does the engine achieve "peak" torque. Operating past that point is useless and only strains the mechanical components of the valve train.

[Doug Sage]

Ford rates the horsepower at 5,500 rpm and the torque at 4,500 rpm. You need to get up into this range to utilize the power. Staying at 3,000 rpm is wasting a lot of power and torque. This is a high reving engine a lot like the small 4 cylinder rice burners. You need to forget what you learned about the old V-8 motors. Also, the automatic transmissions will not let you over-rev a motor unless you are going down hill, so it will shift for you.

[ga traveler]

I limit my RPM's to 4000 in the mountains. It is best to keep the RPM's up and keep the water pump pushing water thru the radiator. Too little RPM's and the engine will get hot. The computer will cut out the fuel pump between 5500 and 6000 RPM. I never go over 4500 RPM. Just because the engine can do something doesn't mean it is a good idea.

[clyon51]

Originally Posted by GSGracie

On a recent thread, I saw that folks were recommending that the V10 does not like low revs. I thought that the ideal was keep the revs around 2000, which is around 65 mph in top. When I hit hills on my recent trip around the South Island of New Zealand, I tried to keep the revs below 3000, particularly when climbing. Now it appears from some other posts I was quite wrong! Where can I find definitive info on the ideal revs to pull up a hill, and the best revs for cruising along the flat? I thought I was helping my fuel economy by keeping the revs down. Help please!

You always help MPG keeping the RPM down. But, this equates to slower speeds. If you want better MPG, just drive slower on flats and grades. On grades, the system will take care of itself. Once the engine begins to do more work than it was designed to do at a certain RPM, it will downshift, raising the RPM, which in turn increases HP to take care of the load put on it.

When ANY engine is asked to do more work than it was designed to do at a given RPM, is called "Lugging" the engine. This is not good for any engine. However, I know of no way to "Lug" a V10 MH as long as you are in "Drive". The only way I can think of is to have it in 2nd, and be on a ridiculously steep grade when it would need to downshift into 1st and couldn't because you had it in 2nd.

When I encounter grades that will take me out of OD, I lighten up on the throttle to keep it from downshifting. That may only take a 2 to 4 MPH drop, which keeps the RPMs down, this doesn't hurt a thing. The bottom line is, just keep doing what you're doing and don't worry about it.

You may be interested in this thread:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/5-star-tune-106826.html

[ga traveler]

Originally Posted by Doug Sage

Ford rates the horsepower at 5,500 rpm and the torque at 4,500 rpm. You need to get up into this range to utilize the power. Staying at 3,000 rpm is wasting a lot of power and torque. This is a high reving engine a lot like the small 4 cylinder rice burners. You need to forget what you learned about the old V-8 motors. Also, the automatic transmissions will not let you over-rev a motor unless you are going down hill, so it will shift for you.

Doug. The Ford manual shows 99 thru 2005 V10 275 HP at 4250 RPM. Torque 410 at 2650. The three valve 2006 thru 2012 362 HP at 4750 RPM. Torque 457 at 3250 RPM

[jrd48]

My 2004 V10 is rated 310hp @ 4250rpm and 425 ft lb @ 3250rpm. Specs from Ford Fleet for 2004 F-Series Class A Stripped Chassis.

[Damon Outlaw]

Thanks for the info. I will mark the max torque and HP values on my tach.

I found this torque/HP/rpm V10 curve at http://www.irv2.com/forums/f256/ford...ate-68297.html

[Grimesy]

Although mine was an oldie '98, the tack did not have a red line and when I questioned Ford the answer was there was an automatic shut off at a given RPM, something like 5200, or so. Sort of scairy!

Don

[LVJ58]

2007 Max torque 457 lb.-ft. @ 3250 rpm; Horsepower (SAE net)362 @ 4750 rpm

[FC Ontario]

Originally Posted by jrd48

My 2004 V10 is rated 310hp @ 4250rpm and 425 ft lb @ 3250rpm. Specs from Ford Fleet for 2004 F-Series Class A Stripped Chassis.

The 2003 F 53 chassis also have this version of the V-10 with the 310 HP.
JM2CW

[DeWat]

I am really enjoying the education in following this thread, but I need a little help in understanding. I believe that I'm reading that I should be shooting for max torque when climbing steep grades to avoid lugging. But if max torque is 4,500 and max HP is 5,500, what is the 1,000 RPM in the middle? Or is the understanding that RPM over 4,500 will remain max torque while still increasing HP (and climbing ability?) until I hit 5,500 RPM? Since this is my first MH, I want to know the proper method of operation for a heavy vehicle.