Highway Cruising Max Revs

[Rhys Jones]

Hi all, I am new to Alfas, having just become the custodian of a nice 75 Spider. What comfortable RPM can the 2.0L engine handle over longer periods on the highway? The engine has been rebuilt about 4 years ago and the car doesn't appear to have had a lot of use since. Oil pressure seems really good and doesn't overheat. I am used to driving cars that sit on about 3,500 rpm at highway speed. The spider sits on 80k at about 3,000rpm. I know they can be pushed, but I haven't had the car thoroughly checked over yet.
Cheers Rhys
Hobart

[Anthony Miller]

Hi Rhys,
congrats on the purchase, should be fun on those Tassie roads.Cruising speed on the autostrada is 140kph which should equate to roughly 4kish, personally I have cruised for over an hour at a bit more than that (on a private road of course ) on more than a few occasions to no detriment. Just be sure to keep the oil up to her and you'll be fine, I have found they use about 1 litre per 1000 km, more with the throttle wider open.

[Davidm1600]

Hi Rhys, just really quickly on this, as I suspect there are far more knowledgeable people out there than myself.  The 2L if in standard form, and it can also depend a little on how fresh the engine is, diff and gearbox ratios etc should cruise most comfortably around the figures you mentioned, a that sort speed (80km/h).  A 1750 at the same speed would probably be more likely to be cruising closer to 3500 rpm.  I remember when say cruising in my GTV at around 100km, the revs were closer to around 4000.  But it felt totally comfortable and at ease.

However, if it were a modified engine who knows, but I would suspect it would depend on the nature of such modifications.

In terms of what a standard spec 2L will rev out to, from memory I think it is around the 5500-6000 rpm (I could be well wrong as it is many years since I had my 2L Berlina), while a 1750 will rev higher and a 1600 even more so etc.  With a modified engine, that it is a different ball game, and the higher the spec engine, the higher it will rev.  

[Rhys Jones]

Thanks Anthony and David,
Travelled to the Post Vintage Car club's "Picnic at Ross" yesterday. About 4 hrs total travelling time. Very comfortable at 3,500rpm but hits a sweeter note at around 4,000rpm. This car is enjoyable. PS over 800 classic cars from all over Tassie - fantastic day.
Cheers
Rhys

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Hi Rhys

I'm certainly no expert on the Nord engine, but can I relay my experiences of a 2000 I had about a month back.  We drove the Alfetta about 3800kms in a week, around 550km a day.  We were often between 120-140km/h for at least an hour at a time, so that was over 4000rpm from memory.  Other times we'd be in 4th at between 80-120km/h for an hour at a time.  The engine never missed a beat, and felt great between 4 and 5000.  These are pretty tough old engines I reckon, and they're very smooth.  I'd be happy to sit at 5000rpm all day.

Just a wild guess Rhys, but since you seem to be worried about revs, are you coming from a background in English cars?

[David Mills]

Hi Rhys

See this thread

http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=7763.msg48899#msg48899

That's what we used to do in the old days!

Recently brought the Z4R back from the museum in Launcestoon and had to be very disciplined to hold it back from 120k on the midland H'way. These cars love to go hard.  Let the spider off the leash and enjoy!

[Rhys Jones]

Thanks everyone for the advice.
I feel comfortable to let her off the leash.
To answer Sheldon's question - my other "classic" has a bmc b series engine which I am currently rebuilding as I put a conrod through the side of the block. This occurred because of a long period at highish revs when I should of eased back a little. Hence my caution.
Cheers
Rhys

[LaStregaNera]

They're happy with sustained revs - I ran my old GTV 2l at between 5900 and 6000rpm for about 10 minutes once - dead solid on temps and oil pressure - no worries.