So, generally speaking, I keep the RPM's above 3k when doing spirited driving; however, when cruising along the highway and will let it relax into the 2k range.

Lately I have read a couple of remarks where people have said they generally keep it above 3k at all times once they are moving - something about how turbocharged engines don't like the load at lower RPM's. Is this true? Anything to back this up?

On a side note, all the specs I have seen for the 997.1tt show max torque at 1950 RPM; however, most dyno charts I have seen posted showing stock vs mod show it peaking closer to 3200-3500 , which is it? I know I don't feel the turbos really spooling hard until around that range.

 

personally if i am driving spirited it is always above 3 for me, but my cruising RPM is in the high 2's

 

My (PDK) car aggressively shift up and runs at low RPM when in auto mode. More fun at slightly higher revs though so I tend to use manual mode unless I'm in stop/go traffic.

 

When my 997.2 pdk is in auto sport mode, it will be in the low 2s when cruising around. When it does this in 3rd and 4th gear, the car doesn't drive smooth. A little jerky jerky. I hope it's not specific to my car, but rather the engine not liking that. Ive debated on taking it in. But some comments here suggest its not out of the ordinary. I've come to just flick the paddle to downshift in those scenarios.

So yes, I too am interested in responses to the OP.

 

I typically cruise about 2500 rpm. I find that my engine is happy at 2000 rpm+, but not below 2000 rpm. I shift if the engine goes below 2000 unless I am in 2nd which can be a creeping gear due to the torque. I find this car wants a full stop almost to engage 1st easily. The torque this engine makes allows for low rpm cruising. I try to never let my engine lug.

 

As a general rule of thum (someone please correct my ignorance), however, an engine with small cylinder displacement and lightweight is happy at higher RPM due to the light rotational mass. The larger bore higher torque monsters can't handle spinning that fast constantly and use the gearing to achieve the high speed horsepower. The flat 6 is fine at lower RPM just the same, but you put the strain on the clutch when it is bogged down in the event of quick accelerations from low RPM. The flat 6 was designed for the Turbos to kick just as the peak torque starts to drop off so the horsepower and turbos always give the feel of a huge SuperDuty V8 turning through the powerband. Bottom line: There are no issues other than needing to let it breath every now and then. Every is always quick to talk about how they baby and don't "dog" their sports car out. Whatever. Porsche designed these to be driven hard and that's exactly what you get. That's why pads, rotors, clutch plates, and tires are easy to change.

 

Always keep mine around the 3000 mark. Car seems smoother and happier at that range. Cruising below 3000 and the car seems a bit slushy and if i need a little pick up it bogs down slightly. I feel these cars like a litlle higher range. My $.02.
JS

 

This car has plenty of torque and can trickle around at 1800 in a tall or tallest gear without any issues. If you're not on it then why have it singing. Save your gas. Cruising = cruising. If you want to go then just switch cogs. Thats what a gearbox is designed for. Drop it back and hit it. Now, If you need it on the ready with your finger on the trigger all the time then you cant really be cruising now can you. Just drive around in 2nd or 3rd.. on the edge with an itchy finger and pretend your cruising.

 

Cruising at 3000 rpm's in these cars is on the edge with an itchy finger. Seriously!And i can switch gears, really.

 

Not that i was expecting you to get it, but to be cruising in 4th at 3000 when you could be "cruising" in 6th at 1800 makes far better sense...if cruising is what you are really doing. The engine has the torque so why not use it. It also has a gearbox too...so why not use that as well. The engine can take running sub 2000 without any damage, you get better fuel economy and, it is overly more relaxing.....but that is if you are cruising.

 

When cruising in town I use mostly 3rd gear; 4th if I go a little faster with speed around 45-50 mph, between 2500 rpm to 3000rpm.
on the freeway, if I am cruising I will just leave it in 6th gear. There's more than enough torque to make quick passes in 6th gear.

 

Always good to hear from you too Speed. Establishing the worlds definition of "cruising".
JS

 

Likewise Jersey.
Agreed no one needs my version of cruising when it's readily available from so many official dictionary sources. I think what the OP was hoping to hear was if it was "ok" to "cruise" in top (6th) gear sub 3k rpm....or any gear for that matter. So that said, where the travelling speed of the car allows the operation of 6th gear (or any gear) at sub 2k then my answer on that is "yes", after all cruising does entail maximum driver relaxation whilst extracting the most economical operation out of the equipment in that process. So, in that circumstance if the engine can be operated at a low rpm below 2k in 6th (or any gear) without causing engine damage then why wouldn't you maximise the efficiency of the equipment? Naturally if you are already in 6th and were "cruising", then you could be cruising at 200 kph (and above) and well above 3000 IYKWIM.

 

2500 is perfect i think