Rev limiter kicks in @.... (archive)

Just read this in a later post. Appearently in 5th gear, rev limiter kicks in at 6250 rmp. (Guess I should read my manual.) I would imangine going 137, 6000 and 6250 are going to look pretty similar. Also, depending on conditions, up hill/dn hill, head wind/tail wind, you will see some variance (+ -). So again, it is not the speed which is limited, but the RPM's.

It has to do with the engine's redline, not the speed. You hit the 6500rpm redline at aprox 137mph in 5th gear. Even though the engine would gladly to go all the way up to 8000rmp with no rev limiter. You want higher top end, get a chip.

I asked this before, but wanted to start a new thread:

Why was 137 mph chosen for our top speed? We were all issued tires that could far exceed this speed. So why 137 mph? In Europe, I've read/heard that all cars are limited to 155 mph, as a way of keeping autobahn speeds from getting insane. Is this 155 mph correct for Europe?

But here in the States, you can go buy a Chevy that can top 170 mph right off the showroom floor. Why wouldn't BMW allow its M3 to travel to its true top speed then? Even though its limited, WHY 137? What's the magic in this number? Is there some sort of government panel that feels that 137 mph is okay, but 140 mph is frowned upon? I guess not-- just look at that Chevy doing 170+ mph......

I'll never understand why some car makers let their cars run to the true potential and some don't......

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