ITU and Redline

["John & Deb Dohrmann" <jdohrmann@domain.elided>]

I understand the general ITU theme (but can't quite stay below 2000 rpm for
10 miles).  Maybe I'm projecting, but my '86 spider sounds different, a
fuller and deeper sound, once it is really warmed up.  And this is miles
after the water temp is up.

But in reading the threat, I realized my concepts of "redline" are fuzzy and
the accumulation of rumors and old father's tales.  Looking at the red
markings from 5500 to 8000 on my tach didn't help.  So, what do you think?
Is there a single redline for an engine?  An rpm never to be exceeded but OK
for continuous driving?  Can you rev as high unloaded or in first as you do
in fifth?  How to you compare the risks of holding the pedal down for
another 3000 rpm just before you shift to sustained operation?
My conventional wisdom is that an engine can handle higher rpms when fully
loaded and so I seem to practice a lower redline in first or second than in
the higher gears.

John Dohrmann
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