[Excaliber]

4 or 5 speed trans? If 5th is overdrive, that makes a HUGE difference in cruise rpm. Your 'cruise' rpm sounds SO low either your rear end ratio is REALLY REALLY high, or your using 5th OD.

Almost all trans are setup for 1 to 1 ratio (direct drive) in 4th gear. In '4th', therefore, engine rpm is directly related to tire size and rear end ratio. Typical numbers for 4th might be 2500 to 2800 rpm at 60 MPH with a reasonably high rear gear (say 3:30 or 3:00). In the low 2000 rpm range (or lower), yeah I'd say you have a rear ratio in the '2.5 2.7' range. Wow, thats a really high rear gear ratio, normally something that high would be used with an automatic trans, not a stick.

Over drive changes everything, it's a new 'ball game' all around.

...ball park food for thought...