At what engine speed should exhaust backpressure be measured?

Measuring exhaust backpressure at 2,000 RPM is ideal because this engine speed represents a point where the engine is operating under a load while not yet reaching its maximum performance capabilities. At this mid-range RPM, the engine is typically in a more representative operational state for assessing exhaust flow and backpressure.

Evaluating backpressure at this speed will provide more relevant data as it simulates actual driving conditions, allowing technicians to observe how exhaust restrictions may affect engine performance. Higher speeds, such as 3,000 RPM or 4,000 RPM, may not provide as accurate of a comparison as the backpressure can drop significantly due to increased exhaust flow. Conversely, measuring at 1,000 RPM could lead to misleading results since the engine may not be under enough load to accurately reflect real-world conditions, resulting in lower than average backpressure readings. Thus, 2,000 RPM is the most effective choice for analyzing exhaust backpressure accurately.