torque or horsepower

[TheTacoMan]

[Wh33lhop]

horsepower is torque, bro.
What you're really asking is low end power vs high end power

You guys are getting really into it and it hurts to read. If you want to be pedantic, this man has your answer.

Torque by itself is meaningless.

[blasphemy101]

These threads always shine a light on who really knows their stuff (and those who don't).

[digger]

I'm sorry but this is not all true :tsk:
It's not about maximum horsepower, it's about maximum torque and the ability for the car to do work. Max horsepower happens to occur when the car has a high amount of torque available, but that hp value is due to the torque available and the rpm where that torque is acting. But I do agree, the gear ratio will change the actual quickness you can accelerate.

http://drive4corners.com/index.php/in-torque-we-trust/

On the charts, think of the PINK like a Muscle car V8-- lots of torque at low rpm. Then notice that the torque of all 2 graphs is THE EXACT SAME, besides RPM.

Also note that every plotted curve that reaches ~5000rpm, note that each HP curve crosses the torque curve at exactly 5252rpm (where did that number come from?? See equation above!) Remap that graph with more of the same torque curves, and the resulting HP curves will continue to rise due to the formula that defines HP.

But notice, the resulting HP values tell you that the BLUE vehicle has the most HP. Is the BLUE vehicle better/more powerful/faster? That depends-- high horsepower (which comes from torque at a higher rpm) means that the car will probably pull quicker as you get higher in the revs. Vise versa, on the same toque value in the lower rpms, the car will probably get off the line quicker...


AKA, torque is a measured quantity, but HP is a calculated value used to compare engines/torque values.

you cant even read what i wrote and stop putting words into my mouth FFS. i am not talking about simply looking at PEAK hp numbers, i am talking about available/accessible hp which is from the entire hp curve and for that you need the car to be geared properly. if the engine is not operating at point of high hp then it is not "accessible". funnily enough that is why multi speed close ratio gearboxes exist so the engine operates at rpm where most work can be done.

obviously due to discrete ratios you cant always run the engine at the most optimum rpm so the power curve needs to have alot of area under it and gear ratios spaced correctly

a 900hp 250ft-lb F1 car would spank a 600hp 600lb-ft F1 car everyday of the week on the track. the 900hp car would be running more aggressive gearing and make use of torque multiplication so the torque in the axles would be higher. if driving on the street at low rpm the 600hp car would probably have more hp available depending on actual gear ratios

it is really simple

Power = force x velocity

so at a given velocity (I.e MPH) the force to accelerate (you know f=ma) depends on hp that is available at that speed.

maximizing the hp is the goal

[e30rapidic]

torque gets you going

horsepower keeps you going

[dsphil]

If I want torque, I'll eat an apple. If I want HP, I'll eat an orange. Race cars can have 1,000hp and 250ft/lb torque that can reach speeds to circle the earth in seconds, while a Mack truck have 300hp with 1,500ft/lb torque can rotate the earth's axis a degree or two. I don't think it is a debate matter which is better, but rather what you want to achieve.

[ForcedFirebird]

My DeWalt 18v cordless drill has 300ft/lb.

[digger]

My DeWalt 18v cordless drill has 300ft/lb.

with a breaker bar and 3/4" drive i can better that

[Good & Tight]

Why am I beating 650+hp cars with my measly 550hp....?
Am I doing something wrong ? If the car with the most HP is faster. Period WTF..?

I'll keep my torque and you number crunching nerds can continue your argument.

[ForcedFirebird]

Why am I beating 650+hp cars with my measly 550hp....?
Am I doing something wrong ? If the car with the most HP is faster. Period WTF..?

I'll keep my torque and you number crunching nerds can continue your argument.

LOL! Because your car is a tin can with a stick for an accelerator pedal :P

[ForcedFirebird]

with a breaker bar and 3/4" drive i can better that

Drill, not impact ;)

Still more than an eta haha.

[Good & Tight]

LOL! Because your car is a tin can with a stick for an accelerator pedal :P

I've beaten lighter cars with more HP then me.
That accelerator stick is genuine BMW btw. :-)

John on a side note I need to return that fender roller. thanks dude..!

[nando]

Why am I beating 650+hp cars with my measly 550hp....?
Am I doing something wrong ? If the car with the most HP is faster. Period WTF..?

I'll keep my torque and you number crunching nerds can continue your argument.

I'd think your trans setup and traction have something to do with it.

[ForcedFirebird]

I've beaten lighter cars with more HP then me.
That accelerator stick is genuine BMW btw. :-)

John on a side note I need to return that fender roller. thanks dude..!

Anytime man.

I'd think your trans setup and traction have something to do with it.

They are still relative pending gear ratio. His car peaks more TQ than HP, but has a long final drive.

[dsphil]

My DeWalt 18v cordless drill has 300ft/lb.

are you sure it is 300ft/lb and not 300in/lb. impact will do 300ft/lb.