What does brake horsepower (bhp) mean?

[Jand3rson]

I've never actually been able to find out how it works, or how it is figured.

How similar is it to whp or chp?

[Rob]

bhp is the same as crank or flywheel horsepower, power the motor makes at the motor..there are some variations, but I dont really know them


whp is wheel horsepower, which is the amount of power a car/bike transfers to the ground

[Jand3rson]

That makes sense, but then why is is called "brake" horsepower? I guess that's the part I don't get.

[Rob]

that I could not answer...

[bimmerphile]

i've always known it and referred to it as base horsepower, not brake


edit: here's your answer:

the crank dyno is also known as a friction brake

badda bing

[Jand3rson]

i've always known it and referred to it as base horsepower, not brake

Jeremy Clarkson says "brake". I'll take his word for it.

Jeez Kris. :D

[LikeCDoos]

i've only heard "brake" horse power. I just assumed it was the same as at the crank

[Chris E30 Cab]

Below is the dictionary's definition, perhaps it will clarify for you:

Brake Horsepower

NOUN: abbr. bhp or b.hp. The actual or useful horsepower of an engine, usually determined from the force exerted on a friction brake or dynamometer connected to the drive shaft

[OldUser1]

BHP or Brake Horsepower is the horsepower of an engine, is measured by a dynamometer which is connected to the driveshaft of the car.

Edit: you beat me :D

[bimmerphile]

Below is the dictionary's definition, perhaps it will clarify for you:

Brake Horsepower

NOUN: abbr. bhp or b.hp. The actual or useful horsepower of an engine, usually determined from the force exerted on a friction brake or dynamometer connected to the drive shaft

beat ya

[MattM20]

i've only heard "brake" horse power. I just assumed it was the same as at the crank

yeah thats what my tech teacher told me junior year. brake hp = crank hp

[Jand3rson]

Excellent. Thanks guys, now I can sleep a whole night.

[george graves]

Any motor actually makes more horsepower than what it puts out at the crank. I forget the adverage precentage, but a certin percent of the horsepower made in a motor is "used up" by pumping air in and out, friction on the moving parts, ect... all lost in the the form of heat and sound.

Brake horsepower(from what I always believed) is how much horsepower is DELIVERED to the dyno - or how much horsepower the engine actually delivers - not how much it really produces.

So if you were designing the motor that would be important - in such things as delivering enought fuel to power the motor - you need to deliver enought fuel that equates to how much power is produced - not how much is delivered.

George Graves