Torque vs. Horsepower
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 248
From:
RE: Torque vs. Horsepower
Depends on what you want. Peak torque is lower in the rpm band and peak HP is higher. One analogy is torque in a quarter mile pass is like the 60 foot time and HP is the MPH at the end.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,469
From: AR
RE: Torque vs. Horsepower
Torque and HP are inseparably linked...... choosing one or the other is like choosing Pepsi over Coke,,,, there is a "difference" but then again it is the same!
Note that torque and HP are always the same at 5250 RPM......
The real factor when considering torque and HP is where most, or maximum torque happens in the RPM band... As a rule, high torque low in the RPM band will come at the expense of maximum HP, but "drivability" will be better......
Generally high torque higher in the RPM band will result in higher peak HP, but at the expense of drivability...
The question is always answered with a compromise of some kind.....
Note that torque and HP are always the same at 5250 RPM......
The real factor when considering torque and HP is where most, or maximum torque happens in the RPM band... As a rule, high torque low in the RPM band will come at the expense of maximum HP, but "drivability" will be better......
Generally high torque higher in the RPM band will result in higher peak HP, but at the expense of drivability...
The question is always answered with a compromise of some kind.....
6th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,468
From: California
RE: Torque vs. Horsepower
ORIGINAL: JMD
Torque and HP are inseparably linked...... choosing one or the other is like choosing Pepsi over Coke,,,, there is a "difference" but then again it is the same!
Note that torque and HP are always the same at 5250 RPM......
The real factor when considering torque and HP is where most, or maximum torque happens in the RPM band... As a rule, high torque low in the RPM band will come at the expense of maximum HP, but "drivability" will be better......
Generally high torque higher in the RPM band will result in higher peak HP, but at the expense of drivability...
The question is always answered with a compromise of some kind.....
Torque and HP are inseparably linked...... choosing one or the other is like choosing Pepsi over Coke,,,, there is a "difference" but then again it is the same!
Note that torque and HP are always the same at 5250 RPM......
The real factor when considering torque and HP is where most, or maximum torque happens in the RPM band... As a rule, high torque low in the RPM band will come at the expense of maximum HP, but "drivability" will be better......
Generally high torque higher in the RPM band will result in higher peak HP, but at the expense of drivability...
The question is always answered with a compromise of some kind.....
In a way they're the same thing. Horsepower is just a way of measuring torque relative to engine rpm. You can't have one without the other. A broad torque band produces a broad power band. When you build a performance engine all you're really doing is shifting the torque curve around the rpm range, which changes how much horsepower is made and where.
http://www.epi-eng.com/piston_engine...and_torque.htm
That'll explain it pretty well.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,468
From: California
RE: Torque vs. Horsepower
This also talks about work and energy(essential to understanding horsepower and torque).
http://www.epi-eng.com/mechanical_en...y_and_work.htm
http://www.epi-eng.com/mechanical_en...y_and_work.htm
4th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,090
From: Az
RE: Torque vs. Horsepower
I haven't read any of those links but, you can make a 302 with as much HP as a 351, but it will never have the torque. Also, look at the trucks that only put out like 150 HP but have as much as 1200lbs of torque.
In other words...If people didn't like torque, they wouldn't be stroking 302's.
In other words...If people didn't like torque, they wouldn't be stroking 302's.