Does higher HP/lower torque = better handling?
Gentleman's Relish
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,189
From: AZ
RE: Does higher HP/lower torque = better handling?
ORIGINAL: dasfonzie
I wasn't talking about hondas, because I don't think any FWD car can out handle a Mustang or any RWD car. I meant like a 350z, RX8, BMW 3 series, etc...
Also a 350z weighs just as much as an S197 GT... but people still claim the handling is superb
I wasn't talking about hondas, because I don't think any FWD car can out handle a Mustang or any RWD car. I meant like a 350z, RX8, BMW 3 series, etc...
Also a 350z weighs just as much as an S197 GT... but people still claim the handling is superb
Well balanced cars are closer to 50/50 (like a Vette, Porsche, etc) The balance of the car makes it easier to predict what it's going to do when you goose the gas in a corner or go to accelerate out. The higher weight bias in the stangs makes them prone to kick out the rear more than other RWD cars. For most, it's not an issue and makes the car more fun to drive. For tracks though, it can be a handicap.
The Shelby GT 500 pushes this weight bias even further 57/43 because of the heavier engine and the S/C on it but it has upgraded suspension to compensate for most of the difference.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 444
From:
RE: Does higher HP/lower torque = better handling?
ORIGINAL: Derf00
Because that weight on the 350Z and Bimmer is more equally distributed between the front and rear of the car. Mustangs are very weight biased to the front meaning their weight biasis like 55/45 (55 % on the front 45% on the rear)
Well balanced cars are closer to 50/50 (like a Vette, Porsche, etc) The balance of the car makes it easier to predict what it's going to do when you goose the gas in a corner or go to accelerate out. The higher weight bias in the stangs makes them prone to kick out the rear more than other RWD cars. For most, it's not an issue and makes the car more fun to drive. For tracks though, it can be a handicap.
The Shelby GT 500 pushes this weight bias even further 57/43 because of the heavier engine and the S/C on it but it has upgraded suspension to compensate for most of the difference.
ORIGINAL: dasfonzie
I wasn't talking about hondas, because I don't think any FWD car can out handle a Mustang or any RWD car. I meant like a 350z, RX8, BMW 3 series, etc...
Also a 350z weighs just as much as an S197 GT... but people still claim the handling is superb
I wasn't talking about hondas, because I don't think any FWD car can out handle a Mustang or any RWD car. I meant like a 350z, RX8, BMW 3 series, etc...
Also a 350z weighs just as much as an S197 GT... but people still claim the handling is superb
Well balanced cars are closer to 50/50 (like a Vette, Porsche, etc) The balance of the car makes it easier to predict what it's going to do when you goose the gas in a corner or go to accelerate out. The higher weight bias in the stangs makes them prone to kick out the rear more than other RWD cars. For most, it's not an issue and makes the car more fun to drive. For tracks though, it can be a handicap.
The Shelby GT 500 pushes this weight bias even further 57/43 because of the heavier engine and the S/C on it but it has upgraded suspension to compensate for most of the difference.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,035
From: Bethesda MD
RE: Does higher HP/lower torque = better handling?
ORIGINAL: psyviperx
The best description I've heard of torque and HP is:
Touque gets you off the line faster and HP get you to the finish faster.
The best description I've heard of torque and HP is:
Touque gets you off the line faster and HP get you to the finish faster.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 803
From:
RE: Does higher HP/lower torque = better handling?
ORIGINAL: dasfonzie
I wasn't talking about hondas, because I don't think any FWD car can out handle a Mustang or any RWD car.
I wasn't talking about hondas, because I don't think any FWD car can out handle a Mustang or any RWD car.
The Godfather
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 15,480
From: Temple, Texas
RE: Does higher HP/lower torque = better handling?
ORIGINAL: 3.8_Special
No, it means theyre little 4cl's cant make any decent torque (why they need to shift at uber high rpms).
Think torque as turning a wrench, rather snaping a hardsnap to get nut off and HP the ability to keep snapping it faster again and again.
No, it means theyre little 4cl's cant make any decent torque (why they need to shift at uber high rpms).
Think torque as turning a wrench, rather snaping a hardsnap to get nut off and HP the ability to keep snapping it faster again and again.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,189
From:
RE: Does higher HP/lower torque = better handling?
ORIGINAL: raz54Yes it will but that's what's so great about tq.
your barking up the wrong tree, hp or torque mean nothing as far as how the car handles. more power means u gotta let off the gas when ur turning or you will fishtail into a curb thats about it. suspension, weight balance, tires, anything suspension wise is what controls your handling.
ive never accused a honda or any piece of crap like that of handling well.
oh and dont forget rim/tire size.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,526
From:
RE: Does higher HP/lower torque = better handling?
and you never want to power into a turn you always go slow in fast out nont be honding the gas to the floor because your just goint to slide you lety off before the turn and once you gone about 1/2 way throught (passes the apex) of the turn nail the gas and power out of it its better then sliding every where
6th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,540
From: South FL
RE: Does higher HP/lower torque = better handling?
ORIGINAL: nanaki
torque gets you there, hp keeps you there
torque gets you there, hp keeps you there