The two figures obviously have a significant impact on the performance of an engine. The problem is, which one is more “to the point”?
More From everythingautomotive
- What Is The Effect Of A Defective Muffler To Engine Power?
- What Is A Supercharger And How Much Do They Cost To Fit?
- What Is The Difference Between Sprint Series And Nationwide In Nascar?
&
For techincally challenged, this appears to be working best:
December 18th, 2009 at 6:31 pmpower is responsible for maximum speed, and torque – for maximum acceleration.
Quote
Horsepower is how much output the engine has, torque is how much output per RPM. Most engines are rated by horsepower, but the high horsepower is around 7000 RPM’s, where you don’t do much driving. Torque takes into account the engine speed, because torque is lower at higher RPM’s. If you want a more “powerful” car, look at the torque, and ignore horsepower until you drive NASCAR.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:34 pmQuote
http://www.car-videos.com/articles/horse…
December 18th, 2009 at 7:07 pmQuote
Wellthis does not just apply to cars, but to all things in which horsepower and torque are concerned.
December 18th, 2009 at 7:34 pmHorsepower is a measure of the capacity to do work. For example, one horsepower is required to move 33,000 pounds one foot in one minute.
Torque on the other hand, is a measure of force. When you stand next to brick wall and push upon it, you are exerting torque, but as the brick wall is not moving, there is no meaurable horsepower in this function.
Where torque comes into play in automotives is the engine’s capacity to overcome inertia. An electric motor, for example, has measurable torque at 0 rpms, as the magnets are still trying to pull even when the motor is not turning. A gasoline engine, on the other hand, only develops torque once it is turning, and there will be a point in its rpm range at which it develops peak torque, or the maximum force that it can exert to turn the wheels.
Quote
torque is the power, it is what gets you moving and moving quickly.
December 18th, 2009 at 7:56 pmHorsepower is what gives you speed. The higher the torque the more tire squealing ability, the more horsepower the faster you can go.
Quote
Horsepower makes you go fast, torque makes you go fast…faster!
December 18th, 2009 at 8:16 pmQuote