Question about torque.

[THUMPER20X]

I always found the easiest way to understand is think of a door. Torque is near the hinge (high pressure) and HP is near the edge of the door (Speed) Theres a saying "Torque wins races, HP sells cars"

[MontyCarlo]

It's important to keep in mind that torque isn't constant, and neither is horsepower. Just because you've got your pedal to the metal doesn't mean you're getting your full torque. It changes based on your RPMs - it starts out lower at low RPMs, reaches its full value towards higher RPMs, then drops off a little again as you get up towards red line.

If two cars have the same weight and the same torque but different horsepower, then they'll both have the same acceleration at low speeds but the one with higher horsepower will be able to keep that acceleration up into higher speeds.

If two cars have the same weight and the same horsepower but different torque, then the one with higher torque will have better starting acceleration but it won't be able to keep up that advantage once you're both at higher speeds.

[djpheer]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

LOL... Your way off as far as the actual definition goes ...... The term horsepower originated from James Watt, the guy who invented the steam engine and who the term power was named after.

How is he way off? Everything he stated is 100% fact.

[HDDAN]

Torque is a measurement of force. Horsepower is how many times that force is applied. For example, if two engines make equal torque and one makes it's peak torque at 5000 rpm's and the other makes it's peak torque at 7500 rpm's the one that produces the peak torque at 7500 rpm's will make more horsepower because the torque (measured in foot pounds) is produced 50% more times than the slower turning engine.

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by djpheer

How is he way off? Everything he stated is 100% fact.

LOL.... He was converting horsepower from torque, not actually defining what horse power meant. The topics at hand were definitions and not conversions ...... Back at ya !!!

[HALFFAST]

Torque is what snaps your neck back sticks you to the seat and plants a huge grin on your face.

[O2BQIK]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

LOL.... He was converting horsepower from torque, not actually defining what horse power meant. The topics at hand were definitions and not conversions ...... Back at ya !!!

It's not a conversion...they're not the same thing. Horsepower by definition is a function of torque. To measure horsepower, you must know the torque and the engine speed at which that torque was made. DGthe3's definition was absolutely accurate.

To the OP, everything else held constant, more torque means faster. The Mustang guys, I presume, think of their V6 as a "torque monster" because when it was introduced, it produced quite a bit more torque than most V6's. There had been lots of V6 before it which made similar HP, but relatively few (in this price range) that could match the torque. It makes the Mustang V6 FEEL powerful, because you can feel the grunt. The V6 used in the Camaro makes more torque AND more HP, and from a performance perspective is a superior engine.

They're definitely right about the Mustang's lower weight being an advantage.

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by O2BQIK

It's not a conversion...they're not the same thing. Horsepower by definition is a function of torque. To measure horsepower, you must know the torque and the engine speed at which that torque was made. DGthe3's definition was absolutely accurate.

What ..... Hp= torque x rpm / 5,252.

Looks like a conversion to me, try reading the post I was referring to...

A unit of power in the U.S. Customary System, equal to 745.7 watts or 33,000 foot-pounds per minute. <------- Definition .....

See the difference ?

[Dan3]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

LOL.... He was converting horsepower from torque, not actually defining what horse power meant. The topics at hand were definitions and not conversions ...... Back at ya !!!

All abord the failboat.

Considering that the conversion posted is basically the definition of horsepower and how it relates to torque...

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by Dan3

All abord the failboat.

Considering that the conversion posted is basically the definition of horsepower and how it relates to torque...

A conversion is not a definition by any means ..... It's like someone asking what Voltage means and you throw up Ohm's Law ..... Still doesn't explain what it means ..... Everything has an actual definition .... And if you can't converse like an adult without all the face palms move on, because I'm not impressed with your keyboard commando behavior ....

[Dan3]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

A conversion is not a definition by any means ..... It's like someone asking what Voltage means and you throw up Ohm's Law ..... Still doesn't explain what it means ..... Everything has an actual definition .... And if you can't converse like an adult without all the face palms move on, because I'm not impressed with your keyboard commando behavior ....

Are you always this anal Mr. Webster? Or did you just have a crappy morning?

Lets take this and put it in perspective for the logically challenged...

The OP (and several contributers) have stated a lack of understanding regarding HP and torque.

Using basic analogies, posters have provided a basic insight into the BASIC understandings of HP and Torque and the difference between them.

The OP then asked how HP and torque related in regards to performance upgrades. Fast forward to:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Horsepower and torque aren't separate items. They are linked via rpm's.

Horesepower = (torque x engine RPM)/5252. This part of the reason why manufacturers include where an engine makes its power or torque, like 400 hp @ 5900 rpm.

Anyways, there are only 2 ways to ever increase the power of an engine: make more RPM's or generate more torque. Mostly people make more torque, and therefore more power.

This post DEFINES HORSEPOWER IN TERMS OF TORQUE. DEFINES. DG was not only 100% accurate, but he answered the OP's question regarding the relationship between the two.

Then along come "keyboard commando" SlingShot with the first "LOL OH EM GEE YOU ARE WRONG" post of the thread who proceeds to argue that his Dictionary.com definition is the only acceptable answer to the question, even though it in no way addresses the actual query. How does saying "HP = x ftlbs and is named after Watt" answer anything for the OP, who has expressed a lack of in-depth technical knowledge on the subject.

Just for you Captain Dictionary...

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by Dan3

Are you always this anal Mr. Webster? Or did you just have a crappy morning?

Lets take this and put it in perspective for the logically challenged...

The OP (and several contributers) have stated a lack of understanding regarding HP and torque.

Using basic analogies, posters have provided a basic insight into the BASIC understandings of HP and Torque and the difference between them.

The OP then asked how HP and torque related in regards to performance upgrades. Fast forward to:


This post DEFINES HORSEPOWER IN TERMS OF TORQUE. DEFINES. DG was not only 100% accurate, but he answered the OP's question regarding the relationship between the two.

Then along come "keyboard commando" SlingShot with the first "LOL OH EM GEE YOU ARE WRONG" post of the thread who proceeds to argue that his Dictionary.com definition is the only acceptable answer to the question, even though it in no way addresses the actual query. How does saying "HP = x ftlbs and is named after Watt" answer anything for the OP, who has expressed a lack of in-depth technical knowledge on the subject.

Just for you Captain Dictionary...

The answer wasn't for the OP, I made a statement his definition was actually a conversion and still didn't define what Hp meant..... You youngins are just clueless..... Try reading the context of a post before spouting your pie hole ......

[Dan3]

Originally Posted by Dictionary.com

define - 3 dictionary results
de⋅fine  /dɪˈfaɪn/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [di-fahyn]
–verb (used with object)
1. to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.): They disagreed on how to define “liberal.”
2. to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; describe: to define judicial functions.
3. to fix or lay down definitely; specify distinctly: to define one's responsibilities.
4. to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of: to define property with stakes.
5. to make clear the outline or form of: The roof was boldly defined against the sky.

–verb (used without object)
6. to set forth the meaning of a word, phrase, etc.; construct a definition.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Synonyms:
3. state, name, describe, detail, enumerate.

Ground control to SlingShot... come in SlingShot.

[MontyCarlo]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

The answer wasn't for the OP, I made a statement his definition was actually a conversion and still didn't define what Hp meant..... You youngins are just clueless..... Try reading the context of a post before spouting your pie hole ......

And what did you do that was so superior? You told us how to convert horsepower to watts or pound-feet per minute. DG's definition was better than either of your conversions.