Need help from car experts...

[Cuts]

Can anybody explain to me what the difference is b/w horsepower vs. torque?

 

[fogg88]

Are you looking for the definitions, like in a college physics sense, or are you wanting to know how they apply to driving that particular car?

 

[ariolanine]

Torque is the twisting force of the crankshaft. It is what gets you moving from a standstill. Horsepower is a mathmatical calculation of how fast that torque can be applied. Let's say you have a diesel engine that makes 500 lb/ft of torque and a little ricer with 100 lb/ft. That diesel will move a large trailer with just a tap of the throttle. The smaller motor probably couldn't move it. If the two raced without a heavy load, the smaller one would win because he can apply his torque much faster. This is because smaller engines have less rotating mass and can spool up faster. I am probably not using all of the right terminology, but that is the general idea. The link below goes into detail.

http://www.revsearch.com/dynamometer/torque_vs_horsepower.html

 

[rnch]

Horsepower -- Unit of engine power measurement at MAXIMUM thrust (rpms). ie: How much power it has when really pushed to it's limits (eg: 320 HORSES)

Torque -- Unit is a measurement of power at lower rpms (lb/ft etc.). So if the engine has a lot of power at lower speeds and rpms -- it is ideal for towing, lifting, etc. cuz it's got more juice to rev more when standing still, etc.

something like that. Been awhile since i took auto shop class in high school

-= nav =-

u r correct, sir!!!!!!

higher torque car engines, while not as exciting to drive hard as higher revving horerspower car engines; are more usefull for the driving conditions most peeps in this country encounter.

some engines, esp. italian and oriental designs, make good horsepower figures on paper, but have little torque, so u have to rev the shiot outta them to get any power and acceleration out of them.

most american engines make lots of instantaneous, bottom end torque, usefull for pulling out in traffic or taking off quickly from a stop light.

 

[Cuts]

Great info... thanks... karma for all.

I think I got it... kind of...

So... horsepower is a better indicator of speed potential, while torque is a better indicator of pulling/pushing/load-bearing potential? So we'd use horsepower comparing sports cars, and torque when comparing pick-up trucks? Is that about right?

 

[aalox]

Great info... thanks... karma for all.

I think I got it... kind of...

So... horsepower is a better indicator of speed potential, while torque is a better indicator of pulling/pushing/load-bearing potential? So we'd use horsepower comparing sports cars, and torque when comparing pick-up trucks? Is that about right?

Yes, that's right. You may find this article useful for more in-depth information.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question381.htm

 

[Cuts]

Excellent info... thanks... have some karma...

 

[2EZ2BRICH]

So cars that can go from 0 - 60 mph, in 3.8 - 5 secs, have higher torque...ie., Ferrari, Porshe Turbo, Corvette Z1...etc ?

Cars that have higher top speeds per hour, have higher horse power ?

So if a car has say 400hp, does this influence that 0 - 60mph, in 5 secs, or is it all Torgue related ?


thanks in advance !


2ez