Define: TORQUE
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something that seems to be missed is area under any given curve of hp or torque. and that curve's shape. if either is peaky with steep drop off the engine will make numbers, but will require several gears to keep it on boil. a small indy engine does not make any significant torque, are those slow?
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You need TQ AND HP to go fast. A good way to think about it is torque is a measure of how much weight you can lift, horsepower is how fast you can lift it. I don't agree with the whole "TQ is everything" arguement because without HP all the power isn't going to accelerate very fast. In the majority of motorsports a "high powerband" is preferable because if you make good TQ in the high RPM's you will make even more HP because of the way they relate and whatnot...I'm just babbling now.
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Originally Posted by Orion ZyGarian
I personally define torque as how much the car actually pushes you back to the seat and hurts your neck if you try to resist it, whereas horsepower is how fast you actually will be going.
For example, an old pushrod 4.0 Ford Exploder...once you put your foot on the throttle, it rips the heck out of your spine, though you arent going very far very fast. Meanwhile, a car with a decent amount of horsepower but lacking a bit of torque will get going fast without you even noticing it or much force against you.
Theres always gear reduction though, as the first link pointed out. My MX5 for instance has a 4.1 or so rear end and 14" tires...it actually kicks you back pretty well until about 20-30 mph and it falls on its face. If you want more "horsepower" getting to the ground to go faster, put a rear end with a lower number and bigger wheels/tires on the car. If you want more "torque", get a higher number'd rear end and smaller wheels/tires.
For example, an old pushrod 4.0 Ford Exploder...once you put your foot on the throttle, it rips the heck out of your spine, though you arent going very far very fast. Meanwhile, a car with a decent amount of horsepower but lacking a bit of torque will get going fast without you even noticing it or much force against you.
Theres always gear reduction though, as the first link pointed out. My MX5 for instance has a 4.1 or so rear end and 14" tires...it actually kicks you back pretty well until about 20-30 mph and it falls on its face. If you want more "horsepower" getting to the ground to go faster, put a rear end with a lower number and bigger wheels/tires on the car. If you want more "torque", get a higher number'd rear end and smaller wheels/tires.
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Last edited by BOX SENTRA; Jun 10, 2006 at 08:38 PM.
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the more torque you can make in the higher RPMs, the better.
Torque is great to have, but I'd rather have my torque in the mid-upper part of the power band than at <2500rpm where I'll never use it.
Torque is great to have, but I'd rather have my torque in the mid-upper part of the power band than at <2500rpm where I'll never use it.
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Originally Posted by Orion ZyGarian
My MX5 for instance has a 4.1 or so rear end and 14" tires...it actually kicks you back pretty well until about 20-30 mph and it falls on its face.
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Dude, wtf is wrong with you people? Torque is the twisting power exerted on a car's crankshaft. I don't see what was so hard about that.
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Originally Posted by Fritchard
FWIW you've got a 4.3 rear in that car, its great for stock or a little more power but when you up the power it makes it really hard to stick to the ground.
Mine is distinctly audible at 45-50..I dont mind it, but I just hope its not a death whine. Worse case scenerio, it is, and I throw in a Torsen LSD
Originally Posted by vip18971
Dude, wtf is wrong with you people? Torque is the twisting power exerted on a car's crankshaft. I don't see what was so hard about that.
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