BHP vs Torque?
#1
BHP vs Torque?
I don't really understand whats best to have?
More 'bhp', or more 'lbft' ?
If you got a 300bhp / 274lbft engine, and a 300bhp / 344lbft engine, what would be better to drive?
Is there a difference in how it drives or performs?
Discuss, Or if theres been a thread, please link
More 'bhp', or more 'lbft' ?
If you got a 300bhp / 274lbft engine, and a 300bhp / 344lbft engine, what would be better to drive?
Is there a difference in how it drives or performs?
Discuss, Or if theres been a thread, please link
#5
Colossal Pervert
What's more important is the torque CURVE.. this is what makes the car drive how it does.. if you have a flat torque curve (ideal really), then you end up with linear acceleration.. if you have a peaky torque curve (queue high compression jap crap), then you get a big surge of acceleration (and usually wheelspin) but then it just dies off quickly.. Long, big flat torque curves are what gives you that relentless acceleration (that or an ever increasing torque curve).. Power is just a function of torque and speed..
Look at it this way.. torque is more important than power, but your power limit (choke point) is what ultimately limits your power band.. (torque curve)..
Look at it this way.. torque is more important than power, but your power limit (choke point) is what ultimately limits your power band.. (torque curve)..
#6
Happily retired
Sorry Chip cant let you get away with that it was Colin Chapman that said that & he knew more about engines & winning races than you ever will. Whats more I totally agree with him.
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#8
PassionFords Creator
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This is a timely question as its reminded me to do something.
https://passionford.com/forum/showth...08#post3454508
Sorry mate, It was a poorly worded quote to anyone who understands power and torque Rod, even though we all understand what he was getting at.
https://passionford.com/forum/showth...08#post3454508
Sorry mate, It was a poorly worded quote to anyone who understands power and torque Rod, even though we all understand what he was getting at.
Last edited by Stu @ M Developments; 25-07-2008 at 07:15 AM.
#10
Cheers everyone.
Will have a read, Cheers Stu
This is a timely question as its reminded me to do something.
https://passionford.com/forum/showth...08#post3454508
https://passionford.com/forum/showth...08#post3454508
Will have a read, Cheers Stu
#12
*** Sierra RS Custard ***
iTrader: (3)
The thing that accelerates a car, is torque at the wheels versus its weight.
Torque at the wheels is a direct result of BHP and gearing, it is NOT a direct result of torque at the flywheel.
As above, BHP is work done, torque on its own is a meaningless figure without being in the context of RPM!
Torque at the wheels is a direct result of BHP and gearing, it is NOT a direct result of torque at the flywheel.
As above, BHP is work done, torque on its own is a meaningless figure without being in the context of RPM!
#13
DEYTUKURJERBS
Hence why diesel and XR4 owners think their cars are fast as fuck "ooooh, look how much torque i have, ill be halfway down the road before you are in the powerband" and the other gay quotes they always come out with.
When in reality they get destroyed by anyone who understands how to drive and has a bit more bhp than them.
Our diesel has 190bhp and 350lbft. It feels fast, easy to keep it in the powerband, but a similar weight car with 50 more bhp but 100lbft LESS still totally destroys it in a straight line.
Last edited by Stavros; 25-07-2008 at 08:54 AM.
#14
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Exactly. That "Torque wins races" comment is utter bollocks purely as people think of LOW DOWN torque.
Our diesel has 190bhp and 350lbft. It feels fast, easy to keep it in the powerband, but a similar weight car with 50 more bhp but 100lbft LESS still totally destroys it in a straight line.
Our diesel has 190bhp and 350lbft. It feels fast, easy to keep it in the powerband, but a similar weight car with 50 more bhp but 100lbft LESS still totally destroys it in a straight line.
torque talk goes over my head sorry!
#17
DEYTUKURJERBS
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#21
*** Sierra RS Custard ***
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with 800lbft and 800bhp, they would be slower, thats the bottom line, as they have the gearing to keep it on the boil with a peaky engine anyway, as a road car though, 800/800 would be fucking awesome and far easier to drive quickly.
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#24
............
You drive to make the most of what you have unless you're a gimp
Every driver would ultimately like a wider spread of torque as its easy to drop out out of the power band in a road situation where you have some unexpected situations
However ultimately is power that makes a car fast, more torque just makes it a bit more driveable in those situations where we cant keep it on the boil
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#32
10K+ Poster!!
High torque at low rpm is good for towing/off roading.
High bhp at high rpm is good for making your gears turn fast - so well suited to top speed runs etc.
Torque and BHP are different measurements of the same thing, an engines performance.
You need to look at the torque and power curves to work out what an engine is like to drive. That lets you see how well and engine will "rev" and the steepness of the graph gives an idea as to what the engine will feel like to drive.
Alex
#34
DEYTUKURJERBS
Generally, if weight/gearing/etc is equal and the powerbands is the kind of thing we used to on 2litre petrol engines...
A car with 200bhp and 200lbft is generally faster than a car with 200bhp and 150lbft.
And a car with 200bhp and 150lbft is generally faster than a car with 150bhp and 200lbft.
A car with 200bhp and 200lbft is generally faster than a car with 200bhp and 150lbft.
And a car with 200bhp and 150lbft is generally faster than a car with 150bhp and 200lbft.
#38
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Was it shelby that first said it?
BHP sells car's torque win's races.
Worse thing is, it's always the "no it all's moto".
F1 car's have less torque than my grandad's diesel, but i know which would be quicker.
The only advantage or torque IMO is you don't have to drive it as hard, i.e. can be in wrong gear and it's more forgiving.
#39
Testing the future
#40
*** Sierra RS Custard ***
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The time that low down torque is vital, is in "hooking up" off the line, especially on massive wrinkle wall drag slicks.
Thats the only time really that torque IS more important than horsepower IMHO, but once you are moving, you then need the horsepower to accelerate.
Thats the only time really that torque IS more important than horsepower IMHO, but once you are moving, you then need the horsepower to accelerate.