Torque?

[HondaToMazda]

What is Torque Exactly? What does it do for you to have so much?

 

[servoeyes]

Well...let's look at it based on units: ft*lbs

this is a distance times a force (a form of work)

The distance in feet is from a center point around which you apply said force. Basically, Torque is a measure of how much power you have to get moving...how much power is available to spin the wheels (well the dyno number), while HP is measure of work/time. (33,000 foot-lbs/minute = 1 HP) That'll tell you how much forward force you can put on the car/minute (again...the dyno number)

This is mostly from memory, so it may not be exactly right...but I haven't had to use it in almost a year now, so I'm slipping....

I think you can use HP to find force at a particular RPM, which you can then toss into an algebraic equation with Drag, friction force, etc. to find theorhetical top speeds, etc...

Edited to make correct (i think)

See also link 1 and link2

Hope that helps!

 

[HondaToMazda]

Interesting... How do Integra GS-R or Civic Si's have so little torque and high hp numbers? Is it because of the Motors capability to have higher RPMS

 

[servoeyes]

Figure 3 in link 2 can give you some idea. Some of it is gearing, some...but note...that's also why Hondas have all their power on the top end...

 

[YuYuRena]

Torque (work) is in essence force times distance. you can have the same torque by applying little force over a long distance or a large force applying over a small distance. This can be pictured as moving a box up a step: either you push it up an incline (smaller force but longer distance) or you just push it straight up the step (large force but short distance). That's what torque is in concept.

Now for cars, torque is basically for turning the wheel, and it's the engine's ability to turn the wheels. More torque means the car can turn heavier car and or wheels (more inertia + friction) or cause wheel spinning and some cool smoke effect.

HP comes from torque value, the dyno only measures torque, since it is design to put up a measured resistance (force) and the engine turns it. The rpm at which the engine cranking at helps to determine the rate of work deliver = determine power.

And about the Honda question, yes since HP is both a function of rpm and torque value. Remember power is force times velocity (unit conversion= force*distance/time=force*velocity), so if you have lots of velocity i.e. high rpm then your torque can be medicore but still have high HP. Same for the diesel trucks that have redline at 3k rpm but the have like 800 hp = large tq but small rpm range.

 

[mazdadan]

Same for the diesel trucks that have redline at 3k rpm but the have like 800 hp = large tq but small rpm range.

Yep, my truck has 305HP and 555lb ft torque. It makes it's peak HP at 2900RPM and peak torque at 1400RPM. The torque curve is flat across the entire power band all the way up to 2900RPM....gotta love diesel. Oh and my redline is 3250RPM.

Torque is a very important aspect of any engine because it is what moves you.

 

[KYMP5]

torque is horspower divided by time, at least that is how it was explained to me

 

[FunkyCold5]

e = mc^2