saejin

I've searched and haven't found my answer, so I'm posting this question to everyone. Plus most threads here have a tendancy to get off topic very quickly.

I know there's a debate on whether 159lbs/ft torque is enough. As I understand it, it's not just about the torque, horspower also is a factor. We're all tied up with numbers here, I think we need an expert to help explain the torque/horsepower relationship.

For example - which car is faster
1) 159lbs/ft torque / 250hp
2) 250lbs/ft torque / 159hp

The reason I put this question out is a diesel engine has gobs of torque, but most can't do 0-60 in 5.9 sec.

My limited understanding is horsepower is used to apply the torque. So, the RX-8 has 250hp, so it is able to apply the 159lbs of torque better that a car with only 200hp.

Am I making sense here.

collinsc

Im honestly not sure what youre getting at here, so let me just say a few things.

Horsepower is a product of torque and revs. Specifically:

HP = (Torque * RPM) / 5252

So, your proposed 200lbs/ft engine is basically a truck, and makes peak power at 3340rpm.

What you are wondering about though, isnt really a torque or horsepower question. Diesels are slow because they cant rev.
Revolutions are fed through gears (which are ratios) and basically (ok so this is really watered down, you can do some research if you want more detail) turned into speed.

Cars that rev higher can accelerate longer and thats basically why they are faster.

That said, what is your question?

Lensman

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrgggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

wakeech

don't worry saejin, i'll find you your threads... until then, i'll just keep this from getting any bigger...

but, i PROMISE, i'll find you the good hp vs. torque threads.

[edit]

okay, here are a few good links...

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...e&pagenumber=1

read all the way through that, and if you wanna add some things/questions/comments/whatever onto the end, please, be my guest!! :D it's a good thread...

and Rich, our king of the torque argument, has a favourite website "primer", here:

http://www.vettenet.org/torquehp.html

there you go saejin... if you've got more questions, just revive the old one, please and thanks.

regards,
The Keechinator