[thrlskr]

*Assume that both vehicles are geared to obtain the same top speed*
Yes there is a correct answer! Please answer and discuss your position; this is always a fun topic.

 

[Daking350Z]

Whats the Vehicles weight?

 

[thrlskr]

Originally posted by Daking350Z@Nov 27 2004, 04:15 PM
Whats the Vehicles weight?

All Other Things Equal....yes including weight!

 

[Dissident]

I don't think you can answer it form a peak torque number. What rate does the torque rise at? The second engine could be making 299 HP at 8000 rpm, which would mean it's making almost double the hp of the first one....

 

[Beer Goggles]

This one is simple. Torque creates acceleration. Period. If you're going for a high topspeed then HP is the thing you need, but torque is what makes you feel acceleration.

Horse Power sells cars...

Torque wins races.

 

[buzam]

more torque quicker start, quicker to the end speed

 

[thrlskr]

Originally posted by Dissident@Nov 27 2004, 05:49 PM
I don't think you can answer it form a peak torque number.  What rate does the torque rise at?  The second engine could be making 299 HP at 8000 rpm, which would mean it's making almost double the hp of the first one....

It doesn't matter, the illustration is the same. I'll chime in with my opinion once there are more votes.

 

[thrlskr]

56 views and only 5 votes?

 

[Nis350ZTT]

The way i've always thought of it, is torque gets you to where you can use the horsepower you have.

 

[Daking350Z]

I know there is some trick to this but I was always schooled that hp is a byproduct of tourqe..So I go with the more TQ engine providing their TQ curves are similar..

 

[Daking350Z]

Hold on I change my opinion..looking at where in the powerband the both engines produce peak TQ and peak HP I say they perform the same if your comparing straight line acceleration..One engine will get going faster the other engine will catch up on the top end..THERE THE SAME!!!

 

[TrackZ03]

That's what I selected. What do I win?

Don't say fruitcake.

 

[thrlskr]

:bump:

Continued till tomorrow night. I must say I had hoped that this would spur more discussion! Anyway, I'm sure we'll have more to discuss once the correct answer is in...complete with explaination of course

Get those votes in you trolls!

Nick

 

[hazade]

Originally posted by Daking350Z@Nov 28 2004, 08:04 AM
One engine will get going faster the other engine will catch up on the top end..THERE THE SAME!!!

Agreed.

 

[studybuddy]

2

 

[Zxrage]

The question is which engine accelerates faster.

Assuming that it is a 1/4mile, I would still say that the car with 300ft/lb torque at 4000 rpm. More torque is being delivered at low rpm while the car is starting from a standstill. Also, once the car is already moving it will be easier to keep it accelerating especially in higher gears at lower rpms. If the gearing on the car is such that it will be in 5th gear at around 4000 rpms by the end of the 1/4 mile, then the car will have the advantage because it was able to use more of its available torque as opposed to the other car because it will still be in 4th.

 

[thrlskr]

Not many votes for how many views! There must be 100+ "I don't knows"!!! :headshake:

 

[jetpilot718]

Those numbers could come from the SAME engine. For example, an engine could produce 300ft/lbs of tq at 4K rpm's, and remember, these are non-linear figures. The curve could drop off past peak up to 8K rpm, and in fact, equal 150ft/lbs.

Now if you asked what is better for acceleration: an engine with 300ft/lbs of tq and 150hp, or an engine with 150ft/lbs of tq, and 300hp then the results would be different (favoring the higher tq numbers for acceleration).

In conclusion, the question you posed does not contain enough information to make an informed decision, which could be why not many voted. Fun topic tho..

 

[Beer Goggles]

Also, since it would be silly not to gear the cars different it's not a good question..but TQ still owns.

 

[Dissident]

Ok, more importantly, which accelerates faster, a 2004 Track 350Z or a 2005 special edition?

I thikn if torque was the only thing that mattered in accelration, we'd all be driving diesels that make 350 lbs of torque (and 150 hp). Harleys make more torque than most sportbikes, but good luck making one quicker, gearing or not...