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Old 07-30-2009, 10:19 AM   #2
drewski86
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vex View Post
That is a negative. The true meaning of HP is the application of Torque over time. This means that 1 HP = 550Ft-Lbs/sec.
You're right, horsepower is work(torque) over time, but that does not mean that horsepower is an irrelevant by product. Let's put NoDOHC's friends V8 RX7 vs an F1 car. The V8 makes 230hp and 360tq whereas the F1 car makes 800hp and only 200tq. Do you think the V8 will win because it makes 160 more foot pounds of torque? You would be wrong. Torque IS work, but horsepower DOES work. Here is a saying that puts it in perspective. "Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far you take it with you."
You may want to check this site out.
http://www.vettenet.org/torquehp.html

Quote:
Originally Posted by NoDOHC View Post
You are right, peak acceleration should coincide with peak torque. The G-tech measures acceleration, thus it displays torque. It is not that accurate however, as the dyno run would indicate.
No it should coincide with peak horsepower, not torque. You said the G-tech showed peak acceleration at 7500 RPM and the dyno showed peak power at 7200 RPM. This is your own data that proves this as fact.

Quote:
As to horsepower making a car fast... I will have to disagree on that one. My Rotary makes about 230 Hp, I have a friend with a 302 Ford in an RX7 that makes 230 Hp, that car is WAY faster than mine (the only difference is torque 210 lb-ft vs 360 lb-ft).
That's because the V8 has a much broader powerband. I'm sure if you compare dyno sheets you will see this as true. Peak numbers don't win races, area under the curve does.
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