[Bob In Ct]

David:
Engines with tons of torque at the low end are also producing more HP at that same RPM. Which car do you think would accelerate faster, one with 500 FT-LBS at 2,000 RPM or one with 300 FT-LBS at 6,000 RPM? That's right, the 300 FT-LB engine.

Torque is only a measure of twisting force. I can produce 200 FT-LBS on my bicycle! That doesn't mean I can do a quarter mile in 15 seconds when I ride it (because I can only spin the pedals to 100 RPM). Torque has no time component because it is not a measure of power, and power is what does the work. The reason most of us love big low RPM torque values is because those same values produce more HP at those same low RPMs, and that's why we accelerate faster.

Remember, HP = (Torque X RPM) / 5252

Power increases with either an increase in Torque or RPM.

Bob