General question about horsepower numbers

[Bob In Ct]

HP is always given at its greatest value which is usually in the 5,000 to 7,000 RPM area. How about specifying the HP at 2,500, 3,500 and 4,500 RPM where most of us drive these cars. If that were to happen more of us would be using dual plane manifolds which tend to work better at reduced (street) RPMs.

[Dallas56]

Thank you for the helpful replies gentleman. I learned something from Patrick. I have engine builder flywheel number (580) and rear wheel number (404, a 30.3% reduction), but did not know that you could take a flywheel number with the engine installed and everything hooked up. It sounds like there is no rule, custom, or practice about what number you should post if you don't say what the number is. If I post horsepower numbers, I guess I'll say what the numbers are, flywheel, rear wheel, or both. Again, thank you for the replies and information. Larry Carlson

[Tommy]

So far as I can tell, it is tradition to post the biggest number you can justify. BTW, the only connection between peak horsepower numbers and performance is that it is one of many indicators of the car's potential top speed. The size and shape of the torque curve determines the car's acceleration potential and is a much better indicator of street performance.