torque or horsepower

[freerider]

First of all, I know what both are, but my question is: What is the most important for accellerating and so?
It's just that everybody always talks about horsepower, but I always thougt that torque is as important as the horsies(especially in lower rpm).
So both are powers of the engine, but which is doing what?

Tia Johan

[Klint]

Johan,

Both are just as important as each other. I'm not expert at this stuff but I'll give it a go.

Torque allows the horsepowers to be used easier. :confused:

Think of a car without adequate torque: Honda s2000

errrr..... :rolleyes:

R+C (a.k.a Nord.) is the man to talk to about this... :blush: :thumb: :idea:

[Audihead]

Yes, Nordo is a wonder when it come to explaining this stuff. Horsepower is good, but the torque gets ya down the road. It's like F1 cars, they have like 900 Hp. but only about 200 ft/lbs of torque. They go like stink because they can put it all to the ground and the cars don't weigh very much. Diesels cars are good for this too, they only might have 95 Hp. , but they could have upwards of 200ft/lbs of torque or more.

:s4addict:

[oswald]

torque = acceleration.

horsepower = top speed.



i think i got it right.

[CRIMOR]

I prefer much torque at low rpm...this is a shoot on your back.
For example I prefer the BMW 535 Diesel than 540i.
There aren't comparisons.

[sturs6]

HP=Torque*rpm/5252 :D

[djinn]

Diesels cars are good for this too, they only might have 95 Hp. , but they could have upwards of 200ft/lbs of torque or more.

Yes!
I have an Audi A6 1.9 tdi. It is 130 hp and it's torque is 310 nm.

I think both torque and hp is important. They work together. When I first hit the gas it departs very well but then it doesn't go as well as my ex Honda Accord 3.0 which has 265 nm torque and 200 hp.

[freerider]

For the ones who are confused to:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/fpte4.htm -> torque
http://www.howstuffworks.com/horsepower.htm -> horsepower

Greetz Johan