The Definitive Torque vs. Horsepower post
Year after year, I keep seeing the same old debates about torque vs. horsepower. Everyone seems to have a general idea that we are referring to power, but most don't really understand the relationshi...
Forum Discussion
ah64id wrote:
So mathematically your statement is incorrect, hp and tq are mathematically related but the peaks occur at different rpms on nearly every engine.
It also RARELY ever happens in top gear, simply based on top speed vs speed limits, tire limits, speed limiters, etc... Diesels are one of the few vehicles that can hit rated rpm in top gear on a highway and not be doing unsafe speeds. My truck tops out at 102 with the current tires before it begins to defuel.
You can do this in lower gears by putting your foot on the floor, it's the most common way to achieve max hp. You might only make that peak hp for a small time as the rpms go thru the rated rpms or a shift occurs. But I bet there is only a small percentage of owners that have ever hit peak hp in top gear, but anyone who has ever held their foot on the floor thru redline has made their engines peak hp. Gears have nothing to do with it (torque management aside), it's about rpms and fuel.
You don't have to load an engine to the point of ceasing acceleration to make peak power.
Excellent points. I should amend my statement to say that peak horsepower will only occur on a sustained basis while climbing a grade or at top speed but it could also occur for very brief moments during acceleration (at the top RPM before shifting).
