Horsepower is horsepower?
If that theory is true (in real circumstances), then a 385hp 6.7L Cummins diesel shouldn't spank a 381hp Toyota Tundra when both are tested 0-60 towing a 5740# boat. But it did. Must be the adva...
Forum Discussion
wilber1 wrote:TomG2 wrote:
The point is, 100 hp is 100 hp regardless of the fuel, gears, chassis, weather, or ethnicity of the driver. Having said that, most of us like having our horsepower delivered in a manageable form. A screaming 500 hp 327 that only makes any real power in excess of 8,000 rpm's is only fun on the race track. But get it up to 8,000 rpms and it will climb the hill just as fast as any other 500 hp machine.
Thing is, it is only producing 500 HP at 8000 rpm if it is at WOT. If you don't have a gear that will allow you to keep it at WOT at 8000 RPM, it won't be making 500 HP. Too low and it will over rev and blow up or too high and you will never get it to 8000 RPM.
Wider the power band, the easier it is to keep an engine at or near peak power. That's where boosted engines, gas or diesel have a big advantage over normally aspirated.
Are you arguing with me or agreeing? Makes little difference, as I agree with you. We want "manageable" horsepower, not some impractical application. Still, if the subject is only about horsepower, the trailer does not know what kind of engine is making it go, just the rate at which the work gets done. That is the definition of horsepower. Drivability, torque, fuel mileage are altogether different but related subjects.
