4x4ord wrote:
^^^^I don’t think I’m confused. I’m just asking some questions. If an engine is designed to produce 600 lb ft of torque at 1700 rpm and it is running at 1700 rpm putting out 375 lb ft of torque I think we agree the engine is not lightly loaded. If an engine is designed to produce 1000 lbft of torque and is putting out 375 lbft I would say it is lightly loaded. If an engine is designed for to put out 850 lb ft and is tuned to make 1300 lbft I‘m not sure how to determine how it is loaded? Maybe measure it’s fuel economy? If it’s burning more fuel in 6th than 5th towing 65 mph than it likely indicates it is not lightly loaded.
It is not about the load of the engine at peak, but rather the load at the rpm it is at due to its gearing. There is a difference between using 5% to 75% of an engines output at an rpm you are forced to be at due to gearing, and using a percentage of the peak hp of the engine. I am forced to be at a different rpm in 6th than a 4.10 geared truck with the same trans ratio. If we all drove CVT's then I can see your point, but we don't so you have to look at things differently.
