You choose - loaded gas or basic diesel?
If you had to buy a SD/HD truck today, what would you choose... a loaded, leather gas model or a diesel with cloth and just a few basic gadgets? Assume similar price, which is what I am finding.
Forum Discussion
OhhWell wrote:You're jokin', right?! If not, is it possible you have horsepower and torque confused? There's a reason why diesel engines are so popular--it's NOT because they have horsepower--it's because they have TORQUE. Again, torque pulls the trailers, hauls the goods, does the work in the realworld. If horsepower was doing all these great things why don't we see Indy 500-type engines powering big trucks? They're small, lightweight, and they produce 700+ horsepower. There's a reason why you'll never see one in a big truck--it's because they have very little torque.otrfun wrote:I would pick engine 1 any day of the week. I might actually have to climb a hill at some point. I'm assuming that in this scenario, the same exact transmission isn't forced on both engines?OhhWell wrote:I get your technical point; however, I believe you missed my point.otrfun wrote:Who in the heck says that? Torque is a measure of force and horsepower is a measure of WORK.
As they say, torque does the real work, not horsepower.
You can multiply torque through gearing. You can't increase your horsepower through anything besides upgrading the powerplant.
Definition of horsepower
It's just a case of semantics. Notice my use of the word "real" work. I'm talking about work as defined by the average person:
"activity involving physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result"
If someone needs to haul or tow a lot, and wants to "achieve a purpose or result", which engine would be the better choice?
1. An engine with 400 HP and 200 ft. lbs. of torque.
2. An engine with 200 HP and 400 ft. lbs. of torque.
I think most would choose engine #2. Why? Because in the above scenario an abundance of torque allows them to "work" at "achieving a purpose or result" much easier than an abundance of horsepower.
P.S. I see your point about gearing down to increase torque. However, if this was an efficient process, can you explain why we don't see 700+ horsepower Indy 500-type engines powering big trucks?
