Guest Anonymous Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 We begin the process; CHARGE (POTENTIAL ENERGY) - CONVERSION (BURN/EXPANSION) - ENERGY (FORCE/POWER) - PISTON (LINEAR FORCE/POWER) - ROD SMALL END (ROCKING FORCE=TORQUE) - ROD BIG END (RECPROCAL FORCE=TORQUE) - CRANKSHAFT (CONVERSION OF LINEAR ROCKING AND RECIPROCAL FORCE/POWER TO A USEFUL ROTATING MASS) - TORQUE (ENERGY AVAILABLE TO DO WORK AT THE FLYWHEEL END OF THE CRANKSHAFT). CHEMICAL ENERGY IN - CHEMICAL/MECHANICAL CONVERSION - MECHANICAL ENERGY OUT. In the first paragraph; 1. We see the available fuel burning/expanding in an enclosed chamber which forces the piston down. Is there horsepower here? No! Is there Torque here? No! Is there RPM here? No! There is only linear force/power here. 2. We next pass through the conrod. Is there horsepower here? By definition, Yes! Is there Torque here? Yes because there has been a directional change of force/power at the small end. Is there RPM here? At the small end No, but at the big end Yes! 3. Now in the crankshaft: Is there horsepower here? Yes, but in potential only! Is there Torque here? Yes, but in potential only. Is there RPM here? Yes (the engine is running). 4. Now we connect a load to the flywheel. Is there Horsepower here? Yes, the definition of horsepower is now a reality. Is there Torque here? Yes, the definition of Torque is now a reality. Is there RPM here? Yes, the definition of RPM is now a reality. 5. Where did the horsepower come from? When a load is applied to the spinning flywheel, Horsepower can then be measured as an energy "work force" (it is only useful as a factor of measure in calculating engine performance). 6. Where did the Torque come from? Measurable torque is the result of an applied load also. It came from the conversion of chemicals into linear energy/force/power and then conversion into a recripocating torque potential at the flywheel. 7. The RPM is self explanatory. NOW TO THE CHASE! 1. What makes a car move? The process just discussed is passed through a series of gears to the rear wheels in such a manner as to cause the tires to rotate against the ground causing a forward motion against the entire load. 2. Is it horsepower or torque that moves the car? Horsepower is there, but only as a measure of the "force/power" conversion to Torque. The prime mover of the car is Torque coming from the engine flywheel! 3. Why is Horsepower talked about more than Torque? Manufacturers agreed to use this value among themselves and with the public to compare their vehicles; And as noted before it is a harbinger of force/power value. 4. And what about the Torque? Actually, Torque, when applied to the driving wheels, becomes a continously variable mechanical function that depends on the transmission gear selected. 5. What causes accelleration? A combination of the force/power explained and the resultant Torque from that action. The two cannot be seperated if a complete explanation is to be given. 6. Should I increase Torque or Horsepower to improve accelleration? You cannot have more of one without the other except through gearing changes. The basic engine build fixes Horsepower at a peak measure and it's level is extreemly subject to RPM changes, but although the Torque has a fixed peak also, it does have a much more stable (level) so called "power band" which can be used to advantage with proper transmission gearing. The best RPM range can be physically selected through gearing to suit the load as you drive; The horsepower cannot do this but, follows the torque wherever it goes to support the Torque load with it's own means of Force/Power and Accelleration potential! 7. Should I look to Horsepower as a guideline for accelleration? It is the "Source" of that phenomena as a constantly available potential and without it you cannot accellerate but, without increasing the available Torque at any given RPM there will be no greater accelleration (remember that horsepower follows Torque around wherever it goes). 8. Should I look to Torque as a guideline for greater accelleration? Again.....Horsepower has the potential of accelleration in it but has to chase Torque and then Torque causes it's application! TAKE TWO ASPIRIN AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING.....LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vegeta Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Spiirit - thats such a great explaination! People are always trying to compare HP and Torque, but they aren't like competing forces, they're linked. Maybe your post will clear some of that up with the fellow Z drivers. Thanks for the insights! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Thank you Mr. Vegeta! I was pretty sure there was a desperate need to clear the air on the subject. I originally posted it in another room but sometimes it is good to share with all. Many have trouble getting their brains to work properly for them so they can understand the written word. Others will write but can't say what they mean in a finite manner. Still others just won't press to find out the real facts. This kind of stuff is like a primer; Maby some will wake up and do better in all areas Your being in college has your mind open and sharp. Many others will not even get past analizing the first paragraph before they give it up, but, hopefully some others will, and then do exploits!.....LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 would anyone care to go into a big long thing about how a torque or hp bias can effect wheel spin?? Problems with spinning tires caused me to crash once with 167lb/ft and 170 hp. Now I have a 302 to put in the car which makes 15 more horse and probably 50 more lb/ft of torque. It's a truck engine and I know the guy put a towing cam in it:ugg:(Hey, its a start OK it only cost $75 so when I buy another motor I got a cheap block to work with) Annnyyyyway... second gear in the 4spd would spin the tires at wot with the stock motor - 2nd in the 4spd is comparable to first in the C4 and I have a 3.90 rear so am I going to spin the tires every time I step on the gas??? I live in florida and it rains every day at 2oclock so INSTANT TIRE SPIN - JUST ADD WATER would be really bad P.S. I saw a 500hp windsor for $600 this week. The guy put it in his 2000 f150 pickup and IT TWISTED IT IN HALF!!!! SICK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vegeta Posted May 27, 2003 Share Posted May 27, 2003 Longfellow- I'd say that the 302 is going to be hell on your tires. Especially with the towing cam in it, because that means the engine is tuned to peak at very low RPM, so as soon as you touch the throttle it will be making lots of power. I'm guessing that the 3.90 differential you've got is an "open" unit, and that means you're only spinning one tire. Stepping up to a LSD (limited slip differential) would really help you gain traction as you'd have both tires applying their grip. This would be crucial for Florida weather -vegeta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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