HP vs Torque.....what auto companies dont' tell us anymore
Well, I'm going to post this at the risk of being ridiculed and harrassed and poked fun at, but here goes.
I have read post after post on why Ford's HP #s and Torque #'s aren't good enough. As I see it there is one thing that is missing from this arguement....a graphed power curve.
Years ago in the not to ancient future, truck maunfacturers used to put a power curve chart for HP and TQ numbers in the brochure. That allowed a potential purchaser to see where the powerband was on the truck and in reality, get a better idea of the rpm range in which the truck would perform the best. Now, all we get is "peak" numbers at an unusable rpm level usually.
For instance, (this is hypothetical) choose Truck A or Truck B based on the following statements:
Truck A produces 450ftlbs of Torque and 300 HP @ 5300rpm
Truck B produces 420ftlbs of Torque and 285 hp @ 5300 rpm
What is your answer? I'll bet many would choose truck A
Now, here's the untold story:
Truck A produces 250ftlbs of Torque and 200hp @ 2000 rpm
Truck B produces 340ftlbs of Torque and 285hp @ 2000 rpm..
This is where the power graph chart comes into play
The point is peak numbers are nothing but bragging rights...The real story is where the power is developed within the power curve, which defines how "usable" it is. Truck B, while it does not peak nearly as high as Truck A, actually could have more power available in a usable format. Think about it, at what rpm range does your engine spend most of it's time....2000 or 5000?
Like someone else said.....you don't pull a trailer @ 5000RPM screaming down the road. These are my two cents, but they are also the biggest reason that I don't buy into the straight peak horsepower numbers as to who wins each battle. I may not have explained this as clearly as some could, but hopefully the underlying point comes through.
Now,,,,I've just donned my flame retardant underwear, so I'm ready for the roll.
Those are very good points. One thing though, unlike the engines of the past, its alright to let these engines rev out. In fact, they were designed for it. But, a torque and hp curve would still be very useful. The thing to look for would be a nice flat torque curve. I agree with what you are saying overall though, I too am skeptical of these peak HP numbers you see advertised so often.
Your post is exactly what I'm trying to point out. It's no so much about how much a given engine peaks at but rather where the power is developed in the rpm range.
As for winding out the engine....Yes, from what I understand, the newer engines are designed to be higher reving but, still, sustained high revs over time could lead to undue stress regardless of how the engine is designed to work. I had a freind once that owned an engine shop. His favorite saying was "everything has a breaking point from fatigue. The only question is when---the harder you run it, the faster you find it".....in other words....Rev all you want, but there will be a day of reckoning....sooner or later.
Good post! Personally I would still like to see more peak power from ford. I know i wont be winding it out all the time but id like to know that when I do, she'll run like a raped ape. I think that including the power graphs is something they should do, as you said, it would give buyers a much better idea of what to chose. Think any company would offer graphs again in the future?
Actually, its 80% of its peak torque by 1000 rpm. Its why it handles 10K loads from a dead stop so well.
ahhhh....you beat me to it....
great post and i'm glad people actually understand some stuff....these trucks are amazing....more HP would be cool but to have 290 some ft lbs at 1,000 rpms is very good and thats whats getting the load moving like ken says
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[quote=keyul]Good post! Personally I would still like to see more peak power from ford. I know i wont be winding it out all the time but id like to know that when I do, she'll run like a raped ape. I think that including the power graphs is something they should do, as you said, it would give buyers a much better idea of what to chose. Think any company would offer graphs again in the future?[/QUOTE
In response to the question of companies offering graphs again....the answer in my mind is no for 2 reasons.
1. It would make many of the boastful claims that are made show just how meaningless they are.
2. Sadly enough, I don't think there are enough people in the world with the understanding or desire to think for themselves. It's much easier to just quote what you are told.
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