Quote:
Originally Posted by DGthe3
If you have the choice of either getting 20 hp more because of torque, or because of rpms, one or the other (not both!), you'd be stupid to take the revs. Why? Well, if its only at the top end you have to go through your entire opperating range before you get to use it. Meanwhile, the other guy gets more power almost the entire time. As you're waiting for your extra power, the other guy is pulling ahead.
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Sorry for the triple post guys but I got too excited and started responding before I read the whole thread (mods please merge if this annoys you)
Here's a neat thought that this part of the quote brought to mind. Making power because of TQ
OR RPM is becoming less and less mutually exclusive. With advances in materials and other technologies engines are starting to be able to have the ability to have large displacements (TQ) AND be able to spin to the moon (HP). Our LS3's are a good example. but take Lexus' LFA motor, granted it's not the tq monster the LS3 is, but it's materials and build quality allow it to change RPM's extremely rapidly. It can go from 0-9000rpm in 0.6s making it's peak power, no matter where it makes it in the range almost instantaneously reachable (via the right gear selection) And eventually that type of technology could trickle down to your average engine. (generations from now of course)
all very interesting no matter how you look at it.