Is Torque Overrated ?

Simon · 29 Oct 2009 at 00:37

Matt82 said:
my point being, just because you have more bhp doesnt mean you'll be faster. max bhp only tells you one part of the story.

Rubbish.

[TW]Fox · 29 Oct 2009 at 00:38

I used to aruge until I was blue in the face that diesels are superfast and Dolphs silly wheel torque thing was him not getting the point.

I look back on those days, and I cringe.

Simon · 29 Oct 2009 at 00:39

[TW]Fox;15199071 said:
I used to aruge until I was blue in the face that diesels are superfast and Dolphs silly wheel torque thing was him not getting the point.

I look back on those days, and I cringe.

Good boy

BigglesPiP · 29 Oct 2009 at 00:42

Can we stop with the diesels can accelerate like mad "in gear" on the motorway?

They do not, you simply cruise closer to the power band. If I do 80mph in 5th in my petrol car I'm doing a little over 4000RPM, I'm well past the VVT changeover, and I'm at the bottom of where the real power comes in. So I get my best acceleration "in gear" in this example.

It's the gearing, not the fuel.

Fuzz · 29 Oct 2009 at 01:00

MrLOL said:
well the difference goes like follows

0-60 went from a timed 6.1 seconds (best of about 15 runs, only managed to repeat that time one other time, so that was about the best it could do standard)

to 5.9 seconds (again best of about 10 runs, not managed to repeat it yet)

And as for the 30-70 in gear time ? it went from about 5.0 seconds to 4.7 seconds

As others have concluded in these threads, i am now also of the oppinion that torque is overrated. And its really all about the BHP, despite what the diesel fanatics say.

No you just have a **** car

Scania · 29 Oct 2009 at 02:43

[TW]Fox;15196041 said:
I like changing gear, its something I enjoy about driving.

You need to re-think your career choice, trucking is the only job for you.

(Although most HGV's these days are automatics which kind of ruins it a bit.... )

BigglesPiP · 29 Oct 2009 at 03:13

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
You need to re-think your career choice, trucking is the only job for you.

(Although most HGV's these days are automatics which kind of ruins it a bit.... )

Stick a cardboard tube to the floor between the seats and pretend.

Bear · 29 Oct 2009 at 07:21

MrLOL said:
I now see what you're getting at. That the biggest improvement in my torque curve is between 3 to 4,500 revs, which you may not spend most time in. You spend more time in the 4,500 revs to 6000 revs area, which has much smaller to no gains at all - hence explaining the apparent lack of improvement.

Yay at last, arguement over !!!

NathanE · 29 Oct 2009 at 07:51

Torque is simply the engine's ability to move from n RPM to n+1 RPM.

But there are other important factors which affect that - such as weight.

Simon · 29 Oct 2009 at 09:46

NathanE said:
Torque is simply the engine's ability to move from n RPM to n+1 RPM.

But there are other important factors which affect that - such as weight.

And gearing

silversurfer · 29 Oct 2009 at 09:55

Torque is only overrated so long as gears are not inconvenient. Know the car, know the gears and match them to the road and torque isnt as needed but thats easier said then done I think but I like the challenge personally where as some people love automatics and lots torque.
When Im old I wont want to be driving a ek9

Fr0dders · 29 Oct 2009 at 13:01

Simon said:
And gearing

and the area in the rev range that the torque is in !

Even the RPM at which peak torque is generated doesnt tell you the whole story, as you need to find out what the torque is further up/down the rev range when its not at its peak.

Housey · 29 Oct 2009 at 13:11

You also need to account for the volume of boiled sweets in your glovebox, crisp remains down the side of the seat and empty carrier bags rolling around the boot.

Dolph · 29 Oct 2009 at 13:15

Housey said:
You also need to account for the volume of boiled sweets in your glovebox, crisp remains down the side of the seat and empty carrier bags rolling around the boot.

And fold down your back seats for better aerodynamics like they do when testing cars for magazines.

AgentSm1th · 29 Oct 2009 at 13:20

Dolph said:
And fold down your back seats for better aerodynamics like they do when testing cars for magazines.

Dont forget that also improves power to weight ratio too.

Simon · 29 Oct 2009 at 17:05

MrLOL said:
and the area in the rev range that the torque is in !

Even the RPM at which peak torque is generated doesnt tell you the whole story, as you need to find out what the torque is further up/down the rev range when its not at its peak.

Not really as any torque multiplication that takes place depends on the gear ratio.

Where the torque is generated just tells you how it feels to drive.