![]() The race car develops an enormous amount of horsepower, but the torque is used for speed through gearing. ![]() To understand this, think of the difference between a race car and a tractor. The way these units are geared determines how the horsepower is translated to torque. Torque potential is translated to real-world applications through the vehicle's transmission and axles, specifically the axle differentials. Read on for more about the relationship between horsepower and torque.īut that's just what it is - potential. ![]() The more torque produced by an engine, the more work potential it has. However, when it does move an object, it then becomes "work," and this is what most people think of when they think of torque (usually in terms of towing). Torque, as mentioned above, can be generated without moving an object. For example, if you use a one-foot-long wrench to apply 10 pounds of force to a bolt head, you're generating 10-pound-feet of torque. It's measured as the amount of force multiplied by the length of the lever through which it acts. Torque is defined specifically as a rotating force that may or may not result in motion. Horsepower is determined from torque because torque is easier to measure. Net horsepower is what's found by testing the same kind of stock vehicle you'd find at the showroom, and that's the measurement now used in advertising and manufacturer literature. Gross horsepower removes most loads from the engine, including emission controls, before testing. The Society of Automotive Engineers has two standards for determining horsepower: net and gross. These two numbers are fed into a formula - torque times RPM divided by 5,252 - to arrive at horsepower. In a vehicle, torque is measured at various engine speeds, or revolutions per minute (RPM). ![]() What the dynamometer is really doing, however, is measuring the torque output of the engine. The load is usually a brake preventing the wheels from spinning. The dynamometer places a load on the engine and measures the twisting force the engine crankshaft places against the load. Engine horsepower is measured using a dynamometer. ![]()
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