Peak torque, however, occurs much earlier in the rev range—generally between 2000 and 6000 rpm—which means you're more likely to experience maximum torque in normal driving than peak horsepower. So the winner of horsepower versus torque depends on how and where you drive.
That's not some fluke, because horsepower and torque do, in fact, cross at exactly 5,252 rpm. It's not magic or witchcraft, but rather simple math.
Let's look a two 1 HP motors. The 1800 RPM, 1HP motor produces 3 ft. lbs of torque at 1800 RPM. The 3600 RPM, 1HP motor produces 1.5 ft.
Examining the chart below, you'll notice torque is higher at low rpm and horsepower is higher at high rpm.
Peak torque, however, occurs much earlier in the rev range—generally between 2000 and 6000 rpm—which means you're more likely to experience maximum torque in normal driving than peak horsepower. So the winner of horsepower versus torque depends on how and where you drive.
Rule of thumb is that the lower the RPM where peak torque occurs, the more convenient it is to access that torque and as such, it tends to feel zippier. If peak torque RPM is really high, you have to wait for downshifts and for the RPM to get up there to access that torque.
10 ft-lbs is a force of 10 lbs applied to a lever at a distance of 1 foot from the center of rotation. So if you have a 12 inch wrench and a 10 lb. weight, you can torque 10 ft-lbs pretty accurately.
As such, all vehicles generate both horsepower and torque. What is considered good torque in a car? That is quite subjective, as modern cars and trucks generally offer 100 to 400 lb-ft of torque.
So, which is better for you and your racing dreams? Well, if you just want to go fast and hit 140 mph, then horsepower would be more effective for you. However, if you want a strong car that can pull boulders and take off quickly, a high torque might be more important to you. In short, torque makes your vehicle quick.
One horsepower is equal to 33,000 foot-pounds of work per minute. Add in the equations relating to torque and velocity, and you'll find that horsepower always equals torque multiplied by rpm, divided by 5,252. Canceling out the equal variables, you wind up with horsepower equaling torque... at 5,252 rpm.
However, as a rough estimate, a car with 300 horsepower could potentially reach speeds of around 130–160 mph (209–257 km/h), assuming it's a reasonably aerodynamic sports car or performance vehicle.
An effective modification that will increase torque significantly is to install a turbo or supercharger. Forced induction forces air into your engine, increasing the power the engine provides. Depending on the torque curve you prefer, a turbocharger will need time to spool before it provides torque benefits.
It can be 700, 1450 or 3000 rpm at 50Hz.
Although speed governs the maximum speed of an electric motor, having more torque enables the system to reach top speed in less time.
Most vehicles have lug nuts that require around 100 pound-feet of torque, but some vehicles require more or less. It's best to check your vehicle's manual to find out the exact specifications you need. You should properly torque your lug nuts when installing new wheels and after driving 50 to 100 miles on new wheels.
What is Good Torque in a Car? There is no single, standardized measure for what is considered good torque in cars, trucks, or SUVs. Larger, heavier vehicles need more torque than smaller, lighter alternatives. Most new vehicles offer between 100 lb-ft and 400 lb-ft of torque.
Very heavy duty automotive fasteners require between 200 and 1,000 ft. lbs of torque, or even higher amounts. Applications include camshaft sprockets and harmonic balancers. Many off-road vehicles or performance racing vehicles will require torque applications in this range as well.
8 ft lbs is almost nothin'. Translation = snugged down with your smallest ratchet. 8 ft lbs is almost nothin'.
Turbo and superchargers force air into the combustion chamber, just like fanning a campfire to increase heat. With more complete ignition of fuel, and an improved ability to introduce more fuel into the cylinder during combustion, you reach peak torque faster and improve your power with higher RPMs.
High torque low RPM motors are specifically designed to move heavy parts and equipment at a slower rate. By providing a lot of power or torque at a slower speed, it's possible to move large or weighty objects, like doors, lifts, gates, and other devices, in a more controlled manner.
This torque peak is when the engine has reached its most efficient and maximum speed for that torque rating. Once a car is moving, torque is less important. For example, when cruising on the highway, the engine typically operates in its highest gear and at the lowest possible rpm.