[flash1214]

I have never been able to understand the meaning of torque or what it is or what it feels like. Any help would be great !

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by flash1214

I have never been able to understand the meaning of torque or what it is or what it feels like. Any help would be great !

Torque is what makes your neck snap back when taking off from a start.

Very thorough definition from one of my favorite sites:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...wer-and-torque

[flash1214]

Thanks! Now i have an idea at least but how does that relate to why it's measured in pounds? Does more pounds equals more whip?

[markinva]

think about torque as how big/strong the muscles are, and horsepower as how much the muscles can move in a given amount of time.

without good hp (ie torque high in the rev range) you won't get good acceleration.

but without good low end tq, you will have to rev up the car to get anywhere... so there is somewhat of a tradeoff.

[BTM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque

[positiveions]

Diesel cars have such great torque. They can pull an elephant without a sweat, and yet maintain their fuel economy. what a trade off.

[anowlan]

Originally Posted by flash1214

I have never been able to understand the meaning of torque or what it is or what it feels like. Any help would be great !

Drive the 335d. Then you will understand.

[Kevin Harney]

Think of it as ....Torque is how the HP is applied to the road. Torque is the measure of twisting power. HP is just straight on power. So you need HP to get the car to upper speeds and you need high torque to apply that HP to accelleration. So High HP = more speed and High Torque = quick take off power at low speeds. Simple version but gets the point across I guess. of course there is a ton of math to back it up....

[reprod]

Geek moment here so forgive me:

As per physics, torque is the derivative of acceleration. Therefor it is the rate at which you accelerate. Hence the break neck feeling...

How does this relate to the per lb rating?...

[noro]

Originally Posted by reprod

Geek moment here so forgive me:

As per physics, torque is the derivative of acceleration. Therefor it is the rate at which you accelerate. Hence the break neck feeling...

How does this relate to the per lb rating?...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound-foot_%28torque%29

relevant to rotational torque. In another words rotational force at the pivot point if you have a 1 ft plank with X Lbs sitting the other edge.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by reprod

Geek moment here so forgive me:

As per physics, torque is the derivative of acceleration. Therefor it is the rate at which you accelerate. Hence the break neck feeling...

How does this relate to the per lb rating?...

Dunno, but if you get rear ended by a semi truck you will accelerate quicker than getting rear ended by a smart car so. At least I would think... someone test this out!

[mike-y]

(torque x rpm) / 5252 = HP

This is the formula for HP when torque is measured in lb/ft. HP is dependent on torque and RPM. How a car accelerates is directly related to the torque curve.

I've always liked this article because it uses some good examples of how HP and TQ are applied in common cars. it's a bit old now, but it's still a very good read.

http://www.vettenet.org/torquehp.html

a car will accelerate hardest at its torque peak in any given gear, and will not accelerate as hard below that peak, or above it. Torque is the only thing that a driver *feels*, and horsepower is just sort of an esoteric measurement in that context.

Also, it explains how rpm and transmission gearing can play a big factor in torque multiplication.

[flash1214]

Thanks thanks thanks to everyone for your quick responses! I have an 09 335i coupe and I can definately recall the headwhip you guys are talking about. Just always was curious of what torque was and never understood it. But thanks for finally getting an idea from you guys, really appreciate it!

[NaTuReB0Y]

don't torque it too much or it'll snap?

[BigWalmac]

Originally Posted by Kevin Harney

Think of it as ....Torque is how the HP is applied to the road. Torque is the measure of twisting power. HP is just straight on power. So you need HP to get the car to upper speeds and you need high torque to apply that HP to accelleration. So High HP = more speed and High Torque = quick take off power at low speeds. Simple version but gets the point across I guess. of course there is a ton of math to back it up....

This was well discribed for that average person

[Kevin Harney]

Originally Posted by BigWalmac

This was well discribed for that average person

Thank You.

[Thud]

Originally Posted by Kevin Harney

Think of it as ....Torque is how the HP is applied to the road. Torque is the measure of twisting power. HP is just straight on power. So you need HP to get the car to upper speeds and you need high torque to apply that HP to accelleration. So High HP = more speed and High Torque = quick take off power at low speeds. Simple version but gets the point across I guess. of course there is a ton of math to back it up....

Torque is a measure of force, not power.

Anyway, others have already given the formulas and whatnot, but torque is the force the engine actually produces. Torque is what accelerates you. Torque is what a dyno measures.

Horsepower is a calculated value which is based on torque and RPM.

Assume you have an engine that makes a perfectly flat torque curve, say 300lb-ft across its entire RPM range. That means the engine at 6000rpm will be making twice as much power as it makes at 3000rpm, because the torque is constant.

If you want to simulate what it's like to have an engine with high torque but less power (like a Diesel), accelerate at WOT but short-shift at 4500-5000rpm. You still feel a lot of acceleration (as long as your engine makes peak torque in the lower RPM's). You get a lot of acceleration but it doesn't last as long in each gear, vs. letting it run to redline before shifting.


The thing is that you can take a high-revving, high HP (but low torque) engine and gear it for more acceleration. Think BMW M3. A shorter gear ratio acts to multiply torque at the wheels and increase acceleration. However, you cannot gear for more power.

[Verbiage]

Torque = Pull.

[chrisE92]

Originally Posted by reprod

Geek moment here so forgive me:

As per physics, torque is the derivative of acceleration. Therefor it is the rate at which you accelerate. Hence the break neck feeling...

How does this relate to the per lb rating?...

I thought torque was the derivative of angular momentum? are you sure you're not confusing the greek letter "alpha" with lowercase "a"?

the ft-lb measurement is only used in the US, otherwise it should be measured in newtons, as T=r x F

[spdy330]

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=What+is+torque%3F

[Thud]

Originally Posted by chrisE92

the ft-lb measurement is only used in the US, otherwise it should be measured in newtons, as T=r x F

You mean newton-meters.

Torque units always have a force component and a length component...


Apply 1 pound of force to a 1-foot long wrench handle, and you're making 1 foot-pound of torque on the socket.

If you're a wimp and can't push more than 1 pound of force, then you're fine as long as you have a 150-foot long wrench handle for your lug nuts!

[Verbiage]

Originally Posted by Thud

You mean newton-meters.

Torque units always have a force component and a length component...


Apply 1 pound of force to a 1-foot long wrench handle, and you're making 1 foot-pound of torque on the socket.

If you're a wimp and can't push more than 1 pound of force, then you're fine as long as you have a 150-foot long wrench handle for your lug nuts!

Throbbing member? LOL