Torque - Why it doesn't matter, but it does

[Kubboz]

It's not possible to determine max torque with max power as only information. I can only determine torque at 5500 RPM, which probably WON'T be maximal torque. You should put power/RPM graph.

[Daffyflyer]

Well, I can tell you that at 5500rpm you're making 300nm, so 340nm peak torque seems realistic.

[SetsChaos]

Awesome read. Glad to see things are going to be accurate as well as fun in the game.

[Monkey_Mitchell]

Hooniverse has a great write up on torque, that you guys might enjoy. Its similar to zeussy's write up in may ways. You can find it here

[Wr3nch0matic]

So then how will torque curve affect 0-60 times? Can you simulate that bit accurately? Suppose you compare an I4 with a flat torque curve to one with a higher peak torque output, but reaches that peak later. Let's say engine 1 has 175Nm from 2000-5000rpm and engine 2 has 195Nm but it peaks at 5500rpm and stays doesn't pass 175Nm until 4000rpm. Assuming both engines have the same peak kW output and both vehicles weigh the same, how would the gear ratios compensate for less low-end grunt?

I don't actually have a specific engine or real model of vehicle in mind, so unfortunately I don't have a dynomometer chart to refer to. Also, I know there are engineers who are paid to deal with these scenarios in real life, so I expect my question does not have a simple answer. This is all stuff I've been planning to go back to school for, so it kinda sparked my interest and triggered some further questions. It's really fascinating stuff.

[Daffyflyer]

Because whilst the torque curve in itself doesn't matter, the power curve does - Peak power isn't important, its how much power its making on average whilst accelerating, so a peaky NA engine making 200kw might only make 140kw on average during a 0-60 run (because it doesn't spend the whole time at peak power RPM) but a 200kw turbo might make 180kw average, (as it is making more KW in the midrange than the NA motor.


When its accelerating, it looks at how many KW are being made at that moment, (and looks at the gearing) to work out how much torque the wheels get and how hard the car is accelerating at that moment

[Leafy]

Trouble with all that is. Torque is an actual number, power is derived from torque and RPM. Torque matters because when combined with rpm it determines power.

[Daffyflyer]

Yes, but the point is, more torque isn't better, more power is better and you can make that either by more RPM or more torque.

When people say you need torque at low RPM what they really mean is you need Power at low rpm (but the only way to make that is with lots of torque, yes)

[machalel]

Torque = The size of the bullet
RPM = The number of bullets
Power = How many Commie-Nazis go down to McBain

[Daffyflyer]

Torque = The size of the bullet
RPM = The number of bullets
Power = How many Commie-Nazis go down to McBain

THIS!

[Monkey_Mitchell]

Torque = The size of the bullet
RPM = The number of bullets
Power = How many Commie-Nazis go down to McBain

THIS!

Will Automation have an option to change the units in to Commie-Nazis?

"McBain to base, under attack by Commie-Nazis!"

[machalel]

Congratulations, your engine has the capacity to dispatch over 9000 commie-nazis... you win the game!

[Daffyflyer]

Wow... even auto journos get it wrong. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/0 ... statement/

[Killrob]

Lol! Run parallel to the limiter... I guess this is possible if and only if: a) torque and power are falling off, and b) torque is on a different scale than power

[Daffyflyer]

Or C) the person making the graph is smoking crack