Can anyone help, whats the difference between torque and power of car engine?

Question

descent basic answer between both would be helpful.

Not very mechanically minded that's all. Thanks

Answer 1

Torque and Horsepower are closely related, but still quite a bit different.

TORQUE is generally the "oomph" of your car.  The primary factor in acceleration.

HORSEPOWER is the "after-effect", if you will.  It determines the top speed of the vehicle.

A good way to look at it is like this...

1.  Think of a big guy on a 1 speed or trick bike.  A lot of torque, or "go", but not a lot of staying power.

Like a V8 engine, this has more RAW power (more TORQUE at low engine speeds, or RPM), but suffers from being large in size and inefficient, having to guzzle lots of gas (to be able to produce high HORSEPOWER at higher speeds).

2.  Now think of a small, sleek cyclist on a ten speed.  Not a lot of "go", but lasts a long time because he is more efficient with his bike.

This is like a rotary engine, not a lot of raw power, but a lot of LASTING power.  Small and extremely efficient in gas (giving high HORSEPOWER at higher engine speeds), though it lacks "oomph" (low TORQUE at lower engine speeds), and takes longer to get to top speeds.

Keep in mind these are analogies and not a true representation of the technicalities.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

OK when most of us think for torque we are thinking of pulling power, most trucks have more torque than cars due to in most case's long stoke engines. Now as far power, which I'm guessing your referring to horsepower is the speed or how fast a car will move. Ok to show what I mean my Chevy truck has more torque than my 442 Olds but the Olds has more horsepower. Now I pull my boat very easy anywhere with the truck, now the truck has a 454 ci block. The olds has a 455 ci block it will pull my boat but not as easy as the truck. Now if we lined my truck up beside the Olds and let them rip my Olds would leave my truck behind. Now the Olds has around 75 to 100 more horses, but as  far as torque its a lot less than the truck. I hoped this helps you out.

Answer 3

Torque is the circular turning FORCE.  But basically FORCE.

So more torque means more force to move the car.  When most people say power, they mean HORSE power.  But they are really related and can be calculated from each other.

You can say that

more torque = more HP = more power

Good Luck...

Answer 4

Horsepower is relevant to how far you can pull your car before it will stop accelerating. Torque is the twisting force in your drive train that turns your wheels.

Answer 5

its the same.

Answer 6

a great explaination,,,

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