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Potato is potato. Torque is a function of horsepower; horse power is a function of torque. You're right about dynos measuring torque, but that doesn't have anything to do with a function being a function. If torque wasn't a function of horsepower, horsepower wouldn't be a function of torque. The calculation has to worth both ways or it's not a function.
Damn, I love it when someone speaks common sense, and knows what he/she is talking about.
I have to change what I was thinking about "dumb things you have heard" in this thread, as a couple of the former posters in this thread takes the cake.
Kudos for the correction... you beat me to it.
No one's mentioned water powered cars yet. A friend of mine actually bought the plans and installed a hydrogen generator in his truck, but it made no difference whatsoever.
i thought this was about dumb things, not totally moronic things.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperSparkle928
Damn, I love it when someone speaks common sense, and knows what he/she is talking about.
I have to change what I was thinking about "dumb things you have heard" in this thread, as a couple of the former posters in this thread takes the cake.
Kudos for the correction... you beat me to it.
when you are talking about mathematical functions, he is correct, however, you cannot measure horsepower only torque, thus in reality horsepower is a function of torque and rpm and horsepower is just a calculation.
Makes me think of how great a big block T bucket would be on a road course!
Mazda RX-8 had good horsepower but way too little torque. With it's HP numbers, it should have been really fast but it's acceleration is hampered by it's lack of torque. Though great handling and OK off the line acceleration, it's acceleration from a stop and while in motion should be better but is hampered by it's lack of torque. Those big block T buckets have gobs of torque in addition to HP. For total performance, one needs good HP to weight ratio, torque, good suspension, good tires, good aerodynamics, and great brakes. Too many focus on going fast in a straight line 1/4 mile drag race. For track speed, you need all the other stuff besides HP to weight ratio.
Physics absolutely proves this statement correct. Yes the transmission matters, but that is rarely a difference maker.
Geez... the transmission is a huge factor... Since ANY engine is a resonant system, the shift points, number of shifts, and gearing ratios are a major factor. If a CVT were: 1). able to handle high HP, 2). very lightweight, 3). Not prohibitively expensive, and 4). highly efficient (yes I am asking for a lot here), then the engine could be run at its maximum output, continuously, as needed. As stated by others, issues such as traction, weight, etc. must also factor into the equations. Unless you are pushing the absolute limits of current technology, the old reliable way tends to work fairly well, until tech advances to a new generation.
(I digress as usual):
Locomotives convert a diesel (wonderful constant-rpm device) to electricity, as that is easy to control. Tugboats utilize variable-pitch thrusters...
First thing I did when I was 16 and got my first car was to 'shift-kit' a TH-400... shifted hard, but tightened it up a lot. It IS diminishing returns.... first street rod car I built (at 22) had a Lenco in it.... here is a hint... don't built a car with a tranny that has no 'reverse' for the street. But nothing else (even a Doug Nash at the time) could handle the HP reliably for the long-haul.
i thought this was about dumb things, not totally moronic things.
when you are talking about mathematical functions, he is correct, however, you cannot measure horsepower only torque, thus in reality horsepower is a function of torque and rpm and horsepower is just a calculation.
I agree with the first statement... First question I would have to the other poster is "where does the power come from to split the hydrogen and oxygen. (Nuclear power fan here ;-)
(I digress AGAIN)
For the 2nd statement.. lol... that is like saying someone can't measure centimeters, only inches, and has to do a conversion. Units conversion is something you learn in middle school (or elementary, depending on your school system).
If you want to go the (really trivial) physics route, p=mv. If I measure two out of the three parameters, I know the third. I can 'measure' any of them. 9th grade physics.
Even more extreme is: the number '7' cannot be measured value, as it is the mathematical conversion based upon " 7 = 3 + 4".
Silly enough?
How about we get back to the "dumbest things you've heard", as it relates to Automotive thread.
I have a few votes:
1). A large fraction of the stuff they used to sell at J.C. Whitney. Loved the 'pills' you would add to gas to 'improve fuel economy'
2). 'Motor Honey', added to the oil... was great if you wanted to sell a car, and the oil rings or valves allowed enough oil leakage to make the 'blue smoke of death'.
3). Open exhaust improved performance (may we have a moment of silence for all the ruined exhaust valves?).
Geez, the engine is a tuned system... intake and exhaust must be essentially impedance-matched.
4). 'Fart cans'.
Yes, you want to get noticed, your car scrapes the ground at every pothole, but the statement 'cubic inches is the easiest way to make power' rings true. This is old school, but a simple mountain motor in a sleeper with the basic 4bbl, headers, cam, will make WAY more torque (and HP), over a wide RPM range than any sewing machine motor in a toy import. That is before delving into the blower realm, etc.)
5). Car wax advertisements that state 'improved fuel economy'.
Probably not total fallacy (maybe an improvement rivaling 10^-6 something), but I would wager you would gain orders of magnitude of improvement by turning the 'Comfortron' unit off in your land yacht.
I could go on for hours. (there are actually some really innovative enhancements that both work well, and are cost-effective.)
The dumbest thing I have heard ever is a dealership mechanic telling me 'we can't duplicate your problem'. Of course you can't...you took it for a 1/4 mile drive down a straight road at 35mph whereas I sit behind the wheel for an hour at a time driving through who knows what.
They say that to everyone and the problems rarely are fixed to the customer's satisfaction.
The dumbest thing I have heard ever is a dealership mechanic telling me 'we can't duplicate your problem'. Of course you can't...you took it for a 1/4 mile drive down a straight road at 35mph whereas I sit behind the wheel for an hour at a time driving through who knows what.
They say that to everyone and the problems rarely are fixed to the customer's satisfaction.
Along that line, Norfolk VA is notorious for ripoff used car dealers who advertise "we finance E-4 and below". One dealer (1990s) tried to say an Olds 442 was all original (with a Chevy 350) inside.
Along that line, Norfolk VA is notorious for ripoff used car dealers who advertise "we finance E-4 and below". One dealer (1990s) tried to say an Olds 442 was all original (with a Chevy 350) inside.
all 4-4-2 means is a 4-barrel carb, a 4-speed tranny and dual exhaust plus they came stock with aboat anchor 307ci Olds back in the G-body days and a 350 SBC was a very common swap and would of been better to have 3500ci SBC already swapped in IMO
all 4-4-2 means is a 4-barrel carb, a 4-speed tranny and dual exhaust plus they came stock with aboat anchor 307ci Olds back in the G-body days and a 350 SBC was a very common swap and would of been better to have 3500ci SBC already swapped in IMO
I was talking about the real 442 of the mid to late 60s era.
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But nothing else (even a Doug Nash at the time) could handle the HP reliably for the long-haul.
