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      06-16-2010, 04:00 PM   #11
JHZR2
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Drives: 91 E30, 11 135i cv
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New Jersey

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Quote:
Originally Posted by humanferret View Post
Can you help me understand the ramifications of an increase in torque but not HP (and how does that happen?)

Apologies; I know this is a basic question, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around this.
Horsepower is kind of a "made-up" number in terms of rotating machines. The calculation for HP is HP = rpm x T(torque) / 5252(constant)

So as you can see, HP is just a function of torque at some RPM. This is (I suppose) why folks say that torque is for towing and HP for driving fast - because if you have 500 lb-ft at 700 RPM, you are going to show less HP than if you were making it at 5000 RPM.
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