In car technology, ‘we’ always talk about torque and ‘peak torque available at 6900RPM’ for example, or ‘this car has less peak torque, but the higher torque is available sooner’. I understand what torque means, but what causes the last premise to be true? Is it the valves being configurated in another way, is the ignition timing different, or am I stupid?
Thanks in advance!
In: 1
you have multiple questions in one question, however the car specs always list peak torque of the engine, which is achieved at certain RPM.
The difference in torque between engines can be based on a multitude of factors:
– crank length (shorter produces more torque, longer produces more hp)
– displacement (more ccm/ci = more torque)
– compression
– valve lobe design (longer the valve stays open more power the cylinder generates) coupled with compression/displacement/rpm
– cylinder qty
– etc.. etc.. There are certain specific specs that drive the torque, and then there are the combos of the above (plus other variables), etc..
Addressing your “higher torque available sooner” is applicable to comparison between engines, i.e. comparing the torque curves indicating their numbers at certain RPM’s. Let’s say one engine can generate 300ft/tq (not peak, just a spot on the graph) at 3500 rpm, whilst another engine can generate the same amount at 3000 RPM, etc. etc..
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