Originally Posted by GaRn
I agree, but the funny thing is, everyone talks torque this torque that when they don't even take into consideration other important factors...
Gearing/Weight
So what is the difference between a turbo inline four making 300 lb ft between 3,500 rpm and 7,000 rpm and a v8 making 300 lb ft between 2,500 rpm and 5,000 rpm? Not very much with the difference in gearing to suite each engines working speeds..
So the comment "my engine makes more torque at 2,500 than yours does" is pretty much completely useless when the two engines you are comparing have COMPLETELY different powerbands and gearing to match..
Weight, most v8 cars weigh more, probably why they have v8's, and vice versa, common sense. So car X has 150 lb ft more torque but weighs 1000 lbs more.. Sure it looks great on a dyno and posted on the net, but you really have little to no advantage on the street because of a heavy ass car in the first place..
Not directing towards anyone, but I thought I would throw the obvious out there!
Low end torque is exceptional at moving big weight and is why diesel engines are prefered to move heavy loads. The more torque you have the less the engine will slow when you drop the clutch and when you weigh close to 4000lbs big torque helps. Gearing changes help some by moving the wheel torque by icreasing rev speed at the sacrifice of wheel turn but it does not completely make up for the torque difference. And remember, when you lower your rearend gear, you can also increase the number of times you have to shift. And once more I can go back and ask "where does the car make its peak power?" Supra’s are always a great example. A mid to high 10 sec. Supra will usually trap about 10mph higher (140+) than a bigger displacement car such as a mustang or camaro (130+). Go look at some timeslips, I'm not making this up. Judging by the mph the Supra obviously made more peak power but the bigger v8 car had a more usable powerband. Thus the Supra guy brags that his car made 700hp and the Mustang guy brags that his 500hp car stayed beside a 700hp car. And also I believe turbo supras weigh around 3600lbs – not very light for a non-v8 car.