Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 00:30:59 GMT From: someonenopsamynet.com (daver) Subject: Re: Horsepower or Torque? Which is more significant?
dsa44nopsamnet (Douglas S. Arnson) wrote: >I am soon to part with my 92 nissan maxima se with 3.0 v6 and 190 hp >and 202 ft/lb (I think) torque. > >I am considering the saab 9-5 with 178 hp v4 turbo with 207 torque at >1800 rpm. (The v6 turbo is almost $3000 more!!) > >I have loved the responsiveness of the nissan v6 and didn't want to >settle for a lower horsepower engine in a new car. > >Isn't torque more significant in terms of performance? Just because >the saab has a lower hp engine doesn't mean it will be less >performance than I am used to...right? > Torque will make a far bigger difference under any normal driving and in spirited driving as well. Unless Saab has come a long way in the torque department, their turbo four doesn't feel like it has much. More horsepower in a turbo is easy, just increase the boost. Some will be possible without any other changes. If the boost can be made to come on harder lower in the RPM range you can get more toque too. Wastegate modifications, if it's mechanical, can help. If it's electronically controlled it probably is already optimal. Dave - send email to daver at huskynet dot com