Torque question.

[ViperRider]

I was comparing cars with autotrader's car compare tool and I decided to compare my car 2001 3.8 with my friends 2004 3.8 Mustang. I was looking under the horsepower and torque sections and I see this.

Firebird
200 hp @ 5200 rpm
225 ft-lbs @ 4000 rpm


Mustang
190 hp @ 5250 rpm
220 ft-lbs @ 2750 rpm


So the Mustang reaches maximum torque at a lot lower rpms then my car. Does this mean when hits the pedal he'll get more of a push back then I would at 2750 rpms? I really don't know much about cars, but that doesn't mean his car would be a lot faster would it?

[landj]

Re: Torque question.

It's more complicated than that. Yes, that's probably the max torque, but the torque curve for the entire range will be more determinative of the engine total torque output. To compare the engine output of the two, you would need to plot both engine torque curves on the same graph. Even then, loss in the different drive train configurations, tires, tranny shift points, weight of the cars (or the drivers for that matter) can all affect how "fast" the car is. In short, you and your buddy need to go down to the track during when they have "street car day" (or "test and tune" or whatever they call it) for some fun.

[Meatyshells]

Re: Torque question.

it kinda depends
would need to see a dyno curve. He could hit his max torque at 2750 rpms, and then have it drop down to nothing.

while our cars have a steady curve of torque all the way up to 4k rpms

[ViperRider]

Re: Torque question.

When I drive with him, it seems like his car has a lot more umph when he hits the pedal, but that doesn't mean he has more power I guess. He also has a K&N cold air intake, and a full Flowmaster true dual exhaust.

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Torque question.

I decided to compare my car 2001 3.8 with my friends 2004 3.8 Mustang.

Mustang
190 hp @ 5250 rpm
220 ft-lbs @ 2750 rpm

When I drive with him, it seems like his car has a lot more umph when he hits the pedal, but that doesn't mean he has more power I guess. He also has a K&N cold air intake, and a full Flowmaster true dual exhaust.

First, like the others said, it's all about the dyno curve...peak numbers really don't mean that much other than bragging to your lil buddies or w/e. If peak numbers were the end-all-be-all, 1000HP supras wouldn't be losing races to 500 HP F-bodies.
Second, stock mustang numbers/dyno don't apply to your friend's car...