The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop torque

A simple example: torque is the force you put out to turn a bolt with a wrench multiplied by the length of the wrench. For a given length wrench, the more force required to turn the bolt (the harder you try to bend the wrench), the highr the torque. Others on the site will correct me if I'm wrong, but power should be the speed at which you can turn that wrench at a given torque.

So as a result, engine torque gives you acceleration, but horsepower gives you top speed. Many other variables affect this relationship: rear ratio, trans, tire size, willingness to rev the engine until it explodes, etc. The amount of torque and power an engine produces is affected by displacement, stroke, cam profile, spark timing, engine breathing, etc, etc, etc. That's why there are sooooo many choices for engine mods out there!

I hope this made the waters a little less murky!