Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Torque or Horsepower : Your Preference ??

Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races. Just my opinion. To quote a particular Porsche test driver (in the thickest German accent) "Zat ca make lotz uf toork"

Mark

I'd say give me the torque. Used to drive a beater 68 Country Squire Wagon, 390 4bbl with a 3-speed Hurst floor shift. Was just alot of fun to drive. Even with a weenie 2.65 gear, it pulled real strong. I guess I get restless waiting for 6500 rpm. I think that FE peaked at around 2250 rpm. Aren't old bombs great?

Since I bought the CSVT I've been comparing my 88 5.0 Mustang (sold) to my CSVT. Boy do I miss the rip snortin torque of the 302(rated Horsepower of about 205-215 and torque is somewhere in the 300 range). The contour is hp-205 tq-160. Both weigh in at appx. the same weight. Those that have driven the Mustang should have a good idea of the diference in torque (160 vs 300).

What I like,is the ability to run the tach up to 7k and most of all I like the 25mpg and the quiet sound of the CSVT. Much more pleasant to drive long distances. And I can still torment the Mustang and Camaro's.

My .02 take it for what its worth.

BTW, One of my customers had a Dodge truck w/the Cummins Turbo. He likes to lite up the tires in 3 gears. He keeps raving about his 300 hp engine. When I ask him what kind of torque he's making he tells me 300 hp. 300hp. So I told him, if you were to put in a 318 cubic inch motor making 300hp, would you still be able to light up those monster tires on the truck?

With all things being equal (except the engine)would he be able to light up the tires?

Torque gets you from point "A" to point "B"
Horsepower just keep you going.

Out of the volvo, the subaru and the contour they almost all have identical hp/torque ratios but very different characteristics.

Volvo- big torque plateu, 221 from 2200 to 5150, IIRC. Faster than most cars with similar power to weight ratio due to great torque

Subaru- good low end torque, still gets the job done if you rev it but doesn't need to be, a good compromise in design.

Contour - nuthin below 3k really. Great engine to ring out although a bit of a slouch driving slow.

taurus- complete opposite of the 'tour. 220 lb/ft at 2100 RPM. Don't bother reving it, not much point. :rolleyes:

Overall I like the volvo's engine the best. If you put around town it will run at or below 2k no problem, tranny doesn't have to hunt at all. Mash the pedal to the floor and it takes off like a rocket. The best of both worlds. If it only had a good exaust note :p

-Pete

I find this a very timely question. I just had the new s/b Ford engine dyno'd for my Tiger and i
t made 422.6 hp at 6000rpm's and had 400lbs torque from 3800 to 5700 rpm's and the car weighs 2560lbs. Alex

Can't we just drop in a 5.0 with a eaton sc and get it over with

Sweet. Is that the #'s for the 347 you were talking about getting awhile back? Gotta love naturally aspirated 400+hp!

Steve,that is the motor I was talking about before. My wife gave me the nod to have it built as a Christmas present. Alex