Hey,

I got into a discussion with one of my friends over horsepower and such. We were discussing which is better to compare two cars with:
1) the Horsepower at the crank
or
2) the Horsepower at the wheels.

I can see both arguments and everything but would like to know your guys' thoughts on this.

w00t thx.

Ultimately it's the torque at the wheels that make the car go. Really though, all motors lose the same amount of power through the drivetrain. All autos eat a certain amount, all manuals eat a certain amount, and all AWD systems eat the most. RWD loses more than FWD in a front-engined car. People in general fawn over horsepower numbers which is fine, but torque makes the car vroom, and horsepower is a function of torque and engine speed. Look at diesels. Power to weight ratio is more important than straight motor output though.

HP at the crank is nice bragging numbers, but put that throught the transmission and output shaft and you dont have as much as you thought.

That is why output at the wheels is by far a better understanding of where you stand at the light.

Not all transmissions loose the same amount of HP/tq. it varies from tranny to tranny. and WHP/ WTQ are the numbers that matter!! the crank like said above is only for advertisement. nothing more.

Wheel horsepower, nice to know whats actually getting to the ground.

Agreed wheel is what matters since thats actually what your getting.

At the crank is for advertising only.