Trouble understanding gearing, hp vs. torque

[cjv998]

Hey everyone, I figured this would be the best place to post this. I'm having trouble understanding the pros and cons of low vs. high gearing. I understand that low gears increase torque at the wheels (acceleration), and high gears increase top speed, but I'm looking for something with a little more depth than just that.

On a similar note, why is it more beneficial to make torque at a higher rpm than a lower one? I understand that too much torque at low rpm's causes wheel spin, but besides that, why do you want torque in higher rpm's vs. low rpm's. (Basically, I found the equation relating torque, hp, and rpm, but I'm having trouble interpreting it.)

Oh, and by the way, here are the links I've been reading over on these topics:
http://vettenet.org/torquehp.html - I get confused when he starts making the case about why horsepower matters
http://dmiessler.com/study/horsepower/
http://www.revsearch.com/dynamometer...orsepower.html

[koffin]

Hey everyone, I figured this would be the best place to post this. I'm having trouble understanding the pros and cons of low vs. high gearing. I understand that low gears increase torque at the wheels (acceleration), and high gears increase top speed, but I'm looking for something with a little more depth than just that.

On a similar note, why is it more beneficial to make torque at a higher rpm than a lower one? I understand that too much torque at low rpm's causes wheel spin, but besides that, why do you want torque in higher rpm's vs. low rpm's. (Basically, I found the equation relating torque, hp, and rpm, but I'm having trouble interpreting it.)

Oh, and by the way, here are the links I've been reading over on these topics:
http://vettenet.org/torquehp.html - I get confused when he starts making the case about why horsepower matters
http://dmiessler.com/study/horsepower/
http://www.revsearch.com/dynamometer...orsepower.html

It is a tougher concept to grasp than most think. It was only until a few years ago that I actually could distinguish torque and hp. This was in my Jetta TDI that was chipped. I made ~119 HP and ~190 ft lbs.
Torque is where its at. In most daily drivers this is more usuable power as your using the low end of the rpm band more than the high band. Starts, stops, low/mid speed accelrations. Honda's are somewhat unique in that VTEC engages and pulls up to redline. I guess in most Honda motors the power exists in the upper RPM band. They are well built motors that you can rev the crap out of.
Back to torque. It is quite hard, for me, to describe torque. If you can ride in a car that is a torque monster, this will help you understand the difference.

In comparison, when driving my TDI, it had a redline of 5000 RPM. When driving with sprit, I would shift with intent to get back to low rpms where my power was(torque).

With my CB9 when driving spirited, I try to keep revs up so when I shift, I don't drop out of VTEC or below the area of where my power is(HP).

I love torque, which is takes some getting used to with my cb9. I am still learning to drive it and to know where my power is at any moment.

Boy, I hope this helped. Like I said, it is tough for me to describe.