Torque/ HP ratings Options

[SimmaDownNow]

This is just a general question that I'm sure someone will file under the "stupid questions" category, but for those of us who are "mechanically impaired", this might be useful.
OK, I was comparing the specs for the 5SFE and the 3SGE engines, and I saw that the 5SFE has a slightly higher torque rating than the 3SGE (145ft-lbs, and 142ft-lbs, respectively), but the 3SGE has a much higher HP rating than the 5SFE (177hp, and 135 hp respectively). Can someone can explain to me how this is possible? I figured that if the 3S had over 40hp on the 5S, then the torque rating would also be much higher. Also, if someone did a 5S to 3SGE swap, how much of a performance difference would they feel with the torque ratings being so similar?
Any input is appreciated, and remember to be gentle, I'm mechanically impaired.

[Hanyo]

In perforance car engines, you want high hp and high torque at high rpm.

Look at what rpm the 5s makes 145 of torque compared to the 3s. The 3s makes less torque, but it is at a higher RPM.

Lets look for example, a desiel truck, It can make 500 ft/lb of torque at 1000 rpm, but it will not be fast on the quarter mile.

Well, how will it feel? umm I dont know how to explain it, It will feel fast? Alot faster? Because you have torque at a high rpm, and you get to rev the engine to 7000 rpm compared to the 6000.

[darksecret]

You must also consider the cam profile is different on the 3S, it's more performance oriented allowing for higher horsepower, most of that horsepower difference is in the head.

[Galcobar]

Horsepower is energy output, while torque is pressure.

Think about it like water. Take the same amount of water, with the same initial speed. Run that water through a big hose, you get a lot of movement, whereas you run it through a small hose, you get a tighter, faster-moving stream.

Same amount of water, different use. Same amount of displacement, different use. (That's not an accurate metaphor, but it gives you an idea of how you can utilize the same displacement and get totally different results).

The 5SFE is a narrower head design meant to allow the same displacement to better overcome inertia and turn the wheels. The 3SGE head is a wider valve design that isn't as good at initially generating movement but is better at capturing every last bit of energy available, which is important at high speeds/high RPMs.

Okay, better metaphor -- football player versus runner. Torque is why you'd rather get hit by the runner than the football player, even if they weigh the same. Horsepower is why the runner can outdistance the football player, though it takes longer for him to accelerate.

[MonsterBOX]

its simply because the 5sfe is a 2.2liter block and thee 3sgte or ge is a 2 liter the extra displacement in the block provides more torque but the head on the 5sfe is economy design so you only get 135hp if u swapped the head on the 5sfe wit ha 3sge or gte head you would have massive hp coupled with alot more torque than a standard factory built 3sgte/ge...and for a comparison between hp and torque...if u have a small 1.6 liter 4age with a turbo on it that dynos at 400hp that 400 is gonna be at 7500rpm or so which means you have to run the gears out real far more torque means more low end power at like 1-3rpm

This post has been edited by MonsterBOX: Jul 11, 2005 - 11:49 AM

[Galcobar]

Ah ha...found what I was looking for:

http://vettenet.org/torquehp.html