Why do old V8s make so little power?
Restricted port design means restricted flow, and that translates to less power, especially at high rpm, when the engine is trying to flow large amounts of air and fuel through the engine. High torque at high rpm is where big horsepower numbers are made, and high flow is necessary for high torque at high rpm.
Does more HP mean more power?
The more horsepower, the faster and quicker the car. For example, most formula one race cars can rev up to 18,000 RPM, and hence their horsepower is extremely high. Today the term horsepower is widely used in motor racing to describe power and performance: “the greater the horsepower, the greater the performance.”
What makes a car with more horsepower better than one with less horsepower?
Horsepower equals torque multiplied by rpm, divided by a constant. Because there is generally a limit on how fast you can spin an engine, having higher torque allows for greater horsepower at lower rpms. This is also why people talk about “low-end torque” being important for better power at slower speeds.
Why do muscle cars have low top speeds?
The answer is simple… Old cars with lots of horsepower have low top speeds because of two factors: the first is low revving engines, and the second is gearing. For example, muscle cars typically recline under 6000 RPM.
Why does Top Gear hate American cars?
Top Gear UK rarely (not ‘never’) reviews American cars because there is an American franchise of the English programme that deals with American cars. There’s an Australian franchise, too. You can’t buy a lot of models sold in Australian markets in the UK, either. (You don’t want a Holden, anyway.)
Why do American cars have big engines?
Decades ago, it decided on a policy of taxing motor fuel heavily. The consequence was that only a handful of rich people could afford cars with high fuel consumption. Those are big and heavy which means they need huge engines to provide reasonable performance.
Is 140 horsepower good?
Right between 200 and 300 is a good amount of horsepower for a car. Many base models from some brands offer between 100 and 200 horsepower, suitable for drivers who do not mind a more relaxed driving experience in exchange for a better economy.
Is 140 hp good?
Does higher rpm mean faster?
RPM stands for “revolutions per minute.” It’s a measure of how fast the engine is spinning. In general, the faster an engine spins, the more power it makes. For any gear given, more RPMs, the faster the car goes.
What is BHP car?
What is Brake Horsepower (bhp) However, Brake Horsepower (bhp) is often used as a more realistic measurement of power. This is because bhp considers the power left after other car parts are working such as the gearbox, alternator, and water pump as well as any loss of power due to friction.
Did Top Gear really sleep in their cars?
10 Top Gear Was Fake: The Lit-Up Caravan A crew raced into the shot as if it were a real emergency, but it was later confirmed that the whole scene had been set up to create the illusion of a dangerous situation.