How much torque is considered powerful? (engines, towing, horsepower, transmission)

[RegQ]

I know torque is considered to be more of a factor than horse power when it comes to hauling and towing. That being said, I'm wondering what is considered to be powerful, torque-wise.

[Felix C]

I prefer to look at average torque. Then there is also engine orque multiplied by the transmission gear selected and axle.

[snofarmer]

That would depend what you consider to be "powerful"
or what is torque?

torque is the twisting force the engine applies to the crankshaft. In SI units, the power of the engine is measured as the torque times the rotational speed. In US customary units, we measure engine output in horsepower and torque in foot-pounds. A horsepower equals 550 foot-pounds per second. Two engines with very different torque characteristics can have exactly the same horsepower since one horsepower can be generated by moving one pound 550 feet or moving 550 pounds one foot, as long as it is accomplished in one second. The high torque engine would be rotating proportionally more slowly than the low torque engine at the same power output, but twisting the crankshaft harder.

[Engineer_Guy]

Originally Posted by snofarmer

torque is the twisting force the engine applies to the crankshaft. In SI units, the power of the engine is measured as the torque times the rotational speed. In US customary units, we measure engine output in horsepower and torque in foot-pounds. A horsepower equals 550 foot-pounds per second. Two engines with very different torque characteristics can have exactly the same horsepower since one horsepower can be generated by moving one pound 550 feet or moving 550 pounds one foot, as long as it is accomplished in one second. The high torque engine would be rotating proportionally more slowly than the low torque engine at the same power output, but twisting the crankshaft harder.

This explains it pretty well. Torque is a force. To move an object, tow it, you need to apply a force greater than that of gravity, friction etc. You need enough torque to overcome those opposing forces. Horsepower can't tell us enough because it is a measurement of both force and rotational speed. This is why you describe engines with HP, torque, and the RPM at which you're achieving those numbers.

[POS VETT]

Enough torque is defined as "when you can lay down two perfect black patches from the exit of a turn to the entrance of the next turn".