Torque and HP serve two different functions. Torque's twisting power, at the flywheel, generally determines how fast you will accelerate. HP is more of an indicator of ultimate top speed for overcoming air resistance.....where you are not going to accelerate any more. That's one reason why almost all gasoline engines have peak torque at a lower RPM than peak HP. VTEC engines, in general, especially those from Honda, tend to trade more low-end torque for high-end HP.

Here is the general formula:

T = HP x 5252
____________
RPM

 

Your wording seems to contradict your understanding.

The equation you provided at the bottom is correct in all automotive circumstances, not just in general.

If you give somebody the horsepower generated at a particular RPM they'll always be able to give you the torque output at that RPM, and vice versa.

Physics defines torque as a vectored measurement because it is force times leverage.

Horsepower (or better stated, IMO, watts) is simply a different way of stating that torque's work accomplished per unit of time.

They are both the same measurement in the same system stated in different ways.

When you tell me "torque = acceleration and horsepower = top speed", and also "the more horsepower an engine has to produce 'but' especially the more torque it has to produce", shows me that you don't really understand that they're truly synonymous in automotive power measurement applications. Measured in different ways but always a direct relationship... one does not exist without the other.

Yes, torque and horsepower are generally quoted is at their peak rpm and usually peak horsepower occurs at a greater RPM than peak torque, so it is a better snap-shot indicator of power delivered at higher RPM, while peak torque is often a better snap-shot indicator of power delivered at a somewhat lower RPM, but that's just what they are... two snap shots along the power curve. The power curve itself, whether you choose to demonstrate it in torque, or horsepower, is what determines performance... and both curves will indicate the exact same power curve in different ways... one can be fully derived from the other.

 

Exactly...