Why do horsepower and torque curves crossover around 5252 rpm's?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between horsepower and torque in automotive engines, specifically focusing on why their curves tend to crossover around 5252 RPM. Participants explore the implications of this crossover point, including its significance and the possibility of tuning engines to achieve this crossover.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the common equation relating horsepower and torque, suggesting that the curves crossover at 5252 RPM because they are equal at that point.
  • Another participant asserts that since horsepower is derived from torque, the curves must cross at 5252 RPM, claiming that any graph showing otherwise is incorrect.
  • A different viewpoint highlights that the crossover point is not the same when using different units, indicating that in English units, the crossover occurs at approximately 5252.113 RPM, while in metric units, it occurs at around 9549.296 RPM.
  • One participant provides equations for calculating power and torque, emphasizing the importance of using consistent units in these calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the crossover point and whether it can be influenced by tuning. There is no consensus on the ability to tune engines to change the crossover point, with some asserting it is not possible while others imply it may be a consideration.

Contextual Notes

Discussions include varying interpretations of the crossover point based on unit systems, and the potential for tuning to affect this relationship remains unresolved.

hxtasy
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This is more of an automotive question I guess but anyways:

I'm pretty familar with how torque and horsepower are related, the common equation most people think of is hp = ((tq X rpm)/ 5252).

If you look at a lot of dyno graphs, the hp and torque curves always crossover around 5252. Obviously this is because they are equal around 5,252 rpm's. What i don't get is that they do not cross exactly at this point, and another thing I've heard is that some people will tune engines so that they do cross at this point. What is the advantage of this?

here are some example dyno sheets/graphs:

http://www.electricsupercharger.com/images/dyno/DYNO-PORSCHE_84_911_STOCK.jpg

http://dynos.evans-tuning.com/750whpsc300featurecar.jpg
 
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Well, since the horsepower is a calculation based on the torque output, the lines always cross at 5252 rpm. Any graph that shows otherwise is incorrect. You cannot "tune the engine" to change the location of the crossing point.
 
Although the lines cross, the units are not the same. Also the lines only cross at 33000/(2 pi) = 5252.113... when using English units. Using kilowatts and Newton meters, the lines cross at 60,000 / (2 pi) = 9549.296...

Wiki link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque
 
Here are the equations:
Torque measured in Newton meters. (USE MKS units)

Power (watts) = torque x 2 pi (RPM/60) = torque x RPM/9.549

Power (HP) = watts/746 = torque x RPM/(746 x 9.549) = torque x RPM/7124
 

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