| ndahbar |
This attached pic is from the brochure, posted in its entirety in the 2003 changes and discussions forum.
Anyway I just wanted to point out the graph in this pic. This is *THE* only thing that matters when you want to talk/compare/see engine output(s). The torque curve (GREY one, nevermind the black line for now).
As you can clearly see, from precisely 3000 RPM to precisely 5000 RPM, torque is linear at 250 lb. ft.
As you can see also, at 2000 RPM, it's about 237 or 238, which is 95% of maximum torque.
Also notice where the torque output goes back down from the peak of 250 back down to this 95% of 237, which is 6000 rpm (maybe 5900 to be more precise).
This means people, that from 2000 RPM all the way to 6000 RPM, you have a minimum of 95% of maximum torque output available. Heck at 1500 RPM it's outputting about 225 which is 90% of max output. This is SPLENDID flexibility. Ah, that's the word to use. Flexibility. This word represents exactly why I said, the torque output curve is really all what matters if you wanna know how an engine performs in the real word (sans knowing anything about smoothness or how it sounds or how much fuel it uses up, of course).
In order to produce such a linear output of torque across almost the entire rev range (max RPM allowed is 6300 I believe) you gotta have one thing that Honda has in spades: AWESOME ENGINEERING.
Look at the torque output graph of an Explorer 6 cylinder, or a Jeep Grand Cherokee V8, or the Navigator's engine, or the GX470 V8. Will u see such linear output? Heck no. Will u see major torque drop-off at high rpm? Heck yes. Does bunching up all the torque from 1000-3000 RPM mean more to an SUV or pickup? Yes, if you live in the wilderness and/or tow trailer homes and what not.
But for day to day life, in the city, on the modern highways of today, you want an engine such as that in your truck. If u are a 2001/2002 driver, same thing applies, extremely linear. It's just that pretty much what the 260hp engine has over your 240hp one, mostly (or primarily) is the ability to rev higher and while there, still put out close to the max torque you had (245ish). That's all. It just means "My 2003 260hp engine doesn't produce any more acceleration-inducing torque than your 240hp MDX engine (ok 5 lb ft but that's paltry motivation for 4500 lbs), it simply can do it for a longer period of time before I need to shift to the next gear, whereas you needed to shift like 500 rpm's before me".
This is why the 2003 is faster than the 2002/2001. Pretty much that's it. Oh sorry, same thing applies at very very low RPM, it puts it out there while your 02/01 motor has to wait a little bit longer to start the party.
To hell with towing capacity. THIS is what you should care about. Hope I laid it out in plain English.
Oh if u guys wanna see phenomenal engineering and linear torque output, look at this chart for an E46 (new model) BMW M3. Unreal. |
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| jonnygoodboy |
Great post! Thanks for the clear explanation.
I'm still a little jealous of the '03. :4: |
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