Nissan Sentra vs Honda Civic

Replying to: midnightcowboy (Feb 10, 2006 5:50 am)

I'm concerned with acceleration from 50mph to 70mph. Experience tells me that, if the torque-weight ratio is small while the engine is turning at ~2500RPM, the transmission has to downshift for acceleration. A larger engine (>2.5 liter or 6 cylinder) should have enough torque in this range, no matter which car it is.
 
Compare Nissan Maxima with Sentra, the max torques are 2554400 and 1292400, and weights are 3447 and 2620. A Sentra has 76% of the weight of a Maxima, but only 50.5% of its torque.
 
For the compact cars with small engines, it helps to have the max torque appear early at ~2500RPM. In addition to what I listed as example of cars designed in this way, there are the VW Passat 2.0, VW Jetta 1.9 and VW GTI 1.8. Only a strong engine can take the load of high torque output at low RPM.
 
Those numbers like 0-60 in 7 seconds are for racing, where the engine turns at >5000RPM. I never have my cars run at >4500RPM for a second.

Replies to this message:
• thegraduate (Feb 10, 2006 7:34 am)
  • tthota (Feb 10, 2006 7:41 am)
    • thegraduate (Feb 10, 2006 8:01 am)
• midnightcowboy (Feb 10, 2006 8:41 am)

Replying to: tthota (Feb 10, 2006 7:22 am)

Then I'll pray for you the day an ambulance comes racing up behind you on the freeway at 90 miles per hour. We'll see where your torque gets you if you never rev your engine near the horsepower. My Honda will be singing at 5k and leaving the ambulance in the dust. FYI it doesn't hurt a car to rev it, you know, as long as you stay out of the tachometer's red zone, and even there, the engine should cut power to reduce engine speed, and prevent any damage. On my way to school today I doubt I touched 3,000 rpm, and had no problem making it to 65 mph, passing cars, or maintaining my speed up a 10% grade. This, in my car (96 Accord)whose peak torque supposedly isn't satisfactory. Yesterday, on my way home, a car was merging in to the right lane (where I was, so instead of hit the brakes and risk getting rear-ended, I gunned it, revved to about 4300 rpm, and took off. Guess what, my car is still alive. After 157,000 miles of this, same tranny, engine, block, and everything mechanical. All I've ever replaced is the main radiator fan, $250. Not bad to be such a race car driver (like a race car driver could get 2 MPGs over EPA on trips like I do, HA).
 
thegrad

Replies to this message:
• tthota (Feb 10, 2006 7:41 am)
  • thegraduate (Feb 10, 2006 8:01 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 10, 2006 7:34 am)

Replies to this message:
• thegraduate (Feb 10, 2006 8:01 am)

Replying to: tthota (Feb 10, 2006 7:41 am)

Replying to: tthota (Feb 10, 2006 7:22 am)

Replying to: midnightcowboy (Feb 10, 2006 5:50 am)

Replies to this message:
• thegraduate (Feb 10, 2006 12:17 pm)
  • tthota (Feb 10, 2006 2:02 pm)
    • midnightcowboy (Feb 10, 2006 7:10 pm) and 3 more...

Replying to: warner (Feb 10, 2006 12:00 pm)

Replies to this message:
• tthota (Feb 10, 2006 2:02 pm)
  • midnightcowboy (Feb 10, 2006 7:10 pm)
    • tthota (Feb 10, 2006 7:50 pm) and 2 more...

Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 10, 2006 12:17 pm)

Each of you guys should get a S2000, so you can enjoy its peak torque: 1626800. I'm too old for that.
 
Good buy, Honda Fans!

Replies to this message:
• midnightcowboy (Feb 10, 2006 7:10 pm)
  • tthota (Feb 10, 2006 7:50 pm)
    • midnightcowboy (Feb 11, 2006 11:41 am) and 1 more...

Replying to: tthota (Feb 10, 2006 2:02 pm)

Hey tthota,
 
I'm older than you!. What do you think about me getting a license plate that says "Nvr2Old"
 
And yes I will enjoy my peak torque at 6200 RPM
 
S2000 MidCow

Replies to this message:
• tthota (Feb 10, 2006 7:50 pm)
  • midnightcowboy (Feb 11, 2006 11:41 am)
    • tthota (Feb 11, 2006 2:35 pm)