Horsepower loss in drive train

[Mike Arman]

I have to question the statement that there are large HP losses in the
drive train - one previous post mentioned a 70 HP loss, I think in a 914.

70 HP is 750 watts times 70, or 52,500 watts (52KW), which is enough to
light up your house and your central A/C for several hours.

70 HP is 33,000 foot pounds of work per minute times 70, or 2,310,000
ft/lbs of energy, which is enough to lift one ton 1,155 feet into the air
in one minute.

70 HP is lotsa BTU's, somewhere I have the conversion, but I'll bet it
comes out HOT!

I forget what the other conversions are, but the point is, this energy has
to GO SOMEPLACE - it has to come out as light, heat, noise, something! It
cannot simply evaporate into thin air.


The statement "lost in the drive train" makes no sense.


I think what is happening is the engine is putting out XXX horsepower when
mounted on a test stand, no accessories, perfect cooling and mixture, cold
air in, no exhaust restrictions or smog controls on the way out, basically
under absolutely ideal, no load whatsoever conditions.

When we put it back into the car, we add an air filter, mufflers, smog
devices, alternator, water pump, cooling fan, transmission, blah blah blah,
and then, yes, we get much less horsepower where the tires sit on the
pavement.

I also wonder what effect the advertising department and/or wishful
thinking has on absolute power output (wasn't yellow powder coat good for
"N" horsepower per square inch of item thus treated?).


Best Regards,

Mike Arman