Does Anybody Really Know What Torque It Is?

[NotNowI'mDriving]

So it seems there are some professional mechanics in this forum and I was curious if anybody really understands the whole horsepower/torque issue. Specifically, I'd like to know if the 2009 and earlier FJ’s (with 239hp @ 5200 & 278lb-ft @3700) are more desirable for wheeling or is the engine in the new 2010 FJ with 258hp @ 5600 & 270lb-ft @4400 better/more powerful/improved or just specsmanship? If torque is the low end grunt that get’s things moving wouldn’t it be better to have more of it available at lower RPM for crawling? Is the new engine actually more powerful or is this change just specsmanship to appear to have more horsepower in the brochure?

Any feedback or opinion much appreciated...
Thanks,
Dwayne

 

[1911]

Torque is simply the twisting force to rotate something around an axis, in this case the crankshaft of an engine. There is no HP without torque - HP is the resultant work (or potential work) accomplished by torque.

Specifically, I'd like to know if the 2009 and earlier FJ’s (with 239hp @ 5200 & 278lb-ft @3700) are more desirable for wheeling or is the engine in the new 2010 FJ with 258hp @ 5600 & 270lb-ft @4400 better/more powerful/improved or just specsmanship?

My opinion is that it's just specsmanship. That small of a difference in the specs could easily be due to the different rpm each was measured at. But the buying public seems to be enthralled by claimed hp figures in brochures for some reason.

If torque is the low end grunt that get’s things moving wouldn’t it be better to have more of it available at lower RPM for crawling?

Yes, that is why the venerable F series of motors used in Land Cruisers until 1992 were long stroke, slow-revving, heavy-flywheel motors that made 90% of their peak torque by 1800 rpm.

Is the new engine actually more powerful or is this change just specsmanship to appear to have more horsepower in the brochure?

It's still a 1GR-FE, the same basic engine as in earlier models. They may have tweaked something to get a tad more hp but honestly I seriously doubt that there's anyone who could tell the difference just driving of an 8% increase in hp and even less chance of feeling a 3% difference in torque on the trail.

 

[7228]

ya what you said it all. i took a 2010 out for a test drive you dont note any diff. but no supper charger for the new one.

 

[NotNowI'mDriving]

OK, thanks for the info! This whole torque/horsepower thing is confusing and I think mainly because (as I said and you reiterated) car makers promote HP numbers to sell cars. Anyway, that was my gut instinct on this but my understanding is also the main difference between the two is the 2010 engine has variable valve timing on the exhaust valves as well as the intake. So my second question was if you plan to supercharge the motor which version makes more power? It seems that point is moot - is it true there’s no TRD supercharger for the 2010? Very much appreciate everyone’s input…
Thanks again,
Dwayne

 

[7228]

trd supper charger is only for 07-09. there is not a super charger for the 2010, and the 2010 takes 0w20 syn oil and a internal filter so oil will not be chep and you need sst to do oil filter.

 

[BEE-JAY42]

Don't pay to much attention to peak outputs they're not true indicators of the engines characteristics, you really need to look at the HP and torque graphs to get a true picture, it will show you how the engine performs across it's full rev range. Just because the later engine produces max torque at higher revs doesn't mean that it won't also produce a similar amount of torque as the old engine at lower revs.