Torque / bhp

[Bazile]

Can someone please explain in SIMPLE LAYMAN TERMS what Torque and BHP are in respect to an engine

Thanks

[Teddio]

Torque is a measure of the engine's turning force at the crankshaft. BHP is a measure of the engine's power, that is the rate that work is done.
An engine's output BHP depends on the torque and the engine speed (RPM)
At a given engine speed, say 2000RPM, an engine with a high torque will produce more power than an engine with a smaller torque.
Diesel engines typically produce a high torque at low RPMs so are more powerful than their petrol equivalents at the same engine speed.
Petrol engines can rev higher than diesel engines so can produce high BHPs even though their torque may be low.
A petrol or diesel engine does not produce maximum torque at maximum RPM

[New Judge]

To clarify a little further, as has been said, torque is the �turning force� of an engine. It is measured (in old money) in foot-pounds. An engine producing 100 foot-pounds of torque exerts a turning force of 100 pounds at a distance of one foot from the centre of the crankshaft. If the distance from the crankshaft is changed the force changes for a given torque. At two feet the force is halved to 50 pounds (2 x 50 = 100). At six inches the force is doubled to 200 pounds (0.5 x 200 = 100).

BHP (Brake Horsepower) is a measure of useful work the engine can undertake. One Horsepower is that needed to lift 550 pounds one foot in one second (or any combination of these units). Engines are quotes in Brake Horsepower because originally they were tested by running them and applying a braking force to the crankshaft until it stopped. The braking force required was used as a measure of the engine�s power, hence Brake Horsepower.