I was explaining power meters for bicycles to my wife (nearly convinced her I 'need' one) and it got me thinking a torque meter would be handy in a motor vehicle. Great for towing etc to know where the most power is. Sure a rev counter will do it to some degree but you need to know in what part of the rev range the most power is.
mechnificent,
Feb 15, 6:55am
In subarus you can live monitor a calculation called "load",,, It's a calculated torque. You could easily (and it's been done) adapt a screen with software gauges to show it.
I dare say a lot of the manufactures will have a similar figure available for reading.
morrisman1,
Feb 15, 7:01am
many turboprop aircraft have them, I presume they are a load cell somewhere in the driveline.
mechnificent,
Feb 15, 7:11am
There are also a few softwares that will read the OBD2 in live time and if you have provided tyre sizes, weight of car, gear ratios etc. they will give you a read out of calculated horsepower and times/speeds for drag runs.
mechnificent,
Feb 15, 7:19am
A load sensor across an engine mount would work perhaps. Several would be better. at right angles to compensate for bumps and braking.
quickbuck,
Feb 15, 7:31am
It is a Pressure Plate type arrangement in most cases. Well, 50 years ago anyway, on the T-53 Helicopter Engine.
People do all that with the stock ecus these days though.
brapbrap8,
Feb 15, 8:29am
The Bugatti Yeyron has a power meter.
mrcat1,
Feb 15, 8:59am
Quite common when doing screw piles, some use hydraulic pressure with a gauge but if you have a relief valve it can be a little flawed, where as others have a torque meter in the shaft usually between the drive head and screw pile.
I dont think they are neccessary. Have a look at the manufacturer's published torque graph for your car/engine and take note of the revs that produce maximum torque, and then drive to those revs when you want maximum torque. Most drivers end up knowing when their car is 'pulling' best without thinking about it too much.
trogedon,
Feb 15, 7:25pm
Yes but. for those who can't be bothered looking it up (so don't know) or can't 'feel' the power.
socram,
Jun 16, 10:13am
Putting your own car on a Dyno should give you the info you need.
#4 is correct other than different camshaft profiles on a non-standard car will change the characteristics, so calculations on torque are somewhat more complicated.
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