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Originally Posted by MoRsuS
What exactly is torque? what exactly does it mean when something states it has (eg) 230lb.-ft of torque?
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Torque is a force applied which tends to turn things instead of displacing them (i.e twisting a wrench vs pushing a box). Torque is measured by the force applied multiplied by the distance from the point of application to the turning point.
i.e. if I apply a force of 100 newtons on the end of a 30cm (0.3 meters) wrench, the torque is 30 newton-meters.
If an engine has 230lb-ft of torque, it means it exerts a force on the pistons such that the total torque transmitted through the crankshaft (remember the crankshaft turns because of the pressure on the pistons) is 230lb-ft, measured either at the flywheel or at the wheels. Usually at the flywheel, though.