Ideas on how to gain torque?

[victrolakid]

I am looking for anyway that I can gain more Torque. I know that HP is nothing without the torque to get you there and my 1.9 GT doesn't seem to have any of that torque. So if anyone could suggest any ways to gain torque that don't involve rebuilding my engine i would love to hear them.
Thanks
Sterling

[RallyBob]

Before you get yelled at by a moderator, I strongly suggest using the search function. That question has been asked to death around here!

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by victrolakid I am looking for anyway that I can gain more Torque. I know that HP is nothing without the torque to get you there and my 1.9 GT dosent seem to have any of that torque. So if anyone could suggest any ways to gain torque that dont involve rebuilding my enigine i would love to hear them. Thanks Sterling

The only way you can get more torque out without touching the engine is to always run downhill!

[Hiro]

maybe use the search function with "stroker" "2.5" "2.7" key words?
Hiro

[markandson]

Originally Posted by victrolakid I am looking for anyway that I can gain more Torque. I know that HP is nothing without the torque to get you there and my 1.9 GT dosent seem to have any of that torque. So if anyone could suggest any ways to gain torque that dont involve rebuilding my enigine i would love to hear them. Thanks Sterling

Try different thickness spacers under the carb.

[jordan]

Originally Posted by victrolakid I am looking for anyway that I can gain more Torque. I know that HP is nothing without the torque to get you there and my 1.9 GT dosent seem to have any of that torque. So if anyone could suggest any ways to gain torque that dont involve rebuilding my enigine i would love to hear them. Thanks Sterling

True statement, horsepower equals zero when (0*x)/5252 = 0

hp= (torque*rpm)/5252

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by victrolakid I am looking for anyway that I can gain more Torque. I know that HP is nothing without the torque to get you there and my 1.9 GT doesn't seem to have any of that torque. So if anyone could suggest any ways to gain torque that don't involve rebuilding my engine i would love to hear them. Thanks Sterling

Just to be clear, "Horsepower" is simply a calculation derived by multiplying shaft torque by the rpm and then dividing by a factor, which in terms of pounds-feet of torque is:

(Torque x Engine speed) / 5252 = Horsepower

So more torque at a given rpm also gives more horsepower.

What I think you are asking is:

"how do I get more torque at a lower rpm which is what "feels" like more power, especially on the street"

versus what racers would typically want, which is more top end power, typically gained by better engine breathing and at higher rpm.

Without engine modifications, that's not an easy answer. As has been suggested, a bit of searching, and a LOT of reading, will reveal more answers than you can probably stand. There are few things to look for in that search that can achieve more low-rpm torque with out changing the mechanics of your engine:

1) exhaust: pipe length in front of the collector can affect low rpm torque, and also smaller (rather than larger) exhaust pipe (but don't be going and changing your stock 1 5/8" pipe to 1", as the OEM exhaust was configured more for low rpm torque than high rpm power, and a smaller exhaust will simply cut down power at ALL rpm)

2) intake: smaller (shorter) intake tracts, such as shown by RallyBob's "torquer" intake manifold mods, such as with the spacer in the floor of the intake.

3) Carb: similar to the intake issues, where larger throats and more air intake (such as with dual side drafts) will give greater high rpm power, but generally LESS low rpm torque

Beyond that, you're modifying the engine, with different cam profiles and lifts, longer crank strokes, etc.

HTH

[wrench459]

Without going into the engine.
You could change the multiplier. IE smaller dia.tires,lower rearend gearing..going from a 3.44 to a 4.11 will give the car a kick in the pants. All it takes is money.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by kwilford 2) intake: smaller (shorter) intake tracts, such as shown by RallyBob's "torquer" intake manifold mods, such as with the spacer in the floor of the intake.

Keith, you're usually dead nuts on but I have to question this part. Smaller or longer maybe or both. When you say smaller (shorter), do you mean in height?

Harold

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by victrolakid I am looking for anyway that I can gain more Torque. I know that HP is nothing without the torque to get you there and my 1.9 GT doesn't seem to have any of that torque. So if anyone could suggest any ways to gain torque that don't involve rebuilding my engine i would love to hear them. Thanks Sterling

If you have a low compression engine you might look at EFI and some mild boost (<6lbs). That would certainly give it more torque.

[hrcollinsjr]

The easiest things have already been mentioned. Several don't actually increase torque but feel like they do. Shorter tires, change rear end ratio, maybe add a larger S-10 clutch to increase the weight at the flywheel or a heavier flywheel.

The following if done properly will increase the actual torque; rework the intake per Rallybob's instructions, two hole spacer under the carb, torquer cam, custom exhaust maybe. It's been mentioned though that the exhaust is already tuned for torque so I don't know that you'll be able to improve it.

Make sure the engine is properly tuned and the carb is jetted correctly.

Harold

[Aardvaark]

Like Harold just said, shorter tires are an easy way to getting more
punch. I just switched to 205-60/13's from 175-80/13's
and it is very noticable with my Manta with automatic trans.

[GT FREAK]

This sounds crazy but I put an eletronic ignition off Ebay and noticed a nice smooth gain in performance. It only cost $35.00.
O.B.


eBay
c24e_2.jpg

[hrcollinsjr]

Like Harold just said, shorter tires are an easy way to getting more punch.

It was mentioned before I repeated it.

I just switched to 205-60/13's from 175-80/13's and it is very noticable with my Manta with automatic trans.

You're just getting back down to a diameter close to what Opel fitted your car with originally. The original tire size on most Opels was 165-80/13. I've seen several people running the larger size. Is the original size getting that hard to find? I prefer the look of the 185-70/13 not too skinny and not too wide. Just my personal preference. Some of the 60 series tires look better on factory wheels than others, again just my personal opinion.

Harold

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Keith, you're usually dead nuts on but I have to question this part. Smaller or longer maybe or both. When you say smaller (shorter), do you mean in height? Harold

I've found from testing, (and Keith obviously remembered), that a shorter intake plenum on an Opel helps with torque immensely.

I totally agree about the runner lengths though, longer runners = more torque at a lower rpm. But the plenum reacts differently for sure.

Bob

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr It's been mentioned though that the exhaust is already tuned for torque so I don't know that you'll be able to improve it.

Believe it or not, today (finally) after years of talking about it I'm dragging out a GT to put up on my lift and build a small-tube long runner header designed for torque. By the end of the week I hope to have a prototype built.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by RallyBob Believe it or not, today (finally) after years of talking about it I'm dragging out a GT to put up on my lift and build a small-tube long runner header designed for torque. By the end of the week I hope to have a prototype built.

Pictures please, as the process developes....

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by RallyBob I've found from testing, (and Keith obviously remembered), that a shorter intake plenum on an Opel helps with torque immensely. I totally agree about the runner lengths though, longer runners = more torque at a lower rpm. But the plenum reacts differently for sure. Bob

Keith confused me when he said shorter tracts, he did mention the raised plenum floor. Which is more important though, raising the floor or the smoothing of the transition into the ports with the pent roof design? My guess is that you aren't decreasing the plenum volume by very much since you then turn around and blend the top of the plenum in an effort to smooth the flow from the carb to the port.

Harold

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Which is more important though, raising the floor or the smoothing of the transition into the ports with the pent roof design?

Both really. They compliment each other. The welding and porting of the transition from the plenum-to-runners increases flow, but increases plenum volume. The raised (peaked) floor reduces the plenum volume and increases signal strength and vacuum.

[Aardvaark]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr It was mentioned before I repeated it. You're just getting back down to a diameter close to what Opel fitted your car with originally. The original tire size on most Opels was 165-80/13. I've seen several people running the larger size. Is the original size getting that hard to find? I prefer the look of the 185-70/13 not too skinny and not too wide. Just my personal preference. Some of the 60 series tires look better on factory wheels than others, again just my personal opinion. Harold

I notice more improvement then had I started with the stock 165-80/13 but since the 205-60/13 are still shorter then the stock size, improvement would still be apparent I believe. When I autorossed, I ran 185-60/13 A001 Yokohama's and notice quite a difference too.
No. 165-80/13 are still widely available, it's just that all I found were all season. I was shooting for the best summer performance, none DOT competition tire I could fit on the stock '75 wheels, and the Sumitomo's seem to be the only real choice. 185-70-13 are not very widely available in summer tread. About all I could fine were Veredistiens (sp).

[hrcollinsjr]

When I autorossed, I ran 185-60/13 A001 Yokohama's and notice quite a difference too.

I believe you are dating yourself with the Yokohama reference. I never tried the A001's but I did own some A008's. Awesome! For you youngsters out there that haven't a clue, the A008's were THE tire for autocrossing. The A001's were if you were REALLY serious. IIRC they were DOT rated but you really didn't want to drive them around on the street.

I was shooting for the best summer performance, none DOT competition tire I could fit on the stock '75 wheels,

The 60's don't look too bad on the 5 1/2" wheels. The 5" wheel is another matter.

Harold

[opeletti75]

2 1/2 inch over the axle pipe for more torque

[newman27]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr ...two hole spacer under the carb...

Can you elaborate on this one Harold?

Thanks,

Matt

[kwilford]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Keith, you're usually dead nuts on but I have to question this part. Smaller or longer maybe or both. When you say smaller (shorter), do you mean in height? Harold

um, I just remembered Bob's Torquer intake with the raised floor, which I believe helps mainly by reducing the volume and hence throttle response Quite unintuitive to the "longer intake makes more torque" theory, but it works for bob, it works for me

[wrench459]

The Booster signal. I believe is the key.