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Torque is a static measurement independent of time, a snapshot of an amount of rotating force at a given moment. Torque is stated in foot/pounds, because a twisting force is being represented as a linear or straight line force. For example: 1 ft/lb = 1 lb of force turning a rod or wheel one foot from the center of rotation. Horsepower is an amount of torque for a period of time. For example, 1 horsepower is 550 ft/lb for one minute, either 550 lb for one foot, or one pound for 550 feet for one minute of time, its all the same. That distance can be in a straight line, or the circumference of a circle for example: 550 rotations of a one foot circumference circle in one minute. When an engine is tested on a dynanometer, both torque and horsepower are measured because either one by itself, does not show the whole picture of what is happening. In an internal combustion engine torque is a resault of cylinder pressure, surface area of the piston, and mechanical advantage for the angle of the con rod and length of crank radius. Horsepower tells us how quickly is energy being released. So, comparing the two tells us how much energy is being released and how much is getting converted to work. To consider one more important than the other is not correct. When a diesel makes more torque than horsepower, it not because it is making poor horsepower, it is because it is making good torque !! In other words, more of the given energy is being converted to work - higher efficiency. Does this make a top fuel dragster with 3000 hp and 1000 ft/lb torque innefficient? no, because a large amount of energy is being released very quickly. The 1000 ft/lb is in a smaller fraction of time.
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