• Adventure
  • Auto
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Home & Garden
  • Money
  • Science
  • Tech
  • Video
  • Shows
  • Blogs
  • Quizzes
  • Games
  • Random Article
  • Auto Basics
  • Auto Parts & Systems
  • Auto Racing
  • Buying & Selling
  • Car Models
  • Driving & Safety
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • Motorcycles
  • Trucks
  • Under the Hood
  • Home > 
  • Auto > 
  • Under the Hood > 
  • Engines > 
  • Engine Performance

by Marshall Brain

Print
Cite This!
Close 
Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article:

Brain, Marshall.  "How Horsepower Works"  01 April 2000.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/horsepower.htm>  10 February 2012.
Cite
Feedback

Be Your Own Mechanic

Car Maintenance Videos
Car Maintenance Videos
Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Horsepower Works
  2. Measuring Horsepower
  3. Horsepower in High-performance Cars
  1. Lots More Information
  2. See all Engine Performance articles

Lots More Information

Related HowStuffWorks Articles

  • Quiz Corner: Engine Quiz
  • How Force, Power, Torque and Energy Work­
  • How Torque Converters Work
  • How Car Engines Work
  • How the Aptera Hybrid Works 
  • How Champ Cars Work
  • How NASCAR Race Cars Work
  • How the Bugatti Veyron Works
  • How the Enzo Ferrari Works
  • How Maybachs Work
  • How the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve Works
  • How do you convert engine torque to horsepower?
  • What does it mean to call a pickup truck a 'half-ton truck'?

More Great Links

  • Off-Road.com: Torque and Horsepower
  • RevSearch: Engine Dynamometer Information Links
  • Erbman's Engine Emporium - article describing factors that affect engine performance
  • Engine Science

VIDEO: Check out in-depth videos on pistons and 10 ingenious car parts videos.>>
Previous Page

More Great Links

Top 10 Green Driving Tips
Top 10 Green Driving Tips
5 Scariest Stunt Car Feats
5 Scariest Stunt Car Feats
The Ultimate CarStuff Fan Quiz
The Ultimate CarStuff Fan Quiz
5 Warning Signs You Need New Tires
5 Warning Signs You Need New Tires
10 Most Expensive Classic Cars
10 Most Expensive Classic Cars
Watch American Chopper videos >>

You Might Also Like

5 Benefits of an Engine Flush

One of the services an oil change technician might suggest is an engine flush to clean the gunk out of your engine. While this procedure has the potential to harm an engine, there are some benefits, too.

What does the VTEC system in a Honda engine do?

Japanese automaker Honda is best known for their VTEC system. Almost all of their newer vehicles are equipped with VTEC engines. But what does it actually do and how does it maximum engine performance?

Popular Articles

  • How to Do an Engine Oil Analysis
  • What is the difference between a turbocharger and a supercharger on a cars engine?
  • What's the best way to increase horsepower?
Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Horsepower Works
  2. Measuring Horsepower
  3. Horsepower in High-performance Cars
  1. Lots More Information
  2. See all Engine Performance articles
Previous Page

Top Videos

FPO
  • Car Maintenance Videos
  • Destroyed In Seconds Videos
  • Wrecks to Riches Videos
  • Muscle Car Videos

HowStuffWorks Games

FPO
  • Word Bubbles
  • Bike Build Game
  • Lost in Migration
  • Cannon Challenge
  • Speed Match

Related Content

Prices: Car Magazines

  • Car Mechanics
    Car Mechanics

    Offers a wide variety of articles to appeal to all enthusiasts who are interested in saving money on their vehicle maintenance and getting the right advice on those tricky jobs. Also includes professional information on garage equipment, diagnostics, servicing, auctions, parts and more.

    $179.19

  • Custom Car
    Custom Car

    A combination of event reports and previews, news items, project cars and features from the USA as well as the magazine's own drag racing series. Britain's magazine for the Hot Rod and Drag Racing scene includes technical advice and an active classified section for enthusiasts.

    $92.50

  • What Car
    What Car

    A comprehensive buyers guide aimed at UK consumers, What Car? blends road tests, investigations, consumer surveys, money-saving advice, and useful data to help readers make an informed buying decision.

    $125.00

HOWSTUFFWORKS
  • Adventure
  • Auto
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Home & Garden
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Science
  • Tech
MORE STUFF
  • Blogs
  • Games
  • HSW Tools
  • RSS
  • Maps
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Newsletters
  • Video
OUR WEBSITES
  • Animal Planet
  • Consumer Guide Auto
  • Consumer Guide Products
  • Discovery Channel
  • Discovery Fit & Health
  • HSW Brazil
  • HSW China HowStuffWorks China
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Oprah Winfrey Network
  • Planet Green
  • Science Channel
  • TLC
  • Discovery Education
  • Store
CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Help
CORPORATE
  • About Us
  • Careers @ Discovery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Visitor Agreement
TAKE US WITH YOU
FOLLOW US
© 1998-2012 HowStuffWorks, Inc