1. What is a Flywheel to Rear Wheel Horsepower Calculator?

Definition: This calculator converts flywheel horsepower (engine output) to rear wheel horsepower (actual power delivered to the wheels) by accounting for drivetrain losses.

Purpose: It helps automotive enthusiasts and professionals estimate real-world power output after accounting for mechanical losses in the drivetrain.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( WHP \) — Rear wheel horsepower (power at the wheels)
• \( HP \) — Flywheel horsepower (engine output)
• \( DTL \) — Drivetrain loss factor (typically 0.10-0.20)

Explanation: The flywheel horsepower is reduced by the percentage of power lost through the drivetrain components (transmission, differential, axles, etc.).

3. Importance of WHP Calculation

Details: Rear wheel horsepower represents the actual power available to move the vehicle, which is crucial for performance tuning, dyno testing, and comparing vehicle performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the flywheel horsepower and drivetrain loss factor (default 0.15 or 15%). The DTL must be between 0 and 1 (0% to 100% loss).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical drivetrain loss factor?
A: For rear-wheel drive: 15-20%, front-wheel drive: 10-15%, all-wheel drive: 20-25%.

Q2: Why is WHP lower than flywheel HP?
A: Power is lost through friction in transmission, driveshaft, differential, and other drivetrain components.

Q3: How is this different from brake horsepower (BHP)?
A: BHP is measured at the crankshaft (like flywheel HP), while WHP is measured at the wheels after drivetrain losses.

Q4: Can WHP ever be higher than flywheel HP?
A: No, WHP is always less due to inevitable drivetrain losses.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate, but actual dyno testing will give precise WHP measurements.