The LS1 makes less torque at higher RPMs than the L98, yet will absolutely crush an L98 car from any speed. pretty good example of how silly the concept of desiring mid range torque above all is to me.

 

No, it makes more torque at higher rpm than the L98 (at that same RPM). An LS1 at 5000 rpm is definitely making more torque than the L98 would make at 5000 rpm (hell, didn't they have 4500 rpm shift points?). If it weren't the L98 would be making more power too.

I think what you typed is not what you meant to say.

At 1500 rpm, the L98 (and LT1) both probably make significantly more torque (and therefore power, at that speed) than an LS1 at 1500 rpm. That is why they launch so hard. But the LT1 (and especially the L98) will run out of breath and fall down in torque production much sooner than the LS1. So, say at 3000 rpm, the LS1 has surpassed the LT1 and L98 in torque output (all three engines at 3000 rpm). From there on out, the LS1 makes more torque, and therefore, more power, since power = torque * rpm / 5252. And, as you correctly stated, during a drag race you will never be at 1500 rpm except at the very beginning, perhaps. So the L98/LT1 might have a brief advantage during launch. After that, the race will keep engine speeds in the range where the LS1 makes more torque and power.



EDIT: I reread it, and I think I understand your statement now. I think you meant that the LS1 makes less peak torque than the L98's peak, and at a higher rpm than the L98's peak torque rpm. True. Pointing out why the "area under the curve" is so important.

 

Yeah, i should have said peak torque. An L98 will put up a good 50lb-ft on an LS1 at 3k rpms. Whole fat lot of good it's gonna do it when the LS1 spends less than 1.5s below that rpm in a race from any speed.

If you didn't follow, i'm totally behind you on the hp bandwagon and fully understand the implications that you can't have hp wiithout torque, but that low/midrange (and hence peak torque ) is pretty meaningless in any measurable performance contest against a car with more hp.