Torque Gauge ..?????????

I don't own an SSR currently, but I test drove an 05 the other day and was amazed at this torque gauge that comes with the gauge package. Can anyone tell me anything about that gauge? I am most curious about how it measures torque, and if it can be done, why it does not exist in the aftermarket ? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[JimGnitecki]

Omnipotent goku: I wouldn't get too excited about this. I doubt that Chevy put a real strain guage or anything like that into the SSR driveline.

In theory at least, you can probably get all the raw numerical inputs you need to "calculate" current torque being applied by the engine, from the powertrain control module (PCM) or Vehicle Control Module (VCM) as it more fashionable to call it now.

I say this because there is a capability built into the VCM called "Torque Management". The purpose of that capability is to not allow the driver, engine, torque converter, or transmission to transmit potentially destructive levels of torque to the driveline.

Those potentially destructive levels of torque are rather easily generated by a number of reasonably forseeable occurences or possibilities: a dragstrip tpye launch, torque converter torque multiplication, shifting that has been adjusted too "short" or too "quick", excessive trailer weight, etc.

GM takes programming steps within the VCM to protect the driveline from these kinds of abusive loads. (Yes, this is why the SSR won't lay rubber until you use a microtuner to compromise this protection a bit at your peril). To do so, the VCM apparently has the built-in capability to calculate current torque being generated by the engine, as there are editable fields within the VCM designed to see and limit that torque.

I'm sure GM just tapped into a suitable data field, and then applied an algorithm to convert to human readable value.

The only value I can see in having that center guage, similar to the Gallons per hour guage on the 03 and 04 SSRs, is that it gives you an idea of the actual loading you are subjecting your SSR to under steady state conditions.

If you are thinking that you will take a flash reading off it visually while under hard acceleration and happily report the results here as "MY SSR makes two million ft lb of torque as verified by my torque guage", forget it because:

1. This is a calculated value whose algorithm doesn't necessarily have much to do with gross of net engine torque that a dyno would measure, and

2. The calibration of the guage is, charitably, "coarse", and

2. If you are looking at the guage under hard acceleration, who is looking through the windshield at the ROAD?

Jim G

I would agree with you, I seriously doubt that GM would go through the trouble to develop a new technology to make this work. If they had, it would be some sort of highlight noteworthy in a commercial, not only that I would think that C6's would come with it if it was that functional. I thank you for your info, it sounds logical, perhaps something more accurate (other than a GTECH) will be available aftermarket. Again, I do not have an SSR, my query was actually due to the general curiousity of myself and others at thirdgen.org .

http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/show...83#post2352183

Thanks again for the info.