SAE NET HORSEPOWER

The brake power (power available at the flywheel or output shaft -- usually the crankshaft ) of a fully equipped engine fitted with all the accessories necessary to perform its intended functions unaided. In 1973, automobile manufacturers began publishing their engine specifications in "net" horsepower and "net" torque instead of "gross" figures. In many cases the published numbers were significantly lower in 1973 than in 1972. Some of the decrease was attributed to the addition of pollution equipment, the lowering of compression , and the use of regular unleaded gasoline instead of premium leaded fuel. However most of the decrease in number was a switch to "net" figures. Compare SAE gross horsepower . Also see brake horsepower and horsepower .