In the mean time consider that at 99% efficiency and the 200HP example you have cited the power lost in the transmission is only 2HP. Now for simplicity if we assume that 200HP is made at 5250 RPM that means it takes a mere 2 ft-lb of torque to spin the loaded transmission at that RPM. I think that if you have a tranny lying around you should go spin the input shaft by hand and see what you think. Now imagine how much additional torque will be needed as frictional and viscous losses increase at 5250 RPM with a load.
I know you think input is only valid with cited references (and I really will attempt to produce them), but I did converse with one of the holders of the literature I used and his recollection is that 85% efficiency for specialty race car power trains is about right. This is a friend who vintage races and takes automotive engineering very seriously. He has developed a very nice windows application that gives all sorts of performance data from input like power train losses.
Another friend who takes his motorcycle riding very seriously provided me with the following for his Honda CBRXX 1000 (he got these numbers from motorcycle rags),
167HP crankshaft 149HP output of transmission 134HP rear wheel
Now I know that comparing this hi-tech superbike to an Alpine is absurd, but you get the point.
Documented sources to come...
>If you use or postulate data or information, remember it is absolutely
>worthless unless you can quote the source of the facts. Opinion, guesses,
>and druthers simply carry no weight.
>
>Some one mentioned that the mechanical efficiencies I used were too high.
>Well my source has the following to say...
>
>"The power and torque output of a combination of a hypothetical engine,
>having a bare engine output of 200 hp and a manual transmission having gear
>ratios of 2.55 for first gear, 1.60 for second, and direct drive in high,
>indicates the losses of a typical automobile installation. The transmission
>efficiencies efficiencies are 94.5, 97, and 99 percent at maximum power in
>each gear, respectively."
>
>Since our premise was top speed, the 99% is relevant to the tranny.
>
>The text goes on to say that rear end efficienceis are usually above 95% at
>wide open throttle.
>
>My source is "Combustion Engine Processes", McGraw Hill, 1967.
Frank Marrone MK I Tiger B9471116 marrone(at)wco.com '97 Crown Vic LX Yamaha Seca 900 (aka XJ900RK) '79 Spitfire '88 Nissan 4WD p'up