if that is the case, why does a gt350r make 3-5whp more than a gt350? Just the tire height difference?
Hypothetically, how can a drivetrain with 275lbs of moving parts not require more torque to spin, and keep spinning, than a 125lbs system?
I found this page, very logical and straightforward in my opinion.
http://www.superstreetonline.com/how-to/engine/modp-1005-drivetrain-power-loss/
As with all things, it's an encompassing symphony of cause and effect relationships based on the findings the person described he found to be at play while researching many journals and findings by the sae.
I am satisfied with what he stated.
I don't think we are looking at this the same way. Some of your statements are valid but your inserting too many variables into the equation. Keven P hit the nail on the head. All we were discussion is the effect of mass on power output. Wheel size, gear boxes, dyno measurements, ect ect is making this more complicated then what was originally stated.
Simple law of physics: Energy cannot be destroyed nor created. It can only be converted into another form of energy. Take 2 engines with identical power output. One has a flywheel the other does not. Run them both up to maximum power/max rpm. Now apply an identical load to both engines and ask yourself which one is capable of producing more work? The answer is neither, the power both engines are producing is the same. The difference is the engine with the flywheel will store energy (which in the case of an automobile is something you don't want which is what you were implying and correctly so) while the engine without the flywheel does not (figuratively speaking) which is not diverting some of the power during acceleration to the flywheel which in the case of a generator or a locomotive will be an advantage making energy available during a sudden demand for power until that energy is expended.
Bottom line: under load less rotating mass with accelerate faster while more mass will decelerate slower but the work potential will be identical.
For our purposes rotating mass is the enemy but to the guy running a hammer forge it's his friend
... I'm saying the engine power production has never changed, just that less of its power production is being translated into heat or power to drive inertia and various loads.
^^This. Which means more power is making it to the ground. And that means a chassis dyno should read a higher output number.