Advantage of V engine over in-line?
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From: Mortimer on 16 Apr 2010 08:51 Assuming that the engine capacity is the same, is there any advantage of a V4 engine over an in-line engine? Do V engines run more or less smoothly than in-line or boxer (horizontally-opposed) engines? I realise that V engines are often used to reduce the size of engine compartment needed, by reducing the length because left and right bank cylinders can overlap and by reducing the height of the cylinder block because it's tilted over. There was a fashion for V4 engines (Ford Corsair, Saab 96) in the 1960s but you don't find them nowadays.
From: Adrian on 16 Apr 2010 09:27 "Mortimer" <me(a)privacy.net> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: > Assuming that the engine capacity is the same, is there any advantage of > a V4 engine over an in-line engine? Packaging is the main one. > Do V engines run more or less smoothly than in-line or boxer > (horizontally-opposed) engines? Depends on the crank construction and the vee angle. Just think of a flat engine as just a 180deg vee. 'course, you can also think of a straight engine as just a 0deg vee - unless you do that, things like the VAG VR6 or Lancia V4, shallow angle vees with a shared head, start to blur the boundaries... > I realise that V engines are often used to reduce the size of engine > compartment needed, by reducing the length because left and right bank > cylinders can overlap That really is the main advantage - think of the length of a straight 12 or even 8? > and by reducing the height of the cylinder block because it's tilted > over. Which can also be done with a straight engine - see the '70s/80s PSA "suitcase" engine, Saab engine as fitted in the "proper" 900 - and plenty of others. > There was a fashion for V4 engines (Ford Corsair, Saab 96) Same engine - Saab just bought it in. (Yes, I know Ford actually had two families of v4 - Cologne & Essex - and the Corsair used t'other one, but ykwim)
From: boltar2003 on 16 Apr 2010 09:53 On 16 Apr 2010 13:27:05 GMT Adrian <toomany2cvs(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> I realise that V engines are often used to reduce the size of engine >> compartment needed, by reducing the length because left and right bank >> cylinders can overlap > >That really is the main advantage - think of the length of a straight 12 >or even 8? I'm wondering if the shorter crankshaft of a V engines gives any advantages... B2003
From: Adrian on 16 Apr 2010 10:01 boltar2003(a)boltar.world gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: >>> I realise that V engines are often used to reduce the size of engine >>> compartment needed, by reducing the length because left and right bank >>> cylinders can overlap >>That really is the main advantage - think of the length of a straight 12 >>or even 8? > I'm wondering if the shorter crankshaft of a V engines gives any > advantages... Only if the longer crank of the inline is insufficiently torsionally stiff or well supported by main bearings.
From: Mike G on 16 Apr 2010 11:00
"Adrian" <toomany2cvs(a)gmail.com> wrote in message news:82r6t9Ft3U21(a)mid.individual.net... > "Mortimer" <me(a)privacy.net> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were > saying: > >> Assuming that the engine capacity is the same, is there any advantage of >> a V4 engine over an in-line engine? > > Packaging is the main one. > >> Do V engines run more or less smoothly than in-line or boxer >> (horizontally-opposed) engines? I would say less. > Depends on the crank construction and the vee angle. Just think of a flat > engine as just a 180deg vee. AFAIA a flat or straight engine is more balanced than a V configuration. The V 4 Ford engine, frinstance, needed a countershaft to run smoothly. Mike. |