Engine Layouts - Explained (V6, I6, V8, W12)

What is the difference between a V8 and a V6, or an I6 and an I4? What does it mean? An explanation of engine layouts, and what they mean. The advantages of some of these layouts is also explained.

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[EngineeringExplained]

Imagine how much you could learn in 3 hours, simply scrolling through my videos! Glad you enjoyed!

[Pinballe]

I wish you were my engineering teacher back in school
You're so intelligent.

[EngineeringExplained]

Yes, the vibrations created from power strokes are balanced out in an inline six, where as you have to add more counterweight to the crankshaft in V6's to balance out the forces. That said, the compactness of the V design can be advantageous.

[Xailow]

So young! It's awesome to see how far you've come!

[mbaymahubert]

best explanation ever, thank you very much

[EngineeringExplained]

@anish4 Sure, the oil will shift to the side in the oil pan, but within the engine (where the wear is going to occur) the layers of oil between moving parts are confined and very thin, so the g forces of a corner will have little effect.

[EngineeringExplained]

Inline 6's are balanced by design, a V6 design, although more compact, requires more counterbalance to reduce vibrations.

[EngineeringExplained]

Will I make a video, eventually. But until then I'll give you some small insight on your second question. Short stroke will have lower torque, but because the piston is moving less, higher rpms, so relatively higher horsepower (than if the car had only lower rpms). Long stroke has higher torque, but due to angles, and the inertia of the traveling piston, they operate at lower rpms (relatively lower power).

[EngineeringExplained]

Yes, I remember seeing one at the Portland Auto Expo this year.

[EngineeringExplained]

Yes, Vector made a car called the "W8" due to it's engine design. Can be a little difficult to wrap your head around the firing order and such.

[EngineeringExplained]

@SuperTauta I don't know of one, but it may. There are others with 7 or so pistons around a similar axis (creating a circle of pistons).

[EngineeringExplained]

Good suggestion, I was just trying to get the basics down with this video.

[EngineeringExplained]

Well you can have a single valvetrain rather than one over each cylinder bank; 2 camshafts rather than 4. Not only does it have less moving parts, but it's typically easier to work on also. If the head gasket goes, you replace it. But a head gasket could go on a single side of your V style or flat engine, and you'd probably still replace both to be sure. Also, inline 6's are balanced, requiring less counterweight.

[radio_silence]

Man your videos have come a long way. 10yr old video, still great information. Thank you.

[lewis]

Yes, you're correct.
Many I4s don't have balancer shafts either!

My initial response WAS format but it got all bent up somewhere!

[EngineeringExplained]

That's a good question. I think size is the answer. Flat engines take up more space (dimension wise, not including height) than V-shaped or inline engines. If you were to have a flat 8 it would be enormous. Porsche uses flat sixes though, just an FYI. So my answer to you is space, though I think it could be done, and would definitely have benefits. (Except when you had to change spark plugs! haha)

[EngineeringExplained]

@trilakersnbachamps Correct. You can youtube "w12 animation" and find some examples for exactly how they are. Or check out the veyron's w16, it's fairly impressive.

[EngineeringExplained]

1. A shorter crankshaft is typically superior as the forces will not bend or warp the shaft (a longer shaft could experience this issue keeping strength the same). Lighter is typically always better, as long as it's balanced. So a shorter shaft will be lighter, meaning less weight and less rotational inertia to overcome.
2. I believe you're confusing flat with "straight" or "inline." Inline 4's are common because they're economical, easy to balance, easy to maintain, and fit easily in FWD/RWD.

[EngineeringExplained]

What about the ones that Lancia and Ford used to make? Or perhaps the ones in Honda and Yamaha motorcycles? Actually there are quite a few motorcycles that have used this set up.

[EngineeringExplained]

Yep, there are engines with basically 4 banks. It looks somewhat like a V style engine, with two rows of cylinders on each side of the "V." Search W12 or W16 engine animation on YT for some videos.