Engines: W vs. V
How are you going to get 3 equal banks of cylinder when you only have 8cyl??
a W16 is okay because you can have three banks of 8 cyl, and that block would be shorter than a V16.
Maybe a W9 would be okay
a W16 is okay because you can have three banks of 8 cyl, and that block would be shorter than a V16.
Maybe a W9 would be okay
Maybe a W9 would be okay
A W8 isn't possible though because each 4 cylinder engine is inline, not a 'V' engine.
VW does the W12 engine because its development is fairly cheap (it's Siamese V6's joined at the hip
) plus it may have some packaging advantages over a looooong V12.
Lexus Test Driver
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From: WA
Because "V" engine are already complicated and pain in the *** to work on, as compared to "Inline" and "Straight" engines. The only advantage of a "V" engine is that its more compact when compared to "Straight" and "Inline", so when it comes to 8-12 cylinders you're pretty much stuck with "V" configuration. And the only time when "W" configuration is necessary is if you have 16+ cylinders.
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Lexus Test Driver
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From: Michigan
I don't think it works that way. The W engine is essentially two V engines side by side. On a V engine you have odd/even cylinders interleaved controlled by 1, 2, or 4 cams typically. I think in the W engine the 'peak in the middle' of the W is the common cam of both V's if that makes sense.
A W8 isn't possible though because each 4 cylinder engine is inline, not a 'V' engine.
VW does the W12 engine because its development is fairly cheap (it's Siamese V6's joined at the hip ) plus it may have some packaging advantages over a looooong V12.
A W8 isn't possible though because each 4 cylinder engine is inline, not a 'V' engine.
VW does the W12 engine because its development is fairly cheap (it's Siamese V6's joined at the hip
) plus it may have some packaging advantages over a looooong V12.
Speaks French in Russian
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Posts: 13,397
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From: What is G?
Yea there was a Passat W8 for about a year or two, but didnt sell to well. I believe the cylinders were built on top of one another. I remember them saying the W engines were actually more compact than their V engines.
Forgot about that, you're right! Good one.
And a few cars have had V4's so the W8 is made from two V4's sharing the middle crankshaft.
Some great articles I found:
http://www.autozine.org/technical_sc...ne/smooth5.htm
http://www.autozine.org/technical_sc..._packaging.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/w8-engine
http://www.answers.com/topic/v4-engine
http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews...8-2004886.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W8_engine
And a few cars have had V4's so the W8 is made from two V4's sharing the middle crankshaft.
Some great articles I found:
http://www.autozine.org/technical_sc...ne/smooth5.htm
http://www.autozine.org/technical_sc..._packaging.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/w8-engine
http://www.answers.com/topic/v4-engine
http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews...8-2004886.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W8_engine
