mooretorque

VW's V6 is referred to as a narrow angle V6 because of the 15 degree angle between the cylinder banks (more normally 72-90 degrees). It took them years to overcome the engineering problems involved before it was finally introduced.

retrodrive's I8 is available in some of the vehicles from the early part of the 20th century (and, of course, led to V-16s).

93 LS4

The VR6 is a beautifully refined, powerful, smooth and reliable engine. If the VR6 a V, it’s on of the toughest V’s I’ve owned.

Dam, a car with an I8 would be all hood….

brian3268

Abcedefghij

93 LS4

Why would it be less expensive to build a V6 over an I6?

I would think the engine with the two heads would be higher in cost, wouldn’t it?

squarehat

Doesn't that new Suzuki midsize sedan (the one that bears a strong resemblance to a 99-03 Acura TL) have an I-6? I'm assuming from the sub-$20K base sticker that it's FWD. I'll research it and post it back up.

Edit: Looked it up on Edmunds (it's called the Verona, couldn't remember the name before). FWD with 2.5 L I-6 (they always show the engine block in the commercials)

Engine
2.5L displacement double overhead cam (DOHC)
inline 6 cylinder configuration gas engine
24 valves 155 hp @ 5800 rpm
177 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
DriveTrain
4-speed automatic transmission front wheel drive

Oh well, for the price, I'd get a gently used '99 ES300 Coach Editon instead

LexFather

Car companies switched to V-6s as they moved to FWD cars and needed more packaging under the hood. V-6s as stated take up a lot less room that a I-6. That is why Lexus can fit a V-8 into the IS 300 with no problems. V-6s are also easier and cheaper to make. I-6 are more durable and smoother.

jet864

What makes an engine balanced, and if V8s and I4s arent "naturally balanced", how are they balanced?

James

sleepy

"Balance" has to do with the firing sequence of the pistons. In an I6 I believe the opposing pistons are always fired in sequence and thus keeping both ends of the "I" in balance.

I've read that V8 are naturally balanced as well, so there's no benefit in making an I8 configuration.

LexFather

http://www.howstuffworks.com/question366.htm

This explains a lot with pics.

squarehat

Another exception to the RWD rule:

I believe the Volvo S80 is a FWD car with an I-6, I remember reading about it back in '98.

Do engines that are "naturally balanced" need a harmonic balancer? Or does that do something else?

RON430

You are right about the S80 and also hit the reason most commonly rumored for the poor reliability of the S80. The I6 is transverse and it works but there had to be a lot of design on the transmission to make it work packaging wise that just didn't work reliability wise.

The natural balance has to do with where the pistons and counterweights are during the operation of the engine as well as firing order. Essentially the moving masses (and explosions) work to cancel out the induced vibrations. Which is also why the angle of the V gets important. V sixes and eights are much easier to package in the vehicle because of the volume of the engine/transmission and how high it is relative to length. Hoodlines want to be low for styling and mileage.

Even though V engines have two heads, they are quite a bit smaller than a straight six, as is the crankshaft. It is proportionately more expensive to machine one big honking straight six head than two smaller V 6 - three cylinder heads.

As for operation, the argument is that a straight six is smoother and while I have had smooth straight sixes, I have also had smooth v sixes. As for power, many times the v's can get more efficient breathing because of shorter and more equal inlet tracts than straight engines but with enough money, I don't think either one has much of an inherent advantage.

Bean

iTrader: (1)

no more like 220whp stock
its also a 3.5L motor too

V motors dont like turbos much... i'm guessing since they are naturally very unbalanced motors that it stresses them too much

Inline motors like the 4 and 6 always crank out big numbers when set up right...

can you think of any real fast streetable V6 cars? i cant hehe

i can think of a whole slew of I6 cars and a few I4s that can get REALLLLY fast...

I6s just have that natural ability of not slinging themselves apart when under tremendous stress