inline 6 vs. V6?

[Wadded Beef]

I've always assumed straight 6's were better since they are mostly in higher end cars like supras, bmw's, and skylines...but what makes them better? or are they?

 

[notfred]

I6 engines don't vibrate.

 

[SuperTool]

I6 engines have the most number of bearings per cylinder.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Neither is "better" in an ultimate sense.

I6 Advantages: Smoother.

V6 Advantages: Packaging (incredibly difficult to use an I6 in an FWD car, the engine is just too long), can be built on the same assembly line as a company's V8 engines, does not suffer from crankshaft or camshaft whip.

Neither is more powerful or more efficient to any significant degree.

ZV

 

[redly]

why not a straight 8?? besides size

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: redly
why not a straight 8?? besides size

I've seen a straight 8 block out of something like a 1940 Packard. Stood up on end, the block was like 4 feet tall. It was huge.

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: redly
why not a straight 8?? besides size

SIZE

 

[Wadded Beef]

i would think size...the inline 6 looks massive in supras

 

[hans007]

ive read that since a v6 has an odd number of cylinders on each bank, it isnt as balanced or something. im probably wrong though.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Wadded Beef
i would think size...the inline 6 looks massive in supras

Inline sixes are huge. In general, they take up more space, and weigh roughly the same (usually 20-100lbs less) as the GM 5.7 Liter v8.

But they're so silky smooth, and provide great torque. The big problem with them is packaging. If you want to get more displacement, usually your motor needs to get longer, and since all your cylinders are inline, increasing the bore just a tad on each cylinder adds up to a lot more length. Anyone seen the giant I6 motor GM's putting in the Trailblazer?

 

[amol]

My dads BMW 330Ci Convertible has an Inline 6

it's so cool! Like Nebor said, it's really silky smooth and has great torque

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Amol
My dads BMW 330Ci Convertible has an Inline 6

it's so cool! Like Nebor said, it's really silky smooth and has great torque

I sometimes think about getting a 330ic, the coupe... and then I think, if I were to go that far, why not just get an M3? Both are hot cars though, and are unrivaled champions in their respective classes.

 

[notfred]

This is the hood you need to fit a straight 8

 

[otispunkmeyer]

V6 is smoother becuase there are more balanced simply by design. think of it as the cylinders are pushing against each other when they mcve up n down. in theory each piston show move with the same force so the forces cancle out.

in a in line engine, the pistons push against the crank, and after a while you start getting them ticking noises. they are more unbalanced. but when its done right like BMW's inline 6's they are every good.

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I6 engines have the most number of bearings per cylinder.

Yes, but the crankshafts are MUCH longer - so they can't take as much HP as a V6 crankshaft can.

Torquey, smooth, and HUGE.

/me prefers V6's...

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: notfred
This is the hood you need to fit a straight 8

Imagine the rigidity you'd need in the structure of the block and head to support an inline 8 cylinder. I mean, unless it was like a 3.0 i8. Come to think of it, I'd like to see that. Someone get to work on that, immediately.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
V6 is smoother becuase there are more balanced simply by design. think of it as the cylinders are pushing against each other when they mcve up n down. in theory each piston show move with the same force so the forces cancle out.

in a in line engine, the pistons push against the crank, and after a while you start getting them ticking noises. they are more unbalanced. but when its done right like BMW's inline 6's they are every good.

So you have no idea what you're talking about. That's faaaaascinating.

Tell me, what are the only naturally balanced engines? (Hint: One if the i6. You goon.)

 

[Wadded Beef]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
V6 is smoother becuase there are more balanced simply by design. think of it as the cylinders are pushing against each other when they mcve up n down. in theory each piston show move with the same force so the forces cancle out.

in a in line engine, the pistons push against the crank, and after a while you start getting them ticking noises. they are more unbalanced. but when its done right like BMW's inline 6's they are every good.

horizontally opposed engines like the boxer push against eachother...v6 is at an angle

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
V6 is smoother becuase there are more balanced simply by design. think of it as the cylinders are pushing against each other when they mcve up n down. in theory each piston show move with the same force so the forces cancle out.

in a in line engine, the pistons push against the crank, and after a while you start getting them ticking noises. they are more unbalanced. but when its done right like BMW's inline 6's they are every good.

So you have no idea what you're talking about. That's faaaaascinating.

Tell me, what are the only naturally balanced engines? (Hint: One if the i6. You goon.)

This is why you skip straight to ZV's (or NutBucket's) response in ATOT car threads.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: SuperSix

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I6 engines have the most number of bearings per cylinder.

Yes, but the crankshafts are MUCH longer - so they can't take as much HP as a V6 crankshaft can.

Torquey, smooth, and HUGE.

/me prefers V6's...

Of course the crank's longer, the block is longer. Depending on the staggering of the cylinders in the v6, the i6 version could be almost twice as long! And yes, everything needs to be built stronger in the i6, block, head, crank, etc to deal with the sheer length of the engine, and the stress that that length and weight places on itself.

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Amol
My dads BMW 330Ci Convertible has an Inline 6

it's so cool! Like Nebor said, it's really silky smooth and has great torque

I sometimes think about getting a 330ic, the coupe... and then I think, if I were to go that far, why not just get an M3? Both are hot cars though, and are unrivaled champions in their respective classes.

it's a business lease and my dad didn't want to spend the money on an M3

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Wadded Beef

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
V6 is smoother becuase there are more balanced simply by design. think of it as the cylinders are pushing against each other when they mcve up n down. in theory each piston show move with the same force so the forces cancle out.

in a in line engine, the pistons push against the crank, and after a while you start getting them ticking noises. they are more unbalanced. but when its done right like BMW's inline 6's they are every good.

horizontally opposed engines like the boxer push against eachother...v6 is at an angle

You are correct sir! I like this group owning of otisspunkmeyer. :thumbsup:

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Amol
My dads BMW 330Ci Convertible has an Inline 6

it's so cool! Like Nebor said, it's really silky smooth and has great torque

I sometimes think about getting a 330ic, the coupe... and then I think, if I were to go that far, why not just get an M3? Both are hot cars though, and are unrivaled champions in their respective classes.

it's a business lease and my dad didn't want to spend the money on an M3

I also don't want to spend the money on an M3. Perhaps someone out there has one they want to give away?

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Who wants that M3 crap anyway?

Anyway, I've got a "straight six"

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
Who wants that M3 crap anyway?

Anyway, I've got a "straight six"

I was thinking of making a straight 8 joke earlier, but I decided against it.