• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Why aren't there any inline 5cylinder engines?

G

gregshin

Diamond Member
The last car that had an inline 5 was the acura vigor and the volvo 850R...i think a 5 banger is a great alternative to the 4 and 6
 
You sure that the Vigor had an I5? And yakko (note the lowercase "y") is right, Audi used an I5 during the 1980's too. An I6 is a smooth as an engine can get so there's no real advantage to an I5 other than size. A V6 wins for compactness and the V6 is still smoother than an I5.

ZV
 
Maybe marketing? For anyone who cares that much they can shoehorn a six into most spots and the rest of us live with a four.
 
Maybe it has something to do with smoothness? I'm not an engine expert by any stretch but wouldn't 5 pistons going up and down not be very smooth as opposed to an even pistoned engine?
 


<< You sure that the Vigor had an I5? And yakko (note the lowercase "y") is right, Audi used an I5 during the 1980's too. An I6 is a smooth as an engine can get so there's no real advantage to an I5 other than size. A V6 wins for compactness and the V6 is still smoother than an I5.

ZV >>



Right on. The Vigor did have a I5 motor option.

 
I think GM is going to have a 5 cylinder option for the next S10.

Also doesn't some Volvo have a turbo 5 ?
 
Yes, the Vigor had an inline 5. I drove one. Even with the 5 speed, it was not a particularly memorable experience. It should have had a 6.
 
<<Right on. The Vigor did have a I5 motor option.>>

Cool. I didn't know one way or the other on that. Only one problem, now the I5 Vigor is added to my list of "Oddball cars I want to own Someday". If I had a nickel for every car I wish I could have, I'd be a very wealthy person.

ZV
 


<< Maybe it has something to do with smoothness? I'm not an engine expert by any stretch but wouldn't 5 pistons going up and down not be very smooth as opposed to an even pistoned engine? >>

The Audi I5s were quite smooth.
 
Some are asking 'why a 5?'
Simply because a 4 stroke engine with 4 cylinders has moments where there is no power stroke.
The 5 provides overlap where somewhere at all times a cylinder is moving in the power stroke.
So it would feel smoother than a 4 and should feel as smooth as a 6, better fuel economy, but not have as much power as a 6.
I think there is some construction costs issues too, a V configuration is cheaper to build because it requires less material to make the block?
Which is why you don't see in-line sixes or 8's any moe. When I took Autoshop back in highschool that was all we worked on was inlines 6's 😉
Cuase they were donated out of old farm strucks. . .

 
Straight 6 and 8s had the downside of them being long. GM's 4.2 is a straight 6 and so is the Cummins that is put in the Dodge Ram. The Toyota Supra had a straight 6 before it died and the Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee's 4.0 was a straight 6 before they decided to go for a shortened V8.
 


<< Which is why you don't see in-line sixes or 8's any moe >>



BMW 3 series and the Lexus IS have inline 6 engines...
 


<< Which is why you don't see in-line sixes or 8's any moe. When I took Autoshop back in highschool that was all we worked on was inlines 6's 😉
Cuase they were donated out of old farm strucks. . . >>


BMW has been using a straight 6 for quite some time now. They seem to find it quite successful and, while I've never driven a Bimmer, I've heard they make some great engines, their straight 6's included.
 


<< Straight 6 and 8s had the downside of them being long. GM's 4.2 is a straight 6 and so is the Cummins that is put in the Dodge Ram. The Toyota Supra had a straight 6 before it died and the Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee's 4.0 was a straight 6 before they decided to go for a shortened V8. >>



LOL, Straight 6's never died. BMW, GM, Toyota/Lexus, all have em. But the last time I checked, ever since the Supra split from the Celica platform, it's used a 3.0L V6.
 
Which is why you don't see in-line sixes or 8's any moe. When I took Autoshop back in highschool that was all we worked on was inlines 6's

My '99 Lexus GS300 has an inline 6 as well as my '95 BMW 325i.
 
<<But the last time I checked, ever since the Supra split from the Celica platform, it's used a 3.0L V6.>>

Check again then. The Supra was using an I6 when it was discontinued from the US market.

ZV
 
The replacement for the S-10 pickups the "Colorado" will have a I-5 in it.... Wish they would drop atleast the 4.8 V8 as an option in it though 🙁
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top