Why aren't there any inline 5cylinder engines?

[Triumph]

My dad had an Audi 4000s with the inline 5. That was a great engine, the thing ran for well over 300,000 miles. It sounded awesome, too.

Doesn't Saab have an inline 5? I can't remember, I always get them mixed up with Volvo.

 

[LAUST]

<< LOL, Straight 6's never died. BMW, GM, Toyota/Lexus, all have em. >>


yeah, they are still kickin, even the new Cummins for the new Ram is still an I-6... but the straight 8 sure died, last one I worked on was in my dad's 49 Packard, man talk about a LONG engine, Very easy to work on though 🙂

 

[desy]

They did go out of style for a while, yes there were always a few but not prolific like the V6.
Heres why they are back in answered by Pop mechanics.

What?s happened is that new, lightweight materials are available that enable pushrod engines to rev higher. And two-valve pushrod engines?thanks to the location of the single camshaft in the middle of the engine?are far more compact than overhead-camshaft designs. The typical Japanese 3.0-liter DOHC V6, for example, fills a larger space than GM?s venerable 3.8-liter (3800) pushrod V6. Plus, the two-valve pushrod motor develops more low-end torque and is easier to calibrate for hydrocarbon emissions control. On the downside, the price advantage of a pushrod over a high-revving DOHC engine still exists, but it may be getting smaller.

I had it backwards its cheaper to build an in-line but they didn't fit in a FWD car easily and also had some design problems for higher RPM vehicles, the one mentioned above and also oil distribution issues which I read in another article, which is why they were/are more prominent in truck use.


General Motors recently created a team of engineers who are already testing a five (5) cylinder inline engine. Does Ford have anything planned?

FORD ENGINE ENGINEER: As far as I am concerned, inline engines still have their place in truck applications. Their simple design doesn't promote extreme piston thrust angle wear. This places less stress on cylinder walls and promotes longer piston/ring life. They are extremely durable and long lasting - specific traits that really make them truck friendly.


REVELATION because we have since confirmed that Ford Motor Company is in fact developing an all new series of inline engines. . .and just when we all thought inline engines were dead!
But Ford's new inline engine is a much more radical concept than the 4.9 SuperSix. Instead of the typical inline four and six cylinder configurations, Ford will also be offering an inline5 cylinder. You read it right, a Ford inline five cylinder displacing 2.8 liters! The engine is currently being tested and evaluated by both Ford and Yamaha.

The 2.8 inline five (5) is a midshaft design engine. The idea behind an inline cylinder engine is the ability to package a five cylinder engine in a four cylinder space while providing six cylinder performance. Another benefit is that the engine actually reduces engine length by incorporating a unique system and arrangement of chain and accessory drives.

The first inline5 will make its debut in the 2003 Ranger when it will become an optional engine to the new standard 2.3. This will be the first major engine shake up in the new decade of many more to come!


So there you have it back in style!

 

[geno]

The Acura 2.5TL was an I5. I think it's just too unconventional, either go with the 4 or the 6, why have an awkward in-the-middle engine?

 

[toph99]

interesting article on engine smootheness with different numbers and configurations of cylinders

 

[Sluggo]

The new Chevy Trailblazers have also gone back to a straight 6 configuration. I think it also cranks out about 260-270 HP or so, if I remember the commercials correctly.

 

[iamwiz82]

<< <<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 I6 in the IS300 is a derivitive of the Supra engine.

 

[bizmark]

GM used a five-cylinder engine in its recent Bel Air concept:



<< The Chevrolet Bel Air convertible ?harks back to 1957, 1958 and 1959 Chevrolets, which were significant and memorable American icons,? Cherry said. The rear-drive concept is equipped with a 315-horsepower inline five-cylinder engine, ?an engine as significant as the Chevy V8 was in 1955,? Cherry said. It uses body-on-frame construction using hydroforming technology like that used on the Corvette. >>



[L=linky]http://www.naias.com/main.asp?sectionID=109[/i] >>



When I first read about the I6 they're using in the Trailblazer/Envoy, I remember seeing that the modular design of the engine would allow it to easily be changed into an I5, with a supercharger added to make for more power/torque than the I6. They were predicting that GM would use the I6 and its I5 variant widely in the future.

 

[CocaCola5]

I love the sound of Audis I5, I am tempted to get one now.