Most efficient engine type?

aproctor · 25 Feb 2011 at 17:56

When people talk about a cars power output they generally refer to its displacement which obviously has a direct effect on power.

I was wondering does the type of engine have any direct impact?

I know that balanced engines such as V6s and V12s are smoother than lets say a V10 but is a straight 6 any better than a flat or V config?

Seems a bit of an odd question but i have never seen it asked.

This is what i was trying to say.

Robbie G said:
This is how I read the op:

'What effect does engine configuration have on power output, all other things being equal?'.

For example, for two 3 litre six cylinder engines with the same number of valves, same cam profiles etc...does having for example a v6 config produce more power than having a l6 config.

The smoothness thing I read as an aside.

aproctor · 25 Feb 2011 at 18:05

rypt said:
Balance is pretty low on the scale of things to cause inefficiency in an engine

Don't forget valve timing.

Seriously though, go and derail your own thread.

aproctor · 25 Feb 2011 at 18:17

rypt said:
I'm not derailing any thread, you asked about engine efficiency ...

And actually being able to accurately control the duration of valves being open would be a factor in making an engine efficient (and by efficient I assume we mean fuel/power/mpg)

Read the OP or FO.

aproctor · 27 Feb 2011 at 00:23

ajstan said:
V6 smoother than V10? That a fact? I thought that in general, the more cylinders, the smoother the engine.

V6 is one of the smoothest engine configs according to a well informed source. (one of senior sound proofing engineers at Jag/Land Rover.)

Just wanted to know more about it, although my OP was gash.

aproctor · 27 Feb 2011 at 11:08

Robbie G said:
This is how I read the op:

'What effect does engine configuration have on power output, all other things being equal?'.

For example, for two 3 litre six cylinder engines with the same number of valves, same cam profiles etc...does having for example a v6 config produce more power than having a l6 config.

The smoothness thing I read as an aside.

Pretty much spot on.

Sorry i could not articulate this in the OP. (Edited).

aproctor · 28 Feb 2011 at 20:55

Rich1988 said:
talk about stressy

I guess you missed the thread going on at the time where he was like a dog with a bone about valve timings.