Which type of engine is the best

[Mighty Thor]

This came from an interesting discussion we had during Lunch break.

Let see now, we have the V-type, the Inline or Straight, the Flat, and the Slanted. Did I miss anything?

Ok, the V-type is mostly used for 6, 8, 10, 12 and a few 16 cylinder cars. The Inlines are mostly 4 and 6 cyl. and there are some that are 3 cyl. The Flat can be 4 and 6 cyl. cars. Slanted are mostly 6 cyl. and a few 8 cyl. cars.

Without going into too much detail and making this thread too long. The argument concluded that the Flat type engine which the Porches use happens to be the best engine there is.

Reason was that it packs a lot of power per liter size. Come to think about it, they may be right. Because Porches do have small engines but they do have a lot of HP for their size. Plus it makes the car more balance, esp. on turns.

V-type engine often depends on size and number of cyl. in order to have more HP. Plus bigger engine makes the car not so balance compare to Flat type engines.

When compaing Inline to V-type in same size, the inline may prove to be more efficient. But because of it nature, you can't add much cyl. to it because it would cause vibration problem (that's why it uses a balancer shaft) and it also compromises the balance of the car when it's under the hood. But Inline can be limited in power without the aid of FI. In other words, in order to make more power, you have to Turbo it.

Slant type was used by Dodge in the 60's and early 70's. It wasn't as good as the rest of the different type engine. Eventhough it's almost the same as the Incline, it still doesn't compare to it.

So I guess in conclusion, Flat type engine must be the best then. Does anybody have a different point of view?

[mwh27]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

You forgot Wankel Rotary ;)

The "best" really is vauge in your post.

A huge analysis of all the types, materials, cost and reliability should show what "best" is.

On another note, the example of HP/litre in Porches' is weak, because that is just a very well designed engine from a $$$ company. When I was at Galleria Ferrari they had a 1 cylinder engine that developed over 70bhp NA. Ovbiously this was just a prototype and too expensive, even for Ferrari.

[HokieBird]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

You forgot Wankel Rotary ;)

Rotary is the most efficient and probably has the best power to litter ratios. The Wankels do have issues, but there are evolutions of the rotary out there (not in any mass produced car) that don't suffer from the same problems and are actually much more efficient.

The specific one I'm thinking of has rotors that aren't one piece. They flex as they go around the combustion chamber. This allows them to make a crank that is prefectly straight so you don't lose any energy pushing the crank up and down. I'll post the link if I ever find it.

Isn't the slant technically an inline?

[KBeezy]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

Rotary motors though DO create some nasty emissions! What do you expect though when its burning oil and gasoline at the same time by design?


You did forget boxer motors though ;) A design that has been around for decades and has proven itself to be powerful AND economical. From air-cooled VDubs to 400+ horsepower Porsches.

[mwh27]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

Rotary motors though DO create some nasty emissions! What do you expect though when its burning oil and gasoline at the same time by design?


You did forget boxer motors though ;) A design that has been around for decades and has proven itself to be powerful AND economical. From air-cooled VDubs to 400+ horsepower Porsches.

I assumed that was a "flat" motor.....

There are two main types of flat engine:

* The boxer engine, also known as a horizontally opposed engine, in which the corresponding pistons reach top dead centre simultaneously, thus balancing each other with respect to momentum. Flat engines with four or fewer cylinders are most commonly boxer engines.

* The 180° V engine, in which corresponding pistons share a crank pin, and thus each will reach top dead centre half a crankshaft revolution after the other. Flat engines with more than six cylinders are most commonly V engines.

N3wb ;)

[Vracer111]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

Forgot W-configurations... kinda like two V's siamesed together (Bugatti Veyron with a W-16)

Flat (boxers) engines are great for torque and power output per Liter. The flat 12 has to be my favorite motor, whether it be Ferrari or Porsche. Though rotaries are pretty neat engines as well!

[Mighty Thor]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

W-16 engine. Wow, I didn't even see this one.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-200...W16-Engine.htm

[Oi Bird V8]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

the w types are nuts.. i think there pretty cool

[V6Bob]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

The flat engine can provide power.

But there's more design considerations to a fast car than power. The flat engine is enormously wide, which can cause problems with packaging. For example, in a Formula car it would interfere with the aerodynamic tunnels used.

The V engine (with an angle less than 180) is more compact. Generally this advantage rules, and most high performance/race cars are V configuration. VW makes very narrow angle V engines to get the most compact configuration possible. Race cars prefer a somewhat larger angle to get better intakes/exhausts.

A W engine is shorter than a V, which can be important with a lot of cylinders, like 16.

[RedFrk13]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

Check this out. Looks interesting.

http://www.angellabsllc.com/

[tdz16]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

Forgot radial engines..... :-)

[KBeezy]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

I assumed that was a "flat" motor.....

There are two main types of flat engine:

* The boxer engine, also known as a horizontally opposed engine, in which the corresponding pistons reach top dead centre simultaneously, thus balancing each other with respect to momentum. Flat engines with four or fewer cylinders are most commonly boxer engines.

* The 180° V engine, in which corresponding pistons share a crank pin, and thus each will reach top dead centre half a crankshaft revolution after the other. Flat engines with more than six cylinders are most commonly V engines.

N3wb ;)

ROFL - shows how old school I am, I thought you were talking about flathead V8s.. LOL.. And was wondering how the hell you came up with all that for a Flathead motor! LOL

[4thgenowner]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

I want to build a blown Flathead V8.:drool:

sounds sooo good!

[Everglades W68]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

As a former owner of an 81 Mustang with an I6 engine (and all the mighty fury of its 90 horsepower), I'm all for V's!

[mcgodx]

Re: Which type of engine is the best

My favorite is the flat type. Did you know the engine in the new 911 GT3 has the best power/liter ratio of any N/A production (piston) engine? That's what Porsche says, I haven't looked into it, but that's gotta say something.

115.2778 hp/L