It's very straighforward.

If the differentials are the same and the tires are the same, the engine with more horsepower will have the "easier" time climbing the hill.

Or, the engine with more horsepower can climb the hill faster........

No further discussion of V6 or V8 is required.

An engine with greater horsepower will climb the hill faster than an engine with greater torque, provided that the gearing allows the engine with the greater horsepower to achieve the rpm where the maximum horsepower is produced.

Focusing on torque is only applicable if there is no proper gearbox.

If . . .
 

If a train leaves San Francisco traveling west at 120MPH at 7:00PM and another train leaves Katmandu traveling east at 73MPH and then . . .

...be sure there is a bypass siding...

tom w

oh sorry. i was thinking it was a 3.6 liter v6....


duuuuuh

wait wait.... i thought you were speaking in terms of newton cubes meters...thingies.

tom w

The reason I'm questioning the V8 vs. V6 is my hill problem.

I've only had this vehicle for about 6 months.

This 380 SEL is heavy and the V8 only puts out 155 hp. I was wondering whether this is enough power to lug the five of us and the car up the mountain everyday?

My wife's Toyota Sienna puts out 255 hp. and has no problems. My Toyota Matrix puts out 188 hp and flys up the hill.

I love the MB but I'm worried that its way under powered.

More cylinders are usualy better. The more you have the smoother the engine.

Ferrari is pretty good at making very powerful 2L-3L V12's.:D

What speed do you wish to drive up the mountain?

That would determine if it's underpowered.........or not.

Getting closer to an answer
 

Thanks Hattersguy:

My question relates to engine "strain."

Assuming that engine technology is the same, which engine works "harder"?

• A V6 with larger cylinder heads?
• A V8 with more but smaller cylinder heads?

So, which engine would work harder to produce a certain amount of power?

If they both put out the same power, they would work about the same.

Smoothness and power are two totaly different things. A 150hp 4 cylinder is a rough little motor compared to your 150hp V8.

that 380 will do just fine with all the people you can cram in it.

imho

tom w

Doc,
May I respectfully suggest you sell the 380, and find a 1990=ish 560... If a sedan is not necessary, a 1991 560 SEC. very classy ride, and you will not worry about powering up the hills anymore.