Does Size Matter?
 

Which engine would have an easier time going up a steep hill:

1. A small 3.8 V8
2. A large 3.2 V6
   
   I was wondering what are the differences in terms or engine wear, power, engine strain etc.....
   

what do they have for a tranny and rear end? (did I just say that??? sorry hehe)

I guess we can ASSume that the transmissions are compatable.

In other words, I want to know which engine is theoretically working harder to put out horsepower, a smaller V8 or larger V6?

Ahhhh, Crap! I remember this debate from years ago, when the V6 resurfaced in autos. Wish I had taken notes!

V6 engines have been used in construction and allied equipment for a great many years before the Automobile. GM used V6 in PU trucks and Kaiser Jeeps used Buick's version, all in the early 60's. After the oil crunch of the 70's, V6's resurfaced as the "savior" by providing power and economy. Sure...

The most notable difference with the engines you mention is the Power-Pulse interval. There are those who will swear since the power pulses are closer together in the V8 as opposed to the V6, the V8 will provide more torque and last longer due to lower component strain. This is perhaps a generalization, and is a bit simplistic for the most part.

In your question, you ask for comparisons between a 3.8ltr V8, and a 3.2ltr V6. In this case, I have no doubt, with similar gearing, the 3.8ltr V8 will win about any contest. I base my answer simply on displacement. The 3.8ltr V8 is larger by some 36 or so cubic inches. No doubt the V8 will most likely be smoother running. This, too is too simplistic, simply because the bore/stroke of the engines can be configured so differently, and the compression ratios can vary a lot so that power output between the two can vary significantly. Couple this with SOHC, DOHC, etc valve-train designs, etc and the variables keep tallying.

Now, if all things were otherwise equal (engine design, valve train, etc), then I restate my belief the V8 will win any contest.

The best method of answering this question would to be to look at the power/torque curves v/s rpm. Typically, again a generalization, a V8 will develop its maximum Torque lower in the RPM band than a engine of similar size, but fewer cylinders. Torque is what you need to focus on, as HP is a function of torque.

All this said, the V8 will have an easier time pulling the grade...

I agree. In the most simple form, it's larger.

it is about 12 cu in, actually. 38 cu in would be around .6 liter.

it is a tough call cause the v6 will have larger cylinders. the displacement is close so the v6 might have torque coming on at a lower rpm.

remember the elsinore honda dirt bikes? a one cylinder 500cc. they were noted for their lugging power.

the v6 also might have a bit less internal friction loss.

and it would depend on the hill along with all the previously mentioned factors in the engine design.

so i think the answer is "it depends..."

interesting question. is it leading to a decision on your part?

tom w

It seems to me he's trying to compare the m116 3.8L V8 to the m113 3.2L V6 - these engines have such different designs (they're nearly 20 years apart) that its like apples and oranges.

3.8 minus 3.2 equal .6 No?

Oh!
 

:confused: I thought the "Does size matter thread" was about something else.

Never mind . . .

are we having a quiz later?

How YOU doin'?
 

See you over on the Mistress Heather thread!

All being equal/similar...bigga mo betta no?

Having 2 engines of equal displacement...I'd go for the L6:D
Between v6 and v8...I'd go for the 8. smooda mo betta
Didn't Mazda offer a coupe in the 80's w/ choice of small 6 or same size 4?


Now what uses more gas on a hill...top gear floored just maintaining x mph
or lower gear w/ just part throttle at x mph?

Back in my drag racing days we had two sayings: (1) Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go? (2) There is no substitue for cubic inches.

about cubic inches
 

"No replacement for displacement"
:vbac47679

5280Benz said: "No replacement for displacement"
________________________________________________________________
Ten-Four and a gallon on nitro on that one........bring on the hemis!!!

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.