Quote:
Originally posted by PaulC
Part of the answer relies upon certain design elements of a particular V6. Generally speaking, an engine that has an inline cylinder configuration will usually be smoother in operation than a vee engine of the same displacement with the same number of cylinders.
The smoothness of a vee engine is impacted by the angle of the vee. For the best possible result in smoothness, the angle should be equal to the following formula: 720 degrees/ number of cylinders. As such, an optimal vee angle for a V8 would be 720/8 or 90 degrees, which is the vee angle for most V8's. For a six, 720/6 or 120 degrees. This is a pretty wide angle, which makes for a wide engine that would be difficult to package under the hood of most cars. Most V6 engines sold today have a 60 degree vee, which is not optimal, but allows the engine to fit in the car. An exception is the 3800 V6 sold by GM and used in many front-drive applications. This engine, for ease of production on engine manufacturing lines already set up for V8 production, has a 90 degree vee. GM has partially countered the vibration inherent in this engine with an unusual crankshaft design.
There. I've told you more than I know.
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I have really enjoyed reading this post;
I understand that a 120degree V6 is pretty wide, so why not make a flat 6 like Porsche?
In addition the flat 6's are very smooth.