keithe@teklabs.UUCP (06/13/83)
A recent article mentioned the superiority of a V8 in the low-end torque department. I always thought a 6 cylinder had the better low-end torque, but that the V8 would have a broader torque-vs-rpm curve. Isn't that why the hi-class racing engines use 12 (smaller) cylinders than a 6 or an 8? And isn't that why the Ford 300 cu in 6 cylinder is a preferred truck engine over the 302 V8? keith ericson at teklabs
rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (06/14/83)
Yes, your point is basically correct. Perhaps a better statement is that larger engine displacement provides greater torque, and since most V-8s are larger than most sixes, typical V-8s have greater torque. As you said, however, if you compare an 8-cylinder and a 6-cylinder engine of equal displacement, the six will typically provide more torque. The disadvantages of the equal-size six are 1)lack of smoothness, compared to an eight, and 2)higher piston mass and inertia. Thus, the equal-size eight would probably rev higher (given a supportive valve train), and could have other advantages in terms of more even fuel burning in the smaller cylinders. As another example, old BSA single-cylinder 500 cc bikes (thumpers?) have great gobs of torque, but are very tiring to ride, from all the vibrations.