Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/26/83; site ihuxk.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!hou5f!hou5a!hou5d!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxk!rs55611 From: rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: 'v8, sixes and torque' Message-ID: <355@ihuxk.UUCP> Date: Tue, 14-Jun-83 12:40:10 EDT Article-I.D.: ihuxk.355 Posted: Tue Jun 14 12:40:10 1983 Date-Received: Thu, 16-Jun-83 02:04:04 EDT References: <2078@teklabs.UUCP> Organization: BTL Naperville, Il. Lines: 13 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.