Why do the number of cylinders on a V-engine effect whether a 60 or 90 degree design is preferable?

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This might be too technical a question for but I think I’ve missed something fundamental perhaps in geometry or physics so it might not be:

V6 and V12 engines often have cylinder banks at 60 degrees from one another, and V8 and V16 usually have them at 90 degrees from one another or an additional balance part is added.

Why is this? How is a V6 at 60 degrees smoother than one at 90 degrees? Is this even correct? Are there situations you’d want to use the ‘wrong’ one deliberately except to reuse a factory?

In: Engineering

4 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

yeah engines are wild huh. so the angle affects how smooth the engine runs. 60 degrees provides better balance and less vibrations. V6 engines at that angle just shake less. V8’s at 90 degrees create more power but can feel rougher. kinda like how a skateboard rolls smoother on flat ground compared to bumpier paths. sometimes companies stick with an angle for cost or tradition. but hey every design has its charm

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