Engine Layouts - Explained (V6, I6, V8, W12)

[@Pinballe1]

I wish you were my engineering teacher back in school You're so intelligent.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks!

[@SolaricSage116]

200th Like.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Imagine how much you could learn in 3 hours, simply scrolling through my videos! Glad you enjoyed!

[@Nas7algiaPlugg]

🔥🔥🔥

[@mbaymahubert1656]

best explanation ever, thank you very much

[@fabiodadone3249]

no, that's not

[@Xailow]

So young! It's awesome to see how far you've come!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Inline 6's are balanced by design, a V6 design, although more compact, requires more counterbalance to reduce vibrations.

[@ArmyProperty]

Oddball question, how well-balanced are VR-6 engines???

[@juliandaube3081]

8 years old video, still okay

[@emmanuelelias3487]

12 years now

[@TernyCZ]

@@emmanuelelias3487 13 years now

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yes, the vibrations created from power strokes are balanced out in an inline six, where as you have to add more counterweight to the crankshaft in V6's to balance out the forces. That said, the compactness of the V design can be advantageous.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Will I make a video, eventually. But until then I'll give you some small insight on your second question. Short stroke will have lower torque, but because the piston is moving less, higher rpms, so relatively higher horsepower (than if the car had only lower rpms). Long stroke has higher torque, but due to angles, and the inertia of the traveling piston, they operate at lower rpms (relatively lower power).

[@radio_silence8832]

Man your videos have come a long way. 10yr old video, still great information. Thank you.

[@austineleo5839]

Yeah right 👍🏽

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yes, I remember seeing one at the Portland Auto Expo this year.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Good suggestion, I was just trying to get the basics down with this video.

[@EngineeringExplained]

@anish4 Sure, the oil will shift to the side in the oil pan, but within the engine (where the wear is going to occur) the layers of oil between moving parts are confined and very thin, so the g forces of a corner will have little effect.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Very welcome - I'm Jason. More info on my "about" tab. :)

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yes, Vector made a car called the "W8" due to it's engine design. Can be a little difficult to wrap your head around the firing order and such.

[@EngineeringExplained]

That's a good question. I think size is the answer. Flat engines take up more space (dimension wise, not including height) than V-shaped or inline engines. If you were to have a flat 8 it would be enormous. Porsche uses flat sixes though, just an FYI. So my answer to you is space, though I think it could be done, and would definitely have benefits. (Except when you had to change spark plugs! haha)

[@SkullAngel002]

@ Engineering Explained - First of all, great video clarifying the different configurations. @ Shreyas Mohite - I think the reason V-types are more customary is because it's been popular with cars for domestics going all the way back to the 50's, then up to the muscle car era, and so forth. Similar to how I-4 engines have been (and continue to be) a staple configuration for small economy cars for both domestic and import flavors.

[@EngineeringExplained]

1. A shorter crankshaft is typically superior as the forces will not bend or warp the shaft (a longer shaft could experience this issue keeping strength the same). Lighter is typically always better, as long as it's balanced. So a shorter shaft will be lighter, meaning less weight and less rotational inertia to overcome. 2. I believe you're confusing flat with "straight" or "inline." Inline 4's are common because they're economical, easy to balance, easy to maintain, and fit easily in FWD/RWD.

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

huh

[@EngineeringExplained]

Well you can have a single valvetrain rather than one over each cylinder bank; 2 camshafts rather than 4. Not only does it have less moving parts, but it's typically easier to work on also. If the head gasket goes, you replace it. But a head gasket could go on a single side of your V style or flat engine, and you'd probably still replace both to be sure. Also, inline 6's are balanced, requiring less counterweight.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Glad I could help!

[@hanoman78]

2020,and his explanation is still reliable 👍👍👍

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thank you, glad you enjoy them!!

[@crimsonstang]

I'm glad you grew up, Jason.

[@mjstan94]

I've Seen a w12 Crankcase opened up. It has the same layout as a V12, just the cranks are really thin so the pistons/cylinders can be squished into the small header. To say its 2 V6s is a bit wrong, its 2 VR6s . Its a really short engine, the same length as an I4

[@Koozar]

You absolute legend, I cant make sense of so much crap I read about car engineering but you explain it perfectly, now I know why Subarus handle so well with a boxer engine!

[@ryanreber89]

thanks man, just getting into working on cars for hobby/cheaper to get fixed. appreciate the vid, looking forward to watching more.

[@shadowfourgolf]

Damn, I'm here to learn and seeing how you've progressed all these years is inspiring.

[@ruffethereal1904]

Thank you for this video, it's very interesting to finally learn about why exactly people would desire a V8 or a V6.

[@EngineeringExplained]

@SuperTauta I don't know of one, but it may. There are others with 7 or so pistons around a similar axis (creating a circle of pistons).

[@virenvs905]

where's the "hello everyone" ?

[@calise1628]

Viren vs and welcome

[@nightynine4061]

Budget cuts.

[@leonradschinski-gorman8738]

😂 I was wondering too

[@EngineeringExplained]

No, they fire sequentially. In a four-stroke four cylinder engine 1 cylinder will fire every 180 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft. It takes 2 full revolutions of the crank for every cylinder to fire (thus four strokes).

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yep, there are engines with basically 4 banks. It looks somewhat like a V style engine, with two rows of cylinders on each side of the "V." Search W12 or W16 engine animation on YT for some videos.

[@billthecat2410]

One of my favorite motors came with the Ferrari 512 Boxer. As the name implies it comes with a flat 12 engine. The boxer motors are called inherently balanced with the crankshaft centered between the pistons and can be built to handle higher RPMs. Those motors are almost impossible to blow up. The I6 design is on the other end with a lot of stress on the long crankshaft. Came in Jags and Datsun Z cars. there were some old Packard I8's that snapped crankshafts in half in you reved them too high

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

nice

[@EngineeringExplained]

@trilakersnbachamps Correct. You can youtube "w12 animation" and find some examples for exactly how they are. Or check out the veyron's w16, it's fairly impressive.

[@15october91]

Jason, I remember watching this video many years ago. ( I think) This was the first video I watched of yours.

[@EngineeringExplained]

I would head to my website and check out "Lesson 2." I've got most of my videos organized into a logical manner. The link is in the description. :)

[@leandrorickz3446]

Hey man 2jz and the 1jz, please could you make a video on those with the differences, and the advantages and disadvantages. Im really interested in understanding those and I cant find a video anywhere explaining them. By the way, you are doing a great job!

[@olihorwood3211]

1JZ is 2.5 litre TT, 2JZ is 3 litre TT. More power from a 2jz and obviously all supporting upgrades, etc.

[@kylehornswoggle123]

2jz is a twincam 1jz is a single cam

[@olihorwood3211]

kyle vartanian no, its not. Even the G in the name 1JZ-GTE means DOHC

[@EngineeringExplained]

Boxer* engine. Boxster is a Porsche model. One could counter your statement by saying that engines should not be placed behind the rear axle of a car, decreasing agility by increasing the moment of inertia on the vertical axis of the car, as well as the increased probability of oversteer. But, fortunately for you and I, both Subaru and Porsche engineers know very well what they're doing.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yep, old school. I unfortunately never made the intelligent switch to the 89.

[@EngineeringExplained]

What about the ones that Lancia and Ford used to make? Or perhaps the ones in Honda and Yamaha motorcycles? Actually there are quite a few motorcycles that have used this set up.

[@alexnds1]

Keep in mind that volumetric efficiency is also involved, not just firing order. For example, a Ferrari V12, of 5.0 Liter displacement has about 300 LB-FT of torque but about 380 HP. But the old Ford 5.0 Liter V8, same size, had also 300 LB-FT of torque, but only 220 HP. Because 8 heavy pistons have more inertia than 12 tea-cup size pistons and can be fed by smaller and lighter valve train with less spring pressure than can open faster, and can supply air-fuel mixture at higher rotating rpm

[@EngineeringExplained]

Correct, it's really two VR6's. I simply didn't explain VR6 in this video.

[@EngineeringExplained]

It's done to balance the forces. You'll likely see layout at 60, 90, and 120 degrees.

[@386bigblack77]

Can you make an additional video, discussing the differences between the torque and horsepower derivations of the various engine configurations?

[@rohitchanda8461]

So diligently and thoroughly explained keeping it succinct at the same time! Subscribed ❤

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yes, and anything that moves, or supports movement. Fairly complex question, but the layout wouldn't be the leading cause of a different sound.

[@EngineeringExplained]

It's an 83+. Nothing fancy because I tend to lose my stuff (or give it away to thieves). I believe this is my 3rd or 4th.

[@GeraldGuevara]

Probably not. Like you mentioned it's a luxury or saloon car. Much like a bentley or a Rolls royce. Maybe they put it there for smoothness.

[@lewis72]

Yes, you're correct. Many I4s don't have balancer shafts either! My initial response WAS format but it got all bent up somewhere!

[@Oranger37]

Yea these small displacement motors have got to be making a come back with the whole "gas crisis" and newer technology for better tuning Your channel is awesome, i like showing my friends who dont know that much your videos because you simplify explanations and show diagrams Keep doing what your doing fight the good fight and like some other comments says you'd make a good teacher... for a honda boy XD

[@EngineeringExplained]

It could be done, yes. This is actually often done in tractor pull competitions.

[@kunalgurjar6698]

thanks for uploading such tech videos, it helps me alot, as being an electronic student understanding automobiles r alway abstruse to me, thanks to you, now i know what's really happening inside a car

[@joe_limon]

An added note would be that the inline 6 engine is harmonically balanced so it doesn't require heavy counterweights along the crank shaft in order to run smoothly.

[@EngineeringExplained]

The VW Phaeton has a W12 as an option, I've actually seen one on the road and was quite surprised to see that badge. And the Veyron, as you probably know, has a W16.

[@keloduma]

What I know about the W12 is that it's two VR6 engines mated to drive one crankshaft. A VR6 engine is a 15 degree bank V6. Some called it a staggered 6 because of the staggered pattern and strongly resembles a straight six in terms where the intake and exhaust manifold are placed.

[@Dmhowdy]

My thoughts were why the letters and I assume now because of the house. ThanI you! I came from a video about awd vs 4wd and I say these are the people we should recognize! Luv.

[@Papinak2]

You forgot that W engine can have another configuration with 3 cylinder banks - most common engine of this type is W18, which is like 3 inline six engines

[@EngineeringExplained]

That would maybe seem a tad more logical, but that's not how it works. Type "Veyron engine animation" in the search, there's some videos of it which will help you picture it better.

[@EngineeringExplained]

You are correct! My apologies; crazy that it's only 3.5 liters. Pretty small cylinders.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks!

[@zecc81]

I've heard another reason is crankshaft length. With so many forces pushing up and down on a long shaft, it tends to warp and bend. An answer would be to beef it up, but that would make it heavier and loose efficiency, so going to a V configuration after 6 in a row is logical. Notice that almost no engines ever exceed 6 in a row, and after exhausting the V configuration with 6 in a row, a V12, a W engine is used (W16). I'm sure the decision was made easier by space savings as well.

[@aquandur]

Good comparison of the different layouts. Sometimes the Flat 4 is also called "H4". And to be honest: I've never seen a W12 as you show it here. The Volkswagen W12 or Masserati W12 are a 1 1/2 V8, which means three cylinder-banks. But there might be some other constructions out there ;)

[@shantoreywilkins651]

tiefflieger 🎤🎤🎤🎤😍🎤🎤🎤 🎤🎤🎤🎤😍😍🎤🎤 🎤🎤🎤🎤😍🎤😍😍 🎤🎤🎤🎤😍🎤🎤🎤 🎤🎤🎤🎤😍🎤🎤🎤 🎤🎤🎤🎤😍🎤🎤🎤 🎤😍😍😍😍🎤🎤🎤 😍😍😍😍😍🎤🎤🎤 😍😍😍😍😍🎤🎤🎤 🎤😍😍😍🎤🎤🎤🎤

[@EngineeringExplained]

RX-8 does..

[@yvonnekiogora9942]

WOW very simply put. Thank you

[@EngineeringExplained]

Very welcome, thanks for watching!

[@agerars1618]

Agreed

[@swagger897]

@mj.. Such as the Porsche 911... It has a flat 6, not an Inline 6

[@EngineeringExplained]

Intake or integrated air/fuel module; the engine has 4 cylinders, dual overhead camshafts, and 16 valves. Check out my video "engines - explained" which should help make most of this clear.

[@STI_cy27]

Learned more from this video than I did at school today

[@EngineeringExplained]

Well, it evens out really. In a V engine the cylinder has gravity on it's side during intake and power strokes.

[@pallabmandal243]

This is a pretty old video of yours I am watching. I got this link from a google image. I normally watch your new videos. Even the old videos were great. You may not even watch this comment, but still I am complementing on this old video ;_) , that your videos are awesome for car nerds.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Could be on practically any layout - I have a video on VTEC if you're interested.

[@carmaster_2jz729]

I needed to find out what an W12 engine layout is. I FOUND OUT LOADS MORE! Thanks, ;)

[@EngineeringExplained]

There should be a few in comments below about it. Mainly motorcycles I believe.

[@saberlite8809]

Hey. Are you still liking old comments??

[@nicholasnovent2293]

Thank you sir for your explanation really easy to understand, for a newbie like me

[@DanielMartinezRomero]

Just missing a bit about engine smoothness, and why I6 or V12 among their relatives (I & V types) are almost perfect choices, as any flat engine. @ Engineering Explained: needless to say, great job!

[@o__morgann6253]

Woah well I stumbled across here because I’ve recently just really been thinking about the differences in motors and I looked it up and saw this video and even though it’s an older video it is still perfect! Thank you for informing so easily

[@EngineeringExplained]

Well, they're both 6 cylinders. But that's really all they share in common. I6 is much longer, V6 is more compact, balance is different on both.

[@hpwan2]

to be honest, I still prefer the straight 6: smooth and powerful. :)

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

^

[@AllInDrummer]

there is also a flat 5 and flat 6 in the 2.5 impreza and them porches :) anyway awesome work!

[@EngineeringExplained]

H, flat, or boxer all work in describing this type of engine.

[@vintageman91]

If you read that a car has a FR layout it means Front engine RWD so all the layouts i know of is FR. M-FR, FF, RR, MR, R4, F4 and M4 and i heard one case where a car had RF which is in most times the least necessary layout. M-FR is Mid-front RWD like some BMWs got.

[@hiddennetwork1518]

great to see this content and it is useful, even this was 10 years old one thank u sir

[@generaldistrust]

2022 here! nice to see ya so long ago!

[@TechNatureGaming]

balance because a 4 stroke means you use 720degrees firing not 360 so you devide 8 cylinders by 720 then a cylinder fires ever 90 degrees, by this you can see an engine is smoother the more cylinders it has, there are primary and secondary unbalences

[@aochider]

agreed. also you skipped the rotary engine, which i know is basically only used in mazdas rxs, but i think it still relevant to people like me who own rx7s. :D also, more detail about the performance characteristics of engines please! like why some engine layouts produce less vibration than others, how the layout might affect torque, etc.

[@macgyvermartin7347]

9 year old video, still awesome.

[@Prican777]

This is OG Engineering Explained! 👍

[@shotsbycollins7912]

i just love engineering you just have to do something with your brain and hands for a person to understand what is in your head

[@EngineeringExplained]

Comparing the engine layout typically isn't all that useful. A boosted I4 could out-power many naturally aspirated V8's out in the market. Also, engine size is a critical factor. I'd compare engine size, and aspiration, to have a better understanding of why one is more powerful. Then look to the valvetrain design and compression ratio, as well as rev limit. These will typically hint at the engine's power much better than the layout.

[@MrIrrepressible]

can you make video explaing the manual shifting feature on shift tronic automatic transmissions. Also could u do some vids of performance tuning parts like cold air intakes, intake spacers, exhaust diameter etc. thanks

[@seantan903]

Thanks :) your videos really did help me as a beginner in engine studies !

[@EngineeringExplained]

I prefer tonguing (verb?) the keyboard. Regardless, I wouldn't say that it's necessarily the best to have 4 valves/cyl, but it is more advanced than OHV. Though of course, you could have a poorly engineering DOHC engine and a well developed OHV engine (NASCAR does this).

[@rossbrumby1957]

I had a 4 valve ohv. Revved well, ultra reliable. Honda CX500. The turbo model was the fastest Honda up to 1200cc ( not incl race bikes!)

[@alexnds1]

A straight 6, because all the pistons are in a row, would be a high torque engine. A straight 6 engine is a BMW engine as an example. It would also be a smoother engine than a V6 of same displacement. Normally, in a V6, the engine is 60 degrees between the V shape, but in a V8, it's 90 degrees. The intake manifold sits inside the "V" shape and is nestled inside the V, to save space. In a straight 6, your intake system is on the side of the engine, to right or left of it & long hood needed

[@oldfashionedwrx3574]

I'd love to see a video of advantages and disadvantages in detail.

[@dewalt607]

@EngineeringExplained can you please do a video on catalytic converters or just exhaust pipes and cat deletes and stuff?

[@123rockstar2010]

Thank you man! Simple and easy to follow.

[@kal9001]

V's are more compact but in an OHC setup they need two valve trains one for each side of the V and this makes them more expencive. Boxers keep weight low and are also more compact but same as the V they need seperare value trains on each side of the engine if you want OHC. straights are cheaper and simpler to make, they only need one valve train for OHC but they can be long (like an I6 or I8) and also quite tall leading to a high center or mass. I think thats about it really.

[@j3d89]

inline 6 + 240z = love holy cow, this video looks like from the 90s, you look so much younger

[@lucienscarlet9688]

Recently saw a Gordon Murray interview where he said that the V12 was the perfect engine and that all other engine layouts were compromises. Any chance of you doing a video explaining the rationale behind this? He was somewhat derogatory towards V8's which surprised me. A V8 seems like the best engine option, still plenty of power but lighter than the V12. Any thoughts?

[@EngineeringExplained]

I should have a video on increasing hp with exhaust soon.

[@Martynaskuc]

In my opinion, boxer engine is one of the best engines because it produces big amount of power (wrx sti), and it is lghtweight