From howstuffworks website...

 

"A V-8 engine is much smoother because it has eight evenly spaced EXPLOSIONS instead of one big EXPLOSION. Another reason is starting torque. When you start a V-8 engine, you are only driving two cylinders (1 liter) through their compression strokes, but with one big cylinder you would have to compress 4 liters instead."

http://www.howstuffworks.com/engine6.htm

 

my "Ladybird book of engines" also says this, doesnt mean its right!!!

 

iv seen many "non technical" documents using incorrect terminolagy many times. try to remember that!

 

doesnt help when people like you read such things i agree.

 

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I feel the need, the need for speed!

 

I am sure according to that site, not looked at it in a while or it could be another, it says that Inline 6 are perfectly balanced or V-12.

 

 

http://www.howstuffworks.com/question366.htm

I seen that before.

Who was it who posted a like that was something like every thing you needed to know about engines.

 

Very interesting. Went into more detail about it all.

 

I have been an a single cylinder bike. BMW 650. The ride was suprisingly smooth, but sitting at lights you can feel the piston going up and down. Quite strange. Anyway the single cylinder made it have a lot of torque.

BUT.... if you had a 4 litre SINGLE piston engine - It would have the most AMAZIMG powerband - and the exhaust noise would be incredible!!!

 

 

 

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Simon

Yeah, like a dumper truck or a steam engine ! LOL

Originally posted by WillyEd:

BUT.... if you had a 4 litre SINGLE piston engine - It would have the most AMAZIMG powerband - and the exhaust noise would be incredible!!!

 

 

Wouldn't it have to have a VERY short stroke? Otherwise you'd need a con rod the thickness of your arm to prevent the piston being launched into orbit? Also, I would have thought an engine like that would have a 'red-line' of about 1000rpm for the same reason (but then again I know nothing)

 

 

andy / x-biker - true, true!! it would be an absolute tractor - and would sound like a combine harvestor - which incidently have some bizarre engines in them: twin cylinder engines - pistons the width of paint cans, and valves the length of a pint glass and the valve head the same diameter!

 

...and yes they're run out of puff @ 1,500 rpm! muhahaha - reminds me of a dodge viper! LOL

By design there are NO explosions in a petrol engine. The fuel/air burns very quickly. One has to question anyone who thinks there are explosions in a petrol engine, unlike diesel..

Originally posted by markstevens:

By design there are NO explosions in a petrol engine. The fuel/air burns very quickly. One has to question anyone who thinks there are explosions in a petrol engine, unlike diesel..

 

Define EXPLOSION smart-**** .