In this informative article we will discuss about V-engines and their types, diagram, pros and cons in detail.
What is a V-Engine?
A V engine is a type of internal combustion engine. It has two sets of cylinders arranged in a ‘V’ shape. They are angled between 60 and 90 degrees. They are usually placed over the crankshaft.
V engines have even number of cylinders. Example 2, 4, 6, or 8. In simple inline engines, cylinders are in a straight line. In V engines the design is more complex. The V engine takes up less space. Here more cylinders can be added. This helps to boosts the engine’s torque, horsepower, and capacity.
What Are The Main Parts of V Engine?
Below are the main components of a V Engine Construction:
- Air cleaner
- Engine manifold
- Spark plug
- Fuel injector
- Injector rocker arm
- Injector control shaft
- Injector rack
- Camshaft
- Push rod
- Exhaust valve
- Cylinder head
- Cylinder liner
- Piston
- Piston rings
- Piston cooling oil pipe
- Connecting rod
- Crankshaft
- Crankshaft counterweight
- Crankcases
- Oil pan and oil level gauge
- Water inlet jumper and manifold
- Starter motor
A V engine is shorter and wider than an inline engine, which is common for engines with less than six cylinders. The difference gets bigger as more cylinders are added.
The length difference between an H-twin and a straight-twin engine is small, but V8 engines are much shorter than straight engines. Compared to the less common flat engine, a V engine is taller, narrower, and has a higher center of mass.
Engines with fewer cylinders have different balances based on firing intervals, crankshaft counterweights, and balance shafts. In V engines, two cylinders from opposite banks often share crankpins with an offset between them.
Working of a V-Engine
The gasoline-powered four-stroke engine and the V engine work in a similar way. In a V engine, air and fuel are drawn into the cylinders, where the gas is then compressed and ignited.
The combustion in the closed, compressed chambers creates a lot of pressure. This force is transferred to the pistons, pushing them downward.
The pistons then move upward to expel the accumulated gas. This process repeats in a cycle, causing the crankshaft to rotate in a circular motion. The cycle happens in different cylinders at different times to keep the power delivery smooth.
What Are The Main Types Of V-Engines?
V-engines are classified into many types based on the cylinder that is used. Following are the main types of V-Engines:
V2 Engine
V2 engines, also called V-twin engines, have two cylinder chambers and take up less space due to their small size. In 1889, Daimler Stahlradwagen introduced the V engine’s working principle in their cars. Today, these engines are commonly used in motorcycles because of their compact design.
V4 Engine
V-twin engine is rarely used in cars because of complex design. It is less common than other types of engine.
A V4 engine has two pairs of cylinders. They are connected to the crankshaft. Four cylinders are arranged at 90 degrees. This boost performance. Its design is highly complex and costly to manufacture. It runs smoother in terms of power and rigidity compared to an inline-4 (I4) engine.
V6 Engine
The V6 engine is the most popular six-cylinder arrangement. It has two sets of three cylinders attached to the crankshaft. They are attached at an angles of 60, 90, or 120 degrees. It’s smaller, lighter, and more compact than V8 and V12 engines. It offers better fuel efficiency and reduced vibration.
Due to their space efficiency and improved aerodynamics, V6 engines are commonly found in sedans in the United Arab Emirates. Starting in Grand Prix 2022, F1 cars are only allowed to use turbocharged V6 engines.
V8 Engine
In 1903, engineers developed V8 engines following the success of V2 engines. A V8 engine has 8 cylinders. They are arranged in two sets of four. They are joined at a 90-degree angle by a crankshaft.
This engine is compact and lightweight. It is known for delivering high combustion power. This allows cars to accelerate quickly. Thanks to two cylinders always powering the stroke. V8 engines are commonly used in premium and exotic vehicles. This helps to reduce engine compartment size and improve driving efficiency.
V10 Engine
A V10 engine is a ten-cylinder engine. Two banks of five cylinders are arranged in a V shape around a single crankshaft. It is less common than V8 or V12 engines.
V10 engines are typically used in sports cars and high-performance vehicles. They are more practical than inline 10-cylinder engines. The first V10 diesel engines were made in 1965. The first V10 petrol engine debuted in the Dodge Viper in 1991.
V12 Engine
The V12 engine is one of the most powerful in the automotive industry. They also have cylinders typically arranged at a 60-degree angle for better balance.
These engines are used in ships, airplanes, military vehicles, and other high-power applications because they generate the most horsepower.
V12 engines differ from V8 engines in design, shape, and performance. The V12 offering more power due to its ability to handle higher volumes. The Rolls-Royce Phantom-III was the first commercial vehicle to use a V12 engine.
V16 Engine
A V16 engine is a piston engine. It has two banks of eight cylinders arranged in a V shape around a single crankshaft. It less common than V8 and V12 engines. Most V16 engines have a 45-degree bank angle. The first use of a V16 engine was in the 1910 Antoinette VII experimental aircraft. Today, they are mainly found in railroad locomotives, marine vessels, and stationary power generators.
V18 Engine
A V18 engine has two banks of nine cylinders arranged in a V shape around a single crankshaft. This unique setup is mainly used in large, low-speed diesel engines.
V20 Engine
A V20 engine is a piston engine with two banks of ten cylinders arranged in a V shape around a single crankshaft. Large diesel V20 engines are used in various applications, including locomotives, haul trucks, electric generators, and marine engines.
V22 Engine
The V22 engine features a V-shaped design with 22 cylinders arranged in two banks. This layout provides a compact structure while delivering high power output.
V24 Engine
A V24 engine has two banks of twelve cylinders arranged in a V shape around a single crankshaft. In the early 1930s, the V24 engine powered the Macchi M.C.72 aircraft, which competed in the Schneider Trophy air races of 1931.
Pros And Cons Of V-Engine
| ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
|---|---|
| Wider Applications: Suitable for trucks, motorbikes, military vehicles, and airplanes. | Complex Design: Difficult for automakers to develop due to intricate design and assembly. |
| Superior Aerodynamics: Compact size improves aerodynamics. | Cooling Problems: Cooling issues are a significant drawback. |
| Increased Power Transmission: Smaller crankshafts transmit more power to the flywheel. | Increased Weight: Additional parts add to the engine’s weight. |
| Higher Torque: Better performance on tough terrain. | Higher Cost: More expensive compared to other engines, making vehicles with V engines considered luxurious. |
| Variety of Sizes: Available in sizes from two to twenty-four cylinders. | Less Fuel Efficiency: Generally less fuel efficient than other engine types. |
| Reduced Vibration and Noise: Less vibration and noise compared to some other engine layouts. |
What Are The Main Differences Between Inline and V-Engine?
| Aspect | Inline Engine | V Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Typically more efficient than V engines of the same size. | Less efficient compared to inline engines of the same size. |
| Complexity | Generally simpler and easier to maintain. | Typically more complex and difficult to maintain. |
| Size and Shape | Long and narrow; often mounted transversely in small cars. | Compact design. |
| Cooling | Can be more challenging to cool, especially in air-cooled engines. | Generally easier to cool. |
| Center of Gravity | Low center of gravity due to its wide and flat layout. | Higher center of gravity compared to inline engines. |
| Camshafts | Requires half the number of camshafts as a V engine when using overhead cams. | Requires more camshafts compared to inline engines with overhead cams. |
| Manufacturing Costs | Often lower manufacturing costs compared to V engines. | Can have higher manufacturing costs compared to inline engines. |
| Vibration | Generally less vibration-prone. | More vibration-prone compared to inline engines. |
Conclusion
That’s all for now! Thanks for reading. I hope I covered everything about the V Engine. Let me know if I missed anything or if you have any questions!
