Inline 6 vs V6

[GHOST 2.2]

any advantages on an I6 vs a V6 vise versa?

i always wondered that.

difference of power etc.

[Specter]

inline = torque
V = horsepower

nuff said

[Masamune]

inline = torque
V = horsepower

nuff said

He fuckin beat me to it!

[NAiL05]

Inline 6 sounds better than a V6 also IMO.

[lil_dcb7]

Inline 6 sounds better than a V6 also IMO.

x100

[daived]

inline 6 has a larger form factor than a v6. so if you have a v6 the same size as a i6, then itll have larger displacement, and probably a lower center of gravity.

[wrichards2005]

I've been told that Inline 6's are some of the most efficient engines ever created. My friends dad has a straight-6 jeep with 375,000 miles on it.

[93EXaesthetic]

hmmm i was under the impression the flat six has more power output....ill have to do my research...

I think the inline six is better for boost..... ie Supra..lexus is 300

im not 100% sure on what i said

also the inline 6 has better balancing than the v6... i read some cool stuff on how engines work on howstuffworks.com

hey you didnt mention the boxer engine

[gloryaccordy]

inline = torque
V = horsepower

nuff said

What? Where'd you hear that?

In any case, inlines are better for boost and revving as theres less stress on the bearings. However, manufacturers have been moving away from inline 6's as they're hard to package efficiently and they're stupid heavy. BMW might be the last company to offer them in cars... Nissan, Toyota, etc. have all moved to the V's...

[tunerman]

i've heard that inline engines have more life than a v engine

[deevergote]

Inline 6s have a longer crankshaft than the V motors do... which makes them prone to warping, especially at high revs. I'm still not much of a fan of the V configuration (one up, two down... or vice versa) but it IS a sound design. The inline 6 is just more exotic, IMO!

[GHOST 2.2]

thats guys... the reason why im asking is cause im gettin an sc300. Joining the dark side and going RWD. I just never knew the advantages of an inline 6 vs a v6. So what im hearing is that the inline has a better advantage for the most part.

whats the difference in sound?

[SteveB]

inline = torque
V = horsepower

Please explain why.

[owequitit]

There is no real advantage to either, honestly. All of the former disadvantages of the V configuration have been worked out by technology.

For instance. Inline sixes used to be renowned for their smoothness, but a 60 degree V angle made the V6 just as smooth, without needing any balance shafts, because at that angle it is inherently balanced.

Straight sixes used to have better torque, and I am not sure what mitigated that technologically, but the effect has been lessened. Cubic Inch for Cubic inch, they seem to still have a slight advantage, although it is nowhere near what it once was. If I had to venture a guess, I would say it probably has to do with the angles that the forces are applied to the crankshaft.

It is slightly easier to plumb a straight six, because much like an I4, you just hang manifolds off the side, whereas in a V6, you have to stuff the IM into the V. A properly packaged V6 will actually consume LESS space than a typical I4 also (as is the case with Hondas J series V6). I am sure packaging is one of the main reasons for the drive to V6, especially in front drive applications (and on rear drive apps, they can still share the engine like Nissan does with the VQ).

The block on a straight six is much larger than a V6 which results in more weight, without any corresponding strutural benefit.

Because of the length of the crank, they used to be much more prone to torsional vibrations, and put much more stress on bearing/caps etc. I think modern structural design has mitigated this somewhat. BMW's new 3.0 liter inline six spins to 7 grand and makes power the whole way so...

Also, a properly exhausterized V6 will sound everybit as good as a straight six, just slightly different. I have heard Accord V6s with nice exhausts that sounded better than a I6.

Today, you really won't go wrong either way.

[According2Aaron]

My father had a 1968 Ford F-100 with a 240 cubic inch inline-6. That truck was tougher than nails. It'd haul just about anything. If it's as good as Ford inline-6 engines, go for it.