Best engine configuration??

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nomosnow

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What do you think??

I think that an engine that doesn't require counter balancers is the best.

So... Here is my list.

2 cylinder 90 degree V- twin

4 cylinder 90 degree V - four

4 cylinder horizontally opposed boxer

6 cylinder Inline

All these engines have perfect primary and secondary balance. Anybody want to add to the list or what about an imperfect engine configuration how about ready for it ...........

45 degree v-twin :yahoo:

 
best for what......?????

There is no single engine configuration that is best for everything.....that is why there are so many different types of engines.

I would vote for the 90 degree V8 being the best all round engine configuration, though. As evidenced by the fact that there are so many different 90 degree V8s in the world from all types of manufacturers for the last 100 years.

 
best for what......?????
There is no single engine configuration that is best for everything.....that is why there are so many different types of engines.

I would vote for the 90 degree V8 being the best all round engine configuration, though. As evidenced by the fact that there are so many different 90 degree V8s in the world from all types of manufacturers for the last 100 years.
I guess I was thinking best for"Mechanical excellence" ie smooth power delivery , V-8s are great got a couple of them myself on the other hand I also like thumpers as long as they are counterbalanced and the balancer shaft is not chain driven. "

But for a motorcycle got to love the 90 degree v-4 ,narrow as a parallel twin and it just has" mechanical excellence".

Inline fours are easy to work on but they've got that secondary vibration buzz that needs twin balance shafts to eliminate that is not IMO mechanical excellence.

 
Gawd....this is going to be a long winter. :dribble:
It's 7:00, pitch black and 48 degrees and dropping. 4 months of pure hell. :angry:

 
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Got to love the fact our Cali winters aren't so bad. Those sunny 60 degree winter days are pure hell when out on the bike. PM. <>< :lol:

 
What do you think?? I think that an engine that doesn't require counter balancers is the best.

So... Here is my list.

2 cylinder 90 degree V- twin

4 cylinder 90 degree V - four

4 cylinder horizontally opposed boxer

6 cylinder Inline

All these engines have perfect primary and secondary balance. Anybody want to add to the list or what about an imperfect engine configuration how about ready for it ...........

45 degree v-twin :yahoo:
I don't remember what it had for a motor but I took a friend's WRX Sti out for a test drive one afternoon. Does that car had the trad. Subaru boxer 4 banger? He was eggin me on to really get into it and I couldn't really do it on public roads-car scared the **** out of me with it's speed and handling. That motor, in that car, was about the most balanced I've had the pleasure of. Pure adrenaline w/o the big block rumble. It was odd.

 
Too bad he left the room (seemed a tad unhappy too), but electric motors pumping hydraulic fluid to hydraulic motors are pretty smooth, and there's always small turbines for fun!

 
The Subaru WRX STi has a 2.5 liter boxer 4. Extremely smooth and puts out an advertised 300 HP at the crank.....all of them I've seen dynoed ( many ) put out around 240 to 245 HP at the wheels ( AWD ). I've got the same engine block in a Forester model that we've now got up to 338 HP at the wheels....close to 400 HP at the crank. There is still a lot of power to be had ( this is one stout power plant ) but I've gone as far as I'm going because I don't want to lose drivability around town. Makes for a real fun car.

 
Missing from list:

60-degree V12, or 90-degree V16!!

Ok, those would be a little bulky for a bike, but I have seen a bike with an 800cc 32v V8 at the Barber museum (click for full-size):



Lack of imbalance doesn't make it "better" necessarily, just more comfortable. And there's nothing wrong with balance shafts, other than a little extra tonnage to carry around. And firing timing can be played with by using offset crank journals, so there's another consideration.

Generally more cylinders = smoother.

 
My 240 sx had a v4, with an 80hp shot of nitrous. It was really smooth until you hit the little red button. That was fun, until the engine blew up!

 
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