What is a V8 engine?

Question

What does "v" stand for? I know that V8 engines are more efficient than v6, or any thing less. How do more Vs make an engine more efficient?

Answer 1

The V comes from the fact that the engine has 4 cylinders on either side it that connect in the middle and is shaped like a V. engines like the V8 are usually less efficient, but more powerful.

Answer 2

Someone has been giving your wrong information. The higher the number the more gas you'll use up. The V stand for the way all 8 cylinders are aligned in. The most common alignment is a 60 degree angle which resembles a V. Four cylinder and very few 6 cylinder engines have the most efficiency and are aligned in a straight line. The six cylinder in a straight line is called a straight six. But a V6 is 3 cylinders on each side in the form of a V. A V8 has 4 cylinders on each side. Some manufacturers are trying to make V6 and V8 engines obtain the fuel efficiency of 4 cylinders by shutting down 2 or 3 cylinders during highway driving to save fuel.

On the flip side, the higher the number the more power you get from the engine. V8 engines are known for their horsepower and torque. However in the tuner market "4 cylinder street cars", people are finding accessories to make 4 cylinders perform like 8 cylinders. I hope this answers your question and makes you a little more knowledgeable when your out buying a car.

Answer 3

A V8 has 8 cylinders in a V formation. 4 on one side of the center line and 4 on the other.

They are not more efficient than a V6, they are more powerful and generally consume more gas. A V6 had 6 cylinders, 3 on one side and 3 on the other.

Some of the newer V8's have the ability to move to an efficient mode shutting down 4 of the eight cylinders once the car reaches a cruising speed. They can be more efficient.

Answer 4

V8 engine is called an engine that has 8 cylinders and they are form letter "V" if you look from the front (4 cylinders on one side, four on the other). V6 has 6 cylinders - 3 on one side, 3 on the other.
V8 is not more fuel - efficient than V6. In general, the more cylinders, the more gas the engine needs.

Answer 5

V refers to the geometry of the cylinders - in a V8, there are two banks of four cylinders each; each bank forming one leg of a "V". Same with V4, V6, V10, and V12, except 2, 3, 5, or 6 cylinders per bank. Angle at base of V may vary - 60 degrees, 90 degrees, or other.

BTW, V8's are NOT inherently more efficient than V6 or anything less. Some efficient inline 4's will knock the socks off some V8's in terms of efficiency.

Answer 6

A V8 is not more efficient than a V6 or an I4. They have more power but use alot more gas. The "V" is the position in wich the pistons lie. Four on each side of a V8. And Three on each side of a V6. An I4 just has four cylinders in a direct line.

Answer 7

V is the shape of the engine. The 8 stands for 8 cylinders. 4 on each side of the V.

An 8 cylinder engine is more powerful than a 6 and a 6 is more powerful than a 4 cylinder engine.

Answer 8

Well, 1 thing is the v-8 isn't more efficient as a v-6. V-8 has more cylinders of course. The V is the design in the engine block. hence the V.

Answer 9

A V8 engine has 8 pistons, 4 on one side of the engine block, and 4 on the other. They're attached to, and turn a single crankcase from a 30 to 45 degree angle. Click the link below to see several photos and cut-aways of an older, but standard V8.

http://www.wps.com/AMC/Rambler-327/The%20New%20American%20Motors%20V-8%20Engine%20(SAE%20Paper%20details).htm

The shorter crankcase allows for more effective creation of torque than a straightline crankcase does.

Many of the newer V6's are actually able to outperform some V8's in that they generally power smaller, lighter cars.

Some smaller GM cars, (Pontiacs) came with V4's in the 80's and 90's. I'm not sure if they still make them.

Answer 10

V is the pattern in which the cylinders are arrainged. Haveing more cylinders does not make an engine more effcient. But should increase horsepower.