what is the difference between dual overhead camshaft and a single overhead camshaft? and which on is better?

Question

I just got a '98 Dodge Avenger, and after some internet research saw that my model has a single overhead cam V6. I noticed though, that the 4 cylinder model comes with a dual overhead camshaft. I just want to know the difference between the two.

Answer 1

whats this 2 valve/4 valve stuff? many cars have sohc and 4 valves per cyl.- on dohc heads, one cam operates the intake valves & one operates the exhaust valves. on sohc heads, one cam does both jobs. being a v6, your engine has 2 heads- with one cam for each head

Answer 2

This is my favorite topic, intake airflow. I'll keep it as short as possible. Your engine is basically an air pump. the more air you can squeeze into the cylinders the better. Single overhead cams only have 2 valves per cylinder, whereas dual overhead cams have 4 valves per cylinder. The additional valves(2 intake, 2 exhaust) allow better & more airflow into the cylinder. Dual overhead cams is better, but that doesn't mean that the 4 cylinder will be more powerful than your v-6.

Answer 3

Single overhead cam normally only operates 2 valves.A 2 valve per cylinder engine can only take in and exhaust out so much flow.
Dual overhead cam normally operates 3-4 valves per cylinder.More valves,means more volume in and more volume out.
A better breathing,higher revving,and more spirited engine is usually the result.Mixed in with variable valve timing (Hondas,and others now) you get the best of both worlds (SOHC and DOHC).DOHC engines used to be low torque engines that you had to rev constantly for power.Not anymore.

Answer 4

Dual Overhead Cams (DOHC) has two camshafts above the pistons, pushing down on the valves. SOHC has a single cam pushing the valves. There isn't much difference, but generally DOHC is better because it puts less strain on the engine.

Answer 5

a DOHC(Dual Over Head Camshaft) gives a better transmission of power from the engine to the wheels of ur ride via the transmission system. A typical DOHC engine gives the vehicle the advantage to have -higher torque(Faster acceleration) -and higher BHP(more power to attain a higher top speed) So when it comes to performance of the engine the DOHC as an upper hand over the SOHC(Single Over Head Camshaft) coz of the extra camshaft the power causes less stress on the cam shafts thus making the engine more durable to sudden acceleration.

Answer 6

Dual overhead cam is better because it operates more valves per cylinder & aids with volumetric efficientcy of the engine

Answer 7

doch is better gives u more hp and some torqe also ,i have a 99 tacoma and it has dual overhead cam or doch makes ur car run smoother with lest effort

Answer 8

the dual over head has 2 cams..the single has one cam...any other dumb questions?

Answer 9

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overhead_cam