Is a V-8 engine in a car much more powerful than a V-6?

Question

I went to a Ford dealer and the saleman said that there was not much of a difference with the newer cars.

Answer 1

V-8 is much faster than a V-6 he is wrong

Answer 2

All of these answers are somewhat right and yet somewhat wrong at the same time. Yes a v-6 can make the same if not more than a v-8. These numbers will almost be on the upperend of the RPM's. Look at the Honda s2000. That thing is a 250 hp four cylinder. Now that sounds good, but it isn't til 7000 rpm or something like that. aslso the torque is only like 180 at yet another astronomical rpm. Now that horsepower rating is on par with most small v-8' and large v-6's but you got to flog that thing to no end to make the power. Also look at the torque curves. That is where the real power is. If the v-6 and v-8 make the same torque, the v-6 9 times out of 10 will be at a much higher rpm, which in turn would make it horrible for towing. What you need to decide is if you want high rpm power (v-6) or low rpm power (v-8)

Answer 3

Also to add, a common example when I mention to friends the difference between the V6 AND V8 Explorer. Both vehicles are roughly the same weight. I always recommend the V8. Not because it's much more durable family of engines and has received numerous awards for it's design, but realisitically, your pulling around 4800lbs of weight.

If the vehicle were equipped with the V6, chances are the RPM's will be running high, and/or the transmission doing quite a bit more shifting. While the V8 version just glides along effortlessly. You can program a transmission to feel quite perky. Nissan Altima has a very hard initial throttle step in, with it's 4 cylinder engine, that can easily peel out. AUtomakers are doing this on purpose so people have a perception that their vehicle is very strong...although I find this quite annoying.

And sure you can also make a 4Cylinder, quite strong, but it'll never match a V8's torque. And most importantly, the V8 will be smoother, and quieter getting to 60MPH at around 5000RPM, while the 4Cylinder is screaming bloody murder racing to it's 7500RPM limit to reach it's peak power. With a transmission screaming "Stop the insanity!" to get there.

I myself get frustrated when I'm in a 4cylinder car that needs to downshift for the smaller burst of power, or I must hear the engine scream for it to make some power.

But again, this is just my personal opinion...it might works for some, or not.

Hope this helps...

Answer 4

A lot of car makers are strongly emphasizing and putting much time and money into the V6 right now, because it is capable of combining power with good gas milage.

Wait until something miraculous like OPEC falling apart, and gas going back to $1.50 a gallon, car makers will start developing more on 8 cylinders again.

Final say, V6's are becoming increasingly powerful, rivaling V8's, though V8's can potentially be incredibly better.

Though this isn't common the most powerful (NON-turbo/supercharged) engines i've seen is 306 HP (Nissan 350z) for a V6 and 490/500 HP (Ferrari 430/Ford Mustang Shelby GT) for a V8

Answer 5

I think he wants to sell you a V6.

V8s not only make more power, but they make much more torque (torque, not power, is what actually makes the car go) - consider that an average V6 might make around 250 hp. V8s often make between 350 and 400 hp - sometimes more. That's a large difference. They are also better balanced, thus running smoother and lasting longer.

Of course, it also depends on the engine to some extent. A large V6 might make almost the same power as a small V8. Some V6s (usually those with superchargers or turbochargers) can make more than a V8, but this is a rarity (the '97 Pontiac Grand Prix with the supercharger made about 300 hp. Better than a few smaller V8s, but not by much - and much more unreliable.)

If the V6 Mustang makes 210 hp, and the V8 makes 300 - that's a 50% increase. I wouldn't call that "not much difference"!

Answer 6

No there's not much of a difference anymore. With the technology out with engines today, you can make even a small 4 cylinder output like a V-8. The only difference is that you don't get that deep rumble with smaller engines that you get with a V-8. But for under $400 you can make a V-6 output far more than a V-8. It just depends on what you want to do with the vehicle. If you want more power to pull things with get a V-8. If it's just going to be a daily driver get the V-6 for the gas mileage. It's just a prefrence now, not performance anymore. This is coming from a person who studied performance engines for 4 years in college. Not just a person who is guessing a the answer.

Answer 7

Wow- there's some different answers! The truth is that it depends, if it's just horsepower regardless of torque & RPM, there are V6's that make more power than 8s. However, that is usually at higher engine speeds. For example a 2002 Lincoln LS v8 is rated at 252 hp, a 2007 MKZ V6 is rated at 260 or so. The 2005 Explorer/Mountaineer are at 240 HP whereas the new Edge and MKX with a 3.5 V6 are rated with higher HP but less torque.

Answer 8

That's hard to say for sure. The chances are that the V-8 will have more power normally. In everyday driving, I doubt that you'd notice much difference in the acceleration to driving speeds. Both engines will have enough power to do the job.
The 6 engine will save you some money on the insurance, and gas too. If you want to hot rod the car then go with the V-8, if you just want to use it for transportation then the 6 should do the job.

Answer 9

In a way the differences can be minimal especially if gas mileage is a concern. There are V8 engines out there that produce a lot of horsepower but the torque is not quite equivalent to it's size. There are also some V6 engines out there that don't boast a lot of horse power but the torque it produces rivals that of a V8 engine. So, in response to your question, yes a V8 engine can be more powerful not because of the added 2 cylinders but by the way it utilises it's torque and power distribution.

Answer 10

The 8 potential that the engine has 8 cylinders. The "V" potential that the cylinders are configured in a V shape (2 rows of four oftentimes at a ninety degree attitude). An array of cylinders is additionally arranged in right now row (which incorporate a "right now 6") Your occasion of a a million.a million pertains to the displacement of the engine.

Answer 11

Not neccesarily, power comes from cubic inches and RPM. If the V6 has a larger displacement than another V8 it will develop more power.

Check the specifications for each engine.