What typed of engine is potenitially more powerful. a v8 or I-4?

Question

I keep getting tired of people arguing over what is faster a domestic v8 or and import turbo 4. I just want to see what someone who is a real mechanice think

Answer 1

Of the same displacement and both naturally aspirated the V-8 has more potential for power, comparing a turbocharged I-4 to a NA V8 is apples and oranges.
Placed in identical vehicles the V8 powered version will be far faster than the I-4.
But they have completely different powerbands and different purposes, they dont put V8's in tuner cars and they dont put I-4's in heavy duty trucks for good reason.

Answer 2

There's no hard-and-fast rule for this. Depending on the size of the engines, a turbo I-4 can be quicker, but the engine won't last very long, and it won't have the low-end torque of a V8. Turbos need lots of exhaust gases to get them spinning quickly - this is why they have "lag" - whereas a V8 has power on tap from near idle speed. On the other hand, Formula one cars in the 80s had 1.5 litre turbo engines, and produced 1500 hp (all of it at very high rpms.)

In terms of production cars, the turbo I-4 is probably going to be faster (except possibly in a drag race), as they are almost always put into smaller, lighter cars. V8s are usually put into larger cars, since the torque of a V8 makes a small car very hard to handle. Also, the V8 needs a heavier chassis to handle the torque, which usually means a heavier car. Remember, faster basically means a better power-to-weight ratio. There's more to it than that - inertia, traction, momentum, etc, not to mention where in the rev band the power curve is - but that's the basic premise.

Find out the power-to weight ratio of the cars you want to compare, and you should have an idea which will be faster. And if they're close, the smaller one should have the edge - if the driver is competent. To get the maximum performance out of small engines with narrow power bands,you need a better driver.

Answer 3

It matters on everything. The way the motor is built is everything. It matters what parts are in one vs another. Neither is faster. They both go Zero MPH. That is until they are in a vehicle. Then that open another can of variables. You are comparing apples to oranges. "Potentially?" How far is that? Potently a V8 is more powerful. "Top Fuel
Top Fuel dragsters are the fastest-accelerating vehicles in the world. The 25-foot landlocked missiles can cover the quarter-mile in 4.4 seconds at speeds in excess of 335 mph. The engine of choice for most teams is an aluminum version of the famed 426 Chrysler Hemi. These supercharged, fuel-injected, nitromethane-burning engines produce an estimated 7,000 horsepower. "

Answer 4

i own a shop and a good turbo 4 is much faster, but don't have the top end the v-8 will have in the long run but as far as speed,and power,i have seen some of the older dodge daytona,s that were turbo charged run off and leave a lot of v-8,s before,we used to one one at the track a lot,until we sold it,and never did get back in to it,but they can be a wicked little engine when there tuned right,good luck i hope this help,s.

Answer 5

A turbocharged 4-cyl can outrun some V8's. Its really a matter of how its tuned.

For example a WRX and EVO have turbo I-4 and have 300hp. The Ford Mustang has a 4.6L V8 and has 300hp.

Answer 6

The potential of any engine depends on how much you spend, but if you take a stock 4 and 8 do the same amount of work on both, the 8 will be faster.Taking body weight, rear end, and same transmission.

Answer 7

I'm partial to V-8 engines myself but it will largely depend on how much money you want to pu into it.

Answer 8

V8.... more power, alot more torque and higher top speed.

Answer 9

try the link

Answer 10

There's no replacement for displacement. Period.