Why Is A V6 Better Than A Straight 6?

Question

I have a '01 Ford Taurus with a "Vulcan" V6 (150 h.p.)
Until 1997 Ford made an F-150 with a straight 6.
Since most vehicles use a "V" engine, why is it better (if it is?)
Also interested if Toyota or other import trucks are better than the old "big three"? Thanks!

Answer 1

who told you it was? the v-6 in autos is for fuel efficiency the 300 straight 6 your discussing is a work horse very dependable WORK HORSE. like any engine, you take care of it and it will take care of you. but that straight 6 would be a hood full for that Taurus. this help?

Answer 2

V6 Vs Inline 6

Answer 3

Inline 6 Vs V6

Answer 4

The shorter crankshaft of a V6 has only 3 journals, and thus is stronger and has less whip. It reduces engine length, saving materials and making the engine cheaper and lighter. For some reason, they "seem" to have more harmonic troubles, but like a unlike a straight six, only 1 piston stops at a time, so flywheel mass can be reduced dramatically as it only has to restart 1 piston at a time. These all lead to increased performance for savings in costs on the same bore & stroke - a win & win for the makers and buyers. Unless you use OHC, you can keep the savings over quite some years.
building such a motor is automatically Xflow, and it just gets better from there. Most of the problems with V6 motors are from the individual implementations of the basic ideas, which ideas themselves, are sound.

Answer 5

Like the others have said...

V-6 motors and straight six motors have two completely different jobs.....

Straight sixes offer more torque, better longetivity, they are physically larger(for the most part) and heavier. There are a few million of them running around under the hoods of Jeeps right now, not to mention Ford's use of the 300(4.9l) for probably better than 30 years in their trucks.

V-6's generally offer higher reving motors, better fuel economy, they are physically smaller, and lighter. They will allow a V-6 in a engine bay that a straight six would never fit in. But try changing spark plugs on the back side of a Chrylser minivan, and you will want to find an engineer and kill them.........

Toy/import trucks and trucks from the 'big three' are not intended for the same users.....

Toy/imports are great if you need to move a few things, pick-up a couple of bags of mulch or a sheet of drywall, or tote your motorcycle around. Their attempts at full size trucks have been less than outright sucessful.

If you need MAJOR load handling, have to move a house, or need to drag a huge trailer around. Ford, Dodge and GM is where you need to be.

Answer 6

You have alot of good answers here, all very important things to consider. Typically the straight 6 will offer more torque, while you can usually get greater fuel economy with the V-6. However, you are mis-informed if you believe that most cars use the V-6 configuration. Most cars in the US with 6 or 8 (or more) cylinders typically use the V configuration, however, go look under the hood of almost every 4 or 3 cylinder vehicle on the road (and there are quite a few of them), you'll find straight setup engines.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why Is A V6 Better Than A Straight 6?
I have a '01 Ford Taurus with a "Vulcan" V6 (150 h.p.)
Until 1997 Ford made an F-150 with a straight 6.
Since most vehicles use a "V" engine, why is it better (if it is?)
Also interested if Toyota or other import trucks are better than the old "big three"?...

Answer 8

A straight six is one of the best engines for smoothness, strength, durability and power...the old Cadillacs and other top of the line cars had V-12's which are basically two straight 6's joined together and ran so smooth you could balance a nickel on the engine when running at idle. The problem with front-wheel drive cars is you don't have enough room in the engine compartment for them to mount sideways so most FWD cars are built with in-line 4 or V-6 engines as a compromise to get more power in a compact package.

Answer 9

Straight 6 is alot more reliable,i had a 250 straight in my Nova,a 300 straight 6 in my F 150,years ago,they're eiser to work on and never let you down,same wiyh my plymouth fury,that had the slant 6 225,another really good engine.I'll take a straight or a slant over a V-6 any day.

Answer 10

straight 6 will last longer and produce more torque, and will produce the torque at lower RPM. (this means it has better "lugging" ability)

V-6's rev to higher RPM's and are used more commonly because of emissions, etc.

Most Diesels (the good ones, like are in over-the-road trucks and off-road equipment) are inline 6's.

Straight 6's are far superior to the v-6 design, but the EPA smog-police won't let us use them anymore.