ENGINE BALANCE: Inline 6 vs. V6 vs. VR6 vs. Flat / Boxer 6

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  • čas přidán 13. 03. 2021
  • Step by step explanation of primary and secondary engine balance: • ENGINE BALANCE: Inline...
    Today we're hitting on all sixes as we explore the engine balance as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the four most popular six cylinder engine configurations, the inline six, the v6, the vr6 and the flat six.
    Let's start with the inline six cylinder engine. We already covered it twice in our videos and many of you by now know that the inline six is a beautifully simple and beautifully balanced engine configuration.
    It's beautifully simple because it needs only 1 cylinder head and only 1 or two cams. It also needs only 1 exhaust manifold. It's only real downside is that it's long so fitting it transversely is extremely difficult and it needs a relatively long engine bay to fit in longitudinally. But other than the length it's very hard to fault the inline six.
    When it comes engine balance the inline six is essentially two inline three engine's mirroring each other. You may remember that the inline three cylinder engine has a primary imbalance in relation to it's center of gravity due to it's odd number of pistons. This imbalance is especially apparent every time the first or last cylinder fires. When cylinder one fires the force pushing the piston down in this direction creates a reaction at the other end of the engine and tries to yank the engine upward, in the opposite direction. The third piston can't cancel this force out because when 1 is at TDC, 3 isn't at bottom dead center, it isn't doing the „opposite thing“ in order to be able to cancel out what cylinder 1 is doing - the final result is that the inline three rocks in relation to it's center of gravity.
    But the inline six doesn't. It doesn't because the inline six is two inline three engine's mirroring each other so the primary imbalances of each individual inline three cancel each other out.
    When it comes to secondary imbalance the inline three doesn't have problems there because different pistons are at different parts of their stroke which means the there are no significant secondary imbalances in the inline three. The inline six of course inherits this characteristic as it consists of two inline three engines.
    Now the V6 engine. Last time we learned that separating an inline engine into two banks of cylinders meant that we had to select an appropriate angle between the two banks. The correct bank angle for a V engine that wants to use shared crank pins always equals the firing interval. Because we have six cylinders that's 120 degrees. Unfortunately a 120 degree V6 is impractical for packaging. It's almost as wide a flat six while also being a lot taller. This is why we have to settle for a narrower bank angle which is usually 90 or 60 degrees for most V6 engines. But when we do this we can't have both shared crank pins and an even firing interval. To have an even firing interval a 90 or 60 degree V6 must employ split crank pins. Opposing piston rods are offset by what's called a splay angle. The splay angle makes up for whatever is missing from the bank angle and ensures an even firing interval just like in an inline six.
    Now the VR6. The best way to explain the VR6 is to imagine it as the child of an inline six father and a V6 mother. A child whose goal was to inherit the good and drop the bad genes of each parent.
    VW developed the VR6 with the goal of making it compact, like a v6, but without the double cylinder heads, cams, exhaust manifolds and other components all while preserving the inherent balanced nature of the inline six. So how did they do it? Well they did it by creating what's a essentially V6 but with an extremely narrow angle between the banks. Instead of 60 or 90 degrees, a vr6 ENGINE HAS only 10.6 or 15 degrees between the banks, bringing them so close to each other that you can cover all the cylinders with a single, slightly wider, cylinder head. Yes you need slanted pistons to make it happen, but it works.
    Our final configuration is the flat 6, or more accurately a boxer six. Not every flat engine is a boxer engine but all relevant modern mass produced flat six engines, like those made by Porsche or Subaru, are boxer sixes. In order to be a boxer, a flat engine must have the pistons moving in and out in unison. In order for the boxer thing to happen each piston has its own crank pin and the crankshaft looks like this. A flat engine can't be a boxer engine if the pistons share a crank pin. An example of a flat engine that isn't a boxer is the Flat 12 in the Ferrari Testarossa.
    Anyhow, you're often going to hear how the boxer six engine is perfectly balanced, and it is, although there is a bit of a catch.
    A special thank you to my patrons:
    Daniel
    Peter Della Flora
    Daniel Morgan
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    Richard Caldwell
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    #d4a #enginebalance #enginebootcamp
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Komentáře • 1,7K

  • @d4a
    @d4a  Před 3 lety +70

    Let's hang out: superpeer.com/driving4answers
    Support d4a: driving-4-answers-shop.fourthwall.com/
    Build the flat: amzn.to/2OpcIfa
    Wear the VR: amzn.to/3qOHDhM
    Read the V: amzn.to/37wLhX4
    GTV6: amzn.to/2ZvB9JF
    Such a bore: bit.ly/36jYWQI

    • @rafachojnacki3362
      @rafachojnacki3362 Před 3 lety +7

      Hi You made one mistake with VR engines first this kind of engine made lancia from 1922-1976. VW was only copying ideas from other manufacturers. Enjoy:
      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancia_V4_engine
      BTW your videos are very good and I enjoy to watch them

    • @d4a
      @d4a  Před 3 lety +13

      I didn't say VW invented the engine. I said what were the goals of VW's development of their VR6. I used VW as an example because it's the more modern and more widely recognisable engine. But you're right I should have mentioned Lancia.

    • @rafachojnacki3362
      @rafachojnacki3362 Před 3 lety

      @@d4aOk my mistake ;) I have idea for next iconic engine, what do You think about busso engines?

    • @d4a
      @d4a  Před 3 lety +2

      @@rafachojnacki3362 You wouldn't believe the coincidence 😉 That IS the next in line

    • @fredericrike5974
      @fredericrike5974 Před 3 lety +1

      @@d4a Awesomeness! FR

  • @happii720
    @happii720 Před 3 lety +2089

    4 in the morning, gotta be up at 7, i think now's the time to learn about engine balance.

    • @Tierce33
      @Tierce33 Před 3 lety +59

      I feel attacked 🤣

    • @bengibson3955
      @bengibson3955 Před 3 lety +23

      I’m hearing you, happii. I get sucked in, big time with the content of these videos. I appreciate the tech focus and it’s stuff I’ve not really considered much in my automotive history. I’m a lover of anything fast and a firm believer that a dedicated guy in a garage achieve amazing things with basic tools. I’ve got an NA EFI Ford Windsor V8, a straight 6 early 90’s Ford SOHC 4.0 (soon to be turbocharged), a Coyote-based 5.0 supercharged V8 and an EJ257-based Subaru. I’ve also had a narrow-angle V6 in the Passat R36 my wife owned for a while. Also had some old-school stuff including Celeveland 351-equipped 1982 Falcon and one of the early ED XR6 manual cars that were homolgated for production class racing at Bathurst (hard to believe back in the early 90s Ford Oz chose to use the 4.0 SOHC I6 for it’s production Falcon race car rather than the 5.slow Windsor). I love variety and appreciate all the strengths and weaknesses of all these engine platforms. These vids present a lot of balance and vibration issues that I never really considered before.

    • @AngryPostmanStockholm
      @AngryPostmanStockholm Před 3 lety +6

      That was funny... man (or woman) i feel you... i recognize the situation...
      now, just explain that to your boss

    • @nzt4890
      @nzt4890 Před 2 lety +9

      It's always a good time to learn about 6 cylinder engines.

    • @LazeilOfficial
      @LazeilOfficial Před 2 lety +6

      4 months later, I’m in the exact same predicament.

  • @samb7652
    @samb7652 Před 3 měsíci +4

    Amazing what i am learning at 63yrs old... thanks?

  • @sled_neckx9972
    @sled_neckx9972 Před 3 lety +372

    The inline 6 is really something special, let me tell ya. I was driving an old AMC with the 232 inline 6, I couldn't even tell the thing was revving out because it was so smooth. I can always tell when almost any other engine is revving out because they sound more rough and like they are about to rattle themselves to death.

    • @josephmclennan1229
      @josephmclennan1229 Před 3 lety +11

      I like the Ford 200 and 300 6

    • @dustinhaynes2617
      @dustinhaynes2617 Před 3 lety +9

      @@josephmclennan1229 Oh yeah, Ford 300 for the win!!!! Wouldn't trade my 96 f-150 for anything else(except maybe a 4x4 version just like it 😅)

    • @datthang9385
      @datthang9385 Před 3 lety +18

      E90 N54 owner here. I loveeee the inline 6❤️

    • @alribee
      @alribee Před 3 lety +12

      Pretty sure that AMC 232 BECAME the Jeep 4.0. Great motor.

    • @tonysuda9066
      @tonysuda9066 Před 3 lety

      @@datthang9385 is that merc

  • @darylcjackson
    @darylcjackson Před 3 lety +160

    Straight 6 engines feel the best to me. Smooth and sound right to my ears. Love em!

    • @thesollys9540
      @thesollys9540 Před 3 lety +12

      You need to hear a VR6

    • @darylcjackson
      @darylcjackson Před 3 lety +4

      @Montoya I'm definitely a fan of the flat six. I've owned 5 911s

    • @algrayson8965
      @algrayson8965 Před 3 lety +4

      Rolls-Royce cars used IL6s that were so smooth running that a glass of water set on the valve cover would not have ripples on the surface of the water at any RPM.
      Jaguar and Maserati used DOHC IL6s for decades. The end of the IL6 came with the growing popularity of transverse mounting for FWD.

    • @calebsherman9255
      @calebsherman9255 Před 2 lety +2

      More reliable, more torque, more life.

    • @External2737
      @External2737 Před 2 lety +8

      I put 234,000 miles on my first IL6 and it was still running perfectly. (The car was worth $4,500 and needed $6,000 of maintenance, time for a new car).
      My V-6... I cannot compare (hit by the forged metal certification, failed at 100k miles, but free rebuild).

  • @quillanthrasher6846
    @quillanthrasher6846 Před 3 lety +403

    Bro love all your videos. You brake shit down so simple man, I'm actually using your videos to help teach my 15 year old daughter. She turns 16 in September and I bought her an older car we have to fix up to get running and I think it important someone knows how cars work and your videos do that better than than all else. You speak clearly, slowly and show great animations, it leaves nothing to guess at. Perfect bro thank you

    • @Buzz-vz2js
      @Buzz-vz2js Před 3 lety +13

      Awesome job that's raising em right

    • @jasonh8043
      @jasonh8043 Před 3 lety +7

      Q.T. I've been involved in the auto svc industry since my teens. (40 years). Having your child (girl or boy) learn about a piece of equipment they will most likely use every day is brilliant. The VAST majority of people today can barely put fuel in a vehicle, much less have an understanding of how it works, and how to properly maintain it.
      More parents should approach vehicle ownership like you. Much respect. Best to you and yours. Be well. Be safe.

    • @henmich
      @henmich Před 3 lety +3

      *break

    • @alribee
      @alribee Před 3 lety +4

      Good on you. It is really necessary for a person to learn "muscle memory" sort of stuff and this cannot be taught, but perhaps coached. They need to bust their knuckles and break some bolts. Squeeze stuff with vises. Use hammers and fire. (torches and forges and hammers teach you more about metal and strength than about anything.) Just cannot skip hands on stuff to be a good engineer. Heads of engineering are almost always farm kids to begin with. Buy her a broken 911 Porsche for her second car.

    • @slickhitler
      @slickhitler Před 3 lety +3

      That's how ya do it. My son is only 3 but I get him under the hood.

  • @scunnerdarkly4929
    @scunnerdarkly4929 Před 3 lety +370

    Primary and secondary balance videos? Yeah seen those. Skip the recap? No sireee, wouldn’t want to miss a moment of any of it 😁

  • @Hibernicus1968
    @Hibernicus1968 Před 3 lety +117

    The straight six has always been my favorite configuration. I think it's the best trade off of characteristics: simplest, requiring the least number of engineering fixes to get it to run smoothly (which allows it to be lighter and simpler), most economical to manufacture, simplest to work on once installed because there's usually plenty of clearance in the engine bay around it, etc. Here in the US V8s were always preferred for power because you can stuff a bigger, higher displacement engine (and thus get more power) in the same engine bay, and as a result, all the straight six engines here have really been smaller-displacement "base model" engines for cars, where the emphasis was on economy. Apart from maybe the Hudson Hornet in the 1950s, there really hasn't been a performance-oriented I6 made in the US -- and even there, I think it was a more a matter of the small Hudson company getting the most performance out of an engine that had originally been meant for economy, and if they'd had the kind of money the Big Three had to play with, they'd have designed and built a V8 as well. I've always admired the I6 performance engines that European car makers made, like Jaguar, Aston-Martin, Ferrari, etc. -- lightweight, aluminum block, DOHC straight sixes designed for performance, but smooth-running and high-revving, and because they're not great, massive lumps of iron, the cars are lighter overall and have better weight distribution, so the car handles better.

    • @tosehoed123
      @tosehoed123 Před rokem +10

      BMW Toyota

    • @bytesurfer8651
      @bytesurfer8651 Před 8 měsíci +1

      When it comes to l6 engines only bmw know how to make them properly

    • @martin-vv9lf
      @martin-vv9lf Před 8 měsíci

      @@bytesurfer8651 Lol no. it's easier to design a i6 cylinder than an i4 or v6, no balance gears. It's hard to screw up the design due to its simplicity.

    • @bytesurfer8651
      @bytesurfer8651 Před 8 měsíci +2

      @@martin-vv9lf it's not always true, there are dozens of l4 engines without balancing shafts and dead reliable too and don't forget that the bigger engine you have the more engineering you need to fit everything into a hood compartment, make everything easy serviceable, etc. and at the same time keep the front end as short and as light as possible, of course don't forget that long engines like l6 have increased cooling demand, it should be designed to make all 6 cylinders to cool evenly and so on and so on. V6 is of course a lot more complicated than a straight six

    • @mikkomaijala366
      @mikkomaijala366 Před 7 měsíci

      How come nobody seems to remembet the Pontiac OHC straigh six from the sixties? Made a good amount of power for it's size, had one of the first belt driven camshafts and also relatively good fuel economy. Perhaps a bit too novel idea to survive in USA at it's time, but definetely an engine to be remembered and appreciated.

  • @Sparky-ww5re
    @Sparky-ww5re Před 2 lety +20

    In terms of smoothness, Inline 6 cannot be beat. When I was a teenager on my stepfather's farm, his brother had a 1984 Chevy pickup, Inline 6 & 3 on the tree . Loved driving it around the farm land. Dispite the truck suffering from the harsh Michigan winters and holes rusted in the body, that engine and transmission was bulletproof, to say the least. Unfortunately it was parted out around 2008. R.I.P. Chevy half ton 1984-2008.

    • @henwilvw9376
      @henwilvw9376 Před rokem +2

      It can be beat - by a V12

    • @Sparky-ww5re
      @Sparky-ww5re Před rokem +4

      @@henwilvw9376 well if you think about it, a V12 is basically 2 inline sixes together, but because of its massive size and fuel consumption for the amount of power a V12 is only found in the highest trim ultra luxury cars, such as Rolls-Royce, and the Mercedes-Maybach S-650, makes for smoother output than a V8 typical of American vehicles.

    • @someboi4535
      @someboi4535 Před 7 měsíci +1

      I think the boxer is surely smoother

  • @wirenutt57
    @wirenutt57 Před 3 lety +120

    My friends think I am an internal combustion engine engineering genius because of you. Keep making me smarter, D4A!

    • @Schcarraffone
      @Schcarraffone Před 2 lety +3

      my friends think i am an internal.combustion engine STOP. specially when i eat beans and produce output gas

    • @ronf28
      @ronf28 Před rokem +1

      CZcams is the new "reading". You can learn anything. Lovely

  • @exothermal.sprocket
    @exothermal.sprocket Před 3 lety +132

    Straight-six for the win.

    • @thezfunk
      @thezfunk Před 3 lety +8

      I know. Jeeps lost something when they dropped the 4.0L and went with a V6. I would love to see what modern computer engineering could do on a new 4.0L I6 engine design.

    • @journeyquest1
      @journeyquest1 Před 3 lety

      If you have the room.

    • @prezzatocustoms
      @prezzatocustoms Před 3 lety +1

      @@journeyquest1 bmw Z4 has the room.

    • @captain150
      @captain150 Před 3 lety +3

      @@thezfunk The GM Atlas 4.2L I6 is/was that engine. DOHC with VVT. With direct injection it'd make 350HP easy naturally aspirated. A shame GM cancelled it.

    • @bigjdm5460
      @bigjdm5460 Před 3 lety

      my IS has the room

  • @Splenectomy0
    @Splenectomy0 Před rokem +24

    My first two cars were bmws. The e46 325i to be exact. That m54 was such a smooth engine and the power and was delivered beautifully as well. I long to have either another zhp or an M3 one day. Prices have gotten crazy in just a few years.

  • @isaacrodriguez7570
    @isaacrodriguez7570 Před 3 lety +8

    As an owner of a vr6, an in line 6 and a v6 I got very excited about this video. Nice work...

  • @vladpiranha
    @vladpiranha Před 3 lety +91

    This was so educational I feel like I should have gotten some kind of credits just for watching it.

  • @ThunderBassistJay
    @ThunderBassistJay Před 3 lety +95

    Great explanation!
    The most balanced engine I ever owned, was a 3 liter inline 6 in a Lexus GS300. I could easily balance a coin on top of the running engine. Its exhaust runner was a masterpiece.
    Great to see the Alfa Romeo V6 at 4:45, that I also owned long ago. The difference between V and inline is so striking.

    • @RedfishCarolina
      @RedfishCarolina Před 3 lety +11

      Yeah, fully agree. The old inline 6 my dad had in his mid 80s Ford pickup was slick as glass. I remember how boring it was to rev the engine because my teenager-brain assumed that loud/shaky engines were the good ones. The old truck was slow but she never broke down and towed our heavy old boat magnificently.

    • @akafede4351
      @akafede4351 Před rokem +3

      The Alfa V6 is the best looking engine I have ever seen, it's pure art. The chrome headers and the overall styling of it (logos, shapes and fonts, the oil cap...), I just love it. I'm a car guy, but I could care less about how an engine looks, but the only one I would have detailed it would be the alfa V6

    • @pizletwizzler198
      @pizletwizzler198 Před rokem +4

      @@akafede4351 The 12v and 24v "Busso" V6's are truly amazing, especially for a motor released nearly two-decades after it's initial working prototype. While power and aesthetics go to the 24v; pure exhaust "music" belongs to the 2.5L 12v. 👍

    • @thatguy8300
      @thatguy8300 Před rokem +3

      The toyota jz engine family is something special

    • @adnanterzimehic
      @adnanterzimehic Před rokem +2

      Oh please BMW E46 M3

  • @xeviuus
    @xeviuus Před 3 lety +20

    He literally didn't pause one sec nor look up information. Did he really do this whole video from his memory? That alone is incredible. Content was amazing as well. I learned a lot. Subcribing!

    • @d4a
      @d4a  Před 3 lety +24

      Oh I definitely make pauses as I run out of breath, they're just edited out so you don't see them 😊 Most of this is from my memory, but depending on the topic I often do research to verify or refresh myself on some things.

  • @EternallyThankful-os6pz
    @EternallyThankful-os6pz Před 3 lety +31

    That was THE best comparison on the different engine configurations I've ever seen on youtube - you did a great job AND it was fun to learn !!

  • @thrustvectoring8120
    @thrustvectoring8120 Před 3 lety +477

    Boxer 6 is awesome... Until you want to service it... Then it stops being awesome and starts being a pain.

    • @brian_jake
      @brian_jake Před 3 lety +6

      @@777dragonborn boxer 6 Subaru's are EZ series

    • @KamilWoda
      @KamilWoda Před 3 lety +4

      @@brian_jake ER27, EH33 and EZ30/36

    • @addz17
      @addz17 Před 3 lety +42

      @@777dragonborn Shame they chew bearings up and spit them out lol I live beside a place that specializes in them, they pull engines out and rebuild them constantly. All the mechanics that work there don't own subaru's lol

    • @Errol.C-nz
      @Errol.C-nz Před 3 lety +7

      not a "boxer" 6 depicted... as he described a flat or horizontally opposed 6... opposed boxer engines share common crank big end journals like v8s etc... causing the piston pair to travel in the same direction... makes for a very stiff crankshaft & allows large journal widths

    • @brentboswell1294
      @brentboswell1294 Před 3 lety +12

      Just design the engine bay around a removable cowling-the general aviation aircraft industry

  • @DjNikGnashers
    @DjNikGnashers Před 3 lety +12

    Inline Six has always been my favourite, it's always been the smoothest, and most reliable.
    I don't care that it's hard to fit transversely in an engine bay, because I don't like front wheel drive, rear wheel drive please.
    The amazing B58 fits fine under the bonnet of my M140i hatchback :-))

  • @gorylatko
    @gorylatko Před 3 lety +76

    I've owned two cars with a VR6 engine. Loved it! Smooth & powerful. Awesome sound, too.

    • @spikespa5208
      @spikespa5208 Před 3 lety +4

      I concur on all three items. The VW GLX Passat was a hoot.

    • @lukebrennan5780
      @lukebrennan5780 Před 3 lety +5

      Mine slipped the toothed belt and died. Apparently VERY common. Sigh

    • @Ogmoney187
      @Ogmoney187 Před 3 lety +15

      Vr6 uses chains and sprockets

    • @lukebrennan5780
      @lukebrennan5780 Před 3 lety +3

      @@Ogmoney187 then it slipped the chain. It was going to cost a fortune to repair. So I ditched VWs after 20+ years. Never going back.

    • @chronocommander007
      @chronocommander007 Před 3 lety +16

      @@lukebrennan5780 When the chain guides or the tensioner wear, the chain can skip a tooth. Chain rattle upon start-up is a clear indicator of impending doom. The chain tensioner is made from plastic and us a wear item as it is constant contact with the chain. The chain and tensioner commonly need replacement somewhere between 100 and 150k miles. A belt will not necessarily announce its demise in advance. Choose your poison.

  • @bicyclist2
    @bicyclist2 Před 3 lety +16

    I'm a massive fan of Porsche's flat 6. They consistently defeat V8 and V12 cars on the race track, and have done so for decades. I have a uncle with a 70's 911. I got to ride in when I was a teen. This was very interesting. Please keep up the good work. Thank you.

  • @henkbaksteen8903
    @henkbaksteen8903 Před 3 lety +15

    I am a car mechanic for 12 years now most stuff you tell i am formulier with.
    But still I really love you’re videos! And the way you tell it makes it real nice to watch!
    Greetings from the Netherlands! 🇳🇱

  • @chogardjr.
    @chogardjr. Před 3 lety +18

    My first, and still current, inline 6 was the 4.2-liter Atlas I-6 in my 2005 trailblazer. It's one of the best engines I've ever had and worked on. It still runs like brand new and I'll keep it till it's completely dead. It's got crazy amounts of power and can still haul ass being in a huge heavy chassis.

  • @markdurl8341
    @markdurl8341 Před 3 lety +6

    theres a specific kind of inline 6 we use here in australia, it used be made by ford. it was called the barra. 4.0 liters, double overhead cam. what made them so awesome was they could make huge amounts of horsepower with minimal mods. ford even put turbos on some of them, which made enough horsepower to overtake a V8 without too much trouble, matter of fact, the final version of the turbocharged barra put out more than 400hp stock.

  • @TheDradge
    @TheDradge Před 3 lety +4

    My grandfather was a turner who ran a lathe turning huge ship crankshafts. I've always found this stuff fascinating ever since watching him at his machine 50 years ago.

  • @pepitomov
    @pepitomov Před 3 lety +48

    You just keep on surprising me with the high quality infotainment content. Can't wait for the next one in the series 👍

  • @christianbaroud5294
    @christianbaroud5294 Před 3 lety +47

    Man every time I see your videos I get real excited. Your content is amazing, it shows that you work hard on these videos. Keep up the amazing work !

  • @galuhrichata6148
    @galuhrichata6148 Před 3 lety

    I have already known all those configurations, but I have never seen a better explanation and comparison of each complexity. Your video is amazing.

  • @RS20O0
    @RS20O0 Před 3 lety +36

    Brilliant video. There is nowhere else where I could have learnt all this in under 20 minutes. Perfect, thank you.

  • @PaulDebaecker
    @PaulDebaecker Před 3 lety +8

    Awesome video again! Clear, easy to understand without oversimplificating!

  • @habsom1406
    @habsom1406 Před rokem +5

    The most balanced explanation I've heard.
    Great video, thanks for creating and uploading.
    Enjoyable and informative. 👍😎

  • @marekwierzbinka3259
    @marekwierzbinka3259 Před 3 lety +7

    Dude, one film and I finally knew the difference among sixes. Thx alot!

  • @justawhitenigga
    @justawhitenigga Před 3 lety +106

    Next:
    -V8 vs L8 vs W8
    -oversquare vs square vs undersquare engines

    • @electric7487
      @electric7487 Před 3 lety +16

      Oversquare = short stroke. Bore diameter is bigger than stroke length. Best suited for high-revving engines that need to put out lots of power for their displacement.
      Square = bore diameter and stroke length are the same. A compromise between high power density and high torque output.
      Undersquare = "stroker" = long stroke. Stroke length is longer than bore diameter. Best for applications where low-end torque is desired, although many high-revving performance-oriented (racing) engines have been made (and are still made today) that are undersquare (e.g. Lambo V10's).

    • @justawhitenigga
      @justawhitenigga Před 3 lety +14

      @@electric7487 I already know that. I was just proposing a video idea for the future. Oh, by the way, thanks for answer!

    • @jessehorn144
      @jessehorn144 Před 3 lety +15

      I would love to see cross plane and flat plane included in this as well.

    • @maddog9659
      @maddog9659 Před 3 lety +2

      Long live the 327 SBC with the perfect 1.8:1 bore / stroke ratio, 331 ford stroker isn't too far off either.

    • @Zesserie
      @Zesserie Před 3 lety +3

      Undersquare eninge usually makes its torque not because its undersquared, but because you can fit large displacement in a smaller form factor.
      The smaller valves in theory gives you greater velocity at lower rpm, hence why people say more torque down low, but this can certainly be worked around, especially for engines outside of motorsport.
      Also if the engine fitted with forced induction you can get problems with the head being restrictive(because of physical size of valves and ports), but we are talking extremes here :)
      The main issue with going for a very high stroke engine is piston speeds. If you want the engine to rev fairly high, since the pistons move so fast, the reciprocating mass will break something since the force will be much higher(it gets exponentially more stressed the more you rev, more stroke means the engine gets critical sooner) . As such you will need to reinforce the rotating assembly. But that gives more mass and makes the problem worse.
      So the only way is trough better materials(lightness vs weight) and great quality control when building the rotation assembly.

  • @dillonb.9260
    @dillonb.9260 Před 3 lety +5

    This is my all time favorite series on CZcams not sure why but I love it

  • @Bluecommando10
    @Bluecommando10 Před 2 lety

    Love your videos. Ever since I've started working on my own cars I've been finding more and more that I don't know about cars and these videos really help full in the gaps. Great info!

  • @hammaadhussain9974
    @hammaadhussain9974 Před 3 lety +2

    This is by far the best and most in depth explanation of pros and cons of the six cylinder engines in comparison 2 1 another

  • @realvanman1
    @realvanman1 Před 3 lety +8

    LOVE my Corvair flat six! Only one gear driven cam, NO cheesy belts or even chains. No counterweights on the crank, but seems to survive well staying under 6500 rpm.

    • @alribee
      @alribee Před 3 lety +1

      Though it was only a pushrod motor, there were very many good things in the design of the Corvair. 1966-67 racing program of Yenko Stingers really brought out the best. GM's cringeworthy caving to the Nader book is a landmark of what NOT to do in corporate responsibility. But yes, the Corvair had perfect balance!

    • @marksandstrom4248
      @marksandstrom4248 Před 2 lety

      isn't it pretty silly to brag about lack of cam belts/chains in an engine which ran a rubber v-belt that had to bend in two planes?

    • @realvanman1
      @realvanman1 Před 2 lety +1

      @@marksandstrom4248 I wouldn't call it bragging- I didn't have a role in designing the engine, after all. More just appreciation for some of it's strong points. Of course pushrods are not as good as having the cam operate the valves directly. The proper V-belts are perfectly suited to flexing torsionally as well as radially, despite it being uncommonly seen. With the proper belts and adjustment, they don't suffer any more failures than any other belt drive . And it's super easy to replace the single accessory drive belt on this engine. Whereas rubber timing belts are not easy to replace, and often their failure comes with a head full of bent valves. Indeed it's not even really reasonable to compare accessory drives and cam drives. It could be argued that chain drives are better than belts, and that would be my preference. But gear drive is far and away superior. Indeed a Detroit Diesel (the real ones, not the four stroke ones) have the best of both worlds- gear driven cams AND gear driven accessories. :)

  • @peter.d.song95
    @peter.d.song95 Před 3 lety +5

    Automotive Enlightenment. You should be a teacher. So much information condensed in 20 minutes and everything makes sense. Not many folks can do that.

  • @williamlongbottom5494
    @williamlongbottom5494 Před 3 lety +12

    You are very detailed and informative without all the technical complexities. I wish my Uni Engineering Lecturers had the ability you present. Very well done. Thankyou

  • @ringgaharja
    @ringgaharja Před rokem +3

    It's strange to me that by watching just one video, I now understand why all car brands insist on their particular engine configuration.
    Thanks dude 👍

  • @terjejohnsen3651
    @terjejohnsen3651 Před 3 lety +8

    I allways look forward to this videos as I love to learn more about engines .thanks again for a great video.

  • @danmanmcleod
    @danmanmcleod Před 3 lety +49

    I once read an engineering book written in the 60's that covered all this, and it said V6s will never become common. it pointed out all of the flaws in GMC's "Thriftmaster" V6 as examples.

    • @jazldazl9193
      @jazldazl9193 Před 3 lety +3

      never say never

    • @prezzatocustoms
      @prezzatocustoms Před 3 lety +29

      Well the engineers never forsaw FWD cars. Had vehicles mainly remained RWD, they would probably have been right.

    • @VTCharley13
      @VTCharley13 Před 2 lety +2

      If only that had been the case 🙄

    • @2seep
      @2seep Před 8 měsíci

      @@prezzatocustomsnot really the reason. The v6 can fit in less space then the inline.

  • @climbatize
    @climbatize Před rokem

    This is "Engine configurations for dummies" and I like it.. a lot. And I also now understand why I loved my 530d so much (rip), and now my 330d.

  • @tomgrimes8379
    @tomgrimes8379 Před 3 lety

    This presenter answers all questions. He leaves nothing unaddressed. He clearly knows what he's talking about.

  • @elsullo2
    @elsullo2 Před 3 lety +22

    Thank you! A wonderful, clear explanation of why I drive a straight-six (for thirty years!) Don't let any Yankee complain about your accent: you are perfectly clear and understandable, and an accent only adds to the understanding because listeners are paying extra attention. I subbed and will gradually catch up on your videos...........................elsullo

    • @mvm932
      @mvm932 Před 4 měsíci

      No "Yankees" are complaining about his accent. Stop trying to create a problem where there isnt one.

  • @davosworks
    @davosworks Před 3 lety +20

    At last something about VR6 :P nice

  • @dm5374
    @dm5374 Před 3 lety

    Great video, thank you! I've had a number of straight-6s (BMW and Jaguar), V6s (Mercedes and Audi) and also a very oversquare flat-four (Lancia). Always had the balance issue in my mind and once attuned to it you can recognize the configuration from the passenger seat. Now I have a flat-plane V8, which is a new ballgame for me. Cheers!

  • @jdbrown3695
    @jdbrown3695 Před rokem

    We have a VW with the VR6 engine and really love the engine. Now I better understand the "why" of it's greatness! Excellent breakdown of the various 6-cylinder configurations! Thanks.

  • @MONTYRAMONES
    @MONTYRAMONES Před 3 lety +10

    The boxer engine is a master piece, even the mechanics who works in this kind of engine must be a master, nice video D4A

    • @Kacpa2
      @Kacpa2 Před rokem +1

      I wouldnt say You need to be a master to work on it really... Flat, boxer engines are really nice to work on. Everything is accessible compared to a V layout. Its only complicated to manufacture not to work on. It better than I6 overall fpr packaging too somce all it takes is a wide engine bay and you want a wide car for stability and interior room. Subaru made it work really well in Legacies and and Outbacka with EZ30 and EZ36. And these are incredibly reliable too. They made FB and FA series flat fours basing of the design of EZ.

  • @TurboHappyCar
    @TurboHappyCar Před 3 lety +3

    Another great video man! I really appreciate the amount of research and technical detail you put into these. 👍👍

  • @JPoz-wi3rw
    @JPoz-wi3rw Před 2 lety +1

    I think you should teach at the university actually. In 10+ years on youtube i never found anything made with such care, precision and simplicity. Please, keep on going!!

  • @charliebowman785
    @charliebowman785 Před 2 lety +1

    No matter what, I'm still in love with my 2006 V6 Honda Accord engine: efficient, powerful, smooth running, responsive and very well behaved with around 70,000 miles.

  • @bryankirk3567
    @bryankirk3567 Před 3 lety +8

    If I had a lecturer this good when I was a sprog, I'd have a doctorate! Cheers!

  • @PATRIK67KALLBACK
    @PATRIK67KALLBACK Před 3 lety +4

    Great video! Finally I got the analysis of the VR6 engine!

  • @External2737
    @External2737 Před 2 lety

    Simple and well done. I wish back in 1989, when I took kinematics, we had this video. To say the least, as aerospace instead of auto oriented, we didn't dwell on this topic a huge amount of time. Although I recall how naturally smooth the calculations said the inline six was.

  • @clayreal
    @clayreal Před 2 lety +2

    Beautiful control of language and indepth description with precision!

  • @Emilgreen91
    @Emilgreen91 Před 3 lety +3

    This is one of the best chanels on CZcams.
    Keep up the great work👌

  • @sumilidero
    @sumilidero Před 3 lety +10

    Damn, this man knows the shit! Me as an engineer myself (electrical tho) love to watch and listen professionals who know the science behind their subject!

  • @davidshaw9806
    @davidshaw9806 Před 3 lety

    Learned so much in such a short time! It's one thing to be clever but quite another to be able to explain things clearly. Well done!

  • @seanm7349
    @seanm7349 Před rokem +1

    My dad's 92 Corrado SLC VR-6 is still the smoothest running engine I've ever driven. Yes, he still owns it and I still drive it.

  • @ronf28
    @ronf28 Před rokem +1

    End of a beautiful era.... We'll miss these engines in 10 years

  • @eskimoskater9192
    @eskimoskater9192 Před 3 lety +5

    Loved my VR6. It felt like a magic.

  • @VasileiouDimitris
    @VasileiouDimitris Před 3 lety +10

    Now I can go to college. Awesome job once again man! Thank you very much!

  • @gweckesser
    @gweckesser Před 3 lety +1

    Outstanding and flawless content. I´m very grateful. Note: I´ve seen many aviation 6 cyl boxer engines with a single engine block.

  • @domspider1
    @domspider1 Před 2 lety

    You are the only person that can explain the advantages and disadvantage of a V vs A engine, culd you make a video about it?

  • @skiptastic1000
    @skiptastic1000 Před 3 lety +7

    wonderfully informative, thank you for creating this.

  • @MrReniks
    @MrReniks Před 3 lety +3

    such a pleasure to watch and listen. thank you!

  • @frankcooper9773
    @frankcooper9773 Před 4 měsíci +1

    I knew there was a lot to designing an engine. Now I have a mind boggling knowledge of all that goes into the decisions used to make all what we have come to assume and expect from the magic that happens under the hood. Thank you so much. I'm old enough to remember a kick starter on a single cylinder, 500 cc, motorcycle. Once in a while I'd "kick" the engine over at the wrong part of the cycle, and it would kick back so bad it tried to throw me off the bike. I assume it was the compression stroke. It is surprising to me that you never refer to the compression stroke in you balancing lectures. It seems to me the power stroke of a multi cylinder engine should be opposite of the compression stroke of another cylinder. However, on the other hand, and back to the single cylinder engine, it amazes me that the power from the power stroke is enough to spin the crank through two revolutions, including the compression stroke. Thank you again for all these videos.

  • @3_Dogs_In_A_Trench_Coat

    That's why my dad's 1986 RAM pick-up truck with the slant six still runs like a champ. Nice video!

  • @AudiophileTubes
    @AudiophileTubes Před 3 lety +8

    Awesome, educational video! The VR6 is amazing, considering it's size!

    • @Joshua_N-A
      @Joshua_N-A Před 2 lety

      Heard the VR5 was developed from it. Is VW still making VR5s?

  • @Fastidious1970
    @Fastidious1970 Před rokem +1

    You just blew my mind. Engine dynamics and engineering decisions in a single video. Thank you - Ill explain why later ;)

  • @drewgoh5748
    @drewgoh5748 Před 3 lety +1

    Thanks for making the explanations so simple to understand!

  • @valentinuiliqnow6198
    @valentinuiliqnow6198 Před 3 lety +34

    thank you for the VR6

  • @Away907
    @Away907 Před 3 lety +7

    Very happy with VR6 on my VW Atlas, it's running smooth and sounds good!

  • @curvs4me
    @curvs4me Před 3 lety

    Phenomenal breakdown of engine dynamics.

  • @CarminesRCTipsandTricks

    Yet ANOTHER invaluable Video!! As I mentioned in your most recent Videos about Motorcycle Twins... I'm an Old Retired Auto Mechanic.
    This again was interesting and informative, especially the VR6, which I was curious about.
    The one Six I'm surprised you didn't mention, was the old, 1962-1978 Buick "Odd-Fire" V6. Most of your viewers have probably never heard of it, much less seen one.
    It still amazes me just how long it lasted! As I'm sure you know, it was a 90 degree V6 with three shared Crank Pins. It was SO unbalanced, that the Ignition Timing actually DIFFERED in 3 of the Cylinders!! 😳😳 This Engine literally and violently shook back and forth while running.
    This would have made an interesting History lesson, and an example of what NOT to do!

  • @nursingzombie6479
    @nursingzombie6479 Před 3 lety +21

    Fun drinking game: everytime he says, “which means” take a shot.
    Keep up the great vids! Excellent info

    • @kcsnow9447
      @kcsnow9447 Před 3 lety

      @manemebasat Well, as leaders of the free world, we sometimes feel the need to justify it.
      Of course, that will end next week, so it'll be "party hardy" after that.

    • @kcsnow9447
      @kcsnow9447 Před 3 lety

      @manemebasat And, FWIW, and even though you...the rest of the world doesn't need stupid games...The German live feed at the ADAC Nurburgring 24 hrs (just concluded) DID have a drinking game of their own going on. Just because your "rest of the world" doesn't need them doesn't mean they don't still like them. And just because our part of the world (US) has fun with them doesn't mean we need them.
      Go..........get.......stuffed. See? I had fun with that game and it only required one move. Game over.

    • @kcsnow9447
      @kcsnow9447 Před 3 lety

      @manemebasat we did what?

    • @kcsnow9447
      @kcsnow9447 Před 3 lety

      @manemebasat You make a good point that has always bothered me with regard to buying a beer, however, and in actual practice, I think that "prohibition" is more lax.
      As to the 25% (where did you get that number?) many of the world's "non-incarcerated" were simply put to death [China...the Arab world] Consider that when you so casually run your numbers.

    • @kcsnow9447
      @kcsnow9447 Před 3 lety

      @manemebasat And, once again, run your percentages vs. China and the Arab world. Do they not have (and for what reason would they not) have crime such as does the EU, AUS, NZ, JPN and the rest? And do they have prisons to reflect those percentages? No. They have death.
      Now, if you want to debate the advantages vs. disadvantages of incarceration vs. death...I will point out that one of the two does offer a chance for redemption. The other does not. It's also true that, and despite your accusations, the US does afford the accused the best chance to escape said incarceration. I challenge you to prove otherwise.

  • @nolahahnshouse3389
    @nolahahnshouse3389 Před 3 lety +5

    Vr6 sounds are amazing!! I love my Corrado's vr6 sound!

    • @jayb293
      @jayb293 Před 2 lety

      Golf R32 is the ultimate VR6 engine.

  • @rixretros
    @rixretros Před 3 lety

    Many thanks for such a lucid and simple explanation of some very complex physical principles. Great vid !!!

  • @Michal_Sobierajski
    @Michal_Sobierajski Před 3 lety

    Bardzo fajnie wytłumaczone. Oglądałem i słuchałem z przyjemnością. Pozdrawiam.

  • @e3k701
    @e3k701 Před 3 lety +13

    Been waiting for this one 😊

  • @peterbustin2683
    @peterbustin2683 Před 3 lety +4

    Great stuff ! I always wondered about the VR6 - now I know !

  • @Engineerboy100
    @Engineerboy100 Před 3 lety +2

    Very cool, fun and informative, I loved it! Thanks for posting and keep them coming.

  • @amezcuaist
    @amezcuaist Před 2 lety

    Complements on your clear speaking voice. Almost as precise as South African. What a mountain of knowledge you have plugged into my tiny brainbox . Superb information just in time before engines are eliminated by global warming .

  • @Stevieboy130664
    @Stevieboy130664 Před 3 lety +18

    The VR style engine and the V6 were first developed (successfully) by the same company.

    • @VR6ix
      @VR6ix Před 3 lety +13

      Lancia

  • @Marlonbc90
    @Marlonbc90 Před 3 lety +8

    When I think V6 I think Busso, I was hoping you used it as an example and there it was at 4:46
    Pretty sweet

  • @snotwurfit
    @snotwurfit Před 2 lety +1

    A fantastic video and clear explanation for someone like me who knows very little about engines. Thank you

  • @luislopez1800
    @luislopez1800 Před 3 lety

    Dude, you are awesome! In 19 minutes you edified me more than you can amagine.
    Loved your video from start to finish.
    Thank you very much.

  • @TheRiceguy78
    @TheRiceguy78 Před 3 lety +10

    its crazy how with engine aides the modern day v6's are so balanced and smooth nowadays

    • @electric7487
      @electric7487 Před 2 lety +1

      One other benefit of the 60° V6 that he didn't mention is that, when combined with -60° flying crankpins, it has perfect primary balance when crank weights are used. It does not need balance shafts, since for each pair of cylinders the vertical and horizontal imbalances are roughly the same.
      With the 90° V angle, non-split crankpins result in uneven 90° and 150° firing intervals, but it does have perfect primary balance with crank weights. To make it even-firing, the easiest way to do so is to split the crankpins by -30° so that each pair of cylinders hits TDC 120° apart. However, by doing this you lose the perfect primary balance as now the imbalances for each pair of cylinders has a greater horizontal component than vertical component. Here, the crank weights "average out" the imbalances, and by doing so that they undercompensate the horizontal vibrations and overcompensate the vertical vibrations. The crank weights are sized such that the residual vibration from the over- and under-compensation is roughly circular, which means only one balance shaft is needed. The balance shaft adds to and subtracts from the crank weights alternately so that the vertical and horizontal vibrations are properly cancelled out.

  • @Eatinbritches
    @Eatinbritches Před 3 lety +3

    Fabulous work, thoroughly researched and completely objective. Nicely presented as well. This is the sort of thing that ought to clear out some of the fanboy misinformation you sometimes get in the car community.

  • @johnnyvegas5681
    @johnnyvegas5681 Před 3 lety

    I was really high but could still follow you since you did such a good job clearly breaking things down! Great job!

  • @Xingularity
    @Xingularity Před 3 lety

    This is probably the best comparison I have seen of the different 6 engines.

  • @JurisKankalis
    @JurisKankalis Před 3 lety +3

    Although the thumbnail suggests knowledge we all basically acquire with mother's milk, this guy always manages to come up with a new aspect or an informative way to portray. Well done!

  • @tomcarlson3913
    @tomcarlson3913 Před 3 lety +23

    It would be interesting to see a video about engine balance of Inline 8 vs V8 as well as V8 vs V10 vs V12.

    • @iCrimzon
      @iCrimzon Před 3 lety +2

      Did you just say inline 8

    • @tomcarlson3913
      @tomcarlson3913 Před 3 lety +11

      @@iCrimzon Yes, I did. Buick produced an OHV I8 as recently as 1953. Essentially all GM and Mopar 8 cylinder engines (except Caddilac which had a V8) prior to 49 were inline 8s. There were also a lot of I8 racing engines prior to 49.
      Heck, up until 1940 Caddilac had a V16 (essentially 2 I8 cylinder banks sharing a crank).

    • @LukaS-kw5ky
      @LukaS-kw5ky Před 3 lety +4

      @@iCrimzon Schlüter had an inline 8 Diesel in some of his Tractors

    • @elmarko9051
      @elmarko9051 Před 3 lety +1

      Buick called theirs the Straight 8. Torque monster, but don't rev it too high...But oodles of torque was Buick's north star, hence engines like the nail head V8.

    • @tomcarlson3913
      @tomcarlson3913 Před 3 lety +2

      @@elmarko9051 Part of the reason for that in the V8s was Buicks decision to make their own automatic transmission...The Dynaflow was basically a single gear variable pitch torque converter. It was Smooooth but inefficient and it needed plenty of torque...Buick Developed it late in the fireball straight 8's run so they must have been happy they designed the fireball for high Torque.
      I own a '47 Olds with the flathead I6 and hydramatic...If the I6 ever catastrophically fails if a Buick Straight 8 will fit I might switch to that.

  • @skunkbucket9408
    @skunkbucket9408 Před 3 lety

    The smoothness of the flat six in my '65 Chevy was amazing. Now I know why. Great video!

  • @Studio603OnTheAir
    @Studio603OnTheAir Před 3 lety +1

    Very well done, I love this stuff, I was always unclear why the flat 12 was not a boxer, just missing it I guess, you totally cleared that up as well as so many other questions I have always had. Thank you.

  • @gogobnr3291
    @gogobnr3291 Před 3 lety +4

    dude I'm so glad I found ur channel! Instant subscribe.

  • @SomeOne-mx2ro
    @SomeOne-mx2ro Před 3 lety +6

    I never get bored on this

  • @scotthiscoe5307
    @scotthiscoe5307 Před rokem +1

    How good is this channel for engine knowledge. So good 👌🏼

  • @kurtb3606
    @kurtb3606 Před 2 lety

    A complicated explanation in simple terms! Awesome!