I was leafing through a motorcycle magazine,and came across a article on a honda with a 1300cc v4. I know bikes have used this application, why has it never caught on in automotive use. they talked about how smooth and quite this engine ran, got me to thinking, why not in use this in a car.
v4 engine in automotive application.
- Thread starter hemitom
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Probably in motorcycles for compactness. I don't want a 4 cylinder car with 2 heads. lol
I agree.. There would be two of too many things that there is only one of in a straight 4
Saab and Ford Germany used a V4 in some models in the 60's-early 70's.They ran well and were durable smooth engines.I believe build cost was the deciding factor to discontinue.
Yes they did and they were great cars and engines.
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The Ford Cologne V6 (Which I think the 2.9 V-6) was very closely related to the V-4 you folks speak off.
What about Subaru? Even though it isn't a V.
What about Subaru? Even though it isn't a V.
Yes, the Subaru boxer engine is an opposed 4 cylinder engine with 2 heads; I think they used to have 2 spark plugs per cylinder with 2 distributors.
1300cc is a bit small for a car. You'd need to have more displacement or forced induction, either of which would increase vibration (forced induction requires heavier internals).
A V4's advantage over other 4-cylinder configurations is that it's more compact, but these days inline-4s and flat-4s are compact enough not to be a problem (while also being smoother even if they have bigger displacement and heavier internals).
Since inline-4s and flat-4s are inherently smoother, they permit longer strokes for more low-end torque.
If you need a compact engine with a high power-to-weight ratio and you don't care about emissions, fuel economy, or having to rev it high, a rotary engine is a better choice than a V4: lighter, simpler, smoother, more compact, more responsive, and able to rev higher.
A V4's advantage over other 4-cylinder configurations is that it's more compact, but these days inline-4s and flat-4s are compact enough not to be a problem (while also being smoother even if they have bigger displacement and heavier internals).
Since inline-4s and flat-4s are inherently smoother, they permit longer strokes for more low-end torque.
If you need a compact engine with a high power-to-weight ratio and you don't care about emissions, fuel economy, or having to rev it high, a rotary engine is a better choice than a V4: lighter, simpler, smoother, more compact, more responsive, and able to rev higher.
Originally Posted By: Trav
Saab and Ford Germany used a V4 in some models in the 60's-early 70's.They ran well and were durable smooth engines.I believe build cost was the deciding factor to discontinue.
There speaks an man who never had one!
Sorry they were neither smooth OR long lasting. They were first used in the Transit Van (because the engine was short) then was used in the Corsair saloon car replacing the 4cyl in-line Kent, which was considered a much better engine.
Saab and Ford Germany used a V4 in some models in the 60's-early 70's.They ran well and were durable smooth engines.I believe build cost was the deciding factor to discontinue.
There speaks an man who never had one!
Sorry they were neither smooth OR long lasting. They were first used in the Transit Van (because the engine was short) then was used in the Corsair saloon car replacing the 4cyl in-line Kent, which was considered a much better engine.
Lots of Euro engines are 1.0-1.4ltr and have more than enough power to run 100mph.Nissan micra 1.0 runs great@95mph all day.800cc Austin mini and the 600 cc NSU Prinz/Hillman imp were good running little cars.
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I had a 70 capri 1.3 in Germany that ran very well thanks.
My mother drove a Ford Granada with a larger V4 it also ran well.
My mother drove a Ford Granada with a larger V4 it also ran well.
Hundreds of models are offered with much less than 1.5ltr.
Many Euro makers offer 1.0-1.3 engines.Japanese also import many smaller engines to Europe.Taxes are based on engine size.
Here is a new Opel with 996cc engine.
http://www.opel.de/shop/cars/agila/config/configdrive.act
Many Euro makers offer 1.0-1.3 engines.Japanese also import many smaller engines to Europe.Taxes are based on engine size.
Here is a new Opel with 996cc engine.
http://www.opel.de/shop/cars/agila/config/configdrive.act
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It was always my understanding that, everything else being equal, a 90 degree V4 is better balanced than an I4.
Still, it is probably cheaper to throw a couple balance shafts in an I4 than it is to do a V4...
Still, it is probably cheaper to throw a couple balance shafts in an I4 than it is to do a V4...
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Originally Posted By: expat
There speaks an man who never had one!
Sorry they were neither smooth OR long lasting. They were first used in the Transit Van (because the engine was short) then was used in the Corsair saloon car replacing the 4cyl in-line Kent, which was considered a much better engine.
Transits were very common over here,and we hated them! The Corsair and V4 Capri were around,but not as common as the Transit.The V4 was based on the V6 used in the Zephyr....first as a 2.5,then 3 litre.
There speaks an man who never had one!
Sorry they were neither smooth OR long lasting. They were first used in the Transit Van (because the engine was short) then was used in the Corsair saloon car replacing the 4cyl in-line Kent, which was considered a much better engine.
Transits were very common over here,and we hated them! The Corsair and V4 Capri were around,but not as common as the Transit.The V4 was based on the V6 used in the Zephyr....first as a 2.5,then 3 litre.
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Fair enough, but how many of those engines are not related to bigger engines in other cars?
If I understand that. I'd say most of those non American sub 1.5 liter engines are unique designs, NOT downsized bigger engines.
They for a very big share of the market (perhaps close to 50%) outside North America
Fair enough, but how many of those engines are not related to bigger engines in other cars?
If I understand that. I'd say most of those non American sub 1.5 liter engines are unique designs, NOT downsized bigger engines.
They for a very big share of the market (perhaps close to 50%) outside North America
Someone please correct me if Im wrong! But, wasn't the Chevrolet Chevette a V-4 and Rear Wheel Drive?
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