Engine question

[RobM]

Why are V8 engines only in the bigger production engined cars? Ignoring cost of manufacture, what would be the pros and cons of e.g. A one litre V8?

 

[steveo]

Not an expert by any stretch Rob but this would involve 8 cylinders with a capacity of 125cc each. 8 pistons loads more valves a lot heavier a lot more expensive to manufacture and a lot more things to go wrong. Probably be heavier as well so any performance gain would be lost with the extra weight.
Although I might be totally wrong of course.

 

[Mad Cyril]

I believe that one advantage of smaller and more pistons is that the engine can rev a lot higher.

 

[steveo]

I believe that one advantage of smaller and more pistons is that the engine can rev a lot higher.

But how much more bhp/1000rpm would you get from a 1000cc engine?

Perhaps we should invent one.

 

[Napster]

The smallest V8 is on a 2 litre. http://jalopnik.com/shut-up-and-listen-to-this-glorious-2-0-liter-ferrari-v-967163546

 

[Firestorm]

Honda had a 6 cylinder 1000 cc production bike in the 70'S / 80'S - CBX 1000
iirc they also raced a 250 6 cylinder in the 60's . Mike hailwood rode it I think , also Barry Sheene started on a 50cc twin but the small 25-50 cc per cylinder bikes were two strokes

 

[RobM]

Was that a straight six or a vee? ( I know nothing about motor cycles! )