Why bother making 4 cylinders

[Adam17]

Why do they even bother making 4 cylinders. I mean ya your getting 30mpg but is it really worth it when you pulling only like 150hp.

[JackOfClubs]

Because they are cheaper to make, and most people don't even need 150HP, never mind any more than that. And it all depends on the car. A small car doesn't need anywhere near as much power to make it go as fast as a much larger car. And a 4 cylinder with a turbo can easily make far more power than a V6, and more than many V8s.

Is 300HP more fun than 150? Yes. But if you're only ever going to use 100 why bother having all that engine go to waste?

[Hypers]

When rallying, cars must have a 2 liter or smaller engine. Most are four cylinder ones.

[Cooper197]

Do you really need more than 150hp? I mean most speed limits, at least around here, are 60mph. 150hp is more than enough for a fairly heavy car to do 70, so you could still go faster than the limit. No real reason to have a V8 other than for fun. Not saying I'm against power, trust me, I get wanting to be able to slam the gas and do a burnout while moving in 3rd or 4th gear, but that's not for everybody. Same with 4 cylinders, not for everybody.


Also the reliability of most 4cylinder engines is more than worth it!

[Plane And Simple]

This is rather (sorry to say) pointless, 4 cylinder engines are the engines which get more sales. Here in Europe almost 80% of the cars are four cylinders,because it's basically the best choice for the roads of today. It's not like the roads we travel at are limited to 180km/h. Let me put it the other way around. Why bother making V6 and V8s etc? Everything has it's way to be, and not every country is like the USA, we don't use trucks to go to work, the fuel here is very expensive and some people (if not 3/4) can't afford owning such a vehicle with that kind of engine, and basically, trucks aren't sold here so if you wanted a V6/8 you need to get a high performance sports car or a premium car (Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW...) like the Audi RS5, or Audi A8. 4 cylinder engines are the ones which own the sales, so why would you remove them?

EDIT: Forgot about the examples. Our Audi A4 B5 '01. 236 thousand kilometers, Inline four 1.9 litre I4. It has never failed in 12 years of service. I don't think you get such a reliability from a V6 Jag or such...

Thanks for bringing something debatable to this subforum.

[Silicate Wielder]

Correct me if i'm wrong but I think 4-cylinder engines are also used in tractors and some riding lawn-mowers. can't be going too fast on those if you want to get the job done correctly.

where as a V6 or V8 engine can be used for heavier work like pulling large trailers that house a mobilized workshop to a construction site, (Yes, they make those, or rather people convert them into workshops.) there are lots of uses for them in the construction world.

Different cylinder engines are designed to do specific types of jobs but the public came up with new uses for them.

[Infidelitas]

Why do I need a 6-cylinder car to drive two and from work?

I had a 4-litre V6 and it was too big for the purpose that I was using it. Not everyone can afford the fuel.

My current 2.2L V4 is punchy, fast and economical, and it performs to the needs that I have.

[Wakesetter03]

My four cylinder is quicker than most V8's while returning decent fuel economy.

Funny, it's only certain uneducated people which say "F*** yeah I have a 6.2 litre V8 putting out 400hp" and thinking it's impressive.

[gizzgizzman]

4-cylinders are cheaper to make, and more people are willing to give upp horse power for better fuel economy. It just depends on who you are.

[Brighter.Tomorrow]

My four cylinder is quicker than most V8's while returning decent fuel economy.

Funny, it's only certain uneducated people which say "F*** yeah I have a 6.2 litre V8 putting out 400hp" and thinking it's impressive.

We have so many rednecks out by me. So I know how that is..

Four Cylinders have also improved a lot.
My 97 Cavalier's DOHC 4cyl puts out 150bhp, whereas the 95 Mustang OHV V6 put out 145bhp.
Engines have improved, and power output isn't everything.

[esby]

Check out the new A45 AMG 4cyl engine... Highest specific output of any production engine to date (bar the Mclaren P1 but yeh... fk that haha).

[chrisawesome]

Check out the new A45 AMG 4cyl engine... Highest specific output of any production engine to date (bar the Mclaren P1 but yeh... fk that haha).

Two thumbs up, leave it up to M-B AMG to make a powerful 4cyl engine! NO, not Lexus, not BMW, not Audi, but MB AMG !!! Gotta love it, although the A45 is a little small for me. I'm more like a GL63 AMG SUV person myself or even a G wagon

[Hypers]

Check out the new A45 AMG 4cyl engine... Highest specific output of any production engine to date (bar the Mclaren P1 but yeh... fk that haha).

That's in a production car. In the past, 4-cylinder engines were used in formula one and since they were turbocharged they were immensely powerful.

[esby]

That's in a production car. In the past, 4-cylinder engines were used in formula one and since they were turbocharged they were immensely powerful.

Well yeah I assumed we were talking about regular production engines from factory. Heaps of tuned engines also have high specific outputs but they don't really count (think tuned Evos, Silvias etc..)

[Wakesetter03]

When you think about it though, Evo's and other imports like my car do count when standard.
My car when stock had 305hp standard and did 0-100 (or 0-60) in 5.2 seconds.
The new A and CLA Mercs look fantastic. I would definitely have one if I could afford it.
And I'd have my car and a bunch of four cylinders before some crappy American V8 like a corvette or mustang

[Cooper197]

You can get a 4cyl with some guts. My Subaru has a swapped motor from a 2008 STI, after some mods to it, I'm putting somewhere between 450-525 hp. (The last dyno tune said 452 and there has been more work since then) I can still get 30+ mpg if I dont pound it. For the price I am into that car, getting a car with a V8 would have still been more expensive, and I can safely say mine is more fun and probably quicker. The 4cyl just made more sense to me.

[esby]

When you think about it though, Evo's and other imports like my car do count when standard.
My car when stock had 305hp standard and did 0-100 (or 0-60) in 5.2 seconds.
The new A and CLA Mercs look fantastic. I would definitely have one if I could afford it.
And I'd have my car and a bunch of four cylinders before some crappy American V8 like a corvette or mustang

Fairly quick man what do you drive?

[Adam17]

But think of the price of a new 4 cylinder. To reach the horse power your talking about would cost a nice chunk of change. You can buy a brand new crate 350 and trans with 4 barrel carbs, great intake manifolds and headers for $1200 and pull the same if not more power. And the versatility of a 6 or 8 cylinder engine out preforms a 4.The fact that everyone thinks putting a turbo on a 4 will make it better is true but putting the same size turbo on a larger 6 or 8 cylinder would produce morr power. And their is no replacement for displacement.

[Infidelitas]

But think of the price of a new 4 cylinder. To reach the horse power your talking about would cost a nice chunk of change. You can buy a brand new crate 350 and trans with 4 barrel carbs, great intake manifolds and headers for $1200 and pull the same if not more power. And the versatility of a 6 or 8 cylinder engine out preforms a 4.The fact that everyone thinks putting a turbo on a 4 will make it better is true but putting the same size turbo on a larger 6 or 8 cylinder would produce morr power. And their is no replacement for displacement.

Don't buy a 4-cylinder then.

[Synyster Shadows]

My dad's Yaris has a four-cylinder engine but, damn, it has power. True, the car is light, but it still feels amazingly fast. My mom's VW TDI Golf is also a 4-cyl and that's pretty powerful too. Power doesn't have to come with having more cylinders

[JackOfClubs]

But think of the price of a new 4 cylinder. To reach the horse power your talking about would cost a nice chunk of change. You can buy a brand new crate 350 and trans with 4 barrel carbs, great intake manifolds and headers for $1200 and pull the same if not more power. And the versatility of a 6 or 8 cylinder engine out preforms a 4.The fact that everyone thinks putting a turbo on a 4 will make it better is true but putting the same size turbo on a larger 6 or 8 cylinder would produce morr power. And their is no replacement for displacement.
Tell me where you can get a brand new crate 350 for $1200?

[Adam17]

Tell me where you can get a brand new crate 350 for $1200?

Go to summit racing.com and search through the engine assemblies page. They have 350s 302s 351s and more all under 1600.And there are probably hundreds of other dealers like advance, Napa and autozone that sell crate engines. Also just a fyi there is a difference in price between crate and rebuilt so dont get those confused.

[JackOfClubs]

Go to summit racing.com and search through the engine assemblies page. They have 350s 302s 351s and more all under 1600.And there are probably hundreds of other dealers like advance, Napa and autozone that sell crate engines. Also just a fyi there is a difference in price between crate and rebuilt so dont get those confused.
Damn, they're cheaper than I thought. I guess I was thinking of crate LS motors.

[Jenny jr]

You clearly no nothing about vehicle if your asking that. We have tractors with 4 cylinder engines that put out like five times more torque the a v8 engine. Not all v4s are wimpy and powerless.

[Adam17]

You clearly no nothing about vehicle if your asking that. We have tractors with 4 cylinder engines that put out like five times more torque the a v8 engine. Not all v4s are wimpy and powerless.

Ya and the same 4 cylinder tractor is pushing like 40 horsepower and torque and horsepower are two completely different things. Anyways its wasted because the trannys and gears in a tractor only use low end torque and I was talking about 4 cylinders in cars.

[Jenny jr]

Ya and the same 4 cylinder tractor is pushing like 40 horsepower and torque and horsepower are two completely different things. Anyways its wasted because the trannys and gears in a tractor only use low end torque and I was talking about 4 cylinders in cars.

Torque and horse power are not that different. Torque is power and horse power is just a measurement of power at different RPMs. Tractors have a longer stroke for torque so they only rev at like 2300 RPMs. Cars have shorter strokes but higher RPMs which means less torque and more horse power.
Therefor car manufactures make their four cylender engines to suit the cars needs and it doesn't mean 4 cylinder engines are a waste of time because car manufactures can make them as powerful as they want. You can have a giant 4 cylinder engine that can be a lot more powerful then a small 8 cylinder engine.

[Greg1994]

Some people would much rather pay less at the pump than go fast. My car has 220hp stock and it's an I4, turbocharged yes, but still a 4cyl. I get about 30 mpg, then there's my moms 2012 Tahoe, V8 and we get about 11-13mpg. I used to have to pay $80 a week to drive that damn thing. I much prefer my $50 for two weeks than $80 a week..

[Plasma]

Why do they even bother making 4 cylinders. I mean ya your getting 30mpg but is it really worth it when you pulling only like 150hp.

My small truck is a 4 cylinder. Its a 1986, and im probably close to 30 mpg, and since its a manual, I have no problem getting around just as fast as any v8. You really have no argument here, man

[Plasma]

You clearly no nothing about vehicle if your asking that. We have tractors with 4 cylinder engines that put out like five times more torque the a v8 engine. Not all v4s are wimpy and powerless.

No such thing as a v4... It would be an inline 4 cylinder, seeing as the pistons arent in a V formation

[Adam17]

No such thing as a v4... It would be an inline 4 cylinder, seeing as the pistons arent in a V formation

Ford makes a v4 in alot of their European models

[Laquifa]

Because they are cheaper to make, and most people don't even need 150HP, never mind any more than that. And it all depends on the car. A small car doesn't need anywhere near as much power to make it go as fast as a much larger car. And a 4 cylinder with a turbo can easily make far more power than a V6, and more than many V8s.

Is 300HP more fun than 150? Yes. But if you're only ever going to use 100 why bother having all that engine go to waste?

Pretty much this. 300HP is not needed for everyday. It's mostly used just for showing off.

[PinkFloyd]

Why do they even bother making 4 cylinders. I mean yah your getting 30mpg but is it really worth it when you pulling only like 150hp.

My family used to have a Mazda CX-7 that has a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder. It made 225 horsepower...

Onto your question... No one NEEDS even 100 hp from their vehicle. A small and light Corolla with a 1.8 liter and somewhere around 180 horsepower can hit 120 tops. That is decent compared to V6's powering Silverados only capable of 105 tops. No one needs to go over 80 mph on a regular basis. I know I want to, but that's why I'm getting a 3.8 liter V6 capable of 140. However, I doubt I'll ever get above 110.

I guess having nice acceleration from a large engine is nice because of stop lights, but cars with small engines like Civics, Corollas, Aveos, Focuses, etc are very light and don't need that much power.

Oh, and yes. the 30+ mpg is very much so worth it. Some families can't pay for gas as easily as others. You think they care about performance? They don't. They get by with their Toyota tercel that gets them where they want to go.

Cars are for the most part, for getting people from point a to point b.

[PinkFloyd]

Ford makes a v4 in alot of their European models

Seriously? I didn't know that! Sorry to butt in, but wow! That's pretty cool.

[Laquifa]

My family used to have a Mazda CX-7 that has a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder. It made 225 horsepower...

Onto your question... No one NEEDS even 100 hp from their vehicle. A small and light Corolla with a 1.8 liter and somewhere around 180 horsepower can hit 120 tops. That is decent compared to V6's powering Silverados only capable of 105 tops. No one needs to go over 80 mph on a regular basis. I know I want to, but that's why I'm getting a 3.8 liter V6 capable of 140. However, I doubt I'll ever get above 110.

I guess having nice acceleration from a large engine is nice because of stop lights, but cars with small engines like Civics, Corollas, Aveos, Focuses, etc are very light and don't need that much power.

Oh, and yes. the 30+ mpg is very much so worth it. Some families can't pay for gas as easily as others. You think they care about performance? They don't. They get by with their Toyota tercel that gets them where they want to go.

Cars are for the most part, for getting people from point a to point b.

Thank you for making that sound a lot more educated and stuff Rob :P

[PinkFloyd]

Thank you for making that sound a lot more educated and stuff Rob :P

Lol no problem. :D

[Cognizant]

Because not everyone needs excess power, nor leans on the accelerator, and really only drives because they need to get to and from work and around town.

[Stepney]

You do realize, that it took a good 20 years before most cars had over 60HP? Ford only got the Flathead V-8 63HP in 1935. That little 22HP 4 cylinder model A could still move right along. With modern technology, (Even though I hate it), the 4 cyl. is a perfectly feasible motor. Hell, most typical cars don't even need that! Not everyone wants a muscle car you know.
(This is coming from the driver of one of those old 25HP sardine-can's that run forever on a tank, and look good doing it, and sound better then an old motorboat!)

Ya and the same 4 cylinder tractor is pushing like 40 horsepower and torque and horsepower are two completely different things. Anyways its wasted because the trannys and gears in a tractor only use low end torque and I was talking about 4 cylinders in cars.

My 1954 Massey Harris Pony is a 12HP inline 4 cylinder engine. It will drag the neighbors dump truck all day long.. and plow fields, and more.. all with 12 horses. Torque means everything, even if we are speaking nothing about tractors!

[Thatcarguy]

im a v8 guy and love my power currently own a 500hp mustang but thats besides the face that 4 cylinders are still good, you could easily get a N/A 4 cylinder to make 200hp if you out a turbo on it you could make up 900hp in some 4 cylinders. There are evos out there with 900hp+ my cousin has an evo with 600hp and its a monster so 4 cylinders are good

No such thing as a v4... It would be an inline 4 cylinder, seeing as the pistons arent in a V formation

There are v4s toyota is making one ford is making one its a new thing its kinda stupid though because V engines need more room compared to inlines or flats or even subaru boxer engines.

[Cognizant]

Much more economical in my opinion. It also depends on "location", if you will. Sure, my Mom's 3.0 V6 Camry can haul ass up to freeway speeds if needed, but it ain't an Excursion or a Grand Caravan. It doesn't need the extra power from a V6, but it does make it more sportier I suppose. But when you have a small lightweight sedan, even a four cylinder can bring it up to speed rather quickly.

If I were buying a brand new Camry, I'd get a 4 cylinder model if it meant sacrificing a few horses and maybe a second or two of acceleration time for better gas mileage.

[Emerald Dream]

Please do not post in threads with more than two months of inactivity. :locked2: