How V8 Engines Work

Engines

The internal combustion engine revolutionized travel for human beings. The internal combustion engine has a number of configurations for different purposes. V6, V8, more horsepower, more liters, all are markers of configurations of engines that work in remarkably similar ways.

Four-stroke Conversion

Gasoline is typically converted into energy through a four-stroke conversion process. This means that a piston rotates in a specific sequence. It begins with the intake of air and a minute amount of gasoline. Then the piston compresses the mixture. A spark plug ignites the gasoline, exploding the compressed fuel in the cylinder and forcing the piston back down, driving a crankshaft to produce energy for the car. Finally an exhaust valve is opened to let out the vapor left from the explosion and the process begins again. This happens hundreds of times per minute.

The V8 Magic

So what differentiates V8 from the standard engine configuration? First, the V. The V in V8 comes from the alignment of the pistons in a V shape, with two rows of pistons canted out from the central cylinder of the engine. The typical angle of one row of cylinders to the other is 90 degrees. This design allows two rows of pistons to convert energy into motion on a single crankshaft. It's an efficient design that allows for perfect firing of each cylinder and exceptional management of vibrations.

The 8 in V8

The number 8 in V8 refers to the number of pistons firing within the engine. More pistons can produce additional power, since more explosions can occur simultaneously. In addition, 8 cylinders runs smoother, allowing for quicker acceleration. The most popular arrangement for larger vehicles, V8 allows for power and smooth driving.