The V8 engine is one of the most revered things in the automobile universe. Many people who call themselves fans of powerful cars, when they hear about this type of engine and hear its roar, their hair stands on end. But they don't always know how it works.
After all: what do V8 engines feed on, who are they, where do they live?
To simplify the explanation of its structure, it basically consists of eight cylinders divided into two series of four, facing each other.
These cylinders are connected at the bottom of the engine and arranged in a 'V' shape, hence the nomenclature. The accompanying number is defined by the number of cylinders, always divided into equal series on each side.
The V8 Advantage
The main advantage in using this type of arrangement is that, besides having a more compact engine, other parts and accessories can be optimized for power.
In other words, a car with a V8 usually has a lot of "power" - remember Toretto's Dodge Charger doing a prance in Fast and Furious? - and has very good acceleration too. The price to pay for this is a vehicle that drinks a lot of fuel in the process.
Over time, V8 engines are being replaced by turbo-charged V6 engines that are less noisy but more economical.
Where do I find the V8 engines?
V8 engines are found in high-powered sports cars and also in larger cars, such as SUVs, and can be adapted for the different types of fuel.
In addition, it is used for marine craft and even aircraft. Its appearance even dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when it was tested in small racing boats and prototype airplanes.
Generally, 'V' engines are more compact than inline engines of the same cylinder number and dimensions, which facilitates the design of sports cars and the concern of brands with the design of these cars.
The angle formed by the 'V' cylinders varies in different engines of this type, and ideally they should allow the combustion start cycle to be made at equal intervals between the cylinders. In the case of the V8, the ideal angle that automakers are looking for is 90°.
Some examples of powerful sports cars that use the cult engine: Mustang Boss 302 (the engine in the first picture is from it), Camaro ZL1, Corvette Stingray Z06, Audi S5, Ferrari 458 Speciale and so on...