jcreme
Power Stroke Diagram
This is a diagram that shows the power STROKE of different engine configurations.
I like this diagram because it explains why a V8 has that nice rushing/roaring exhaust note and a four cylinder has ..ahem.. the fart-can effect.
The exhaust note is, of course, driven by the timing of the exhaust valve in each cylinder. When an exhaust valve is open that cylinder is making noise. So, the combination of all the cylinders doing their thing, makes the exhaust sound the way it does.
Even though this is a diagram of the power stroke, the exhaust stroke would be identical. Then, if one were to draw the exhaust valve duration (time that it's open) it would be similar, but the black bars would all be shorter (the exhaust valves are not open for the entire exhaust stroke.
So, this is why a V12 sounds like heaven and a 4-cyl ..uh.. doesn't.
Power Stroke Diagram
This is a diagram that shows the power STROKE of different engine configurations.
I like this diagram because it explains why a V8 has that nice rushing/roaring exhaust note and a four cylinder has ..ahem.. the fart-can effect.
The exhaust note is, of course, driven by the timing of the exhaust valve in each cylinder. When an exhaust valve is open that cylinder is making noise. So, the combination of all the cylinders doing their thing, makes the exhaust sound the way it does.
Even though this is a diagram of the power stroke, the exhaust stroke would be identical. Then, if one were to draw the exhaust valve duration (time that it's open) it would be similar, but the black bars would all be shorter (the exhaust valves are not open for the entire exhaust stroke.
So, this is why a V12 sounds like heaven and a 4-cyl ..uh.. doesn't.