In-line Engine
A straight engine is considerably easier to build than an otherwise equivalent horizontally opposed or V enginebecause the cylinder bank can be milled from a single metal casting and it requires fewer cylinder heads and camshafts. In-line engines are also much smaller in volume than designs like the radial, and can be mounted in any direction. Straight configurations are simpler than their V-shaped counterparts. Although six-cylinder engines are inherently balanced, the four-cylinder models are inherently off balance and rough, unlike 90 degree V fours and horizontally opposed 'boxer' 4 cylinders.

V Engine
A V engine is a common configuration for an internal c****ustion engine. The cylinders and pistons are aligned, in two separate planes, so that they appear to be in a "V" when viewed along the axis of the crankshaft. The V configuration generally reduces the overall engine length, height and weight compared to an equivalent inline configuration. Various angles of V are used in different engines; depending on the number of cylinders, there may be angles that work better than others for stability. Very narrow angles of V c****ine some of the advantages of the V engine and the straight engine (primarily in the form of compactness) as well as disadvantages; the concept is an old one pioneered by Lancia , but recently reworked by Volkswagen.

ADVANTAGES.................................................V Engine
Shorter engine takes up less space in engine bay.
shorter also allows it to be more compact which allows the engine to be mounted in the center of the car.
although smaller in size to the inline still manages to produce same amount of power.
ADVANTAGES.............................................In-Line Engine
Can be mounted in any direction.
Simpler built
Handles Power Better than V engines
smoother running

-- Edited by Fuzz on Friday 3rd of April 2009 07:15:03 PM

-- Edited by Fuzz on Monday 6th of April 2009 10:38:46 AM