How is the 4 Cylinder Built Better?

DGXR · Feb 1, 2018

Clear7 said: ↑

First and foremost it’s an inline engine, which is better as the cylinders are straight up and down, so less wear just by its nature, plus its naturally balanced. And there are just less parts vs a V engine.. one head, one valve train, one timing chain, one exhaust manifold.

Also, less actuating parts go into an inline vs transverse 4 cyl.

Second, it’s an old school design. In a lot of cases, older engines have been over engineered. Take the 4G63 engine.. most over engineered 4 cyl in history, but won’t go down that bunny trail… Point is, today’s emissions designed engines are the exact opposite, with most components just a little under engineered.

The 2.7l is a cast iron block, which:
- handles heat better
- handles vibrations better
- has no liners like alum blocks
- creates better bearing surfaces
- just all round stronger.

Guys are successfully boosting this engine, which tells me pistons, rods, bearings and caps have all been over engineered.

The fact it’s a timing chain vs belt says the water pump has been built better as it has to last the same life span as the chain.

Tolerances on this engine are very tight, which simply makes for a better built, more reliable engine.

As far as the head goes, I don’t think there’s any advantage in the components on the 2.7l , other than hydraulic valve lifters means less maintenance.

To directly compare this to the V6 3.5 2GR-FKS engine, no question the 2.7L will see more miles. For the reasons above, plus this new V6 was designed solely for emissions. And emissions and reliability don’t go hand in hand. This pseudo atkinson engine means nothing more than high maintenance.. high pressure fuel pump and injectors, the intake manifold with an actuator valve (moving parts don’t belong in a manifold), and a one piece exhaust manifold/head -- always a weak point, so if it cracks your now replacing a head. Nothing about the new V6 engine adds up to long term reliability.
Click to expand...

I agree with nearly everything you say here. A few points of information:

-- Not sure if the vertical cylinder position allows less wear on its own. Lots of boxer engines and v-engines with hundreds of thousands of miles. I suspect the cylinder pressures and crank/rod rotational forces are creating far more stress.
-- "Transverse" is a term describing the mounting position of the engine, it means the cylinders are aligned left-right relative to the vehicle (as in most front-drive sedans). The mounting of our engines is longitudinal, meaning the cylinders are aligned fore-aft relative to the vehicle.
-- cast iron blocks do have cylinder liners, they are made of steel.

Otherwise great post, thanks

Clear7 · Feb 3, 2018

DGXR said: ↑

-- cast iron blocks do have cylinder liners, they are made of steel.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Not sure where my head was at. Yes, iron needs liners.

Also, if my post made it sound like the 2.7L is a transverse mount, that wasn't the intent. I'm aware of the difference between the two setups. I have a bad habit of referring to a longitudinal engine simply as inline.

I'll clarify my original post.

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How is the 4 Cylinder Built Better?

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