What is a flat-plane crank in a V8 engine?
A flat-plane crankshaft is one in which all the crank pins – four in the case of a V8 engine, are aligned in a single (or flat) plane, 180 degrees apart, with two pins up and two pins down. With a cross-plane crankshaft, the pins are positioned every 90 degrees.
What cars have flat-plane crank V8?
So to celebrate the talents of these screaming, operatic engines, here is a quick list of the greatest cars to feature a flat-plane V8!
- McLaren P1.
- Ford Mustang Shelby GT350.
- Porsche 918 Sypder.
- Lotus Esprit V8.
- The Ferrari F430 is a stunning piece of kit.
Who makes a flat-plane crank V8?
Ford’s flat-plane crank was adapted to fit an existing engine architecture, which is probably why it ended up barely oversquare, with a bore and stroke of 94.0 x 93.0 mm.
What is the advantage to a flat-plane crank in a V8?
What Is the Advantage of a Flat-Plane Crank? Due to their lightweight design, flat-plane cranks have excellent primary balance properties, so there’s no need for the large counterweights found with cross-plane cranks. Less weight means less inertia, smaller size, and increased acceleration (revs faster).
What engines use flat-plane crank?
Flat-plane crankshafts are generally associated with European sports cars such as Ferrari and Lotus V8 engines, and cross-plane cranks with American manufacturers. There are some exceptions such as the Ferrari-designed crossplane crank V8 of the Lancia Thema 8.32 and the flat-plane crank Ford Mustang GT350.
Did the gt40 have a flat-plane crank?
When Ford wanted to build their most powerful naturally aspirated crate engine did they use a flat crank? Nope. The 5.2L aluminator at 580hp gets by just fine with a pedestrian cross plane crank.
Does Ferrari use flat-plane crank?
Flat-plane crankshafts are generally associated with European sports cars such as Ferrari and Lotus V8 engines, and cross-plane cranks with American manufacturers.
Does Porsche use a flat-plane crank?
The most notable use of flat-six engines is the Porsche 911 sports car, which has used flat-six engines continuously since 1963. Several other car manufacturers, including Subaru, have produced flat-six engines at times. Flat-six engines have also occasionally been used in aircraft and motorcycles.
Are Nascar engines flat plane?
The engines in Nascar Sprint Cup cars are 90-degree pushrod V8s, just like those that have powered many vehicles on American roads for more than 50 years. But today, the engine under Jimmie Johnson’s hood is a custom-made 850-hp 358-cubic-inch thoroughbred that’s optimized to run flat-out for no more than 1000 miles.