Flatplane vs Crossplane V8 Engines: Which is Best?

 

Flatplane vs Crossplane V8 Engines: Which is Best?

When it comes to V8 engines, there are two main types: flatplane and crossplane. These engines get their names from the design of the crankshaft, and have key distinct differences.

Flatplane Crankshaft

Flatplane engines have the primary forces balanced out, so the crankshaft can be light and fast revving. This makes them ideal for high-performance applications where quick acceleration and high RPMs are desired. However, flatplane engines can be rougher running than crossplane engines, due to the lack of secondary force balancing.

Crossplane Crankshaft

Crossplane V8 engines have the secondary forces balanced out, making them very smooth with the addition of counterweights to balance out the primary forces. This makes them ideal for applications where smoothness and low vibration are desired, such as luxury cars and trucks. However, crossplane engines are typically heavier and slower revving than flatplane engines.

Which is Best?

The best type of V8 engine for a particular application depends on the desired performance characteristics. Flatplane engines are ideal for high-performance applications where quick acceleration and high RPMs are desired, while crossplane engines are ideal for applications where smoothness and low vibration are desired.

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between flatplane and crossplane V8 engines:

Feature	Flatplane	Crossplane
Primary Force Balancing	Balanced	Not Balanced
Secondary Force Balancing	Not Balanced	Balanced
Crankshaft Weight	Light	Heavy
Revving Speed	Fast	Slow
Smoothness	Rough	Smooth
Applications	High-performance cars	Luxury cars and trucks