Question for you technical buffs

6SPD_FTW

You are correct that the number of cylinders has a lot to do with how smooth an engine is. The configuration of the cylinders has a lot to do with it, too. An inline 4 cylinder is just a very naturally unbalanced configuration. So is a 60º V6. The V6 is definitely smoother simply because you have overlapping power strokes. But if you look at a boxer 4 cylinder, it's still a 4 cylinder, but it's naturally balanced, just by how the cylinders are laid out and a lot smoother. It really takes some effort by auto manufacturers to make a smooth running V6...counterweights and ballancing and such.

The only inherently balanced engines are inline 6's, flat 4's and 6's, and V8's...at least as far as common engine types are concerned.

Late,
Trav