Multiple Valve Technology
5V Ferrari Engine
Today' s modern engines almost all use more than 2 valves per cylinder with most engines using a 4 valve per cylinder setup.
As shown above if area were the only concern then the 3 valve configuration is the best. But there are other factors involved than just the intake area.
Benefits of 4 Valves per cylinder over 3 Valves per cylinder
 |
Variable intake lengths. With two intake valves you can have a different length intake runner going to each valve. Being able to vary the intake runner lengths at different engine RPMs increases the engine's performance. |
|
Variable Valve Timing. The two intake valves can open at different times for different RPMs which increases engine performance and fuel economy. |
|
Tumble and Swirl. By having two intake valves more turbulence can be created inside the cylinder. This turbulence increases the mixing of the air and fuel and increases the combustion. |
5 Valve Engines
Volkswagen and Ferrari both use 5V designs in some of their engines. These engines have 3 intake valves and 2 exhaust valves. The benefits are the same as with a 4 valve engine compared to a 3 valve engine. There are more possibilities for timing and inducing turbulence. By it is a trade secret to why these particular engines perform better than 4 valve per cylinder engines.