Multi-valve

In automotive engineering, an engine is referred to as multi-valve (or multivalve) when each cylinder has more than two valves.

All poppet valve, four-stroke internal combustion engines have at least two valves per cylinder — one for intake of air and fuel, and another for exhaust of combustion products. Adding more valves improves the flow of intake and exhaust gases, potentially improving combustion efficiency, power, and performance. It is not practical to simply use two larger valves, for reasons of simple geometry (two smaller intake valves will fit side-by-side on one side of the combustion chamber, whereas a single one cannot be made much larger) and to keep the mass, and therefore inertia, of individual valves as low as possible. Multi-valve geometry also tends to favor the spark plug being located at the top of the combustion chamber, which can be ideal for even flame propagation during combustion. In addition, particularly as the valve begins to open, for equivalent valve/port areas multi-valve geometry allows for increased airflow. Many use double overhead camshafts (DOHC). However this is not always the case: Chevrolet recently showed a 3-valve version of its Generation IV V8 which uses pushrods to actuate forked rockers, and Cummins makes a 4-valve pushrod straight-6 diesel, the Cummins B Series (now know as ISB).

Starting in 1922, many Bugatti engines used three valves per cylinder actuated by a single overhead camshaft (SOHC). Nissan has produced the 1988-96 KA24E engine with three valves per cylinder (two intakes, one exhaust) that are also actuated by single overhead camshaft. Mercedes and Ford are currently producing V6 and V8 engines using this configuration. Ford claims an 80% improvement in high rpm breathing without the added cost of a second camshaft per bank of cylinders. The Ford design uses one spark plug per cylinder located in the center, but the Mercedes design uses two spark plugs per cylinder located on opposite sides, leaving the center free to add a direct-to-cylinder fuel injector at a later date. Thus there are many considerations to deciding how many valves an engine should have besides just the added cost versus adding breathing capability.

Some versions of the Honda D-series 4 cylinder engines, and all J-series V6 engines, R-series 4 cylinder engines, and the Chrysler 3.5 L V6 engine actuate four valves per cylinder with a single overhead camshaft. The V12 engines of many World War II fighter aircraft also used a SOHC configuration with four valves for each cylinder.

Mitsubishi were the first to market an engine with five valves per cylinder, with the 548 cc 3G81 engine in their Minica Dangan ZZ kei car in 1989. Volkswagen, Audi, Ferrari and Yamaha/Toyota have subsequently introduced five-valve engines as well. It is arguable if five valve configuration gives any benefit over four valve designs.

Maserati made an experimental 2.0 L turbo-V6 engine with six valves per cylinder 1985 (three intakes, three exhaust).

Many engines were made with two valves per cylinder, but, starting in the late 80s, a virtual explosion of multi-valve and DOHC engines came to market. As a result, even the most basic engines today usually contain four valves per cylinder, though the two valve configuration is still popular.