Editing V6 engine (section)

==== 60 degrees ====
[[File:VG30E.jpg|right|thumb|1984-1999 [[Nissan VG engine#VG30E|Nissan VG30E]] 60-degree engine]]
[[File:Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0 Litre V6 Engine.jpg|right|thumb|[[Toyota_GR_engine#1GR-FE|Toyota 1GR-FE]] 4.0 Litre 60-degree V6 Engine]]

A V-angle of 60 degrees is the optimal configuration for V6 engines regarding engine balance.<ref name="caranddriver.com">{{cite web |title=The Physics of: Engine Cylinder-Bank Angles |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15126436/the-physics-of-engine-cylinder-bank-angles-feature/ |website=www.caranddriver.com |access-date=21 December 2019 |date=14 January 2011}}</ref> When individual [[crank pin]]s are used for each cylinder (i.e. using a six-throw crankshaft), an even firing interval of 120 degrees can be used. This firing interval is a multiple of the 60 degree V-angle, therefore the combustion forces can be balanced through use of the appropriate [[firing order]].

The inline-three engine that forms each cylinder bank, however, produces unbalanced rotating and reciprocal forces. These forces remain unbalanced in all V6 engines, often leading to the use of a [[balance shaft]] to reduce the vibration.

The 1950 Lancia V6 engine was pioneering in its use of a six-throw crankshaft in order to reduce vibration. More recent designs often use a three-throw crankshaft with 'flying arms' between the crankpins to allow an even firing interval of 120 degrees to be achieved. A pair of counterweights on the crankshaft can then be used to almost perfectly cancel out the primary forces<ref name="Nunney"/>{{refpage|page=16}} and reduce the secondary vibrations to acceptable levels.<ref name="Nunney"/>{{refpage|pages=13–16}} The engine mounts can be designed to absorb these remaining vibrations.<ref name="Nunney"/>{{refpage|pages=40–41}}

A 60 degree V-angle results in a narrower engine overall than V6 engines with larger V-angles. This angle often results in the overall engine size being a cube shape,{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} making the engine easier to fit either longitudinally or transversely in the engine compartment.