What is Straight-eight engine?
[[File:1933 Bugatti Type 59 Grand Prix engine.jpg|thumb|1933 [[Bugatti]] DOHC straight-8 in a Type 59 Grand Prix racer.]] [[File:Inline 8 Cylinder with firing order 1-4-7-3-8-5-2-6.gif|thumb|Straight-eight engine with firing order 1-4-7-3-8-5-2-6]] The '''straight-eight engine''' or '''straight-8''' is an [[internal combustion engine]] with 8 [[Cylinder (engine)|cylinder]]s. Sometimes it is called an '''inline-eight engine'''. All eight cylinders are mounted in a straight line along one [[crankshaft]]. It can be powered by different types of fuels, including [[gasoline]] and [[Diesel fuel|diesel]]. A straight-8 can be designed with balanced engine forces. Crankshaft vibration is present in all engines. The use of a [[harmonic damper]] is needed at the end of the crankshaft. Without the damper, the vibrations may lead to engine failure. The straight-8 is a smooth running engine. This made it popular in luxury and racing cars of the past. The length of the engine required a long engine compartment. This makes the basic design unacceptable in modern vehicles. The design has been replaced almost completely by the shorter and sturdier [[V8 engine]]. [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] and [[BMW]] made straight-8 aircraft engines during [[World War I]]. The engine for aircraft use provided good [[aerodynamics]]. == Performance and racing cars == The Duesenberg brothers introduced the first successful straight-8 racing engine in 1920. Their engine placed third, fourth and sixth at the [[Indianapolis 500]]. The following year one of their cars won the [[French Grand Prix]]. The straight-8 was the engine design of choice from the late 1920s until the mid-1950s. [[Bugatti]], [[Duesenberg]], [[Alfa Romeo]], [[Mercedes-Benz]] and [[Harry Miller (auto racing)|Miller]] built successful racing cars with high-performance straight-8 engines in the 1920s and 1930s. == References == {{reflist}} === Books === *{{cite book|last=Daniels|first=Jeff|title=Driving Force: The Evolution of the Car Engine|publisher =Haynes Publishing|year=200