<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (January 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (January 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> A V8 engine is an eight - cylinder V configuration engine with the cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two sets (or banks) of four, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft . Most banks are set at a right angle (90 °) to each other, some at a narrower angle, with 45 °, 60 °, and 72 ° most common . </P> <P> In its simplest form, the V8 is basically two parallel inline - four engines sharing a common crankshaft . However, this simple configuration, with a flat - or single - plane crankshaft, has the same secondary dynamic imbalance problems as two straight - 4s, resulting in vibrations in large engine displacements . Since the 1920s, most V8s have used the somewhat more complex crossplane crankshaft with heavy counterweights to eliminate the vibrations . This results in an engine that is smoother than a V6, while being considerably less expensive than a V12 . </P>

What does the v stand for in v8