Quote:
Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr
Sometimes the weight and physical volume difference between a thumper and some other engine with more cylinders, both ranging within the very same displacement, turns out to not be so much more favorable to the engine with fewer cylinders.
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Yes, a single cylinder engine could end up weighing more or being bigger than a multi-cylinder engine of the same displacement.
The benefit is that for the same displacement in a single cylinder engine you have less ring/piston wall area so less friction. You also have less combustion chamber surface area, so less heat rejection.
Of course the downside is vibration. A single piston engine would be terribly unbalanced. It would also get a power stroke once every 720⁰ making it even more shaky. So this limits speed (and longevity) and also limits power.