Ok, I know it stands for overhead valve, but is it still SOHC too? What's the difference w/ OHV's?

 

Not always. Single Over Head Cam (SOHC), means cams are over each head. When people say OHV they are usually referring to a pushrod motor (one cam and not over the head).

 

You can have a single over head cam (SOHC) or a dual over head cam (DOHC). OHV refers to the placement of the valve, ie not a flat head type engine. So an OHV motor could be SOHC or DOHC or a pushrod like a 5.0

 

So, what is the setup of the 3.9L V6?

 

Thats a push rod setup, single cam in the block.

 

Are pushrods good...disadvantages?

 

good = creates more torque

bad = not as breathable in the top end of the power band.

 

Why would the existence of pushrods create more torque?

Bottom line an cam-in-block or cam-in-head engine is gonna behave pretty much the same way. But the advantage of cam-in-head is there is less complexity, and less pieces. So they can rev much higher without risk of valve float.

 

I have to disagree there. OHV was a way to describe the placement long ago, but they've started refering to an OHV meaning a pushrod engine. I realy think you cant have a OHVDOHC.

 

It's more in the design of the engine actually. Pushrods are just the usual design in torquey engines.

Low velocity air creates more torque. Pushrods have a horrible top end, usually redling around 5500ish. That puts their torque band from near idle to a few thousand RPMs. Look up the specs on the Viper engines. the SRT10 makes 525 ft lbs somewhere around 1700 rpm.

magiarn: ALL DOHC/SOHC engines are OHV. OHV simply means that the valves are overhead of the engine block. But since SOHC/DOHC are named accordingly, pushrods have been known to be called OHVs since there's only one cam and it sits inside the engine block and not in the head(s) itself/themselves.