The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

[coleman kayak1]

So what do you guys think-<br />I'll start,<br />I think the best engine of all time was the Toyota 20R, available in the Pickup form 1970 to 1977.

 

[jinx]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

4.0 6 cyl in Jeep products from late '80's until today. Sadly, it is being phased out.<br /><br />Runner up: the 225 slant 6 from Chrysler Corp. especially before the primitive anti-pollution plumbing of the '70s was added.<br /><br />As you can see, I'm into longevity!<br /><br />Jinx

 

[toomanyboats]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Hands down its the small block chevy motor,It started in the late 50's with the 283ci and didnt change much till the early 80's,and to this day its still growing.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Yep, Chevy small block.<br /><br />I also LOVE the VW VR6. All the way around a fantastic engine. Very different than anything else in its siamese single head narrow V6 configuration.

 

[Pony]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Chevy Small block......<br /><br />I also like the Mopar 318

 

[Scaaty]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

SBC is going into its 50th year, so what else even comes close? Although, I gotta put the Harley V-twin way ahead on the rest. Simple, and the three I own will outlast me. Probably THE best engine EVER made, and still are with VERY little change? Honda OHC 50-70-90cc singles also 50+ years. And old Johnson's are forever. Just wish I had an original 396 Blown Hemi with zoomies sitting on a stand in my shop (or in a fuel altered from the sixties). And don't forget horizontal shaft Briggs and Stratton, powering minibikes for years after the mower rusted out. Biggest mistake was the vertical shaft motors. Useless after the deck rusted through. Best motor never built? Steam engine with a small nuclear reactor for steam, or power for electric motors. The best energy efficient motor? Wind. The most powerful free motor. GRAVITY!

 

[ZmOz]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Originally posted by jinx:<br /> 4.0 6 cyl in Jeep products from late '80's until today. Sadly, it is being phased out.<br />

Yep...anything with an inline 6 will last the longest. This one's been basically unchanged since the 60s for a reason. Near V8 power, and last as long as any little asian thing. Mine's got over 205,000 miles on it, gets 24 mpg highway, and still smokes the tires. Only thing that's ever been replaced are oil filters.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

The Mercedes M117 5.6 liter all aluminum V8's circa 1986-1991. <br />Huge numbers of them are well over 300K without any major work needed past or present.<br />In fact I'm still waiting to see just how long they will last. They aren't leaking or using oil and just require simple maintenence.

 

[magster65]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Hands down the 350 Chevy has stood the test of time for it's simplicity and durability. <br />There's a 'bunch' of new stuff out there that's better but us 'old school' folks will never admit it!<br />Amen

 

[ZodFutMk2]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Chevy, Ford, Mopar...all good<br /><br />Best engine of all time? One that never leaves you stranded on the side of the road.

 

[pjc]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

imo any of the big three strait sixes. My wife likes the Chevy Trailblazer.......she will have it with the strait six when we buy one.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

I'll vote w/jinx on the Chrysler slant 6. However, the Jeep 4.0 is way down my list. I had one that was a dog, but maybe that's just me. Also small block cheby, but if I remember correctly, the original was 265 cu in, not 283. 283 didn't come out until '57. 265 in '55.<br /><br />Do like my wife and correct me immediately, with criticism, if I'm wrong.

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

A few candidates:<br /><br />The Wankel rotary engine (if you can afford to replace the rotor tips)<br /><br />Most Ferrari engines just for the sound but not the reliability (they have a tie up with FIAT which as we all know stands for Fix It Again Toni)<br /><br />The VW W12 engine: just because it's there!<br /><br />The Rover V8 (originally a Buick Marine engine IIRC?)<br /><br />and the daddy of them all:<br /><br /><br />The Rolls Royce engines

 

[fixin]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Originally posted by Pony.:<br /> Chevy Small block......<br /><br />I also like the Mopar 318

Yep.

 

[fseries]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

i would have to say the best american engine would be the 300 six by ford then the 230 by chevy then the 225 by chrysler in the six catagory and of course in the v8 the 283,327.318

 

[rudeafrican]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Here in SA we're not as spoiled for choices as you but the Chevvy straight six 4.1 l (250 I think) is a brilliant engine. Good low down torque and reliable like all hell. I have a 30 year old engine that I transplanted into a Land Rover.

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Originally posted by CalicoKid:<br /> <br /><br />I also LOVE the VW VR6. All the way around a fantastic engine. Very different than anything else in its siamese single head narrow V6 configuration.

Didn't notice this one sorry: agree its an amazing engine

 

[dolluper]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

350 Olds rocket,easy to get 650hp with stock parts,borrowed from the 403

 

[JB]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Best? For what?<br /><br />Small block Chebby, introduced as a 265ci in 1955. Longest run that I know of.<br /><br />Deusenberg straight 8 of the mid 30s.<br /><br />Ford flathead V8.<br /><br />VW flat 4<br /><br />MB M117 V8<br /><br />Packard "twin 6" V12 of the early 30s.<br /><br />Jaguar XK I6.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

JB, glad to see you put the Deusy on your list! The fact that used dual overhead cams when others used valve-in-block engines is amazing!<br /><br />Small Block Chevy gets my vote as best though. Relatively simple, abundant, easy to work on, lots of power for their weight/size.