The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

[pcrussell50]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

A friend of mine works for BMW in Raleigh and he digs the I6 but warns to stay away from any BMW 8Cyl.

well, i can't say for sure, but i sure hope your friend is wrong
because i own the 400hp, 7000rpm, 5.0L bmw v8. the s62, in "lingo" terms. my car is black, though. betcha if you closed our eyes, you couldn't tell it wasn't american. i guess a v8 is a v8, no matter which country it's made in, right?

i know they are prone to having the secondary air injection ports get all carboned up, and it's hideously expensive to repair. the bummer is, it doesn't effect performance either. it's a smog thing and here in these parts, you have to fix it.

-peter

 

[reelfishin]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

I think the Absolute best engine choice would have to be listed in categories,
you can't compare a small block V8 to a 4 banger even though both may be tops in their category.
In the 6 cylinder arena, I'd say first the Mopar 225 Slant Six, then the Ford 300 I6 (or it's 240 Ci predecessor), the AMC 258, and later the 4.0L, then the GM 250/298 family. I put the GM engines last mostly since they were know for poor mileage, and I put the 225 Slant Six first for pure longevity. (I owned two that ran well over 250,000 miles all but untouched. If judging by pulling power, the Ford 300 would have it there.

In smaller 4 cylinder motors, I'd have to put the Ford 2.3L (Lima, OHC) motor first, then the older GM iron duke as was used in the Chevy II, then if you want to include an import, I'd have to put the VW Type I/II air cooled motor in here as well, (third since it lacked power and heat compared to the larger American motors).

In the V8 arena. I'd have to start the list with the Mopar 440, for its natural balance and shear power, then the GM Small block for power to weight ratio, then the Olds small block, then the Ford small block. The GM motors had a big advantage in head design. The Old 455 was an impressive motor for it's size as well which made good power and kept weight at a minimum.
The small block Mopar would be next, it's no doubt one of the better engines for longevity, and no slouch either as far as power if you look at the 340 TA and the newer Magnum small blocks, but they lack fuel economy and the really best motors were built in limited production.

If I had to pick only one engine, to rely on for long term, that made good power, had good parts availability, and got acceptable economy, I'd have to say the Ford 300 I6, especially since this is a boat forum and it's most likely use would be in a tow vehicle. The V8 engines just don't get the mileage that we need today, and the 4 cylinder motors are borderline as tow vehicle power for larger boats. The 300 ci./4.9L Ford will pull like a freight train, get 18 mpg doing it and do it for 200,000 miles or more if maintained with only basic maintenance. The later Injected versions made even better torque, which rivaled many V8 engines of the day and got even better mileage.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

The 3.8 V6 in my Olds 98 would get 22mpg all day, 28-32mpg highway at 75mph depending on how far south (and therefore flat) I was highway driving. I loved that engine.

 

[zoe'sdad]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

I'm a fan of the 22-re but hands down the Chevy 350 is the best engine ever built.

 

[QC]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

The 300 ci./4.9L Ford will pull like a freight train, get 18 mpg doing it and do it for 200,000 miles or more if maintained with only basic maintenance. The later Injected versions made even better torque, which rivaled many V8 engines of the day and got even better mileage.

In Australia they still build this engine for Falcons . . . Yes Falcons. The XR6 Version is Turboe'd 4.0 DOHC and puts out 329 horsepower and 354 lb/ft. torque from 2000 - 4200 RPM. I've been for a ride and it rivals their 5.4 V8 offerings (XR8). All of them rear wheel drive. You can get a manual 6 speed or a ZF auto 6 speed previously only seen in Jags and BMWs.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

The Australian engine is a derivative of the old 144/170/200/250 family of engines, it became known there as the 250 Crossflow, and in later years gained the addition of an over head cam, then dual over head cams.
The 250 CI roughly converts to about 4.1L.

The 240/300Ci (or now the 4.9L) engines are a much larger block, far too large to fit under the hood of a Falcon, particularly the later Falcon models sold there.

I was told that the 4.9L ended production in or around 2000, and at that it was being used in a non highway vehicle application. The smaller I6 ended production here after years of being sold as an industrial engine being used in compressors, pumps, and other various Fire, Rescue, and industrial equipment.

Both I6's were excellent engines, but the 300 was the truck engine. Both were pretty much phased out due to weight and emissions reasons, not to mention physical fit. Most modern body styles won't take an I6 engine.
I do wish they had kept it in the F series, the 4.2L V6 that replaced it is pretty much junk. The 4.2L is nothing more than a carry over and upgrade from the old Thunderbird 3.8L which suffered the same from headgasket failures and coolant intrusion problems.

I've been looking for a nice clean F150 with a 4.9L, from the mid 90's or so to tow my boat with but all the one's I find for sale have been well beat or high miles. I'd love to find a super clean 4.9L F150 4x2 with AC and an 8' bed. Preferably with a 5 speed trans too, but I'd take an auto trans as well.

 

[fast50]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

i would have to say the small block chevy because to this day gm is still producing this cam in block push rod motor and they are probably the cheapest to build big power because they have the ability to interchange parts

 

[sportsmanphil]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

i would have to say the small block chevy because to this day gm is still producing this cam in block push rod motor and they are probably the cheapest to build big power because they have the ability to interchange parts

Actually they are not. The 350 is gone.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

The 350 or 5.7L has been gone from the truck line going on 10 years now, not sure if they carried it over in anything else any later. I think they kept a version alive in the Corvette up to 2004? I seem to recall an anniversary edition having a 5.7L in it?

 

[sportsmanphil]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

The 350 or 5.7L has been gone from the truck line going on 10 years now, not sure if they carried it over in anything else any later. I think they kept a version alive in the Corvette up to 2004? I seem to recall an anniversary edition having a 5.7L in it?

In 1999 the new silverado came out with the 4.8, 5.3 options. The 2500 and gas 3500 still had the 5.7 for a few years. This ran for a few years, around 2003 they were removed totally from the HD line.

The vette gave up the 5.7 with the C6 and the GTO went to the 6.0. After that there was no more 5.7.

with the 5.3 and 6.0; Id say its a nice improvement. I clicked 180K on my Silverado a few weeks ago and havent had a problem yet.

 

[fast50]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

the small block chevy carried over to the ls motor it is still a cam in block push rod engine the 4.8,5.3,and 6 liter are still small blocks its like the 305 and a 350

 

[JJS1]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

The LT-1 small block from Chevy (circa 1970-1972) also considered the "ultimate" small block.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Ya know, I was doin some thinkin tonight and need to revise my comment on 4 bangers. IMO, one bullet proof 4 banger was the old "iron duke" in the old S-10 trucks. Them things just wont die. Stink, and sound like there on their last leg,, but just keep running.

In my experience, the worse a Tec4 sounds, the longer it runs

 

[aspeck]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Yup, gotta love the old Iron Duke! Made great race engines for the 1/4 & 1/2 mile dirt tracks. Decent mileage, run like crazy,and forever, just didn't sound real good.

GM's 3800 mpfi v-6 was a real workhorse also. I have one from 1990 that is still going strong and getting 21 mph around town and will get 32 on the highway at 75 - 80mph in a Bonnie. Friend has one in his Bonnie with 280K on her ... just rebuilt that tranny, but the engine is as strong as ever.

 

[sschefer]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

The 350 is without a doubt the most buildable small block chevy ever made. The only other small block that ever came close was the Chrysler 383.. Unless you consider the 331 Hemi.

However, it would be hard to contest that a 302 stroker born from a 283 wasn't one smokin hot engine. Lifecycle was a little short but what the heck. Tires didn't last long either.

My 08 Tahoe has the 4.8 and is completely stock but has more HP than the 350's my 76, 86 or 90 vettes ever had.

 

[navis]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

With-out doubt my favourite engine in a mid sized truck is a 6.6L Duramax Diesel twin turbo.

Once chipped you can get up to 1000HP and 1000ft/lbs of torque!

 

[sportsmanphil]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Ive never confirmed this myself but while at GM an engineer told me the block of the iron duke was originally designed by John Deere to be used in a tractor but was purchased by GM............Again, have not confirmed this but the way they ran, it ran forever, and sounded like a tractor...

 

[sschefer]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Ive never confirmed this myself but while at GM an engineer told me the block of the iron duke was originally designed by John Deere to be used in a tractor but was purchased by GM............Again, have not confirmed this but the way they ran, it ran forever, and sounded like a tractor...

Wouldn't suprise me one bit. I had a 76 Blazer with a John Deere transfer case. It was original from the day I bought it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

Wouldn't suprise me one bit. I had a 76 Blazer with a John Deere transfer case. It was original from the day I bought it.

A friend in college did one of those S-10 V8 conversions. His dad owned a John Deere dealership/service center and that's where he did the work. He swears the thing is at least half JD parts.

 

[jevery]

Re: The Absolute Best Engine Ever put in an Automobile

The Nissan VQ series. I think it's the only series to have made Ward's Top Ten Engines list every year since the list's inception in 1995.