the best V-6 engines ever?

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GM 3.8(3800)
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Well the Chevy 4.3 that was made by cutting the end two cylinders off a small block Chevy is a pretty beefy and powerful V6.

My favorite, albeit a bit small and low on power, is the Ford 3.0 Vulcan pushrod V6. These engines are reputed to be bulletproof. You actually can get some performance out of them if you don't mind running premium fuel.

Now I have heard that in the 60s GMC pickups could be had with a 300 or 305 cid v6. That would be a beastly V6.
 
There is no best V6 unless you are talking about packaging solutions. There is nothing else that recommends them as a best layout. A V6 gives you good power and torque for a given cube. After packaging it you have to stop it from shaking. Then you put a big piece of plastic over it and you're done. For a modern car that needs interior space and crush space outside of that a V6 is a good choice. The problem is that I4's offer a good package too, at a lower cost of purchase, you can get the shake out of them and there is less maintenance to keep one running. Many I4's give techs better access and less complication. Exhaust systems and other components are inheriently easier to deal with. V6's have done a good job and for those that don't keep cars they make sense, more performance and many times come very close to the mileage performance of the 4's.

GM's 3800 has the durability, Nissan the power, Honda/Acura the overall performance. Someday the V6 will fall out of fashion and the I4 will still be here.
 
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Are we strictly talking about "V" designs? If not, I would like to add various iterations of Porsche's Flat-6.




Sure, it's a "V"...just a flat one. Subaru makes a flat V, too. I would think the flat V's would be inherently more balanced, but, I'm not an engineer...
 
Because we are not limited to V's, I need to mention Toyota's straight 2JZ-GTE (Toyota Supra MkIV).

Consider this quote from Wikipedia:

"In light of the above as well as the due to the use of forged internals throughout the engine, the 2JZ-GTE is well-known for requiring no internal modification to cope with the stress associated with high-boosting turbines, and has actually achieved 1000HP at the flywheel with bone stock internals.

This engine is considered the main rival of Nissan's RB26DETT, and is very popular with the tuner niche for its upgrade flexibility and reliability that is supported very strongly by the aftermarket scene. When upgraded with large turbochargers and other tuner parts, 2JZ-GTE's have produced in excess of 1400 BHP."
 
First of all - It depends on what you mean by "best". Best "all around", best economy, best for an engine swap, best power... be more specific.

For example - GM 3.8 and Nissan's V6 are probably the best "all around" of all time. Nissan's V6 is the ONLY engine on Ward's top 10 list every single year the list has been out. The GM 3.8 has been put in more cars, and is more readily available.

Toyota's V6's are making AMAZING HP / Torque while getting I-4 like gas mileage! They're doing it in their new Lexus lines by putting VVTi on the intake AND exhaust sides. Is it technically "the best" out there right now? Probably. But, it's also the most expensive.
 
My favorite and a definitely tough six banger is the Ford inline 4.9L. Think of it as a V that is folded together.

How about GMs new inline six (well new about 6 years ago) that also has inline 5 and inline 4 brothers (or sisters since we usually refer to machines in the femine form).
 
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