Ward's 10 Best Engines

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I was hoping to get some specific discussion going on some specific engines. Durability certainly isn't the only metric to consider here. What engines have changed the history of the automobile? What engines are signaling a complete change in direction from thirsty V-8s to thrify turbo-4s? What engines that happened to be on that list have turned out to be complete duds?

Everybody loves to Monday-morning-quarterback, right? Where has Wards not gotten it right?
 
FORD I6 4.9 300. Where is this listed...I don't see it...Oh, that's right, Ward don't know sheet from shinola!
 
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Two (predominantly) water cooled engines on the list (porsche and vw).

Not familiar with the Toyota UZ V8 - what's special/important about it.

I have a soft-spot in my head for the Big Block chevy so I'd at least put them in the honorable mention category.

Still lobbying for the Jag straight sixes too - longevity, beauty, performance in motorsport.

Does the 260,289... Ford V8's deserve any discussion?
What about the mopar slant six?
The hemi?
 
what about the first, made in USA, production engine to make 300 hp? the 1955 chrysler early hemi. not only power full, but very high quality. i have taken apart lots of early hemis with 150,000 miles, and the wear on cyl walls less than .001 in. oh and dont for get all the fuel racing the early and late hemis have done. of ALL the early hemis i haven taken apart all had piston match mark on the pan rail was As and [censored].
 
"BEST" ? just what is BEST? well it depends on what I say or YOU say. ill make the rules so that a Vespa is the BEST. there is nothing that is "BEST"
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I was hoping to get some specific discussion going on some specific engines.


I've had quite a few cars with engines frm that list: Honda CVCC, GM Powertrain LS1, High Feature V6, Jaguar AJ-V8.

I think they nailed it with the LS1 - compact OHV design, light weight, high power, a superbly driveable engine, probably the best engine I've ever had the pleasure of owning. Even better than the Jaguar AJ6.

I think they need to be hit in the head with a hammer for putting that gutless cvcc wheezer engine on anything other than a short list of the worst engines of all time. They obviously never had to drive around in a car powered by one or they would have a really different opinion of it. New car lot to junkyard was about three years for mine - and the engine was the best part of the car.
 
Bah nothing special their.

The best American built motor ever was the straight 8 Lycoming built for Duesenberg. It was also the most powerful American engine built until the Chrysler letter cars of the 1950's. It was also the most advanced and in full supercharged trim put out 320hp at a time when even V12 and V16 Cadillac and Packard's had maybe 150-180.

I'd also say the Tatra 87 had probably the most advanced engine fitted to a pre war car. How many 1930's cars had air cooled, overhead cam, hemispherical headed V8's built out of magnesium? Eat your heart out flat head Ford's, even a modern Chrysler Hemi doesn't have anything on them.


Does Chrysler build their performance Hemi's out of magnesium in 2012? No but Tatra was in the 1930's.
 
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What, no Subaru 2.5? Lol! I just had the headgaskets replaced on mine, to the tune of $1800. Probably not the best design around.
 
Honda D series should be on there. Had a 21 year run and got better with every rendition. Had two with 200k+ and one with 400k+. Pretty peppy when they were mated with a manual transmission. Also the Honda K series, the Swiss Army knife of Honda's power plants.
 
Originally Posted By: cchase
What is all the hubbub about with the Pentastar? It seems to just "catch up" with where everyone else has been for a few years.


I tend to agree with your statement. Nonetheless, it IS a very good motor. It even makes the Grand Caravan feel fast! And it makes a nice noise
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: mikefxu
Also the Honda K series, the Swiss Army knife of Honda's power plants.


The K20 is on the list a few times.
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: mikefxu
Also the Honda K series, the Swiss Army knife of Honda's power plants.


The K20 is on the list a few times.


Just curious, what cars is this engine?
 
What did the K20 come in? In the US market, they were most often found in the Acura RSX and Honda Civic SI. The RSX had two versions, one with about 160 hp and one with about 200 hp. The Civic SI had the 200 hp version.

In overseas markets, the K20 came in all sorts of vehicles, like the European Accord, various other market Civics, etc.
 
8 Lycoming built for Duesenberg was not for the people that we are. it was made for people with WAY MORE money than i could every have. like i said it depends on WHO sets the rules. well this, well that, well the other, yep after i set MY rules ,MY car wins. GEEE.
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
What did the K20 come in? In the US market, they were most often found in the Acura RSX and Honda Civic SI. The RSX had two versions, one with about 160 hp and one with about 200 hp. The Civic SI had the 200 hp version.

In overseas markets, the K20 came in all sorts of vehicles, like the European Accord, various other market Civics, etc.


Doesn't the S2000 use a version of this engine?
 
Originally Posted By: cadfaeltex
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
What did the K20 come in? In the US market, they were most often found in the Acura RSX and Honda Civic SI. The RSX had two versions, one with about 160 hp and one with about 200 hp. The Civic SI had the 200 hp version.

In overseas markets, the K20 came in all sorts of vehicles, like the European Accord, various other market Civics, etc.


Doesn't the S2000 use a version of this engine?


Nope, s2k is a variant of the f series.
 
I feel like Wards doesn't know what a good engine is anymore.

a "best" engine has to be extremely reliable, the BMW N55 is NOT (as well as other engines being listed, but the N55 is a huge offender)
 
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