Best/Worst/Most Underrated Engines Ever Built?

[Leonidae@MFT]

Most underrated engine? I have to go with Volvo's B234F due to wide variety of applications it has been in, from boats to dragsters and rallycars. It's also a common swap to some 4-cyl Fords in Americaland, namely Mustang SVO and Ranger. Should oyu turbocharge it, mild mods will easily get you to 500bhp+, and should you go for the moon, over 1000bhp isn't impossible. This motor is bit like Toyota's 503E, small, but full of potential.

Most overrated engine? Anything LS-series. Why, you ask? Because when it comes to modifying, I'm bit of a redneck and like to keep it in the family. Just because you can fit LSwhatever into 911, Mitsu Evo, GT-R and Miata, doesn't mean that you should. Just my humble opinion.

Best engine? Well, I quite like wankels and boxer motors, as they represent thinking outside the box.

 

[Cano]

Most overrated engine? Anything LS-series. Why, you ask? Because when it comes to modifying, I'm bit of a redneck and like to keep it in the family. Just because you can fit LSwhatever into 911, Mitsu Evo, GT-R and Miata, doesn't mean that you should. Just my humble opinion.

Your opinion does not have anything to do with it being overrated. People put them in there because they deliver (and lately, I think, for pissing people like you off). If you're sick of it, it's fine, but that does not make the engine overrated.

Underrated: Oldsmobile's Quad 4. pretty andvanced for it's day, could be made to develop a lot of hp, and from what I've read, it isn't a nightmare to keep running. Parts availability could be an issue now.

Also, +1 to the GM 3800 V6, specially in supercharged trim, and for the VW's flat four. I'm still amazed at what people can do with these engines.

 

[TanJaM92]

underated is deffenitly gm iron duke i4 for the size it was strong as hell
worst ford zetec burns your arm every time u reach for oil dipstick
best the nail head sounds wicked not much power but unreal sound

 

[Dennisch]

underated is deffenitly gm iron duke i4 for the size it was strong as hell
worst ford zetec burns your arm every time u reach for oil dipstick
best the nail head sounds wicked not much power but unreal sound

Try using these : , . and the shift key.


Overrated. Vw's VR6. Great for the power. Bad for everything else. Especially when you use the power on a daily basis.

Best engine. Chevy small block, older European non-turbo Diesels.

Worst engine. Late 90's Renault 1.2, head gaskets yo. And VW's 1.4 16v, Pre FSI engine. Even with normal use, worn down at less than 100K miles.

 

[motortrend]

Two more for best:
M88/1 and 2

S85

I'm sort of a BMW engine fanboy
EDIT:
Also, honda K20 variations

 

[Slash]

Well for a v8 600 horsepower shouldn't be really pushing the limits of the block however the design was a good one in terms of easy hp and rpm. Perfect for the light mustang.

The block itself is very light, at 130ish lbs. Its brother, the 351W can easily exceed 600hp as the block is physically larger.

 

[Bopop4]

One of the best motors that you will ever get is the engine from an XR400.
They are indestructible, I don't know how you could ever blow one up. (Apart from shifting from 5th to 1st repeatedly, even then it would still run.)

 

[Nicksfix]

Underrated: Oldsmobile's Quad 4. pretty andvanced for it's day, could be made to develop a lot of hp, and from what I've read, it isn't a nightmare to keep running. Parts availability could be an issue now.

The 2.3 Quad 4 engine in the Olds Calais was a screamer. I know a girl who had one of these cars, it would get it. Parts are still out there, but they fall a little bit into the costly side.

 

[TanJaM92]

The 2.3 Quad 4 engine in the Olds Calais was a screamer. I know a girl who had one of these cars, it would get it. Parts are still out there, but they fall a little bit into the costly side.

also was a turbo variant and I believe there was a s/c 2.3 quad4 in the Achieva's later on. don't quote me on that though.

 

[marluxiaXI11]

The achieva scx had 190 HP from an n/a 2.3.

The Oldsmobile aerotech had an 800 horsepower turbo quad 4.

 

[Slash]

Well for a v8 600 horsepower shouldn't be really pushing the limits of the block however the design was a good one in terms of easy hp and rpm. Perfect for the light mustang.

Should have added that the Windsor family engines have one of the best oiling systems in history.

 

[Bottoz]

Should have added that the Windsor family engines have one of the best oiling systems in history.

Explain.

 

[Bobert power]

I think the 8.0L Chrysler Magnum V10 used in the 90's Rams is underated. No one seems to talk about them since they were not really efficent. But they could haul loads!

 

[RVDNuT374]

Best:

Chevy Small Block, no explanation required
Chevy 250 straight-6
Ford 300 straight 6 for reasons explained by Slashfan in post #1
Ford Windsor Small Blocks
Ford 460
Chrysler 225 slant-6
Cummins Diesel 5.9 I6
Ford Modular V8's
Chevy Big Block

Worst:

Ford 3.8 V6, grossly underpowered, ate head gaskets
GM 4100 HT V8


Underrated:

Ford 3.0 Vulcan V6- while not the most powerful, these are very reliable workhorse motors as long as you maintain the cooling systems

 

[Conbon14]

best
RB26DETT
2JZ.
VR38DETT

 

[xXKingJoshXx]

On the OP, I'd have to strongly agree with #1 & #2. My Town Car has the 4.9, and my grandpa has a '92 F250 with the 300 I6 - which is indestructible.

I'd also like to add a few, even though most if it all have already been said.

Ford 460
Chevrolet LS6 454
Mopar 440
Mopar 426
All the other Mopars from 318 up
Ford 351
Ford 5.4 The spark plugs in it are a real 🤬 though. But it was used in cars/trucks like F150s, Ford Falcons and Fairmonts, Shelby GT500, Ford GT, SVT Lightning, and others.
I'm not too crazy about the 5.4, I just listed it because I'm around them all the time. The one in my grandma's F150 is running pretty poorly, and parts on my mom's F150 are going out that are really important and expensive. Anyways, it's a pretty torquey engine and fun to go fast.

I also like the Chevy 350 and Ford 7.3 diesel.

 

[RedTransAm]

Best: Ford's EFI 5.0

and GM's Tuned Port Injection

I saw Ford and GM smallblocks listed among the best, but more specifically, I think that Ford's EFI 5.0 and GM's Tuned Port Injection engines from the 80's and early 90's are among the best. While they may not be particularly powerful, they both were a sign that we were moving out of the malaise era and factory performance was back. Both GM and Ford learned how to make efficient AND (relatively) powerful EFI engines. Plus, both these engines really kickstarted the late model aftermarket performance industry. There's still a whole section of Summit Racing's catalog dedicated to 5.0's and SLP and others made a name for themselves by modifying TPI engines. These these two engines really paved the way for the modern factory performance engines we have now.

 

[AudiMan2011]

My best engines:

Audi 4.2 FSI V8
Audi 6.0 V12 TDI
Audi 3.0 V6 BiTDi
Lamborghini 5.2 V10 & 6.5 V12
Aston Martin 6.0 V12
Pagani Zonda 7.3 V12
BMW M5 V10
BMW M3 E46 CSL inline 6
BMW M550d 3.0 inline 6 tri-turbo diesel
Vauxhall VXR8 6.0 LS1 / 6.2 LS3 V8
Jaguar 5.0 V8 supercharged (XKR-S & XFR-S)
Jaguar 3.0 V6 twin-turbo diesel

My worst engines:

Hyundai Accent 1.5 3 cylinder diesel
Kia Rio 1.1 CRDi diesel

 

[Ibonibo]

VW 1.8T turbocharged inline-4 (Eleventy-billion Volkswagen Auto Group cars)

Ohhh yes!!

Ranging from 150ps to 240ps stock. 5 valves engine. Big fat turbo. Awesome high pressure (compared to other bigger engines). Easy to unleash more. 400PS stable is no wonderwork on those (which is a nice 222hp/litre 👍)

Lot of my choices are already noted in other posts too.

 

[Conbon14]

Ohhh yes!!

Ranging from 150ps to 240ps stock. 5 valves engine. Big fat turbo. Awesome high pressure (compared to other bigger engines). Easy to unleash more. 400PS stable is no wonderwork on those (which is a nice 222hp/litre 👍)

Lot of my choices are already noted in other posts too.

It is a good engine+1

 

[Slash]

Explain.

The passages are well shaped and nothing goes untouched. Everything is adequately lubricated and the filter is right out in the open. Not to mention it's pretty common knowledge from the last 50 years.

 

[CodeRedR51]

My Best/Most Underrated/Most unknown:

- Nissan SR20VE 20V (01-03 Primera, 204hp)
- Toyota 2ZZ (00-05 Celica GT-S, 05-06 Corolla XRS)

 

[xXKingJoshXx]

I would also like to add the Chevrolet LS7 7.0L V8 to my list of best engines.

 

[Carlos]

Ohhh yes!!

Ranging from 150ps to 240ps stock. 5 valves engine. Big fat turbo. Awesome high pressure (compared to other bigger engines). Easy to unleash more. 400PS stable is no wonderwork on those (which is a nice 222hp/litre 👍)

Lot of my choices are already noted in other posts too.

Yes that engine is a beast!! But what do you think of the VR5 and VR6? I think 👎

I had an old Civic 1.5 vtec-e, I don't know how it's rated but that was a pretty good engine. Very slow and nice to my fuel in low to mid revs and pretty fast for an 1.5 in the high range. One downside, it uses too much oil. And the gearing was just a bit off. I remember doing 190kmh in fourth gear and still had fifth gear left but it was too long! Everytime I put it in fifth I hadn't enough power, just under the 'vtec' range.

 

[Slash]

Best: Ford's EFI 5.0

and GM's Tuned Port Injection

I saw Ford and GM smallblocks listed among the best, but more specifically, I think that Ford's EFI 5.0 and GM's Tuned Port Injection engines from the 80's and early 90's are among the best. While they may not be particularly powerful, they both were a sign that we were moving out of the malaise era and factory performance was back. Both GM and Ford learned how to make efficient AND (relatively) powerful EFI engines. Plus, both these engines really kickstarted the late model aftermarket performance industry. There's still a whole section of Summit Racing's catalog dedicated to 5.0's and SLP and others made a name for themselves by modifying TPI engines. These these two engines really paved the way for the modern factory performance engines we have now.

That 5.0 made assloads more power 15 years prior.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

That 5.0 made assloads more power 15 years prior.

1972?

More power than an '87+ EFI roller motor?

You're out of your mind. The '85 and '87+ cars were far, far quicker than any short-deck small-block powered Mustang previous to them outside of the Boss 302... Which was kinda a 302 with Cleveland heads so it doesn't count.

On another note, for underrated motors, it might've already been mentioned but...

The Pinto motor. More specifically the 2.3L variant. Done properly they're far from poor performing and if you're more willing to do a bit of fabrication work than spend money on a better head, well, 16V Volvo heads fit with a bit of modification to both the block and head, although it's mild.

 

[Slash]

1972?

More power than an '87+ EFI roller motor?

You're out of your mind. The '85 and '87+ cars were far, far quicker than any short-deck small-block powered Mustang previous to them outside of the Boss 302... Which was kinda a 302 with Cleveland heads so it doesn't count.

On another note, for underrated motors, it might've already been mentioned but...

The Pinto motor. More specifically the 2.3L variant. Done properly they're far from poor performing and if you're more willing to do a bit of fabrication work than spend money on a better head, well, 16V Volvo heads fit with a bit of modification to both the block and head, although it's mild.

Sorr, I meant the time frame/period, not just the specific year.

 

[savage388]

Best: Ford's EFI 5.0

and GM's Tuned Port Injection

I saw Ford and GM smallblocks listed among the best, but more specifically, I think that Ford's EFI 5.0 and GM's Tuned Port Injection engines from the 80's and early 90's are among the best. While they may not be particularly powerful, they both were a sign that we were moving out of the malaise era and factory performance was back. Both GM and Ford learned how to make efficient AND (relatively) powerful EFI engines. Plus, both these engines really kickstarted the late model aftermarket performance industry. There's still a whole section of Summit Racing's catalog dedicated to 5.0's and SLP and others made a name for themselves by modifying TPI engines. These these two engines really paved the way for the modern factory performance engines we have now.

The tpi motors got no love then and they don't now but they were really great engines with a good injection system. It also looked sooo nice unlike todays garbage plastic crap.
As far as slash's comment, sae gross in the 60's doesnt compare at all to sae net used for the efi 5.0. So that big bad boss 302 in 1969 wasnt as impressive as the numbers suggest. Plus hydraulic roller> flat tappet everytime.

 

[Slash]

The tpi motors got no love then and they don't now but they were really great engines with a good injection system. It also looked sooo nice unlike todays garbage plastic crap.
As far as slash's comment, sae gross in the 60's doesnt compare at all to sae net used for the efi 5.0. So that big bad boss 302 in 1969 wasnt as impressive as the numbers suggest. Plus hydraulic roller> flat tappet everytime.

I wasn't refering to gross hp. A 1970 302 4V put down 230 and 310 vs 225 and 300 from '87 onwards. Thank you ****** heads. So sorry, not assloads more, but still more. Higher compression as well.

 

[RedTransAm]

That 5.0 made assloads more power 15 years prior.

I don't think you got my point... the point being that even though these weren't particularly powerful engines when compared to performance engines 20 odd years prior and 20 years later, that's not what makes them great. They were a major improvement over the smogger engines from the dark ages of the 70's and early 80's and a stepping stone towards the bat**** crazy powerful engines we have now. Without TPI and EFI 5.0's, there would be no LSx, LTx, DOHC Modulars, etc. For that, these engines deserve more credit than they get.

The tpi motors got no love then and they don't now but they were really great engines with a good injection system. It also looked sooo nice unlike todays garbage plastic crap.
As far as slash's comment, sae gross in the 60's doesnt compare at all to sae net used for the efi 5.0. So that big bad boss 302 in 1969 wasnt as impressive as the numbers suggest. Plus hydraulic roller> flat tappet everytime.

Thank you, you get it.👍

Higher compression as well.

Also, keep in mind that those earlier engines could only run such high compression because of leaded fuel and massive cams that would bleed off the high cylinder pressures associated with high compression engines. The switch to unleaded meant the end for high compression and the need to comply with emissions regulations meant the end of big cams with lots of overlap and duration.