The Engine Thread

[JohnBM01]

Ladies and gentlemen, no matter what car you like, every car will have it. And that is, the engine. The thread is open for discussion on engines/motors (whichever term you prefer).

Talk about things from innovative engine designs, tuned engines, crazy engines, crate motors, 1 horsepower to 1000+ horsepower motors... in other words, it's that thing under the hood or bonnet. Or if you want to debate the terms "engine" and "motor" as done on Speed Channel show "WindTunnel with Dave Despain" once, it's all about that horsepower-making thing under the hood/bonnet. And I say Hood/bonnet because this also applies to mid-engined cars, so a mid-engined car won't have an engine under the hood.

So GTPlanet, rev up this thread with engine talk! I'll discuss a turbo-only thread later, but for now, any and every engine in the car, because after all. All cars need one to "live," just like us humans need a heart and lungs to live. So, let's go. Vamanos, GTPlanet!

 

[TsLeng]

Hmmm.....what is there to say about engines.....

Well, lets say the more power, the better!!!

 

[Ev0]

RB26DETT > All

'nuff said

 

[daan]

There is no other option.

 

[Motorer1]

I have a after-market LS engine in my Civic. It is definatly better than the stock. and the fact that the stock engine blew is another factor.

 

[High-Test]

One cannot deny the awesome power of the venerable 350. if it comes in your car stock, of as a crate, it is a very popular motor.


ahh the power.....

 

[-Fred-]

I've built a few engines in the past, and it's pretty fun, especially when they turn out pretty strong. I wouldn't call myself an engine builder (a la Jack Roush or John Lingenfelter) but there's something particularly satisfying when the thing you put together by yourself (with a couple of friends, in my case) makes 470 whp on a dyno. What isn't satisfying, however, is being greedy and not happy with "only" 470 hp, and ending up having a fist sized hole in the block because you tried a bit more boost (okay, a lot more).

 

[I6-4-eva]

it just keeps on going and going and going.....

 

[Victor Vance]

RA/TA60 Motor! Here's a cookie! *hands I6-4-EVA a cookie* 👍
Now, I guess you meant mileage... here's one that just keeps going and going and going of the rev band...

Find an AE86, drop it in, and live the dream

And of course, the motor I so badly want in (what will be) my TA60:

Y'know, I'll just need some "Overnight Parts from Japan" I got my '10 Second Celica' right there

 

[Victor Vance]

Evolution of a beautiful, if different design...

(6-Rotor [767A])

(10A RE)

(12A RE)

(12A Turbo)

(13B RE)

(13B DEI)

(13B Turbo - FC3S)

(13B REW FD3S)

(13B REN FE3S [?])

(13G)

(15A)

(20B)

(21A)

(26B [787B])

(LeMans Winner :drool)

Anyone who doesn't respect Mr. Wankel's invention should be beaten with a golf club

J/K


There were other designs from Mercedes, and two experimental 4-rotors from GM that were both planned to be in what, thank god, neither of them became the C4 *whew*, but Mazda was the first, and today, the only that continues to pursue this wonderful design. Gotta gove FoMoCo credit for financial support and pitching in even though Ford was quite devided when design of the 13B-REN began...

 

[JohnBM01]

What's the difference between the two Victor Vances here? I'm baffled.

Wow! You all came up with quite a few engine pictures. As some of you may know, the rotary-powered RX-8's motor, the "Renesis," had won "Engine of the Year" for 2003 (right?). While it lacked power or torque, it was still a very nice and very innovative design. I think the focus was on efficiency and reliability rather than muscle car-slaying horsepower. I don't know if rotary power was in the 787B to win Le Mans and become the first Japanese make to win the race outright in 1991. In talking about engines, what do you think made Mazda's rotary engines unique and successful?

 

[Victor Vance]

On the two, one's the motor under Takumi's hood (see my avatar), the almighty 4-AGE, which makes 240HP at 11,000 RPM...

The other's the 2JZ-GTE, the '93-'97 Supra Turbo motor. I thought when I said, "10 Second Celica" and "Overnight Parts from Japan" you'd catch my drift. *cough* FnF *cough*

On the mazda, I really don't know! Maybe it's because when you had the option between a gaint, gas-guzzling-in-fuel-shortage-times Mercury Montego 4-door and a light, more efficient Mazda Familia Rotary, you'd take the new Mazda

I'm positive that the 26B was under the, uhm, rear body panel of the 787B

 

[Gil]

Being a car fanatic, I just like motors.
The Ford 2.3 OHC still in production even though the car it debuted in is long gone (Pinto). Designed as an economy engine. But buildable to well over double it's stock power with bolt on parts.

The Chevy 350, Just the most prolific motor in the USA. It is the project motor for hotrods, kit cars, other brands, If you can think of it, it's probabably had a Chevy 350 in it on some occasion.

The Venerable VW flat-4. This engine can make ridiculous amouts of power with fairly mild mods. Plus you can change your displacement by simply unbolting the cylinder barrels and bolting on new ones. How cool is that?
This motor even powers kit planes because it can be made fairly powerful and is very light weight. Not to mention it is the basis for the Porsche flat-six...

Wankel rotaries. How can an engine that is so small make so much power? And virtually no redline....

Jumping platforms here, How about the Kawasaki Three Cylinder engine? I remember when a Kawi triple was the bike to have. I also remember them dominating on the streets when I was a kid.

The Ferrari V-12 What a beautiful, scary sound...

The Mopar Slant-6. No powerhouse, but nearly indestructable.

Nissan 4 cylinder motors. The bottom is built from the factory for 400HP. Is there any better invitation to modify a motor?

The Nissan R26DETT. Well over 100 HP per liter stock. Modification potential out the wazoo, need I say more?

The Ford 427 side-oiler from the 1960's. Found a home in the AC Cobra, and in the GT-40. The engine that beat the "unbeatable" Ferrari...three years running. That's Ford Tough.

Any engine used by Colin Chapman in the early Lotuses. Chapman could take the most mundane of engines (like the little Ford 1.6L four), wrap the most sensual car around it, and that car would become a "giant killer". AEB, the Lotus 7, the Elan, The Elise, and the original Esprit.

 

[Elvis6969]

I'm happy with mine (Alfa 147 GTA) 👍

But for everything else : the more power, the better.

 

[Iceman]

The 427 V8 is IMO one of the greatest engines ever.

 

[87chevy]

well, toyota engines are great. I don't know them by picture, or by number or anything but i know the inline 6 in the Supras is probably one of the greatest rice-burners of all time. I mean, people build them up to like 800+ hp using the stock blocks!

but, no rice burner will ever sound like the mild 350 in my truck (see avataar ) The chevy 350 has to be one of the greatest engines of all time. No, it won't win any engineering awards.... but just look at how popular it is! one of the cheapest, and most buildable engines ever.


mmmmm super charger

 

[Ev0]

I gotta agree with lots of the people here, big American motors are in a class of their own, nothing beats the rumble of a Chevy 350.

And on the topic of rotary power, one of the reasons it's so popular is because it is a truly unique engine, since only Mazda uses them. Their small mass and compact size helps lend to not only a lighter car overall, but a more well balanced car. The engine doesn't need to have that much power, since Mazda are the kings of making low hp cars exciting. Just look at the Miata, puny engine but it's one of the most enjoyable cars to drive. The RX-8 can also fill that category, since the Renesis' stock output of around 230hp is not anything exceptional for it's price range, but anyone who has driven one will certainly say it is a very fun car.

 

[ShobThaBob]

Me = <3 LS1/2/6

 

[Victor Vance]

Indeed, the LT/LS series of engines is excellent.

I also like the Chevy 358, preferedably a Hendrick-built motor. Todays they're revving to 10,500 rpm and still lasting 500 laps (at a short track)...

BTW, is the Canadian RX-8 detuned? Aroudn here, last time I checked it makes 250...

 

[Ev0]

Hmm, after checking mazda.ca, I did underestimate the Renesis, it produces 238hp with a 6 speed manual, and a comparitively puny 197hp with an automatic tranny. I also checked mazdausa.com and found the same ratings for both drivetrains.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

This is my favorite 4-cylinder natural aspirated engine:

The Honda F20/F22C

From the Honda S2000

 

[RacyBacy]

Being a little bit of an Audi fan then the new RS6 engine is worth a shout. V8 bi turbo, standard 450/473 BHP but tuned ones are good for around 600 BHP:

Then there is the MB engine in the ur-quattro, which is similar to the 1B in my 200. These 1-5 engines sound great. All the Audi quattro rally cars sounded phenonmenal with the inline 5 engine!

And they can me modified really well too. Anyone fancy a 620 bhp Pikes Peak monster?

 

[wellyrn]

I agree with Victor Vance. Wankels are too awesome to be ignored like they are. Supra's are made SOOOOO well. Like Chev said 500+ HP with stock bottom end, easy.

But for those who just can't get enough power...

how's 5 million lbs. of torque?

forget a mobile home, you could have a mobile mansion

 

[Firebird]

Along the same vein as the Chrysler 225 Slant-Six:

AMC/Jeep 4.0L I6. Mine has served me well for over a decade and nearly 400,000km.

 

[I6-4-eva]

(6-Rotor [767A])

wow... 6 rotors that's amazing.

 

[Gil]

The 427 V8 is IMO one of the greatest engines ever.

Whose?
Both the Bowtie boys and the Blue Oval boys had a 427 cid motor.
Of course, both were rather formidable.

 

[wellyrn]

american engines sound beasty and are cheap but i font think you can compare them to import engines as far as quality and engineering go. ya i said it...

 

[angelboy52]

This is my favorite engine:

 

[JohnBM01]

You Japanese car fans may hate me for this, but let me talk about motors that haven't been discussed from what I've seen, and that's the Hemi. Now, I heard that Ford came up with the first Hemi (based on someone's signature). But Dodge made the Hemi a standout in the muscle car days, and is making a triumphant comeback nowadays. But one fellow GTPlaneteer disagreed about the new Hemi. That was M5Power. I think he was the one who joked saying that (interpreted) "if someone says the Hemi DOESN'T suck, I'd feed them to a hippo." And of course, I was laughing my butt off seeing one.

So if you want to comment on the Dodge Hemi, the Hemi Ford produced, or whatever, go ahead. Or if you want to comment about it, what makes a horizontally-opposed engine (or a "boxer" engine, as I hear) different from your average engine? Like, take the Subaru Impreza and compare it to a traditional motor as in the C5 Corvette. Nevermind horsepower, but look at efficiency, engine performance, fuel consumption, that sort of thing.

 

[87chevy]

I agree with Victor Vance. Wankels are too awesome to be ignored like they are. Supra's are made SOOOOO well. Like Chev said 500+ HP with stock bottom end, easy.

But for those who just can't get enough power...

how's 5 million lbs. of torque?

forget a mobile home, you could have a mobile mansion

NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!!! MORE POWER!!!!!!

'course, i'd hate to have to change the oil on that thing....