Whats the Best Engine You Have Ever Had?

"Milky" (jordanmielke) 11/03/2013 at 20:15 • Filed to: Engine, Exhaust, inline6, I6, V8, V6

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I want to know how diverse oppo's engines are, so show me.

For me, its hard to argue against the 4.0 from Jeep. They are incredibly reliable and create low rpm torque, which is what you want off roading. I had 2, in a XJ and ZJ would never say a bad thing about 4L ever.

But I think the "best" I've owned is 1UZ-FE in the SC400 I had. 4 liter, 4 cam, 32 valve V8 that made 250hp back in 1992. Yea timing belts can be a bitch but still damn reliable, mine had 210k on it and it was still the best part of the entire car. I did the same exhaust mods as the video below, and quite frankly I desperately miss that sound.

Which brings me to where I'm at now, the Merc 3.2 V6. From my understanding a pretty solid engine but nothing to exciting. I just need to go get a damn exhaust dump after the cat on it all ready ... I miss having noise in my life.

But I'm sure someone on here will show my ass up rather well, the most HP I've ever had is 250, so whatcha got Oppo??

EDIT: Soo many comments, hard to keep up, haalpp.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:18

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M120 Mercedes-Benz.

400hp V12 that utterly smooth and relaible. And i still miss that engine after i sold that :(

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:19

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1.6 Jetta diesel, slow as fuck but bullet proof.

Sn210 > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:19

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Yep, 4.0 in a YJ for me. Torquey, reliable, and easy to work on.

Desu-San-Desu > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:19

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Not gonna lie, I love my 2.3L Slant-5. Has a great sound and a ton of character. It's a bit low on power, but it's also 22 years old and needs a good overhaul.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:20

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Just pullin pics off google:

Fastest:

M50B25 turbo

Most Reliable:

M42

POD > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:21

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Off the top of my head, these come to mind.

imadeaburner > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:21

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My Corolla 4afe engine.

High compression, mild cam, ITB's and a custom exhaust with a Pace Setter header.

Milky > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 11/03/2013 at 20:21

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Reliable for now .... You probably made the right move selling it and getting a V8 in that CLS. I'm sure that was a mighty fine engine though.

I think Jeremy Clarkson said everyone needs to own a V12 once in their life.

FireSpittingV12 > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:22

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VQ37

Milky > Sn210 11/03/2013 at 20:23

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"easy to work on" Is something that doesn't get brought enough. I cant even imagine changing the spark plugs on a transverse mounted V6.

Also, you have a proper Jeep. Well done.

wilsel > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:23

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Since you already covered the most reliable inline 6, here's a fun inline 6.

Milky > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 11/03/2013 at 20:25

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Diesel is my list to own someday ..... something that can just walk right 300k likes it no big deal.

EL_ULY > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:26

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Me: M20 off my 90' BMW 525i, died at 416,000+ miles

My Dad: 7.3L Powerstroke. still strong as hell at 520,000+ miles. No major work done to it ever. His DD still every day.

He also had a 1990 Cheyenne pick up with a straight 6. Changed the head at 500,000 miles and currently still chugging down in Mexico.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:27

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Ya. That 5.5L Twin Turbo V8 is amazing.

I think that's because he wants everybody wants to feel the utterly smooth delivery power. Plus always having enough power to overtake anything and said "Fuck Fuel Efficiency and Enviroment, i need smooth power!"

Milky > Desu-San-Desu 11/03/2013 at 20:27

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Just seeing that driveshaft(? probably not the right term, but the best my brain is doing right now) come out the side there is getting my Quattro love all tingly. I don't know if I've ever actually heard one IRL, but they sound great on youtube.

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:28

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1955 Buick "Fireball" V8. 322 cubic inches of good ol fashioned American power. It sounds like a battleship.

Desu-San-Desu > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:29

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Mix the sound of an iron-block straight-6 and a subaru boxer burble and you've got a pretty good idea.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:29

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Well i have only had four cars and three of them sucked so i have to go with the answer to everything. MIATA!!

Milky > E30Joe drives a Subaru 11/03/2013 at 20:29

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I'm not familiar enough with BMW engines. But I've never heard anything bad about them, so that speaks volumes.

Milky > POD 11/03/2013 at 20:31

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... I think you missed a word in there ....

"Whats the best engine YOU have ever had?"

Kailand09 > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:31

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Only had a couple, but I like the EGG in mine. (Picture is as close as I could find of one). Picture isn't working so here's a link:

EGG

It sounds fairly nice, always seems to run pretty well. And it has just enough HP/TQ (250/250) for its size, though I'd like more.

Milky > imadeaburner 11/03/2013 at 20:32

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ITB's = instant jealousy. I bet that induction noise sounded like heaven.

fhrblig > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:32

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I may be the only guy to submit this engine, because everyone else I've known that had this engine hated it. It's the Chevrolet 2.8 liter V6 that was in my '83 Chevy Celebrity. It was not powerful at all, and the 3-speed auto didn't really make good use of the power it did manage to generate. Thing is, it lasted for 7 years under terrible maintenance and always started and ran. It was great.

imadeaburner > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:33

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It definitely was.

I loved that little car.

Made around 200-220ish WHP out of a 1.6 N/A with very little money invested.

Slave2anMG > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:33

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Horsepower schmorsepower. I'm talkin' unburstable run forever oil hammer - the Mercedes Benz OM616 four cylinder diesel.

Or the OM602.962 five cylinder turbodiesel. Again, unburstable.

I had them both. The 4 cylinder is of course bog slow but runs forever; the turbo 5 is quite drivable in today's traffic...but I love the four for being in the 240D that I had...

Milky > FireSpittingV12 11/03/2013 at 20:33

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Thats a nice V6 ..... but your name and avatar lead me to believe you have had other hi-po engines ....

911e46z06 > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:34

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LS7 ftw

POD > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:34

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Sorry, read, Had as Heard....

OK, so had... I've not owned many amazingly reliable engines. My MZR isn't rated that high, though it is doing well so far.

The 1.6l Hyundai I had before it did well up until I sold it.

The early 2000's 1.8l Corolla motor is probably the most impressively reliable motor I've owned. I couldn't tell you the amount of abuse I've tossed this motors way.

Milky > wilsel 11/03/2013 at 20:35

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doesn't hurt that everything that engine goes into is a great car too.

POD > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:36

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I very much did, my apologies. I posted again.

Averyrm - GTI YUP > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:36

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Current two favorites:

1.3L Renesis. Yes you have to wind it out to get any performance out of it. But, here's the key, you GET to wind it out! The power delivery is so linear, and the exhaust note is great.

Ford 6.8L V10. Reliable (aside from the exhaust manifold studs), smooth, and an odd number of cylinders which I like.

scoob > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:36

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Milky > EL_ULY 11/03/2013 at 20:37

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Holy crap, all of those mileage amounts are eye opening. You and your family maintains your engines well.

Milky > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 11/03/2013 at 20:38

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Haha, well hopefully I get there someday.

Milky > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist 11/03/2013 at 20:39

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I've never even though about carbureted engine ownership. Is it really that big of a pain?

Milky > Desu-San-Desu 11/03/2013 at 20:40

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Sounds tasty.

Milky > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 11/03/2013 at 20:41

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Oooo, that is a pretty car. Well done sir.

More Power!!and also some brakes. > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:41

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I once had a Chevy 2500 with a 350 and it had 560,000 miles on it when the odometer stopped working. And as far as I know it is still running.

Tom McParland > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:42

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I really liked the 2.5 flat-four turbo from my 05 LGT and the supercharged 1.6 from my 04 Cooper S

Milky > Kailand09 11/03/2013 at 20:43

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"though I'd like more." Don't we all.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:43

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It's a tossup between my old 2.8L 12valve VR6 (AAA) and my Desmoquattro

probably the former

Kailand09 > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:43

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The unfortunate truth to life.

Milky > fhrblig 11/03/2013 at 20:44

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Ha, so its good whether the owner takes care of it or not. Thats a respectable quality.

Agrajag > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:45

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I will list engines owned in order of bestness .

1 454 (favorite all around)
2 Modified 350(370hp supposedly)
3 2.4L MB diesel(most reliable?)
4 2.5L I5 VW
5 2.0T I4 VW
6 5.7L LT1
7 5.2L v8 318 Dodge
8 2.3L I4GM
9 5.0L v8GM (everything below here I loathe)
10 3.8L v6 Ford (shite)
11 2.0L I4 Isuzu
12 2.5L Iron Duke

Milky > imadeaburner 11/03/2013 at 20:46

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DAMN that is solid output. Makes my 3.2 V6 look weak as hell with 215hp.

Mosqvich > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:47

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M52

Milky > Slave2anMG 11/03/2013 at 20:48

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The only older Mercs I actually see driving around are the diesel models, i'm sure its blantenly obvious why. Do any of them stop running?!

Milky > 911e46z06 11/03/2013 at 20:48

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Agrajag > fhrblig 11/03/2013 at 20:49

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One of mine is from an 87 Celebrity wagon.

texasfordfan > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:50

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The 7.3L powerstroke in the F250. The odometer says 220,000 miles, but the odometer is wrong. And the engine is modified (I don't remember everything that has been done to it) to have 100+ extra horsepower. The engine has only needed routine maintenance.

Milky > POD 11/03/2013 at 20:50

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Toyota reliability is known for a reason. 200k with or without maintenance.

imadeaburner > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:50

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It made for an interesting car.

No one expected it to move. It was a 94 Corolla, so totally unsuspecting looking.

Used to beat up on any car from a dig, had trouble from a roll though

Milky > Averyrm - GTI YUP 11/03/2013 at 20:52

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Bahhhh I want a rotary so damn bad. Almost got a RX-8 instead of the Crossfire.

IMO, you win.

911e46z06 > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:53

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ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:53

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The 2.0L Zetec breathed on by Cosworth in my SVT Focus. 170 hp, 145 torques, and a 7k redline.

I am just amazed at how eager this car is to rev. It drives better the more you thrash it.

Averyrm - GTI YUP > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:54

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I had an Elise, but needed something that I could take the kid in too. Felt selfish having all the fun by myself.

Surprising fact, the RX8 R3 is rarer than the Elise in the US.

Milky > scoob 11/03/2013 at 20:54

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E30Joe drives a Subaru > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:54

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The M50 is great and can handle a decent beating, nothing unusual breaks on them. The M42 just goes and goes but that M50 sent a rod flying one day and that was the end of that.

Clown Shoe Pilot > wilsel 11/03/2013 at 20:55

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i gots one o' them. it's a bunch of fun

Milky > More Power!!and also some brakes. 11/03/2013 at 20:55

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I don't even know how that works .... props to you sir.

Milky > Tom McParland 11/03/2013 at 20:56

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You must choose only one.

(personally I'd go with the flat four)

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:56

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Well thank you! It will soon be put to sleep for the winter but i love her to death.

Tom McParland > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:58

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Yeah I'll take the Subie mill, I only wish the trans was better.

japcola > Milky 11/03/2013 at 20:59

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(not my car, but same model & engine!)
My current car has a VQ37, and despite it's many flaws (it's quite a tall engine, and it's huuugggeeee for a V6), it's a pretty solid engine. It makes pretty decent power, it revs to 7500 stock, and with a tune, it'll rev to 8200 safely, which is pretty cool for a (rather big) V6. A lot of reviewers complained about 'coarseness' at the top end, but sound is subjective, and personally, the engine sounds like the world's going to end when you hit redline, which is kinda awesome.

Previously, I've had a LSX (mandatory for car enthusiasts), a rotary (also mandatory), an I4, and a V6TT, all of which were fantastic in their own ways (well, maybe not the I4).

MountainCommand > Milky 11/03/2013 at 21:16

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H22a4

Albeit, the picture one is an H22A (with 11:1 comp ratio vs mine with 10:1). Ive been seriously impressed with the characteristics of this motor.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Milky 11/03/2013 at 21:17

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I have only had one engine :( FA20. In stock form it is alright, 100hp/L is really good, but it lacks some mid range torque. Although it can sound pretty damn amazing, and you can really add about 25hp and gain a lot of torque in the dip with a simple exhaust/intake/tune deal.

POD > Milky 11/03/2013 at 21:23

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Well it needed oil... although when my brother got the car he did run it down to about 1 liter before I changed it... So maybe no maintenance is accurate.

Again, very sorry for misreading the question.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Milky 11/03/2013 at 21:39

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When I pulled the head off (had to rebuild it due to my own stupidity, long story its here on oppo somewhere) the engine had 150k miles on it and no ridge in the cylinder wall at all.

PlayerWAN > imadeaburner 11/03/2013 at 21:44

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Sorry, not meaning to call you out on that claim, but 220 wheel hp, non -turbo? I think those numbers may be a little exaggerated. It's definitely possible, but not cheap, and actually a far cry from " very little money invested". Of course, if you had SR20 of it, then I'd be happy to shut up.

All Motor Is Best Motor > Milky 11/03/2013 at 21:47

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Honda J32A2 found in my 2001 Acura Cl Type S. This thing absolutely screams at high rpm, and sounds great across the entire rev range. The higher it revs, the better it sounds, though. IMO one of the best sounding V6's (affordable) money can buy.

imadeaburner > PlayerWAN 11/03/2013 at 21:48

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No SR20 cause the car is in new hands now, old Hard drive crashed on my computer that I had when I owned the car and I never backed it up.

which sucks ass.

If I talk to the new owner sometime soon I'll snap pics of it.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Milky 11/03/2013 at 21:49

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Hmmmm, tough to call... My first car was a Fiat Spyder with a sweet little dual carbed 1.8l

Followed that with a SHO Taurus (91) sporting the incredible 3 liter v6 with the Yamaha tuned bundle of snakes intakes.

then the S2000, 2001, nuff said.

and now a Chrysler 300C with the 5.7 Hemi. She all big and boomey when you stick you foot down.

Rough choosing, they each had their place.

Someone Else's Projects > Milky 11/03/2013 at 21:51

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(not my pic, but mine's pretty much the same minus the colorful vacuum hoses and mechanical throttle linkage)

Saab 2.3L high-output turbo. Objectively I've had cars with better engines, but nothing so characterful as this. Loud breathing is annoying in people but with a turbo motor it's just wonderful to hear it boosting and blowing off.

Others:

Jaguar AJ-V8 supercharged (2000 XJR): the most impressive engine I've owned, managed to tame the two tons of Jag and make it utterly fly. Too quiet though, at least in stock form.

Toyota 1ZZ-FE, 5S-FE (2000 and 1993 MR2 respectively): Reliable Toyota 4-cylinders from economy cars. Boring but competent, though they both sounded good with some exhaust work.

Nissan VG30E (1990 Maxima): Torquey, fun, and reliable. Great engine for a first car.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Milky 11/03/2013 at 21:53

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Figure I'd submit my dad's 2.25 4 banger in his 1969 Land Rove Series IIA. The original motor from the factory and it runs like clockwork. Leak's oil but that's a given.

Milky > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 11/03/2013 at 22:04

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Desmoquattro just confused me, but one of my good friends had a older VR6 and it seemed damn good.

Milky > Agrajag 11/03/2013 at 22:06

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Holy damn, you have had some cars. A few notes:

1. You like GM a lot.

2. I've heard a single positive thing about the iron duke

3. those VW engines seem out of place

4. I hear big block life is good.

Milky > Mosqvich 11/03/2013 at 22:09

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Milky > texasfordfan 11/03/2013 at 22:11

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I remember looking at the new cummins info and it said the first big service was at 100k ...... the big 'Merican diesels are some damn good engines.

Milky > imadeaburner 11/03/2013 at 22:12

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In a '94 Corolla! That sounds like a sweet sleeper. Nice job sir.

Milky > 911e46z06 11/03/2013 at 22:14

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Milky > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/03/2013 at 22:17

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Cosworth? Enough said.

Milky > Averyrm - GTI YUP 11/03/2013 at 22:19

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..... in the best was possible .....

I hate you

Milky > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 11/03/2013 at 22:20

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My friend got a black NB this summer, and its awesome. Who wouldn't love it.

Agrajag > Milky 11/03/2013 at 22:21

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1. Just what came around at the time. I like them all.

2. Do tell, because I don't know it.

3. I like my VW's. Had 06 Rabbit then traded for 09 GTI.

4. It is. Until your oil pump stops working:(

nafsucof > PlayerWAN 11/03/2013 at 22:22

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That's a ton of power. 137.5 hp per litre. ferrari can't make that specific output na. No doubt it was quick but for example, it would probably cost atleast $5,000 to make my 2.0 svt focus make 200whp and cosworth already did the heads on those cars. heck, my focus st only makes about 225whp stock with a turbo on a 2.0.

Milky > Tom McParland 11/03/2013 at 22:22

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That brings a good question for later, "what the best drivetrain you have ever owned?"

Milky > japcola 11/03/2013 at 22:24

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Wait, so the VQ is your favorite though? Also, all those "mandatory" engines are engines I haven't had yet :/

Milky > MountainCommand 11/03/2013 at 22:25

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Obligatory response:

Milky > YSI-what can brown do for you 11/03/2013 at 22:27

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I'm not going to talk shit, my engine only 15 more hp with another 1.2 liters. A 100hp/L is the sign of a good engine as far as I'm concerned.

I love the boxer sound too.

Milky > POD 11/03/2013 at 22:30

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Ha no problem man. But the same could be said for the 4L in Jeeps with oil. The first one I had went through 6 quarts every 3 months. I know this because I bought twice what I needed every oil change interval and it worked perfectly.

Milky > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 11/03/2013 at 22:33

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If(more like when) I ever have to commute (still rocking this college life) It'll hopefully be in a diesel. I want that ownership experience. That sounds ridiculous.

Milky > All Motor Is Best Motor 11/03/2013 at 22:34

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would you happen to know how closely related that is to the NSX motor? Same displacement right?

Milky > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits 11/03/2013 at 22:35

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Damn, you have had some nice cars. But IMO s2k engine takes the cake. 120hp per liter is awesome.

Milky > Someone Else's Projects 11/03/2013 at 22:37

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IMO Saab never got enough credit. Everyone is doing now, what they were doing for decades.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Milky 11/03/2013 at 22:38

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3S-GTE.
mine has a bigger choo choo blow off valve on it though.

Milky > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 11/03/2013 at 22:38

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Looks like nothing is in that engine bay! But if its still going strong after all these years, it must be pretty good.

nafsucof > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/03/2013 at 22:40

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A tune really wakes it up, My tune from fswerks raised the red line to 7600rpm with a dyno graph that shows gain until red line. These engines will make more power the more you spin them if you replace the weak cast oil pump gear. There is a billet unit that lets you spin it up over 8000 rpm i think probably for track use. The tune also changed the timing of the manifold switch lower. overall the power under the curve in the mid range was the most noticeable, but in turns having an extra 400 rpm in second allowed almost 70 mph. Thats a lot of flexible power band to use on back roads. I love that motor and refuse to let go of our svt. That being said, the motor in my new focus ST rocks. but it's totally different beast. I really liked the 2.0 zetec in my 2000 focus zx3 too. It had alot of charm, character if you will. wasn't fast, but i think eager is a good description.

Milky > Agrajag 11/03/2013 at 22:40

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I actually forgot the word "haven't" from point number 2, the iron duke seems like the worst kind of motor. May I ask what the 454 is in?

Milky > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 11/03/2013 at 22:43

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I love BOVs, I need to add a turbo to my life at some point. My freshman year room mate had a turbo'd mazda 3, and while he said it only had 22oish-hp. It "felt" fast with the exhaust and bov.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Milky 11/03/2013 at 22:48

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Stop lying... It's not a good engine at all.

I've owned much better engines performance and efficiency and bsfc wise.

the VR6 though is better than them