What do you think is the best looking 4-cylinder motor?

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390) 09/14/2014 at 13:07 • Filed to: Motor

3

100

Just the motor, not the car. Here's my vote:

Jedidiah > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:11

1

Willys Go Devil

International Slant 4

gawdzillla > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:11

1

treesmakewater > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:12

0

mmmm 944 S2. That has to be one if my favorite looking engines of all time. I haven't really looked into 4 cylinder engines (cosmeticly )

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Jedidiah 09/14/2014 at 13:13

0

Top one looks like a box. :P

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:13

0

I've never noticed how ugly mine is in comparison... The 2.0 Ecotec LSJ out of the Cobalt SS.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > gawdzillla 09/14/2014 at 13:14

0

And that's out of.....?

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:14

2

The Aprilia V4 found in the RSV4 and Tuono motorcycles.

Nerd-Vol > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:14

3

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:14

5

Jedidiah > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:16

1

A glorious little box of iron in a Military Jeep. Flat head motors look cool to me.

DylanToback > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:16

17

S14

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > treesmakewater 09/14/2014 at 13:17

2

I consider the way an engine looks to be very important when looking at cars, especially purchasing them. I don't like the 991 because of this:

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 09/14/2014 at 13:18

1

That looks weird, but good at the same time. Looks like two V-Twins put together?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:18

6

F20C with ITBs

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Nerd-Vol 09/14/2014 at 13:18

0

Meh, V-Tec..Looks good though, yo.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 09/14/2014 at 13:19

1

I approve this.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Jedidiah 09/14/2014 at 13:19

0

The bottom one is different isn't it?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > DylanToback 09/14/2014 at 13:19

0

YES

treesmakewater > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:21

0

I consider it to a point, but I have never considered buying a non 944 4cylinder . the Subaru 2.0 boxer dies not look bad.

GhostZ > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:22

11

I'll give you my top 3 choices.

1. Offenhauser 2.65l engine. Open headers, ITBs, head-in-block DOHC design (the block and head were the same unit). In supercharged form they made waaaay too much power. Somewhere around 700-800HP.

2. BMW S14. Composite intake, individual injector cables, and all sorts of wiry goodness that screams racecar.

3. BMW M12. This is their turbo F1 engine:

Jedidiah > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:22

2

Yes that is a slant 4 front a International Harvester. It is literally half of one of their v8s.

GhostZ > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:23

0

It's a K24, or F20, I think. It's out of just about every modern Honda.

Sweet Trav > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:23

5

Lotus Twin Cam

OR

Quad 4 - Horrible Engines, but really cool looking.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > GhostZ 09/14/2014 at 13:26

1

Good man! I love #2 and #3 best! :)

I had no idea F1 used 4-cylinders?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Jedidiah 09/14/2014 at 13:26

0

Ah! I thought it looked like half of it was missing haha.

Raphael Orlove > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:27

4

I got to see an old Lancia V4 block once and yeah, it was as cool as it seems. It was like a little square of an engine

here it is in a Fulvia, slanted over

and here's a diagram

thanks curbsideclassic !

GhostZ > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:27

0

I think the M12 was literally the only 4 cylinder to race in F1, when everyone else was using turbo V6s.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > GhostZ 09/14/2014 at 13:27

1

Fair enough. With all of that V-Tec, I guess all Honda motors look the same yo. ;P

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > treesmakewater 09/14/2014 at 13:28

1

944 LS swap? :P

Any boxer looks good to me. :)

GhostZ > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:28

0

I always thought they were ugly, but better looking than most 4-cylinders.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:29

0

Looks very cool.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Raphael Orlove 09/14/2014 at 13:30

0

V4s fascinate me a lot. Never seen one before.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > GhostZ 09/14/2014 at 13:31

0

I wonder how it performed compared to the better sounding V6s.

treesmakewater > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:33

0

i worded that incorrectly. The only 4 cylinder I have considered is a 944. 944 LS swap? Can you buy my tires? XD

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > GhostZ 09/14/2014 at 13:33

0

Better looking than most modern 4-cylinders:

I don't even like the engine in the FoST. Thank goodness it comes with a cover. ;)

GhostZ > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:33

0

I think they dominated pretty hard in the early 80s, but got outdated very quickly. They were some of the most powerful F1 engines ever made, but generally fell apart and sucked more fuel than their V6 counterparts.

GhostZ > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:35

0

Ugh plastic intakes .

Ford's been doing that for 30 years and it still bugs me.

gawdzillla > gawdzillla 09/14/2014 at 13:45

0

I m not a Honda fan I drive a subie & v8.

I just don't see subie making an attractive engine....

Honda makes good engine I just don't like their cars :(

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > GhostZ 09/14/2014 at 13:46

0

I want polished metal intakes!! Or so help me I'll paint/powdercoat them grey or silver!! -_-

Why'd they start doing this anyway??

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:49

0

It's essentially just that, two V-Twins joined together.

Nerd-Vol > GhostZ 09/14/2014 at 13:49

1

Hart respectfully disagrees:

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:52

1

This isnt the best looking 4cyl, but in my opinion it is the best sounding:

1976 Vega Kammback 4cyl. I had the pleasure of seeing one of these run in person. Its the most indescribable sound you'll ever hear

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 09/14/2014 at 13:54

0

That's even weirder. Why don't they put them in modern cars??

lonestranger > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:55

2

Honda B series

Jedidiah > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:56

0

They weren't that terrible (at least to my knowledge). The main complaint against them was noise/vibration.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:56

0

For their time, I thought the quad for was a decent engine? Performance wise, I know it was more than decent.

Sweet Trav > Jedidiah 09/14/2014 at 13:58

1

The DOHC High-performance variants weren't bad engines, but the SOHC engines were god-awful, it also helps that it was one of the first interference engines with a timing belt that would snap and ravage the motor. American who were used to the cam-in-block engines that you put a million miles on and just changed the oil were not used to the concept of changing a timing belt.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 14:01

4

The Bugatti 1496cc Supercharged.

GeorgeyBoy > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 14:02

2

Smoother airflow, lightweight, stays cooler. Oh, and cost.

GhostZ > GeorgeyBoy 09/14/2014 at 14:03

1

Mostly because of cost. They were still using metal intakes on premium cars for a longer time.

Composites are good enough now that I can forgive the use, but I still don't like it.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > GhostZ 09/14/2014 at 14:07

0

I want to paint them now.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > GeorgeyBoy 09/14/2014 at 14:08

0

How much more does it cost for the better looking materials?

GeorgeyBoy > GhostZ 09/14/2014 at 14:09

0

Composite strength has come a long way. I remember when the genII 3800 started using composite in the mid 90's that would crack after 150k or so miles. Buick stuck with the metal and didn't have problems.

I hate them too, but it seems like I never hear of any problems anymore.

GeorgeyBoy > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 14:12

1

I'm sure a lot, especially with the amount of vehicles they produce. Not to mention "better' materials sometimes can't match the benefits of composites. Aluminium would be superior but would be outrageously impractical in most applications.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 14:12

0

I think this setup generates a lot of engine heat as evidenced by all the reviewers who've ridden the bikes.

Goggles Pizzano > Nerd-Vol 09/14/2014 at 14:14

0

BRM too. '59-'60

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > GeorgeyBoy 09/14/2014 at 14:27

0

Darn.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager 09/14/2014 at 14:28

0

How is this heat generated so much faster than other V-type motors?

Sweet Trav > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 09/14/2014 at 14:30

0

I happen to think Ecotecs are cute little motors.

1337HPMustang > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 14:33

3

2.3 is pointed in the right direction so I likes it a lot

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > 1337HPMustang 09/14/2014 at 14:35

0

That motor looks fantastic. I thought the Ford 2.3 was worthless? What's been done to this?

1337HPMustang > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 14:40

0

That particular one I don't know but probably a lot. It's the SVOs turbo 2.3 so a little better than the regular 4 banger stang. Here's how it looks closer to stock I think. Still a cool setup.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > 1337HPMustang 09/14/2014 at 14:44

0

I saw a 4 banger notch and hatch at the junkyard yesterday. Both motors, a '93 and '89 looked good enough to reuse and all was there.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 14:57

0

I'm no engineer so I can't genuinely comment.

nafsucof > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 15:20

1

Always thought the SVT focus motor was sexy, but I'm biased, as I've had several out of cars...

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 16:01

1

Worthless as in one of the most reliable engines ever made? Sure stock they weren't powerful stock in NA form, but the SVO Mustangs and Turbo T-Birds were pretty damn quick for back in the day. People use NA ones for circle track racing: http://www.esslingeracing.com/crate-engine.h…

samssun > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 17:19

4

Honda NR motorcycle engine with the oval pistons and 8 valves/cylinder:

69montego > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 18:45

0

Miller/ Offenhauser hands down.

69montego > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 09/14/2014 at 18:49

0

No doubt, I've personally seen 2 rangers with ODOs over 400,000.

that 2.3 in those trucks was nobody's powerhouse but they'd run forever

69montego > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 18:50

0

got one now in a grand am. powerful little bastard (even though this is the later 2.4 variant) but I'm afraid to wind it over 6k. I've already blown one

DanZman > samssun 09/14/2014 at 20:42

0

never seen this before, very cool, thank you

davedave1111 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 21:32

0

V4s, you mean? I think it's just packaging. A transverse I4 will be twice as wide, half as long, which will fit better in an engine bay.

davedave1111 > GhostZ 09/14/2014 at 21:43

1

It was at the time, but not the only one ever.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_…

I think there were various others in the late fifties and/or early sixties as well. Possibly even an air-cooled 4-cylinder flat 4 from Porsche, if I read rightly.

samssun > DanZman 09/14/2014 at 22:12

0

Glad to share. There are a ton of cool pictures if you do a google image search. Unfortunately it seems they're very rare due to the high price and limited production.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_NR

e30 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 22:23

0

M42. Tidy little engine. This one's been powder coated.

brc is never late, because of his v8 > DylanToback 09/15/2014 at 06:56

0

No more entries, we have a winner

spicybanana > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/15/2014 at 11:18

2

How about 4 rotors in an RX-8? :D

GhostZ > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/15/2014 at 11:52

1

A lot. Not only do you add probably 10-15 pounds over the nose of the car by going with aluminum or steel, but it's probably 5-10x the cost for something that just looks pretty.

AdmiralAkbar > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/15/2014 at 12:20

0

The answer is always 4AGE.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/15/2014 at 12:32

1

I nominate the MGA Twin Cam.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > GhostZ 09/15/2014 at 12:52

0

I read somewhere that BMW was actually using "seasoned" (used) stock 4 cyl blocks for the F1 program back in the day, such was the durability of the stock block.

special_k_side > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/15/2014 at 12:58

0

Anything transverse mounted with the exhaust crammed against the firewall and aluminium heads sucks donkey dicks.

Achieve > Jedidiah 09/15/2014 at 13:00

0

So, does that make it halfast of the 8 cylinder?

YarpyYarpYarp > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/15/2014 at 13:34

0

16V all the way bro

Anthony Miller > Sweet Trav 09/15/2014 at 13:34

0

My personal favorite, their 907 engine.

ecafsub > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 09/15/2014 at 15:30

1

holy crap… I used to own one of those—that very model year, except it was white. (ok, my parents did, but it was "mine".) I don't recall it ever sounding like that. Drove that unbelievable POS for about 4 years until the 'rents replaced it with a Chevette. NOT a step up. Where the Vega was bad, the Chevette was far, far worse.

Robbie Iddon > samssun 09/15/2014 at 15:53

1

Proper cool just when ya think ya seen it all

Timeforjeans > AdmiralAkbar 09/15/2014 at 16:35

1

Yes, Yes it is.

Timeforjeans > Timeforjeans 09/15/2014 at 16:36

1

I <3 4AG

Timeforjeans > Timeforjeans 09/15/2014 at 16:37

1

Silver Top

Timeforjeans > Timeforjeans 09/15/2014 at 16:39

1

Great, now I want a MR2 again....

AdmiralAkbar > Timeforjeans 09/15/2014 at 16:46

0

My dad has an AW11 MR2. It will have a silver top, one day.

PedalHead > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/15/2014 at 16:54

0

Have to give a shout out to one of the twin cam grand-daddies, the Cosworth BDA!

Americanitis1 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/15/2014 at 17:22

0

Alfa 2 liter. Mine in my '74 Spider still had the Spica injection on it; this one has carbs. Either way, THIS is the most beautiful 4 cylinder engine there is. Most beautiful-sounding, too, IMO.

tapzz > samssun 09/15/2014 at 18:15

0

Witchcraft!

*grabs pitchfork*

EleventhFromHeaven > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/15/2014 at 19:04

0

4agze in ae86, I win.

CAHooptie > Jedidiah 09/15/2014 at 21:36

0

Those slant 4's are interesting. Too bad they didn't work as well as they looked - they're quite literally half a V8, and shake like a chihuahua in Siberia. Pontiac tried the same trick in their 1961 Tempest, with similar results: the Trophy 4.

Planespotting > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/16/2014 at 00:56

2

Motus MV4?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Planespotting 09/16/2014 at 01:00

0

that sure is weird, but I'll take it! :)

Leviticus Maximus > Jedidiah 09/16/2014 at 02:47

1

DAT OIL-BATH AIR FILTER DOE