What's the Best V8 That ISN'T a Chevy V8

"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing) 09/14/2014 at 13:31 • Filed to: None

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The Chevy Small Block V8 is considered by many to be the best engine of all time, But whats the best also-ran V8?

Rules:

Cannot Be a V8 Manufactured or installed in a Chevrolet from the Factory

BOP Engines count as either Buick, Olds, or Pontiac Engines. - Not Chevy.

My Vote:

Audi 4.2l FSI - 420 HP - 8650 RPM redline.

carcrasher88 > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:33

3

An engine that needs no introduction.

treesmakewater > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:34

0

looks so much better than my Audi 4.2 ART. I can't imagine nearly 9000 rpm from a v8 :o

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:35

1

Hellcat.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:36

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My top three:

GeorgeyBoy > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:37

0

Always a fan of the AJ-V8

Via F-type

EL_ULY > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:37

1

HELLCAT!!!!!

Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:37

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Since you took Audi's 4.2, Aston Martin's 5.3L V8.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:38

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Coyote.

My citroen won't start > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:38

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Maserati V8

Sweet Trav > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:39

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Porsche never made much power out of their early V8 and the Mod motor is an abomination. SBF though, good pick.

Sweet Trav > My citroen won't start 09/14/2014 at 13:42

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The only knock I have against this motor is that it is cross-plane crank pin motor, not flat-plane like its higher strung Ferrari cousin. I think one of the best sounding V8's of all time though.

michael bleggi > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:42

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biased as hell but i love my 90's bmw v8. small displacement so it loves and needs to be wound out to the 7k redline. no low end cheating torque for a real sports car (;

(not my pic but holy shit i wish it was)

Sweet Trav > Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS 09/14/2014 at 13:43

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Twin Eaton(?) blowers? how did i not know about this motor.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:45

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Just because it doesn't make 400+HP from the factory doesn't mean it's not a good motor(TORQUE!!!). It was the 70s-80s, not many, if anyone, had a V8 with more than 300 from the factory; not even Ford could break 240hp until the Cobra! What's wrong with the Mod 5.0?? At least I didn't say the 4.6 right?

And yes the SBF is awesome.

Goggles Pizzano > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:46

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Chrysler 392 Hemi.

Where the sport of drag racing would be today without this engine, is anybody's guess.

Sweet Trav > michael bleggi 09/14/2014 at 13:46

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The Nikasil/Alusil liners that they used and ruined engines is a reason why I wouldn't put them on a top 10 list. Why else can you buy a mid 90's 540i for the price of a VCR?

IF they had used a more reliable material for the liners, I agree with you except low end torque being cheating. (The 289 and 427 Cobra's would disagree with you as well)

My citroen won't start > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:46

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That's why I like though, it sounds incredible and I love lower displacement V8's

camaroboy68ss > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:48

3

Buick Nailhead

Sweet Trav > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 13:48

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Bore/Stroke and Rod/Stroke ratios are all off for a "true" performance engine. I mean up until the Coyote, the mod motor was massively under-powered compared even the old SBF.

Sweet Trav > camaroboy68ss 09/14/2014 at 13:50

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A 455 cid V8 that weighs LESS than your SBC and makes makes enough torque to momentarily reverse the rotation of the earth on launch you say? I like it.

gawdzillla > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:51

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does this count ?

Sweet Trav > Goggles Pizzano 09/14/2014 at 13:52

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At a local car show i saw a guy with a 392 Hemi in an old Chrysler who had done a propane conversion on it, I asked why, and he said at 13-1 compression i can afford to put racegas in it.

Also I want a vintage on that twin turbo Hemi dragster photo

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:53

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It is Navistar's equivalent to Cummins' 6BT, the 7.3 Powerstroke or DT444. Well known to last over 500k miles as long as they are maintained.

Sweet Trav > gawdzillla 09/14/2014 at 13:53

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I was leaning toward production engines, but it wasn't expressly forbade.

Sweet Trav > My citroen won't start 09/14/2014 at 13:54

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4.7 isn't exactly a lower displacement.

Goggles Pizzano > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:54

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Sounds cool! Clean propane would also be great for preservation.

michael bleggi > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:54

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i know, i'm aware. didn't expect to make a top ten list, just a fun little engine if you find one with good compression and are willing to deal with paying for 93 gas to get 15 mpg and only 260 hp..... lol

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:56

5

AMG M159

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:56

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For the 928? I don't believe it was meant to be a performance car in it's early life. Everything was under-powered from the last 20 years or so IMO; at no fault of the motors of course. Thanks to aftermarket, those three motors can easily push 400(Coyote is already there)-500HP.

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

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New Hemis!

Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:58

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When it was used in the V8 Vantage N600, it made 600(!) hp. In 1998!

Bandit > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 13:59

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"BOP Engines count." Bastard! The Pontiac 400 was an amazing motor (so biased it's not even funny)

Sweet Trav > Bandit 09/14/2014 at 14:00

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I meant that in BOP engines are allowed! up to edit now.

please write your poncho dissertation!

djmt1 > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:01

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Mclaren 3.8 Twin Turbo

Jaguar 5.0 Supercharged

Ariel 3.0 Naturally Aspirated

For England lads!

My citroen won't start > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:01

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Oh, I sent you the wrong engine. I like the 3.2

Sweet Trav > djmt1 09/14/2014 at 14:03

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No Rolls/Bentley 6 and Three-Quarter Litre V8? I'm shocked, that would make my list before any of these.

Sweet Trav > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 14:05

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No the Mod motor is all wrong. When you shove boost down it, it comes alive, but overall i think a waste of 20+ years of Ford R&D time.

Bandit > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:06

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Oh! Sorry, I read that wrong. The early 70s Pontiac 455 Super Duty found in some Trans Ams was a monster engine for it's time (yay emissions!) and arguably the best BOP engine made. Here's an excerpt from a thing

"If there is one thing I have learned about the SD through the years, it's that it shares VERY little with it's fellow 455's. In fact, many of it's components and designs came out of Pontiac's 366 cubic inch NASCAR program. This engine was designed as a full bore racing engine from the ground up, and was then "adjusted" to appease the EPA. It TRULY IS a different animal from the block and heads to the carb and manifolds."

Sweet Trav > Bandit 09/14/2014 at 14:08

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Have you ever read about the Poncho 303?

djmt1 > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:08

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Nah, that engine represents the dark days of the British motor industry. These engines represent better times now that we are building world beaters again.

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

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So you think they should've kept the 302?

Sweet Trav > Goggles Pizzano 09/14/2014 at 14:08

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Ill get pictures next time i see the car!

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

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Oldsmobile Rocket.

More HP/Torque than a Chevy at lower rpm (aside from rare Chevys like the original LT1 and a LS6).

High Nickel block, not pig iron like Chevy and not a flimsy light-weight alloy like a Buick. And it is way lighter/smaller than a Caddillac motor with similar hp/torque outputs.

Forged rods or nodular iron/forged crank depending on the year.

Only bad thing about them is that go-fast parts are on the expensive side for domestics.

Sweet Trav > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 14:10

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I think the aftermarket success of that motor proves that point. Recast in Aluminum with Iron liners it could have been a contender.

Sweet Trav > djmt1 09/14/2014 at 14:12

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In what world isn't this a world beater?

CPT Speedbump > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:16

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The Nissan VK56 is almost a LS1 clone, just built by Nissan. Scene here is a Nismo version for one of their race cars.

djmt1 > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:17

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How'd I forget about the Brooklands. Man that car was awesome but yet again it would be with a 1000 NM of Torque.

Sweet Trav > djmt1 09/14/2014 at 14:18

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I hear the GPS only takes you from tire shop to tire shop.

camaroboy68ss > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:18

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Buick never built a 455ci motor with the Nailhead setup, the biggest the Nailhead got was 425ci, the 455 was more traditional closer to a Chevy setup

Sweet Trav > CPT Speedbump 09/14/2014 at 14:19

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LT5 clone maybe... DOHC is not equal to Cam in block OHV.

whoarder is tellurium > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:20

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Despite its problems, I gotta stay American and give props to the Northstar. They developed it until it was worthy enough to become Supercharged for the V series.

CPT Speedbump > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:24

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I said almost, lol

Sweet Trav > CPT Speedbump 09/14/2014 at 14:25

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I mean in the sense that they both have 8 cylinders in Vee configuration, Yes. Almost identical.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:26

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Fair enough. I'd like to see a modern 302, but that won't ever happen; because EPA. -_-

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

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GM's doing it with the LS/LT V8

Sweet Trav > whoarder is tellurium 09/14/2014 at 14:31

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Sorry this motor should have been aborted.

Sweet Trav > Bandit 09/14/2014 at 14:32

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http://www.wallaceracing.com/RAV-articles.h… - Pontiac 303 OHC engine.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:35

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455-SD. The last of the big power big blocks before the malaise kicked in.

Factory rated at 310hp, these were always called under-rated. It's simply the last hurrag of the big bad American powerhouse engine.

Alternatively there's always the Elephant. 426 Cubic inches oh hemispherical head design. Yes, the 425hp 426 Hemi.

This engine was a beast. It dominated nascar for a long ass time. also, it is still here in one way or another.

Both of these lose out to an engine that never really made it in to production. Ford's 427 SOHC "Cammer".
this engine was so good, Chrysler had it banned from NASCAR. it was said to be able to make upwards of 600 horsepower. in 1970, that's batshit insane!

Sweet Trav > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/14/2014 at 14:36

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the 427 Cammer did make it to production, it was installed in a relatively limited number of Galaxies.

whoarder is tellurium > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:38

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Damnit, I knew I should've posted The Toyo/Lexus UZ V8.

 V8 Rustler > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:49

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The top 3 (non super car) modern V8s.

2013-2014 Ford Mustang GT500 5.8L Supercharged V8. 662 hp

S65 4.0 V8 with ITBs from the E90 M3. 414 hp

Roadrunner 5.0 V8 from the Boss 302. 444 hp

Telumektar > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:53

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The Melling V8, a more powerful and more durable version the AJP8 (a.k.a TVR Speed Eight)

Stats off Wikipedia for the 4.5l Melling V8:

Maximum power - 418 bhp (312 kW; 424 PS) @ 7200rpm
Maximum torque - 390 lbft (530 Nm) @5200rpm
Engine weight - 123 kg (271 lb) (including alternator)

And it looks great. It has a home in the Melling Wildcat, a car that supposedly exists.

Tohru > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:53

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Olds 455 Rocket.

Honorary Mention (never made into mass production):

Olds W43 455ci Hemi:

Olds OW43 gear-driven DOHC 455ci

Sweet Trav >  V8 Rustler 09/14/2014 at 14:54

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I think the GT500 V8 gets a bad rap because it isn't in a better chassis.

The BMW V8, while pretty is a wanabe Audi V8 and the road runner V8, like all non boosted Mod motors is mediocre at best due to a poor rod/stroke, bore/stroke ratio.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 14:59

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...aaaand I just found information on that and was going to edit it in! I forgot that it was put in a few galaxies

 V8 Rustler > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 15:00

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How is the BMW V8 a wannabe Audi V8 when the 4.2 does not even have ITBs? Also the Audi has the timing chains on the back. You must be mad to say the coyote engine is mediocre.

Sweet Trav >  V8 Rustler 09/14/2014 at 15:10

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Small high revving cross plane V8. BMW did it after Audi, plus the S65 is essentially the BMW V10 with two cylinders lopped off.

As for the Mod motor, for its external size and weight 444hp and only 380ft/lb is pretty meh.

Amoore100 > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 15:12

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Volvo Yamaha v8...not the best, or most powerful, or most anything, but sounds pretty good and ended up in a frickn Volvo for goodness' sake...

Sweet Trav > Amoore100 09/14/2014 at 15:13

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Makes a whole helluva lot of power in the Noble...

PS9 > Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS 09/14/2014 at 15:28

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Aston Engineer 1: Hey, these blowers are kind of small. Don't you have anything that would work with our V8?

Eaton: Sorry. For now V6s and I4s are all we got blowers for.

Aston Engineer 2: Hey, I've got an idea. Ours is the 5.3 right?
Aston Engineer 1: 'Good for motors 2.6L and up' ehh? Hmm...

Amoore100 > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 15:46

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true, true, though i forgot about that at the time...

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 15:51

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Reliable power is key with most engines from America. It doesn't have to work as hard, doesn't have as fragile/expensive parts, and is much cheaper to maintain. Power without reliability is useless as a daily driver, which is where the Coyote and LS motors come in.

Dreadnaught > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 15:52

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BMW S65—Need I say more?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > CPT Speedbump 09/14/2014 at 15:53

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It's a shame they put these in SUVs, trucks, and big cars. Imagine a GTR with this instead.

TheStraightSixKid > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 16:34

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458 Italia 4.5l V8 GAME OVER.

Sweet Trav > TheStraightSixKid 09/14/2014 at 16:40

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I asked for the best, not most overrated.

Bandit > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 16:44

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Wow. I had no clue this ever existed. I need to find more info.

Bad Idea Hat > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 16:46

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Sweet Trav > Bad Idea Hat 09/14/2014 at 16:47

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What do tell is that?

Bad Idea Hat > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 16:50

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Cosworth DFV, the best F1 engine of all time.

Axial > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 16:50

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Hue hue hue hue hue hue

Sweet Trav > Axial 09/14/2014 at 16:51

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Mercury Marine Built, Lotus Designed, but the exact reason why i added the term "Installed in a Chevrolet from the factory".

Axial > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 16:56

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I know, I'm just being an ass. I actually need to do some research before giving a serious reply to confirm what I think I want to reply with (AMG 5.5 L bi-turbo). Seriously, Mercedes are the only European brand to really "get" what a powerful car should sound like, and they deliver on the performance characteristics as well.

Sweet Trav > Axial 09/14/2014 at 16:57

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So long as you dont choose that god awful 4.0L AMG GT V8. It's nothing but a rube goldberg machine

Axial > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 17:03

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The new one? I don't know enough about it. And, honestly, I don't give credits to new engines unless they do something special (i.e. are turbines) because they haven't proven themselves. I know the 5.5 is awesome. I don't know jack about the 4.0.

Sweet Trav > Axial 09/14/2014 at 17:05

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4.0L Bi Turbo 17psi. 503 hp. Extreme Meh.

Manuél Ferrari > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/14/2014 at 18:21

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WAIT WUT? What about the V8 in the 918?

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 18:26

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From a reliability standpoint, many would disagree. Fleet vehicles with 300K or more miles of abuse with motors that have never been apart.

69montego > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 19:00

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the ls IS a Windsor motor to the point that the heads WILL bolt on to a small block ford.

the ports are reversed so you need a custom cam to make it work, but work it will.

we had one in the shop that I bolted up to a 302 block just to troll the chevy guy in the shop

his expression was priceless

69montego > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 09/14/2014 at 19:02

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just don't mention the VT365 in the same sentence....I HATE working on those things

YSI-what can brown do for you > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 20:59

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1UZ-FE, 4.0l Toyota V8. Shall we begin the fan boying.

It is 40lbs lighter than a LS, it is also about the same size as a LS1 despite having 4 cams. It has 6 bolt main bearings, forged crankshaft, forged rods STOCK. Not to mention being based on CART and IRL racing designs, it is also dirt cheap. You can find them on ebay for 500 bucks. Stock the power sucks, a mere 270hp. But add some boost and you are in business, people have pushed 5 to 700hp on stock internals and it still runs just fine. Some people have even decided to run them up to 9k on stock internals for a few thousand miles. . . but only a few thousand, where they make about 500hp NA.

PLUS they sound absolutely demonic.

Don't mess yo!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > 69montego 09/14/2014 at 21:34

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2006-07 VT365's had less recalls than any year 7.3. But that was probably Ford quality control more than anything.

TheStraightSixKid > Sweet Trav 09/14/2014 at 23:54

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It has won engine of the year or something like that since it's inception.

Sweet Trav > TheStraightSixKid 09/14/2014 at 23:57

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The 1997 Malibu was Car of the Year. I don't trust any wards 10 best, or International engine of the year polls.

And it was performance engine of the year.

TheStraightSixKid > Sweet Trav 09/15/2014 at 00:08

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I got to ride in a 458 Italia a couple weeks ago at a cars & coffee. It is not overrated trust me. (I can't believe i just said that on the internet). The engine makes 562HP out of a 4.5V8 and revs to 9,000RPM bro (shit i said bro...twice). It pulls in every gear HARD and FAST. P.S. It sounds EPIC!

Sweet Trav > TheStraightSixKid 09/15/2014 at 00:09

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meh I'd rather have an LT4.

TheStraightSixKid > Sweet Trav 09/15/2014 at 00:16

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NO CHEVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet Trav > TheStraightSixKid 09/15/2014 at 00:18

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rather have a hellcat then.

CPT Speedbump > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 09/15/2014 at 00:47

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Don't need to imagine it, they've done it, lol. The GTR Gt1 is VK56 powered, also the Australian V8 super car Altima's are. And of course Chris Forsberg's 370Z

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > CPT Speedbump 09/15/2014 at 01:01

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I meant like a street car.