Thinking about displacement

"boxrocket" (boxrocket) 06/12/2018 at 23:39 • Filed to: engines, displacement, no replacement for displacement

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I’ve never had an engine over 3.0L in displacement in any car I’ve owned or daily-driven.

I’ve also not owned a car with more than 6 cylinders (though I’m open to more, none have come along yet).

The most common engine sizes I’ve owned are 3.0 (2 Mazda6 V6, and briefly a Mercury Montego), tied with 2.3L (2 Volvo “Red Blocks” and an I4 Mazda6 which was also briefly owned). Next would be 2.5L (my current XC90 and first Mazda 626, though I technically co-own the CX-5 2.5L my wife DDs, but I’m only counting cars solely in my name), and I don’t remember if my second 626 had a 2.0L or a 2.2L, and the subsequent Camry Wagon had a 2.0L, if memory serves; if the Mazda had a 2.0L then it ties with 2.5L for quantity owned, obviously.

Either way, that means I’ve owned as many 4-cylinder cars (no matter how briefly) as my current car has cylinders (5) as long as we exclude the CX-5.

The most HP at my daily disposal came from the V6 Mazda6s, which I believe came with 220hp. The least was probably the Camry or I4 626, both which each probably had about 110-120hp before modification.

The bell-curve for most common HP is probably in the 160-180hp range.

The biggest engine I’ve driven would be the 8.4L V10 in the last Viper, if we don’t include heavy construction equipment. The most powerful street-legal vehicle would probably be the heavily-modified Ford Super Duty with the 6.7L which made over 800hp and about 1250lb-ft of torque, according to the owner. Runner up to that is likely the modified Aventador I drove last year, but I don’t remember the power figures.

The smallest engine I’ve driven in a car is probably the 1.0L I3 in the current Fiesta, which I think ties with the 1.0 in the smart fortwo, but in refined and fun where the smarts’ felt like a lawn tractor engine. The weakest engine I’ve driven on the road was in a 1974(?) Beetle which had a 1.6L with 60hp, I believe. I’m definitely not certain on the year, and I’m going with the info from the internet, nit from memory. I remember it had a 4-speed stick though (and it was awful to drive).

Thinking about ways to gently increase oomph in the XC90. It’s not so much that it needs it, just that I want it to breathe just a little easier.

Chariotoflove > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 00:16

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The most I’d ever had was, I think, 212 in my supercharged Buick.

I doubled that with my Kia. I’ve never had so much power before. It’s a different experience.

gmctavish needs more space > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 00:37

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Biggest engine I’ve had was the 4.3 in my Blazer. That was the engine that sold me on torque, and that’s what I miss most in my daily, which is a Subaru 2.5. The most power and torque I’ve had was from the 4.0 V8 in a 94 740i, 282hp and 295tq I believe. Simply lovely engine, I badly want another.

I think the best combo of power/torque/weight was the 3.5 straight six in my 83 533i, 208hp and 225tq, and a 5 speed. Everything feels slow after that car and the 740. And also after my friend’s 535i and 540i....

smobgirl > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 00:38

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I’m sadly not certain on this because I didn’t give a rats ass about the car, but the Caddy I drove in high school might have been the 6 liter V8-6-4 option.

Other than that, mostly 4-cylinder econoboxes (and the 280ZX).

Wagon Guy drives a Boostang > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 00:56

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lately all of my cars have been small displacement, but I’ve had 6.6L (Pontic) and 7L (Cadillac) engines in the past.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 00:59

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We owned the same V6 in my wife’s Mercury Sable, with about 15 less HP. Incidentally, I also have never owned a vehicle with over 3.0L displacement or more than 6 cylinders.

M.T. Blake > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 01:03

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The first step is always admitting you have a problem. Now that’s out of the way. Step two is finding and purchasing a big displacement monster. Your move sir.

Longtime Lurker > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 01:20

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I also have not had car with more then 3.0L and 6 cylinders.

2000 Caravan 3.0L V6 rated at 140hp( but after 400,000km it had much much less)

1986 BMW 325es 2.7L I6 rated at 121hp

2010 Ford Ranger 2.3L I4 rated at 143hp( A simpler version of the engine in your Mazda6)

HammerheadFistpunch > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 01:20

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largest engine ive owned is the 4.7 in the gx. largest ive driven is 7.4, smallest ive owned is 1.8, smallest ive driven i think is 1.5

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 02:25

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I’d have been in my mid thirties before I ever owned a car with more than 4 cyls, 2 litres, or 180hp. Which isn’t to say I only owned slow cars - there were some pocket rockets in there - I just never had a need for something big.

Since then I’ve DD’d a couple of Jags (4.2 I6 & 4.0 V8SC) and had a Commodore track toy (5.0 V8), all of which have which have pushed the average up. But I’m back to the 200-ish hp range again now with the GT86, the Octavia, and the Pajero, though they take 3 very different routes to a similar power output (2.0 B4, 2.0T I4, 3.8V6).

I’m probably still running a lifetime average of well under 200hp and close to 4 cyls though - helps to have got started back when 100hp was a respectable number.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 02:48

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Largest car engine I’ve owned I think might have been a 4.4 litre Land Rover V8...had been stroked out from 3.9.

Smallest was probably the 1.3 litre 4 cylinder hobbies in the Suzuki Sierra.

Couldn’t say what the total displacement was but the most engine ever under my control involved four marinised Lamborghini V12 engines....and a sudden turn of speed, noise and landscape blurring

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 03:41

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Currently own and drive a 7.3L Powerstroke. So i know a bit about displacement

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 04:07

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Currently own

Jaguar 4.2 I6 (smooth, not quick)

MINI 1.6 I4 (quick, not smooth)

duurtlang > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 04:27

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Biggest I have owned is 2.5L i6, but that had a slushbox so it does not count. Many 2.0L cars, a 1.9, a few 1.6, a 1.4 and a 1.3. I’ve typically driven 2.0L cars. My dad recently asked me if I’ve got a thing for thirsty high displacement cars, referencing my 2.0L engines. Euro perspective, I guess...

Current daily: 2000 Peugeot 406 coupe, 2.0 i4.
Current weekend toy: 1987 Peugeot 205 CTi convertible, previously 1.6L now 2.0L turbo.

Previously owned: BMW E30 325i Touring (2.5), BMW E30 320i Touring (2.0), Peugeot 306 convertible (2.0), Mitsubishi Galant wagon (2.0), Lancia Zeta (2.0T), Citroen BX diesel (1.9), Peugeot 205 GTi (1.6), Peugeot 205 CTi (1.6).
Still own, but don’t drive any more: 1986 Peugeot 205 (1.4, used to be 1.1 but engine swapped by PO), 1991 VW Golf (1.3)

Highest HP: the E30 325i, at 170 hp. Fastest: My current 2.0T 1987 Peugeot 205 CTi, at less than a ton of weight and 150 hp of turbo power (unmodified engine from 1996).

pip bip - choose Corrour > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 06:04

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largest i’ve owned is 3.3L (Commodore & Torana)

largest i’ve driven would be 6.2L (Commodore or Caprice)

smallest i’ve owned is 1.6L (Holden Astra City sedan)

smallest i’ve driven is 1.0L (Vauxhall Corsa 3-door in Ireland)

boxrocket > M.T. Blake 06/13/2018 at 06:51

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Someday a 5.0L Coyote-powered Mustang (at least, maybe a 5.2L GT350 or the upcoming GT500; it won’t be anytime soon, regardless) will live at my house. Maybe also a restomod 1967 GT500, too, which would delight my wife.

Beyond that, when it comes time to replace my Volvo, I’ll be looking at Range Rovers with the 5.0L V8 very closely. I have a commute that’s less than 5 miles, but it’s all hills, so I don’t need anything hyper-efficient (though a plug-in hybrid or electric crossover would be cool, like the XC90 T8, so it has room for my bike), nor do I need something with many cylinders and lots of power because it would rarely get used.

Sonmday, though, when I have time for a “fun” car...

BigBlock440 > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 07:06

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Smallest I’ve owned was a 2.0 4-banger, only had that one 2 months. Had a couple more V6's under 3.0, and 2 V8s up to a 7.2, which was my first vehicle.

Long-Voyager > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 07:27

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5.0L is not “big” displacement son.

Signed,

425 Nailhead owner (ex).

Long-Voyager > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 07:29

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Largest engine I’ve owned:

425 Nailhead (465 Wildcat).

Largest engine I’ve driven : 1979 Malibu Wagon, 502 BB, 4-speed manual.

Long-Voyager > Longtime Lurker 06/13/2018 at 07:30

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Na, 3.0s gain power as they wear in. ;)

boxrocket > Long-Voyager 06/13/2018 at 07:57

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Getting harder to find “big” engines, though. Supposedly Ford is working on a 7.0L V8, which would be interesting depending on the application.

Captain of the Enterprise > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 08:21

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I’ve dailied

A 5.4 expedition

A 4.6 Crown Vic

A 1.8 Corolla

A 2.5 Camry

So I’ve got a decent range. Never a V6 two V8s and 2 I-4s.

bhtooefr > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 08:49

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Let’s see:

Biggest and most powerful engine I’ve owned: 1896 cc, 4-cylinder turbodiesel, ~150-160 hp estimated (90 hp stock)

Biggest engine I’ve driven: 7275 cc, 8-cylinder NA diesel, 185 hp

Most powerful engine I’ve driven: 5967 cc, 8-cylinder NA, 360 hp

Smallest car engine I’ve owned: 1493 cc, 4-cylinder NA, 92 hp

Smallest car engine I’ve driven: 995 cc, 3-cylinder turbo, 123 hp

Least powerful car engine I’ve driven and owned: 1588 cc, 4-cylinder NA diesel, 52 hp

Smallest engine I’ve owned and least powerful road engine I’ve ridden: 244 cc, 1-cylinder NA, ~18 hp

Least powerful engine I’ve ridden: some sort of 10 hp Briggs and Stratton on a mower, no idea of the displacement, but 1-cylinder NA

Least powerful engine I’ve owned: 654 cc, 1-cylinder NA diesel, 13.6 hp (not in a vehicle, although I bought it to put it in one)

Smallest engine I’ve ridden: 234 cc, 2-cylinder NA, 19.3 hp

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 08:59

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Let’s see if my displacement history is any better. All are 4cyls and none reach 3.0L.

138hp 1.8L(Astra) -> 252hp 2.0L Turbo(ST), and 150hp 2.5L(944) -> 370hp 2.3L Turbo(Crowd Killer), and 143hp 2.0L Turbo(924).

One of these days I’m gonna own a V6 or something above 3.0L

Long-Voyager > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 10:08

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Honestly, I feel this move toward smaller high strung engines is the wrong way.

That old boat with a big block/3spd auto would crack low 20s when driven nicely, not too many full-size sedans that can accomplish that today.

bhtooefr > bhtooefr 06/13/2018 at 12:46

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Actually wait, if we’re including non-road vehicles, I’ve driven less than that, 163 cc, 1-cylinder NA, 5.5 hp. (A Honda GX160 on a rental kart.)

and 100 more > boxrocket 06/13/2018 at 13:10

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My biggest displacement engine was 4.3l, which is 120% more than my next biggest engine at 3.6l, which makes about 100 more hp and the same amount of torque as the 4.3.

Longtime Lurker > Long-Voyager 06/13/2018 at 22:32

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It did gain power after the timing belt was changed.

Long-Voyager > Longtime Lurker 06/14/2018 at 06:48

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They also take very well to basic mods if you ever find yourself with another 3.0 powered Mopar, start toying with simple things on it, you’ll see what I mean.