Best engine

[Wolfe]

Easy.

The big, bad Diablo V12.

What's wrong with the S70/2, which powered the namesake of your username? It makes more horsepower and more torque from the same displacement. Not to mention reliability, which is pretty obvious when you're comparing the Italians and the Germans...

 

[Poverty]

Most popular doesnt mean the best.

 

[Driftster]

What doesnt make sense about it? Generally, they all share the same baisic design, the only difference (generally) is the bore, stroke, and casting materials. In modern times, all of the LS engines are aluminum, while the LQ engines are iron. Take for example the LS2 and the LQ9. Both are 6.0L engines, share similar designs overall, but the LS2 is aluminum and the LQ9 is iron. One makes 400HP, the other 345HP.

...There isnt anything confusing about GM's small-block lineup. If you want confusing, look up the different variants of the I4s at Honda. Whats the difference between a B, H, K, etc. class engine?

But YSSMan, that still just means they're in teh "same engine family" They're not the SAME engine, you can argue that up and down if you want.
It won't change the fact that an LT1 is an LT1 and it's not a LS1

 

[YSSMAN]

Youre right that they are in the same engine family, as they are all based off the same baisic design that dates back to 1955.

I'm really not sure where the arguement has gone here... Are we talking about what makes the Chevrolet 350 so good? Or are we talking about including the small-block design as best engine?

If were talking 350s:Yes, it is undoubtedly the best engine, overall. It has so many different ways of being used, and can easily adapt to so many situations, it is clearly a winner. To pick just one 350 design as a winner is pretty hard, so thats why so many people pretty much fold them all into the "350" category... Were talking about the carburated 350s: ZQ3, L46, LT1 , L48, L82, L81, L83, L98, and LM1... As far as modern 350s are concerned, youve got the LT1, LT4, LT5, and Vortec 5700, as well as the LS1 and LS6. Although it can be debated as they are actually 348ci V8s, most people classify them as 350s.

Now if we were to include the small-block as an engine, there are so many variations, I suppose it might not count. Youve got everyting from the 1955 265ci up to the 2006 LS7 427ci. Leaves a lot of options there, dosnt it?

 

[Driftster]

like talkin to a brick wall

 

[Wolfe]

Most popular doesnt mean the best.

Was that in response to me talking about the S70/2? When did I mention popularity?

 

[High-Test]

He's probably referring to the 350 cubic inch smallblock Chevrolet. (Hey, I didn't list as the best...)


Because the 305 is cooler than the 350.

 

[Poverty]

Was that in response to me talking about the S70/2? When did I mention popularity?

lol no not you at all.

 

[GT4_Rule]

O btw the GM 3.8L V6 is probably one of the best (older) V6s around. It makes a fair bit of torque (220lb-ft) and 185hp. Its bulletproof too. My dad has the 1990 Olds 88 an its still running (strongly) with only the alternator needing replacement.

 

[Jay]

The same 3.8L V6 that was installed in our Holden Commodores was plagued with oil leaks.

 

[GT4_Rule]

Oh

Well...I honestly don't know about Australia (I love Holdens though) but at least in North America the engine was generally known as the bulletproof V6 - I've seen many forums where the owner of cars with this V6 was posting comments on, and majority of them were saying "this engine rocks...its bulletproof" or "how come this engine never fails? I wonder why"

I don't know, but maybe GM made some modifications to the engine when fitting them onto Australian cars...manufacturers often do that...

 

[Jay]

Yeah just like many of the LS1's we got in our Commodores ended up consuming oil and piston slapping. My local engine builder still has a few Holden warranty LS1 jobs due to the problems. Maybe this is why Australia is the first to get the new Generation 4 Chevrolet V8 (L76), using Australia as a testing ground.

The V6 wasn't an engine that had major mechanical problems (Ford Australia's got the that crown with their inline 6) but it had the oil leak problems that is a pain to fix and often reoccur.

 

[GT4_Rule]

Ohh I see.

I feel sorry for you guys. You told me that Australia is like a testing ground.

You guys are stuck with unrealiable engines eh...

 

[Jay]

Only a couple unreliable engines, mainly from Holden and Ford.

and the oil leak V6 and Ford inline 6 problems is usually when the engine clocks over 100,000km's, but many LS1's came factory flawed with 0km's on them, aswell as early Ecotec 3.8 V6's.

 

[YSSMAN]

...I know some of the Vortec series engines, such as the 3800 V6 and another assortment of V6 and V8 designs are known for burning oil here in the US, but GM fixed the problems after the GEN-III redesign of the V6s, and eventually dumped the 4300 V6.

I wouldnt be surprised to see the L76 being the standard engine in the new US-bound Zeta cars starting in 2008, but GMNA may just use the standard 5300 V8 as that has gained a reputation as bulletproof just like the 3800 V6.

 

[Jay]

I wouldnt be surprised to see the L76 being the standard engine in the new US-bound Zeta cars starting in 2008

I agree,

The L76 (Gen IV) was supposed to be set for a Australian debut in the VE Commodore (Zeta), but they pushed it forward to series II VZ Commodore's (Omega). My theory is to push extra sales of the declining large car market in Australia and reliability testing on the engines before they reach true mass production.

 

[niky]

Most popular doesnt mean the best.

Ah... but popular engines for tuners are usually popular for a reason: It's because they're easy to get power out of, sturdy, flexible and reliable.

Chevy's "small block" fits that bill to a T. It's seen more homes (both as stock and shoehorned in ) than many others. It's not a personal favorite of mine, but I can understand the attraction.

I've always been a Nissan boyo, and I adore the RB26... there's a Jun-crated RB26X block for sale up north for around $15k... I'd love to hit it, but I don't have a chassis to put it in or the money to work on it with.

The SR20 is also a pretty nifty engine. FF, FR, MR, AWD... NA Carburated, NA high-rpm (with variable valves), Turbo... there's probably no configuration this engine hasn't been in, and the stock bottom end (like the RB's) is as stout as hell.

Stock Nissan trannies suck at containing these two engines, but the engines themselves are pretty swell.

 

[Powripper]

O btw the GM 3.8L V6 is probably one of the best (older) V6s around. It makes a fair bit of torque (220lb-ft) and 185hp. Its bulletproof too. My dad has the 1990 Olds 88 an its still running (strongly) with only the alternator needing replacement.

I agree actually, My brother has a 97 olds with the GM3800, and its a great engine, its a 97 so Its making about 200hp stock, but it feels like alot more. Moving a pretty heavy sedan around easily, I tell you it surprizes alot of people.👍

 

[Jay]

1997, did they use a Ecotec version like they did in Australia by then? or it much the same as the original GM 3.8L V6, or make their own modifications to it?

 

[GT4_Rule]

Yeah, you're absolutely right there...maybe when I get that car I'll make it into a lowrider; lower suspension (the stock is WAY too soft) nicer rims, an exhausts - cuz that car (and engine) has enough grunt to surprise most people, just as you said. Although your brother's engine is updated version which produces 15hp more. Not a big difference anyway.

 

[lazyjoe247]

well my fav. would have to be the sr20 . Second would be the B18C5 for the type R

 

[McLaren]

What's wrong with the S70/2, which powered the namesake of your username? It makes more horsepower and more torque from the same displacement. Not to mention reliability, which is pretty obvious when you're comparing the Italians and the Germans...

Nothing, I just prefer the V12 of the Diablo generation.

It was incredibly distinctive and at idle, made shivers crawl up and down anyone's spine.

 

[ferrari_chris]

The same 3.8L V6 that was installed in our Holden Commodores was plagued with oil leaks.

Isn't that V6 an old Buick motor, with a design dating back many decades?

And yes, I know all about those oil leaks...

 

[Jay]

Isn't that V6 an old Buick motor, with a design dating back many decades?

And yes, I know all about those oil leaks...

Yep the Buick motor.

 

[YSSMAN]

1997, did they use a Ecotec version like they did in Australia by then? or it much the same as the original GM 3.8L V6, or make their own modifications to it?

In the North American market, we called it the Vortec 3800, generall a work horse design that is in almost every car and truck GM sells. I think the difference was in the head design, but I'm not completely sure there. The Ecotec series engines we get are all I4s here in the US, and we only get those in our small cars that compete with the Civic and the like. Your 3.6L High-Output Alloytec V6 is called the "High-feature" V6 here in the US, and only sees duty in our Cadillacs and Buicks. I think the only design that we share directly is the LS2, which I see are only available in the HSV line at the moment.

 

[GT4_Rule]

Yep the Buick motor.

And Olds, Pontiac, Chevrolet too.

Olds = Eighty Eight
Pontiac = Bonneville
Chevrolet = Impala, Monte Carlo

 

[Jay]

In the North American market, we called it the Vortec 3800, generall a work horse design that is in almost every car and truck GM sells. I think the difference was in the head design, but I'm not completely sure there. The Ecotec series engines we get are all I4s here in the US, and we only get those in our small cars that compete with the Civic and the like. Your 3.6L High-Output Alloytec V6 is called the "High-feature" V6 here in the US, and only sees duty in our Cadillacs and Buicks. I think the only design that we share directly is the LS2, which I see are only available in the HSV line at the moment.

I'm pretty sure Holden manufactures the Ecotec I4's, Its funny they send over containers after containers of the engines to europe then many of the engines come back in rebadged Opels. Same goe's with Pontiac GTO and LS series engines I guess.

And Olds, Pontiac, Chevrolet too.

Olds = Eighty Eight
Pontiac = Bonneville
Chevrolet = Impala, Monte Carlo

Yeah I know but everyone refers it as the Buick motor over here.

 

[GT4_Rule]

Yeah I know but everyone refers it as the Buick motor over here.

Alright then.

 

[RICHARDO]

My choice would have to be Toyota's 4A-GE engine, I just like it and it's also very reliable as long as you don't go crazy with power, it also has been with every setup imaginable: turbo, carburetion, supercharged, twin-charged, etc.

And the 20 Valve 4A-GE that is used in the Atlantic Series sounds freaking awesome and looks damn sexy with polished ITBs.



4A-GE POWER!!!

 

[YSSMAN]

...Its funny how much of an influence Buick as a brand has had on the automotive world. In terms of engines, they had a hand in the long-running Rover V8 design, and as stated above it is their V6 design that is sold down under... Come to the US, and everything is either Ford or Chevy, no matter what brand it comes from...