Cars That Don't Deserve Their Engines, Cars That Deserve Better

[Race Idiot]

^ Not that I'm aware of. If they had any cash available for a new luxury marque, they could probably go RWD and kick a lot of butt.


M

The only RWD Mazda luxobarge I can think of was the Mazda Cozmo, which was a 3 rotor. Actually maybe they could make a rediculous comeback with a 4rotor renisis 6 series equivalent.

 

[kingcars]

This list is dumb...it comprises of some of the coolest factory sleepers. I LOVE sleepers!

GMC Syclone and Typhoon (4.3L Turbocharged V6)

Oh cmon, you can haul mulch AND run competitively at the track! It's easy to run 13sec 1/4 miles in those things. That's awesome.

Ford Taurus SHO (Yamaha V8)

I got to race one of these in my Tbird and it was a very good race (they're V6s, btw). Those things are pretty stout when stock. They make great sleepers. Who expects an old Taurus to run low 15s/high 14s stock?

Mercury Marauder (4.6L Modular V8)

Srsly? What? The Marauder was AWESOME.

 

[Quattro20v]

NA versions of BMW's e36 M3 shouldn't even be called M3 with those stroked 2.8 engines (+lousy gearboxes, brakes, interiors etc).

 

[Fredzy]

240SX's should have all had SR20's,
RX-8 deserves more power,
E92 M3 engine deserves a smaller, lighter chassis than the E92.

 

[YSSMAN]

Srsly? What? The Marauder was AWESOME.

No disagreement from me, but the chassis is terrible. I think that was their main point.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

No disagreement from me, but the chassis is terrible. I think that was their main point.

The chassis is quite horrible for a performance vehicle...

However, for a comfortable cruiser the Panther is pretty much top of the list.

 

[kingcars]

The chassis is quite horrible for a performance vehicle...

However, for a comfortable cruiser the Panther is pretty much top of the list.

Yeah I mean, lets not kid ourselves, the Marauder was NOT supposed to be an all around performance vehicle. The attraction came from the fact it was a big luxo barge with RWD and a V8, something that's been increasingly rare these days. We used to have a 94 Lincoln Mark VIII with the 4.6 Mod engine (the 4v version that later came in Cobras) and that car was awesome.

 

[Leonidae]

The only RWD Mazda luxobarge I can think of was the Mazda Cozmo, which was a 3 rotor. Actually maybe they could make a rediculous comeback with a 4rotor renisis 6 series equivalent.

Mazda 929/xedos?

 

[benzoboy]

MG ZT V8 260​

That's right, a Mustang V8 with 260bhp, and what better car to put it in than a hyped-up grandad's car?

Don't get me wrong, I do like ZTs. I think the V6 engine'd one is cracking, but there's no escaping from the fact the normal Rover 75 can do just the same almost. Not only did they put it in one of the heaviest saloons on the market, they detuned it to 260bhp. So what they did was take a great piece of American muscle, put it in a fat, heavy Grandad's car in a dress. Then they detuned it, so now it's greatly underpowered. Let alone they hardly changed the chassis, so the car won't even turn properly.

To be fair, I guess if someone tuned the engine, and sorted out the abysmal chassis. There could maybe be a decent performance car. But until then, no. Just, no.

 

[ND4SPD]

My car. Ford really should have stuck in the 32valve 4.6's in the Police Interceptors. That would atleast make them slightly more competetive with the Hemi Charger police packages.......

 

[Jim Prower]

See but Ford had the sense to use the 2.3 SOHC... If only you were a Ford guy...

Actually...

Cars that deserved better:

SVO Mustang
Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

Not so much that they needed a different engine, but rather they needed a hotter version of what they had. The Ford 2.3 can hit quite nice power levels easily enough, which makes the 140-180hp (or so) they ran rather disappointing.

250hp would've made just about anyone happy then, even the die-hard 5-0 guys.

It makes one wonder what would've happened if they just stuck the RS500 Cossie head on it. I'm fairly certain the Mustang weighed roughly the same as the Sierra, or would've with it's engine...

 

[YSSMAN]

I've never really understood why the P71 never received the Mustang setup... I mean, they could use the extra power, and truthfully, I don't think the reliability or fuel economy goes downhill all that fast. When I drove the Town Car, the only major complaint was the lack of power. You know, the kind that will only spin the when there is water down.

I keep thinking about how the old Suzuki Verona could have been such a wonderful car if they would have spent the money on a decent V6 program. It was actually a pretty nice car, I enjoyed driving it, but having barely 180 BHP didn't inspire confidence when the Accord had a 170+ BHP I4 at the time.

 

[Tornado]

Don't get me wrong, I do like ZTs. I think the V6 engine'd one is cracking, but there's no escaping from the fact the normal Rover 75 can do just the same almost. Not only did they put it in one of the heaviest saloons on the market, they detuned it to 260bhp. So what they did was take a great piece of American muscle, put it in a fat, heavy Grandad's car in a dress. Then they detuned it, so now it's greatly underpowered. Let alone they hardly changed the chassis, so the car won't even turn properly.

They didn't detune it. They just used the cheaper, lighter Mustang GT engine rather than the SVT Cobra engine. As I recall, the MG ZT260 wasn't really any slower than the Mustang GT of the time either. I personally always thought that it was amazing that MG ever had the balls to take a FWD car and then mass produce it in a RWD variation. Can you imagine the V8 powered, RWD Accord?

I got to race one of these in my Tbird and it was a very good race (they're V6s, btw).

The crappy SHO model sold from 1996-1999 was indeed a V8, and the engine was far too good (if a bit unreliable) for the pudgy, slushbox equipped 3rd-generation SHO. The second and first generation cars did have V6s, though.

Nissan America never HAD the CA.

We did in the early days of the S12. Its just that no one cares because it was later replaced by the big manly 300ZX V6 that the 240SX ridiculously didn't also offer.


About the Autoblog list, I'm curious as to why the Neon, Omni GLHS and Spirit R/T got on their. Yeah, the Caliber blows; but the other ones were all great handling, epic sleepers when they came out. I am sort of curious as to why they put the very best version of the Quad 4 in this boat:

But not the Beretta or Grand Prix.
I also think the Impala SS is a great car simply because of how ridiculous it is. Its not really a great car, and it certainly belongs on that list, but you know what I mean.

 

[benzoboy]

They didn't detune it. They just used the cheaper, lighter Mustang GT engine rather than the SVT Cobra engine. As I recall, the MG ZT260 wasn't really any slower than the Mustang GT of the time either. I personally always thought that it was amazing that MG ever had the balls to take a FWD car and then mass produce it in a RWD variation. Can you imagine the V8 powered, RWD Accord?

Are you sure about that? I swear I heard somewhere it had to be detuned, because of emissions. Plus, they may have had balls, but apparently they didn't have the money and men to make it work.

I'm not trying to start an argument, so don't take this the wrong way.

I have another car to nominate:

Ford Cougar 2.5 V6

The 2.5 Duratec engine was a fantastic engine, my dad had it in his old Mk2 Mondeo V6. I also believe it was used in the Noble M12. So what the hell were Ford thinking when they put it in the heaviest and soggiest coupes ever? Talk about a waste. Apparently the 2.5 Cougar was awful in the turns. It's quite a contrast from the Mk2 Mondeo V6, which I believe was voted as one of the best handling saloons of the 90s.



I've just noticed the second part of the thread title, so I nominate:

UK-Spec Nissan Navara 2.5 DCi

Of course, this has nothing to do with the fact my dad owns one of course. But anyway, in America I do believe the Navara (Or Frontier as it is over there) it is offered with a 4.0 V8. Now don't get me wrong, the 2.5 Diesel in my dad's one is a torque-y engine, and has plenty of grunt. But of course, what's wrong with aspiring to more?

 

[Eric.]

Toyota Yaris Turbo deserves a better engine, as does the Fit and Swift. give them 1.8l engines and watch how they rearrange the hot hatch segment.

K20Z3-powered Fit FTW!

 

[Keef]

The Chrysler Crossfire, Ford Thunderbird, and quite a few sweet, dead cars needed a little more character. The Crossfire in particular couldn't even carry it's badass image with 330hp and that stupid automatic.

 

[Tornado]

Are you sure about that? I swear I heard somewhere it had to be detuned, because of emissions.

Same power output and cam design as the engine in the Mustang GT.

 

[hamstrings]

My car. Ford really should have stuck in the 32valve 4.6's in the Police Interceptors. That would atleast make them slightly more competetive with the Hemi Charger police packages.......

I think it's a cost and reliability thing. There's less stuff to break. Panthers are inexpensive, comfy, rugged, and built for huge margins. Don't let that stop you from putting a 32-valve 4.6 V8 in a CVPI though.

 

[YSSMAN]

The Chrysler Crossfire... The Crossfire in particular couldn't even carry it's badass image with 330hp and that stupid automatic.

At least it was moderately fun to drive... My only complaint about the car was the height with my head (hits it too many times). But yeah, the engine/trans combo was absolute trash. Still, 110MPH passes were easy to come by...

 

[ND4SPD]

I think it's a cost and reliability thing. There's less stuff to break. Panthers are inexpensive, comfy, rugged, and built for huge margins. Don't let that stop you from putting a 32-valve 4.6 V8 in a CVPI though.

One of these days....Along with a 5spd swap for me.

 

[EA11R]

*Braces for impact*

Honda Insight.

No, seriously. I read about a hybridded Insight online, with a K20 engine from Civic R, and many things altered so that A/C and everything still works. It was an extensively modified car, but all very realistic and wonderfully functional. The kicker: It still did 50 mpg. And could spin the tyres in third gear.

I understand, of course, that the Insight is a purpose-built economy car, but after seeing the alternative engine... I can't go back to 80hp happiness. A stupid, overpowered car that gets 50 mpg? I must.

The suprisingly aerodynamic Subaru Alcyone would have been simply excellent with something other than the lackluster 170PS engine it had.

Basically, I want better engines in nearly every low-powered, aerodynamic car.

Also, I second Leo's idea: A quicker Fit would be absolutely lovely. Swifter Scions, too, would be a treat, as long as we're still talking Mk1.

Off-topic: This is an idea I've fallen in love with, and it seems this is the closest it'll ever get to being relevant: A Toyota Corolla with a high-revving Elise-style engine (the Elise is powered by Toyota engine) would be magnificent. Feels like a Spoon-type of tuning to me, but I'm not certain why.

 

[hamstrings]

You mean the 2005 Corolla XRS that they dropped in the rev-happy 2ZZ-GE Celica engine? Toyota did it, but they took away some of the top end punch to increase midrange grunt.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

The B5 Passat.

It deserved more. The W8 was plenty bonkers but a 5 or 6-speed manual, AWD, turbo VR5 or VR6 from the factory would've been excellent. Add in a lower, sportier suspension tuning and it should be reasonably good handling as well. Also it's damn slick aerodynamically so it wouldn't have much issue banging off the 155mph limiter.

 

[Jim Prower]

Are you sure about that? I swear I heard somewhere it had to be detuned, because of emissions. Plus, they may have had balls, but apparently they didn't have the money and men to make it work.

Really? Last I checked, many European cars were BANNED from the US because of OUR emissions laws!!!

I do remember a time when the Mustang's 4.6 got a lot less than 300HP, which was why the Camaro stole it's thunder every stinkin' time they met. They collaborated with the wrong manufacturer: should've stuffed an LT1 underneath the hood.

UK-Spec Nissan Navara 2.5 DCi

Of course, this has nothing to do with the fact my dad owns one of course. But anyway, in America I do believe the Navara (Or Frontier as it is over there) it is offered with a 4.0 V8. Now don't get me wrong, the 2.5 Diesel in my dad's one is a torque-y engine, and has plenty of grunt. But of course, what's wrong with aspiring to more?

It's a 4.0 V6.

 

[Jay]

Have mazda built anything rwd in the last 30 years that wasnt a pickup truck or have a rotary engine in it? Also anything that wasnt a miata.

The last of the RWD Mazda 323's just scrape in under 30 years, early to mid Luce/929's were still RWD (platform also sold as Cosmo with the Rotary)

 

[neanderthal]

The Chrysler Crossfire, Ford Thunderbird, and quite a few sweet, dead cars needed a little more character. The Crossfire in particular couldn't even carry it's badass image with 330hp and that stupid automatic.

crossfire. bad ass?!?!?!
moreover, that "stupid" automatic is the same one in all the blown V8s and V12s from AMG

perhaps you meant the plymouth prowler? thats the one that looked bad ass

the crossfire looked like it was trying too hard

the ideal would be the prowler with the crossfires drivetrain.

 

[YSSMAN]

You mean the 2005 Corolla XRS that they dropped in the rev-happy 2ZZ-GE Celica engine? Toyota did it, but they took away some of the top end punch to increase midrange grunt.

The problem with that car, as I recall, is that Toyota wouldn't put a decent suspension beneath it... And consequently it was destroyed by the GTI, Civic Si and Cobalt SS.

 

[Tornado]

The Prowler didn't need a better engine. It needed a better transmission. It had NSX power/weight before it was ended, all squandered through Chrysler's awful Ultradive slushbox.

The problem with that car, as I recall, is that Toyota wouldn't put a decent suspension beneath it...

The peaky and somewhat non-linear engine that was perfect for use in mid engine sports cars and FWD sport coupes was also transplanted into a tall and tippy wagon that wholly did not suit the engine character whatsoever. Especially when said tippy wagon weighed a few hundred pounds more than the car the engine was originally designed for.

And consequently it was destroyed by the GTI, Civic Si and Cobalt SS.

Well, the GTi and Cobalt, at least.

Dope Dope. Look how ridiculous I am!

 

[Keef]

YSSMAN, that Si might have destroyed the XRS, but the Si before it destroyed it. The EP3 was a pretty crap car with a crap engine.

 

[EA11R]

Really? I always thought the Corolla XRS was just a stupid bodykitted version. Not to mention the unfortunate side effect: The XRS had a serious dignity crisis, and suddenly the normal Corolla looked plain. Idea: Fit only the passenger-side of the XRS kit!

Awesome, how noone contested my Insight find.

EDIT: Excellent, it seems that only a small amount of change seperates the Elise and XRS engines! I, again, thought it was a stupid bodykit option. Did I mention how much I love wikipedia?