That is, when you think of an X cylinder engine, which actual production motor is the best? Which one most embodies the spirit/character that you think of when you hear “X cylinders”?
For example, among four cylinder engines, you can either look at I4 (most mfrs) or H4 (Subaru, Porsche). I think the archetypical 4 cylinder engine is probably one of Honda’s K-series or F-series?
There are only a few 5 cylinder options, none of which I’m too familiar with so I’ll refrain from commenting.
6 cylinders is where it gets crowded, with I6, H6, and V6 (and you might even split narrow-V and wide-V!). For me, something I6 probably wins here, but even then there are so many options! RB20, S54, B58, 2JZ… Although, some would probably argue that the flat out best 6 cylinder engine is one of the wide-Vs found in the new hybrids like the 296 or Artura.
For 8cyl it’s hard to say no to the LS. The AMG 4.0 biturbo is pretty great too, and of course the flat plane LT6 or Voodoo are exceptional.
For 10 cylinders the LFA, Viper, and Audi/Lambo 5.2 come to mind. The 5.2 has to take it this category because of its durability. There are people making 1200+ whp all day on pump gas with those bad boys.
For the V12 you could go in a couple of directions too. Obviously Rolls and Bentley have been making incredibly smooth and luxurious V12s, while Lambo and Ferrari have a rich history of high revving naturally aspirated screaming V12s.
What are your favorites in each category and why?
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Ignoring the difference between pushrod and overhead cam in this question is silly
If we’re talking about “enthusiast factors” like sound, fun, etc. (and not necessarily power, efficiency, etc.):
L3: Doesn’t really interest me, maybe an old Wartburg
L4: Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth motor (M102), many Honda engines and old Alfa Romeo engines
H4: Subaru obviously, not even the Porsche ones interest me that much.
L5: Audi and Volvo.
L6: BMW obviously, N/A or turbo form. I also like the Volvo S60 Polestar L6 twin turbo.
V6: Alfa Romeo and Nissan VQ. Also Honda/Toyota V6 has the capacity to sound very good.
H6: Porsche obviously.
V8: 5.0 Ford Coyote, BMW E92 M3 S65, many LS engines, Ferrari 355 5valve per cylinder. Ferrari-derived Maserati V8s from the early 2000’s/late 2000’s.
V10: even-firing Gallardo, the odd-firing 5.2 doesn’t interest me as much. Carrera GT with deep sounding exhaust, I’m not a fan of the high pitched LFA sound.
V12: Ferrari 812 Superfast, Ferrari F50, Murcielago LP640 moreso than the LP580, Mercedes-Benz M120 but ONLY in Pagani 7.3 form. BMW S70 series in McLaren form. Aston Martin N/A V12 with stock exhaust, don’t like when they’re too high pitched.
4BT is the hill I will die on
The m113 v8, especially with long tube headers.
Production Run: 1998 – 2007
Cylinder Head Material: Aluminum
Cylinder Block Material: Aluminum
Configuration: V8
Bore: 89.9 mm (E43) and 97 mm (E50 and E55)
Stroke: 84.1 mm (E43 and E50) and 92 mm (E55)
Valvetrain: SOHC three valves per cylinder
Displacement: 4.3 L (4266 cc for E43), 5.0 L (4966 cc for E50), and 5.4 L (5439 cc for E55)
Compression Ratio: 10 (E43 and E50) 10.5 and 11 for E55
Weight: 362 lbs. (E43) and 377 lbs. (E50 and E55)
Maximum HP: 574 HP at 6,000 RPM Maximum Torque: 590 lb-ft at 2,750 – 4,000 RPM
Other M113 features include:
Fracture-split forged steel connecting rods.
Sequential fuel injection.
One-piece cast camshaft.
A magnesium intake manifold.
I6 = BMWs N52
3-Cylinder: Toyota G16E
Inline-4: Honda B16
V4: Lancia V4
Inline-5: The Audi one (can’t find name)
Inline-6: Toyota 2JZ
V6: 2.4L Ferrari Dino
Flat 6: Porsche M30/69
Flatcrank V8: Ferrari F154
Crossplane V8: Ford 427
V10: Audi 5.2 FSI
V12: Ferrari F140
Flat 12: F113A
W16: VW WR16 64v6T
Rotory: Mazda 13B-MSP Renesis
Had to scroll way too far to see the 2jz listed haha. Also 4 cylinder engine should be the h2r even if it isn’t road legal.
the renesis is absolutely not the best rotary. it has a lot of issues compared to previous mazda rotaries, does not handle boost well at all and is difficult to build N/A
4 cylinder: K20 or BMW N20
5 cylinder: Audi. Not close
Straight Six: BMW S58
Flat Six (Turbo and All motor): Porsche
V6 turbo: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quaddrofoglio or Nissan Skyline
V6 Supercharged: Mercedes M112K
V6 all motor: Toyota 2GR-FKS 9. Special shot out to GM 3800
V8 all motor: Ford GT350, Chevy Small Block, Ferrari 458, Mercedes M156
V8 Turbo: this will be argued. Mercedes M177. I am not listing anything else because no other turbo 8 is in multiple supercars (AMG GT, Aston Martins) and luxury cars
V8 Supercharged: C7 ZR1, GT500, Mercedes M113K
V10: Lamborghini
V12 All motor: Ferrari, Lambo
V12 Turbo: Mercedes/Pagani
1200 hp on pump gas?