I don’t know a ton about foreign motors other than surface level stuff like the 2JZ, Wankel, etc. so please forgive my ignorance outside of US motors.

However, in my eyes, it doesn’t get better than the simplicity and easily available power of the SBC, BBC, and 6BT. What are your all time favorites and why?

  • BusterlimesBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    GMs 3800 in the 80s and early 90s. Fantastic reliability.

  • pm-me-racecarsBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Volvo redblock is the original great 4 banger.

    I had a slightly modified B21FT that had my station wagon keeping up with Mustangs and Cameros on the highway that were 30+ years newer.

  • WalternotwalterBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Ford 300. Indestructible. Tunable. Would probably run on literal dogshit.

  • Lower_Kick268BEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Depends on what you’re looking for, for me and many other Americans tho the LS line is our hero engine. Bulletproof, makes good power, infinite aftermarket support, fuel consumption isn’t terrible, and sounds absolutely awesome! Whether it’s in a Miata, Corvette, Z, Truck, or a classic everybody loves the LS

  • MunchamaSnatchBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Volvo B5254T4.

    2.5 i5 turbo 300hp, 300 torque and a noise that soothes the soul. A few shims in the coolant passages and stronger head studs she’s good to push over 500. I want to build one and put it in a Volvo 240.

    Also, the red block from the 240 is another fantastic motor. Derived from diesel tractor motor, they’re built to withstand the apocalypse, and live to see the new world

  • Up2TrblBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    ^^^^Almost Any SBC. Gen 1 or LS, 5.3L to 7.0L, it’s hard to go wrong. Cheap, easy, & reliable.

  • OldCarWorshipperBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago
    1. The 1990’s Chevy LT-1. It had the best of both worlds- modern tech with bulletproof old-school architecture. Too bad about that goofy Optispark, though.
    2. The Toyota / Lexus 1UZ-FE V8. It was a game changer both for Toyota and for the high-end luxury market.
    3. The GM LS engine.
    4. The Ford 390 / 428 FE big block. Damn near indestructible, stump-pulling torque, responds extremely well to performance mods.
    5. The original Chevy big block.
    6. The Mopar 426 Hemi. It was the ultimate Detroit street performance option.
  • kuddlesworth9419BEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Rover K series, super lightweight and can produce very large power numbers. Jaguar AJV8 engines, very reliable, super smooth and make good power. Lexus V8’s are also similar, make great power and are super reliable and super smooth.

  • PremiumAdvertisingBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I’ll be a contrarian and toss the Honda J series into the mix

    I have the J35Z3 in an accord 6MT. It’s a single-cam V6 that’s been around in many forms since the 90s. The flavor I have redlines at nearly 7k and loves revs, all while being decently powerful and sounding amazing in stock form. Also, it doesn’t need premium gas like it’s Nissan counterpart.

    My one complaint is the timing belt. The engine is transversely mounted, and the engine mount is inside the belt. To change the belt (which is absolutely necessary), you need to lift the engine off that mount.

    Aside from that, I’m a whore for the SBC

  • DeltaRocketBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Gonna mention some great euro diesels:

    Land Rover TD5

    VAG 1.9 TDI

    BMW M57

    Mercedes OM606

    Ford (Europe) 2.0 TDCi