The Greateast Mass Production Engines Ever Made?
Discussion
Welshbeef said:
inabox said:
BMW n52, last of it's kind.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1098268Issue is NVA noise.
As the thread you linked to states, N52 is the last of the port-injected, non high-pressure fuel pump BMW engines so no carbon build-up on the inlet valves over time dropping compression, nor risk of complete destruction of the cylinder head due to the pump disintegrating.
Wouldn't go as far as to say it is 'the greatest', but it was certainly a pinnacle.
Uncle John said:
Rolls Royce Merlin
I was scrolling through thinking I'm amazed nobody's mentioned the Merlin yet.Olympus has to be worthy of a mention too, anything that can power supersonic airlines, large ships, and generate electricity kind of makes the little car engines being discussed look a little lacking in ambition
Honda NR engine is interesting too, v4 with 8 conrods. 130bhp from 500cc in 1979, but only 125 I think in the more mass produced 750cc version.
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wolfracesonic said:
As mentioned, the criteria need to be tightened: Maybe the greatest is not some 8000rpm, 500bhp screamer but some anonymous family motor lump, designed on strict budget, that can be produced easily and cheaply and that will run till the end of time with zero maintenance.
Volkswagen 1.9 TDIz06tim said:
Vitorio said:
sunbeam alpine said:
Pop down and have a play with one of mine! 
PH'er Dinkel comes down regularly from Utrecht for a run.
Is your profile garage correct? PH'er Dinkel comes down regularly from Utrecht for a run.
Thank you
Pics of several of the cars from our last run -
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by sunbeam alpine on Friday 17th February 14:31
Northstar has to be up there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mndX4SyORc
5:05 onwards in that video.
But if you don't want to/can't watch it, here are the main points:
Powerful
Smooth
Great noise
The more remarkable points:
It'll run without oil or coolant even when outside temperatures are over 100F. It loses a lot of performance and gets very thirsty, but it'll do it.
You can theoretically service it every 100k miles only.
Sadly there is the major issue of a flaw with the head bolts. Otherwise I'd really champion it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mndX4SyORc
5:05 onwards in that video.
But if you don't want to/can't watch it, here are the main points:
Powerful
Smooth
Great noise
The more remarkable points:
It'll run without oil or coolant even when outside temperatures are over 100F. It loses a lot of performance and gets very thirsty, but it'll do it.
You can theoretically service it every 100k miles only.
Sadly there is the major issue of a flaw with the head bolts. Otherwise I'd really champion it.
MJK 24 said:
Volkswagen 1.9 TDI
I'd say it has flaws and needs maintaining, but if looked after it's solid and reliable and look how many variants were made over the years. Granted it's not going to set the world alight but it's a good lumpAudi 5pot gets my vote too, original 2.2 and the newer 2.5 TFSI as well just cause of the noise
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