What is the "best" 4 cylinder engine ever made?
Discussion
I still think the most "enjoyable" 4-pot I've used, and arguably, most enjoyable engine I've used full stop is the B18C in the Integra Type-R, closely followed by the K20. The B-series edges it for me as it simply sounded a bit more savage, and granted, not directly related to the engine itself, but the throttle response was just that bit better than the K20. The K improved quite a lot with a Group N remap though which lowers the VTEC engagement point and raises the rev limit, meaning it had torque the B could only dream of, and you could enjoy the VTEC more of the time.
TameRacingDriver said:
I still think the most "enjoyable" 4-pot I've used, and arguably, most enjoyable engine I've used full stop is the B18C in the Integra Type-R, closely followed by the K20. The B-series edges it for me as it simply sounded a bit more savage, and granted, not directly related to the engine itself, but the throttle response was just that bit better than the K20.
Agreed to both - absolutely adore the Integra's animalistic 'snarl', although the short-travel throttle on the FD2 disguises any genuine responsiveness difference.havoc said:
Agreed to both - absolutely adore the Integra's animalistic 'snarl', although the short-travel throttle on the FD2 disguises any genuine responsiveness difference.I can't think exotic, or motorsport related, as there are just too many oddball and wonderful creations to list, and if I was going oddball, I wouldn't be looking at 4pots!
Loads of Honda engines have to in there. Honda would clean up, if it were left to deciding which manufacturer has brought the best 4-pot engines to the market. The B16, B18, S2000 etc...all brilliant. Honda have been the best for 4pot petrol engines for the last few decades IMO.
The Climax-based Hillman Imp engine has to be there too. Reliability was an issue, but that was more the car it was packaged in rather than the engine itself. Back in the days when engines were pig iron lumps with pushrods, that was an all-alloy screamer available in a budget compact car in 1963. I'm almost gutted my Imp doesn't have one!
Vauxhall redtop XE. One of the best 16v lumps around.
Toyota 4AGE.
Can't vote for the SR20DE though. I had one in a P10 Primera GT, and found it too gutless. Was smooth and revvy enough, and sounded quite nice, but just didn't do the business. I couldn't shake a 90bhp Saxo VTR off the tail of it once.
I would actually nominate (as no surprise to those who know me) PSA's XU9J4 - also known as the 'Mi16' (because one of the cars it was fitted to had a trim level called Mi16!) Lightweight, advanced construction, and 84bhp/litre for a mass-produced mainstream engine with no tricks up its sleeves like VVC or forced induction was pretty good in late 1986. Cylinder head based on that of the 205T16 group B rally car too. I love mine - the best 4-pot engine I've ever owned.
Loads of Honda engines have to in there. Honda would clean up, if it were left to deciding which manufacturer has brought the best 4-pot engines to the market. The B16, B18, S2000 etc...all brilliant. Honda have been the best for 4pot petrol engines for the last few decades IMO.
The Climax-based Hillman Imp engine has to be there too. Reliability was an issue, but that was more the car it was packaged in rather than the engine itself. Back in the days when engines were pig iron lumps with pushrods, that was an all-alloy screamer available in a budget compact car in 1963. I'm almost gutted my Imp doesn't have one!
Vauxhall redtop XE. One of the best 16v lumps around.
Toyota 4AGE.
Can't vote for the SR20DE though. I had one in a P10 Primera GT, and found it too gutless. Was smooth and revvy enough, and sounded quite nice, but just didn't do the business. I couldn't shake a 90bhp Saxo VTR off the tail of it once.
I would actually nominate (as no surprise to those who know me) PSA's XU9J4 - also known as the 'Mi16' (because one of the cars it was fitted to had a trim level called Mi16!) Lightweight, advanced construction, and 84bhp/litre for a mass-produced mainstream engine with no tricks up its sleeves like VVC or forced induction was pretty good in late 1986. Cylinder head based on that of the 205T16 group B rally car too. I love mine - the best 4-pot engine I've ever owned.
Kitchski said:
Can't vote for the SR20DE though. I had one in a P10 Primera GT, and found it too gutless. Was smooth and revvy enough, and sounded quite nice, but just didn't do the business. I couldn't shake a 90bhp Saxo VTR off the tail of it once.
Quite agree, but I'd go further than that and say not only was it gutless and underpowered, but it also sounded pretty bland to me as well, maybe I've been spoiled, but honestly, it was one of the most forgettable engines I've used, I can't understand the hype in all honesty.ukaskew said:
BaronVonVaderham said:
Renault F4R as used in all hot clios (apart from the most recent one) and countless other renaultsport cars including the Clio cup racers, r3 rally cars, formula Renault single seaters etc.
100hp/litre and loves to rev.
My choice too from those I've experienced. It may not be the 'sexy' choice but it's been there in some of the best hot hatches ever made and it's generally reliable.100hp/litre and loves to rev.
I had a 146 with a 2 litre twin spark and agree they are very characterful and revvy. Loved thrashing mine, shame it was bolted to a stylistically challenged wobbly old boat.
I rate the Lotus 910 which is a 2.2 twin cam slant four. It is quite lumpy at idle when cold but once warmed up properly can make serious power. In the Sport 300 it made about 302hp back in 1992, or something like 139hp/litre which held the production car record for quite a few years istr
I rate the Lotus 910 which is a 2.2 twin cam slant four. It is quite lumpy at idle when cold but once warmed up properly can make serious power. In the Sport 300 it made about 302hp back in 1992, or something like 139hp/litre which held the production car record for quite a few years istr
Edited by Oilchange on Wednesday 29th March 21:29
This isn't the best 4 cylinder for sure...
But my first car was a Rover 213s with the Honda 1342cc engine. It had 12 valves, reasonable go for its size and would pull smoothly from 500rpm all the way up to 8000rpm! Not bad for something about as far away from a performance car as you can get.
Costworth YB
Honda VTECs
Alpha twin spark
A series can be great with tweaks
Vauxhaul Red Top
Pattern seems to be engines that rev...
But my first car was a Rover 213s with the Honda 1342cc engine. It had 12 valves, reasonable go for its size and would pull smoothly from 500rpm all the way up to 8000rpm! Not bad for something about as far away from a performance car as you can get.
Costworth YB
Honda VTECs
Alpha twin spark
A series can be great with tweaks
Vauxhaul Red Top
Pattern seems to be engines that rev...
Maybe it's been mentioned but I have a soft spot for some of SAAB's engines.
B202 2.0 16v turbo as fitted to the 79-04 900 - because of the longitudinal FWD mounting it has unequal length headers that give it one of the most characterful burbles of any 4-pot. With a decent exhaust it really shouts when revved.
B204/234 as fitted to later 2.0 and 2.3 SAAB 9000 Turbos for their overengineering - capable of 400bhp on stock internals.
B202 2.0 16v turbo as fitted to the 79-04 900 - because of the longitudinal FWD mounting it has unequal length headers that give it one of the most characterful burbles of any 4-pot. With a decent exhaust it really shouts when revved.
B204/234 as fitted to later 2.0 and 2.3 SAAB 9000 Turbos for their overengineering - capable of 400bhp on stock internals.
C20XE for me. As I had one in a stripped out corsa B after just passing my test.
But there are loads of amazing 4 pot engines.
Saab b2@@. 500bhp on unopened 150k mile engine that lasted abuse for years.
Honda fc/k20. High revving powerful bulletproof engines.
Amg / evo 4 pot engines pushing 400bhp
J20 Subaru / the noise
And 1.0l bikes making 200+ WHP
and many more.
But there are loads of amazing 4 pot engines.
Saab b2@@. 500bhp on unopened 150k mile engine that lasted abuse for years.
Honda fc/k20. High revving powerful bulletproof engines.
Amg / evo 4 pot engines pushing 400bhp
J20 Subaru / the noise
And 1.0l bikes making 200+ WHP
and many more.
Ford Kent. Provided the building blocks for the FVA, BDA/BDT, Lotus Twincam, and one of the greatest F1 engines of all time, the DFV.
Launched a thousand motorsports careers, and powered cars from Anglias in the late 50s, to TVRs, Marcos, Morgan, Caterham, millions of Escorts, Capris, Transits and Fiestas, before finally ending UK availability in 2002. Still being made though.
Launched a thousand motorsports careers, and powered cars from Anglias in the late 50s, to TVRs, Marcos, Morgan, Caterham, millions of Escorts, Capris, Transits and Fiestas, before finally ending UK availability in 2002. Still being made though.
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