Your favourite engines?
Discussion
As we stroll along to cars that are more closely related to an indesit washing machine, which engines are your favourite that you've owned, driven and would like to own / drive? Name 3 for each category. It doesn't matter what car the engine is in or what gear box is attached to it.
Owned:
BMW S85B50 V10. My most ruinous but God what an engine. Makes a lovely sound, the vanos kick at around 6k is exciting and just wants you to rev out to it's 8250 rpm redline and do it all again in the next gear.
Ford Cosworth YBT. It may only be a 2 litre 4 cylinder, but the engine was one I loved. Laggy, a bit harsh, but it would pull and pull and take pretty much anything I could throw at it. It was the first turbo charged engine I owned and is the one engine I covet still today.
BMW S62B50. What an engine. It may have slightly humble beginnings as an M62, but in S62 form it made a lovely sound and would pick up in any gear. It was my first V8 and first M Power engine so will always be close to my heart.
Driven:
Mercedes Benz M113k. I've owned one of these, but I could only pick 3 and this engine isn't for me as good as the S62, but is is close. It's strong, powerful and makes a nice sound as well. It may be old tech (3 valves per cylinder) but it would make a lot power and monstrous amounts of torque.
Tipo F131 V8. It's a Ferrari V8, what else do I need to say? It wasn't a long drive, but it was enough to know I'd like one! Ferrari V8s are just exciting.
X25DT. I know it's a diesel, but it was my first introduction to one and one that actually sounded decent and didn't go like a diesel. Quite economical too when required.
Would like to own / drive.
Mercedes Benz M157. It's on my shortlist for a next car. Some good features, some less good features, but it does sound epic compared to other modern V8s so hopefully it doesn't disappoint.
A bit of a cheat here, but any V12. Needs to be exotic though, like a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Aston Martin (less exotic). Just because it's a V12.
LS3 V8. The sound of America. Ok, ok, I know, but a compact V8, running a single cam that can make oodles of power? What's not to love?
What say you, good people of Pistonheads?
Owned:
BMW S85B50 V10. My most ruinous but God what an engine. Makes a lovely sound, the vanos kick at around 6k is exciting and just wants you to rev out to it's 8250 rpm redline and do it all again in the next gear.
Ford Cosworth YBT. It may only be a 2 litre 4 cylinder, but the engine was one I loved. Laggy, a bit harsh, but it would pull and pull and take pretty much anything I could throw at it. It was the first turbo charged engine I owned and is the one engine I covet still today.
BMW S62B50. What an engine. It may have slightly humble beginnings as an M62, but in S62 form it made a lovely sound and would pick up in any gear. It was my first V8 and first M Power engine so will always be close to my heart.
Driven:
Mercedes Benz M113k. I've owned one of these, but I could only pick 3 and this engine isn't for me as good as the S62, but is is close. It's strong, powerful and makes a nice sound as well. It may be old tech (3 valves per cylinder) but it would make a lot power and monstrous amounts of torque.
Tipo F131 V8. It's a Ferrari V8, what else do I need to say? It wasn't a long drive, but it was enough to know I'd like one! Ferrari V8s are just exciting.
X25DT. I know it's a diesel, but it was my first introduction to one and one that actually sounded decent and didn't go like a diesel. Quite economical too when required.
Would like to own / drive.
Mercedes Benz M157. It's on my shortlist for a next car. Some good features, some less good features, but it does sound epic compared to other modern V8s so hopefully it doesn't disappoint.
A bit of a cheat here, but any V12. Needs to be exotic though, like a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Aston Martin (less exotic). Just because it's a V12.
LS3 V8. The sound of America. Ok, ok, I know, but a compact V8, running a single cam that can make oodles of power? What's not to love?
What say you, good people of Pistonheads?
My favourite is probably the Rover V8. It sounds like god himself clearing his throat and while it isn’t the most powerful engine, the power it does produce is low down and brawny, yet it still happily revs over 6k.
In terms of modern engines, I’d take the Jaguar V8. I’ve spent about 50k miles behind them and it’s just a nice, balanced engine. The 4.2s are pretty much trouble free too.
In terms of modern engines, I’d take the Jaguar V8. I’ve spent about 50k miles behind them and it’s just a nice, balanced engine. The 4.2s are pretty much trouble free too.
From one’s I’ve owned…
3 cyl - 1.0l Seat Mii - revvy, spins quickly, hoot to take to the red line..
4 cyl - Clio RS 200 - mad fizzy engine, free revving, great fun...
5 cyl - Audi TTRS - turbo'd obvs...but great sounding, powerful, absolute weapon...
6 cyl - this is where it gets tricky....
Porsche Metzger 3.6 - race car for the road feel, revs....revs....revs... what a motor...
Porsche 3.4 - found in Cayman / Boxster S guise - massively underrated, grunty, revs round the range beautifully, glorious sound, had many, still have one in the Spyder...
BMW 3.0 straight six - possibly one of the best engines of the last 30 years...creamy, powerful, a range of sounds many engine designers / marketers would dream of..sublime..
V8 - Fezza 430 or 458 - take your pick, for me the 430 sounded more natural. The 458 was a bit 'blarey' all or nothing...whereas the 430 the sound built up through the rev range, culminating in an ear splitting glorious Ferrari V8 crescendo!
And should have owned:
V10 - Lambo Gallardo - immense engine, strong, incredible wailing noise, stupendous!
V12 - Any small block Ferrari V12 - spine tingling sound, would love to have owned one but probably never will...unless I sell everything, including the house...properties, possessions....children.... etc etc...
3 cyl - 1.0l Seat Mii - revvy, spins quickly, hoot to take to the red line..
4 cyl - Clio RS 200 - mad fizzy engine, free revving, great fun...
5 cyl - Audi TTRS - turbo'd obvs...but great sounding, powerful, absolute weapon...
6 cyl - this is where it gets tricky....
Porsche Metzger 3.6 - race car for the road feel, revs....revs....revs... what a motor...
Porsche 3.4 - found in Cayman / Boxster S guise - massively underrated, grunty, revs round the range beautifully, glorious sound, had many, still have one in the Spyder...
BMW 3.0 straight six - possibly one of the best engines of the last 30 years...creamy, powerful, a range of sounds many engine designers / marketers would dream of..sublime..
V8 - Fezza 430 or 458 - take your pick, for me the 430 sounded more natural. The 458 was a bit 'blarey' all or nothing...whereas the 430 the sound built up through the rev range, culminating in an ear splitting glorious Ferrari V8 crescendo!
And should have owned:
V10 - Lambo Gallardo - immense engine, strong, incredible wailing noise, stupendous!
V12 - Any small block Ferrari V12 - spine tingling sound, would love to have owned one but probably never will...unless I sell everything, including the house...properties, possessions....children.... etc etc...
Edited by MrVert on Tuesday 10th August 22:24
Edited by MrVert on Sunday 15th August 21:46
My 3 favourites that I've had...
The N62 V8 in the E53 X5 4.8iS.
The AJP8 V8 in the TVR Cerbera 4.5.
The S55 straight 6 in the F82 M4(not for the noise but just for how punchy it feels).
Engines that I'd love to try...
The 6.2 V8 in the C63.
The 4.0 V8 TT in the AMG GT.
The 3.8 V6 TT in the R35 GTR.
The N62 V8 in the E53 X5 4.8iS.
The AJP8 V8 in the TVR Cerbera 4.5.
The S55 straight 6 in the F82 M4(not for the noise but just for how punchy it feels).
Engines that I'd love to try...
The 6.2 V8 in the C63.
The 4.0 V8 TT in the AMG GT.
The 3.8 V6 TT in the R35 GTR.
Never experienced any of your engines OP, but I do like that V10 in the BMW.
I've had a lot of cars ranging from 4 to 8 cylinder but no supercars or crazy rarities. Not especially daring of me, but my favourite engine was either the Mitsubishi 4G63T in my Evo for it's huge shove, or the Honda K20Z4 in my Civic Type R for it's revvy, tuneful character.
Least favourite was a Vauxhall Z18XE in my girlfriends Astra 1.8 SRI. So slooooow to rev, flat tone, and utterly boring.
I've had a lot of cars ranging from 4 to 8 cylinder but no supercars or crazy rarities. Not especially daring of me, but my favourite engine was either the Mitsubishi 4G63T in my Evo for it's huge shove, or the Honda K20Z4 in my Civic Type R for it's revvy, tuneful character.
Least favourite was a Vauxhall Z18XE in my girlfriends Astra 1.8 SRI. So slooooow to rev, flat tone, and utterly boring.
Of those I've owned:
- BMW S65 - cross-plane V8 that devoured revs; the way it should be
- BMW S54 - Not as good as the S65, but amazing still
- Honda B18C6 - 5800rpm.....BAAAAAARK
- Toyota 2ZZ-GE - 6200rpm.....BAAAAAARK
Of those I've driven:
- Ferrari F136E - the last of the Ferrari howling V8s
- AMG M156 - Torque. All of it.
Of those I've heard:
- Honda RA004E - the best sounding thing ever. Painful but worth it. Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSQIgY9DJs4
^ that video can only give you a small idea of what that thing does to your ears & body. Ear splitting and chest-thumping on upshifts.
- BMW S65 - cross-plane V8 that devoured revs; the way it should be
- BMW S54 - Not as good as the S65, but amazing still
- Honda B18C6 - 5800rpm.....BAAAAAARK
- Toyota 2ZZ-GE - 6200rpm.....BAAAAAARK
Of those I've driven:
- Ferrari F136E - the last of the Ferrari howling V8s
- AMG M156 - Torque. All of it.
Of those I've heard:
- Honda RA004E - the best sounding thing ever. Painful but worth it. Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSQIgY9DJs4
^ that video can only give you a small idea of what that thing does to your ears & body. Ear splitting and chest-thumping on upshifts.
Out of the ones I've owned
M54 3.0 straight 6 - sublime, smooth and great for every day driving
B16 / B18 - Honda's pinnacle of a 4-pot IMO and absolutely belting for B road hooning (sound superb with ITBs too)
K20/K24 frankenstein - More torque, superb Vtec soundtrack and amazing for Anglesey circuit
M54 3.0 straight 6 - sublime, smooth and great for every day driving
B16 / B18 - Honda's pinnacle of a 4-pot IMO and absolutely belting for B road hooning (sound superb with ITBs too)
K20/K24 frankenstein - More torque, superb Vtec soundtrack and amazing for Anglesey circuit
Is it OK to suggest three V8's that I've owned?
6 litre LS engine in a Monaro VXR
6.2 litre Mercedes M156 AMG C63 engine
4.7 litre Aston Martin engine in my current 2015 Vantage
Of those three, I think the AMG engine was the best, an absolute peach - it was in a 2013 car so no worries about head bolts. Impressive low down torque, explosive at higher revs, sounded exquisite, even looked sexy with the bonnet up.
6 litre LS engine in a Monaro VXR
6.2 litre Mercedes M156 AMG C63 engine
4.7 litre Aston Martin engine in my current 2015 Vantage
Of those three, I think the AMG engine was the best, an absolute peach - it was in a 2013 car so no worries about head bolts. Impressive low down torque, explosive at higher revs, sounded exquisite, even looked sexy with the bonnet up.
GroundEffect said:
Of those I've owned:
- BMW S65 - cross-plane V8 that devoured revs; the way it should be
- BMW S54 - Not as good as the S65, but amazing still
I've had both of those as well, and I'd love to try both of those engines in much lighter cars though. They would both be amazing engines in something that weighed around 1200kg I reckon. - BMW S65 - cross-plane V8 that devoured revs; the way it should be
- BMW S54 - Not as good as the S65, but amazing still
Audi V10 was lovely.
SLK 55 AMG with a supercharger and 600 brake was a thing of wonder.
Corrado VR6 was fragile, but was a great engine when it was right.
Toyota twin cam is an indestructibly brilliant thing.
Lexus engines generally, but the original LS400 was to me a groundbreaking piece of kit. When we got the first one in at work in 1990, we stood a glass of water on top of the engine and a 50p on edge next to it. It didn't ripple the water or topple the 50p at the redline. Hadn't seen anything like it before.
SLK 55 AMG with a supercharger and 600 brake was a thing of wonder.
Corrado VR6 was fragile, but was a great engine when it was right.
Toyota twin cam is an indestructibly brilliant thing.
Lexus engines generally, but the original LS400 was to me a groundbreaking piece of kit. When we got the first one in at work in 1990, we stood a glass of water on top of the engine and a 50p on edge next to it. It didn't ripple the water or topple the 50p at the redline. Hadn't seen anything like it before.
Favourite engine owned is a 3.0 V6 busso, specifically the 12v version in a 164. Subsequently had a couple of 3.2 24v versions but the earlier one was my favourite. To me a perfect road car engine, the sound, flexibility, wide power band and smoothness was just great. With 185bhp you could use lots of it a lot of the time too, unlike huge power exotic powerplants in road cars.
Its also the favourite engine I’ve driven.
I’d love to try a 7.3 AMG V12 in a zonda, or a V10 in a LFA though. Which I know are huge power exotic power plants!
Its also the favourite engine I’ve driven.
I’d love to try a 7.3 AMG V12 in a zonda, or a V10 in a LFA though. Which I know are huge power exotic power plants!
My favourite engines that I have experienced, in no particular order. The Alfa Busso V6, which I found the most pleasing in 2.5 guise as fitted to the 156. The TVR AJP8 for being probably the dirtiest, most unapologetic engine I’ve ever experienced. The TVR Speed Six for perfectly mating classic sounds and behaviours with modern day levels of performance. And what Google tells me is the F136 engine, as fitted to the F430. That was one mighty engine at any gear and any revs.
M54B30 - BMW 3.0 straight six. Smooth, flexible, sounds amazing and with a manual box, relatively economical
BWA - VAG 2.0T (Octavia vRS in my case). Loved the slightly old skool feel of the turbo coming in, especially when mapped. So much midrange punch and still revved out pretty well.
K20 - Honda FN2. Smooth engine (balancer shafts) which is easy to drive around town. The VTEC system above 5400 RPM is up there with the best standard sounding 4 pot engines for me.
BWA - VAG 2.0T (Octavia vRS in my case). Loved the slightly old skool feel of the turbo coming in, especially when mapped. So much midrange punch and still revved out pretty well.
K20 - Honda FN2. Smooth engine (balancer shafts) which is easy to drive around town. The VTEC system above 5400 RPM is up there with the best standard sounding 4 pot engines for me.
robsco said:
My favourite engines that I have experienced, in no particular order. The Alfa Busso V6, which I found the most pleasing in 2.5 guise as fitted to the 156. The TVR AJP8 for being probably the dirtiest, most unapologetic engine I’ve ever experienced. The TVR Speed Six for perfectly mating classic sounds and behaviours with modern day levels of performance. And what Google tells me is the F136 engine, as fitted to the F430. That was one mighty engine at any gear and any revs.
I have an F136, in 4.7 crossplane guise in my current quattroporte sport GT S. It is an awesome engine, and sounds epic with valves open sport mode, one of the best V8 sounds ever!Yup i really enjoyed my s85. Needed to be in a lighter car though. Never really suited what it got put in.
S54 just a fantastic unit and my introduction to both m and sportier cars.
Cosworth YB just epic but agricultural. Needed more rebuilds than the bionic man.
A mention has to go to the Ferrari f154 engine to in the Maserati quattroporte Gts. Power, soul, sound. Such a different noise than the blare of flat plane crank.
S54 just a fantastic unit and my introduction to both m and sportier cars.
Cosworth YB just epic but agricultural. Needed more rebuilds than the bionic man.
A mention has to go to the Ferrari f154 engine to in the Maserati quattroporte Gts. Power, soul, sound. Such a different noise than the blare of flat plane crank.
Ford 'Essex' 3.0 V6 - Propelled my Capri through much of my youth, sounded great and was ludicrously tractable.
More recently:
Mazda WL-T 2.5 - for the last 10 years it has not once failed me and made it possible to get my Ranger anywhere in any weather. Now on 168k and running just the same with basic maintenance.
A tremendous thing.
More recently:
Mazda WL-T 2.5 - for the last 10 years it has not once failed me and made it possible to get my Ranger anywhere in any weather. Now on 168k and running just the same with basic maintenance.
A tremendous thing.
The AMG M152 in the R172 is a masterclass in Merc being Merc. Putting the hammer down in that thing was always an experience.
Lampredis twin cam. Doesn’t matter which variant of it, I always know I’m driving a Lampredi cam. From the various Lancias to the 4C. A Lampredi cam is a Lampredi cam.
Then there is all 730HP of the 6.3 V12 in the F12. This engine simply staggers me every time I drive her. She will burble in 7th at 26mph like a big V8. The flexibility of the engine is monumental and you think that’s it’s main trick because she keeps that high gear when you press the throttle. What happens when you drop it a cpl of gears though and keep the throttle pinned is nothing short electric shock therapy to your nads. It’s barely controlled violence and I do mean barely.
Lampredis twin cam. Doesn’t matter which variant of it, I always know I’m driving a Lampredi cam. From the various Lancias to the 4C. A Lampredi cam is a Lampredi cam.
Then there is all 730HP of the 6.3 V12 in the F12. This engine simply staggers me every time I drive her. She will burble in 7th at 26mph like a big V8. The flexibility of the engine is monumental and you think that’s it’s main trick because she keeps that high gear when you press the throttle. What happens when you drop it a cpl of gears though and keep the throttle pinned is nothing short electric shock therapy to your nads. It’s barely controlled violence and I do mean barely.
ITP said:
I have an F136, in 4.7 crossplane guise in my current quattroporte sport GT S. It is an awesome engine, and sounds epic with valves open sport mode, one of the best V8 sounds ever!
The 4.7s do make an astonishing noise! I have a lowly 4.2 in my QP, which is much quieter. It’s hard to believe that the 4.2/4.7 Maser variant is related to the F430 engine though; polar opposites.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff