Thread: Best engine style?

So what does everyone think is the best style of engine and why? Should it be in-line or V or W or rotary? Should it be NA, turbocharged, supercharged or both turbo and supercharged? Should it be big or small?

Personally I quite like V6 engines; they're a nice middle ground between the smaller (in general) straight 4, 5 and 6 engines and the big V8 upwards engines. Turbocharging is a nice addition too, especially when there's 2 , although I'd love to try a supercharged engine out to see the difference.

I'm the kind of person who likes a "small" engine with lots of power over a big engine with the same power. What about other people?

one word! the 2010 gt3 rs engine flat six 3.8L engine 450 hp high reving engine! i also prefer twin turbo charged v8's that have lots of torque

Originally Posted by PCPRO

one word! the 2010 gt3 rs engine flat six 3.8L engine 450 hp high reving engine! i also prefer twin turbo charged v8's that have lots of torque

I forgot about flat engines! They're pretty good for keeping the centre of mass low right?

The V4 engine in one of the old Lancias is pretty cool in a random way.

I prefer an nice I4, inline6 or a V6; Put some work into the engine and there are nice rewards, plus it uses less gas since there are less cylinders, and they're kind of sleepers compared to the V8's 10's and W12's

Originally Posted by randomist

I forgot about flat engines! They're pretty good for keeping the centre of mass low right?

The V4 engine in one of the old Lancias is pretty cool in a random way.

yes they are but porsche over the time made them also extremely powerful and reliable, v4 engines were pretty cool but just compare the deltas inline-4 engines with the new inline-4... they were very powerful for that time!

My engine of choice would be a Chevy 350 V8.

However, I do quite enjoy working on some of the smaller import engines and seeing how much power they can put out. You'd be amazed what a 2.2L (just an exmaple, random number, for all you import gurus) 4 banger can do when pushed.

I find American cars with V8s very interesting since they pack much less power than many European or Asian car with lower number of cylinders and lower volume..

Originally Posted by bestemor

I find American cars with V8s very interesting since they pack much less power than many European or Asian car with lower number of cylinders and lower volume..

Are you defining power as torque or horse power? Engines with low horse power with huge engines usually have really high torque numbers.

Also, I love me a straight 6 any day of the week. Ever since I got my 280Z, I don't think I can go back to 4bangers. Though, what I would do for an RB26DETT engine in my Z.

I've built a few over the years and am partial to small block v8's like a 350 or 302. They are so easy to tear down and build. As for power adders, it really depends on the application and what your going for overall, the rest of yer drivetrain, etc, etc. Overall I prefer an all motor setup.

My next project is a Mopar 440, restoring a Charger R/T. Gettin ready to pull the motor in a couple weeks and ship the body off for some work.