[JW]

1. Audi DOHC 1.8T
2. Audi DOHC 2.7L Biturbo V6
3. BMW M54 DOHC 3.0L I6
4. Mercedes-Benz SOHC 3.2L V6
5. Ford 5.4L Triton SOHC V8
6. GM 6.6L Duramax OHV V8
7. Honda (F20?) 2.0L DOHC VTEC I4
8. Nissan VQ 3.0L DOHC V6
9. Porsche 2.7L DOHC H6
10. Toyota 1NZ-FE(?) 1.5L DOHC I4 Hybrid

Two engines that were on last year's list that didn't make it this year: GM LS1 5.7L OHV V8 & Toyota 1UZ-FE 4.0L DOHC V8.

The 2ZZ-GE, 1AZ-FE, 2JZ-GE and the 3UZ-FE were also tested, but didn't make the cut.

http://www.wardsauto.com/article.php3?articleid=11201979316673

[This message has been edited by JW (edited January 18, 2001).]

 

[sigss]

it's just a couple of guys' opinion. They didn't test anything other than drive the cars. It's not based on technical evaluation of the engines. To have 2 Audi engines make it and no Lexus is pure bull****. The real car magazines know that Lexus/Toyota engines are second to none. And so do the owners.

 

[Solar420]

i second that motion>

Originally posted by sigss:
it's just a couple of guys' opinion. They didn't test anything other than drive the cars. It's not based on technical evaluation of the engines. To have 2 Audi engines make it and no Lexus is pure bull****. The real car magazines know that Lexus/Toyota engines are second to none. And so do the owners.

 

[F=ma]

F=ma's personal best engines: (in no particular order)

Ferrari 3590 CC DOHC V8 (Modena powerplant)
Honda F20C DOHC Vtec I4 (S2000 powerplant)
Nissan RB26DETT (I think) DOHC I6 (Skyline Powerplant)
Toyota 2JZ-GTE DOHC I6 (Supra Turbo powerplant)
GM's LS6 (what's the official designation of the Z06 powerplant? anywayz, that one)

(thanx junedog)

[This message has been edited by F=ma (edited January 19, 2001).]

 

[S38]

Given the turbo problems on the Audi 2.7TT that is pretty funny. The BMW I6 will always make the list as they are so much fun.

I know the owner of a 91 M5 that drove an S2000 on some Sonoma County backroads while mapping a route for the next M5 drive. He said that he likes the old 3.6 I6 in the M5 better and also commented that while the Honda handled well it could use some aftermarket goodies to steady it a bit. I think that short wheel base cars tend to be twitchy and he just wasn't use to it.

My favorite engines (other than mine of course):

-Modena for sure, the sound, oh the sound
-Likely the new M3
-Supra has to be on the list, even though I am not a big fan of turbos
-993's powerplant, still has that Porsche sound (reminds me of Le Mans)
-the new 5.0 in the M5, even though I am not partial to V8's
-if the NSX has a high-revving V8 coming, I am sure that would make my list too.


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S38
91 M5

 

[JW]

What amazes me the most is how long the Nissan VQ engine has been on that list...seven years straight...

But I think they only test engines in current production cars, so that would mean the 2JZ-GTE wouldn't be considered.

 

[Lexus_IS300]

the vq30de are bad ass engines, the maxima carries that powerplant. it is considered one of the worlds best v-6.

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'01 IS300
'91 NSX
'95 Maxima

 

[junedog]

Originally posted by F=ma:
GM's LS1 (what's the official designation of the Z06 powerplant? anywayz, that one)

it's the LS6.

But I think they only test engines in current production cars, so that would mean the 2JZ-GTE wouldn't be considered.

JW, isn't the Supra in production in Japan still? Maybe they're only looking at engines here in the states?

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MAD

 

[JW]

Yeah, I probably should've made it clear that I think Ward's only tests engines used in the U.S.

 

[sigss]

let's get it straight: Wards doesnt "test engines", they just drive the cars and pass out their opinions which is based on how they like the response of the cars. Since other car mags rate the whole cars, they want to appear to be different by rating "engines". So it's misleading to name their list "best engines".

 

[antonio]

I can see how the Audi 2.7L BiT V6 could make it to the top, but how in He!! does that under-powered 1.8T make it to number 1! That's messed up!

And they can take off that crappy Ford Triton, and replace it with the M5's engine.

 

[QuikVR6]

Originally posted by MikeLS:
...but how in He!! does that under-powered 1.8T make it to number 1! That's messed up!

I think alot of factors are weighed. Such as bang for buck, technology...stuff like that. It is a small displacement engine, with gobs of torque, good horsepower and good fuel economy. And it takes to performance modifications very well. What's not to like about 1.8T engines?

 

[junedog]

As far as I'm concerned this list has a HUGE asterisk next to it...

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MAD

 

[Nitro Boy]

Yo sigss all I got to say to your reply is word up.

 

[JW]

I personally think the MB 3.2L V6 is blah...even though it does have twin sparkplugs. Other than that, it's just got 1 less valve than other OHC V6's and has one (technically two) less camshaft(s).

 

[Altezzer]

I'm surprised the 5.4 triton made it on there. My parents have the original 230hp version in their 98 navigator and its not all that impressive, although it is quiet and smooth.

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1998 Mercedes Benz SLK230
2000 Ford Excursion Ltd. 4x4 Diesel (for the winter)