Iconic Engines

Matt2000

An Unfortunate Discovery
DONOR
Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Messages
18,134
Location
Four from the top and two from the third row, UK.
Car(s)
'12 MX-5 PRHT, '02 Freelander, '90 Disco 1 Bobtail
Which engines do you consider iconic?

Post them here. I want to get a list of engines from all over the world for a project that I've played with before but would like to get in to more. For example, the VW air-cooled engine and the Wankel Rotary.
 
Chevy small-block (any generation), Chrysler Hemi, Ford V8 (flathead, modular, Windsor, Cleveland, you name it), Honda B-series, Nissan VQ and RB, Toyota 3S-GTE, 4A-GE, and 2ZZ-GE, Mitsubishi 4G63, and Buick/Rover V8. I'd also promote the Saab B234 and B235 turbocharged fours but that's a bit more niche :p
 
Last edited:
Pontiac Super Duties.
 
Chevy small-block (any generation), Chrysler Hemi, Ford V8 (flathead, modular, Windsor, Cleveland, you name it), Honda B-series, Nissan VQ and RB, Toyota 3S-GTE, 4A-GE, and 2ZZ-GE, Mitsubishi 4G63, and Buick/Rover V8. I'd also promote the Saab B234 and B235 turbocharged fours but that's a bit more niche :p

If the 4A-GE counts then the Ford/Cosworth BDA certainly does. Very similar engines in design.
 
About all of the other engines I was about to mention have been posted already. :D
Some more: Fiat twin cam, volvo redblock, peugeot XU, alfa romeo v6.
 
Any Porsche flat 6, especially the Mezger though.
 
Subaru boxer with a turbo. Even at idle it's so distinctive and gives me goosebumps. Brings back some happy memories.
 
Ford Australia's 4L straight six. Seen in a Falcon since 1960 in one form or another. Taxi companies swear by them as they know the engine will last well over 500,000km and with the turbocharged versions, magazines have called the engines "the greatest Australian engine ever built" with modified versions making 600+hp on standard internals.
 
Other than those already listed, the AMC straight-6 and Buick 3800 V6.

I also love how nobody has listed any supercar engines yet. :lol:
 
Ford Australia's 4L straight six. Seen in a Falcon since 1960 in one form or another. Taxi companies swear by them as they know the engine will last well over 500,000km and with the turbocharged versions, magazines have called the engines "the greatest Australian engine ever built" with modified versions making 600+hp on standard internals.

Was going to mention the Falcon six.

I'd add the Nissan SR20 and BMW M30. Also the Alfa 3.0 V6.
 
I also love how nobody has listed any supercar engines yet. :lol:

That's because there's only one supercar engine that qualifies as iconic: the Lambo V12. And it's now mentioned.
 
Iconic? AMG's 6.2L V8, soon to R.I.P.
 
the cosworth DFV - best investment ever
the VW KR (golf II GTI) - bringing modest power to modest people
the VW TDI - proving diesel can also be civilised
the Fiat JTD - powering half of the diesel world in one way or another...
 
Last edited:
BMC A-Series. Used in:

The original Mini and all it's derivatives.
Morris Minor.
Austin Healey Sprite.
MG Midget.
ADO 16 cars inc Austin America.
MG Metro and Maestro.
And a few Japanese cars in the 50s.
And a billionty million kit cars and homebuilt projects.

Got to be the most popular tunable engine in the UK surely with the amount of crazy turbo'd nonsense knocking about?

How about the Ford "Kent" engine too?

As seen in the Ford Cortina 1600E, Ford Escorts Mk1 and 2 and was the basis for the Lotus engine that went in the original Elan and Lotus Cortinas.
 
Last edited:
How about the Ford "Kent" engine too?

As seen in the Ford Cortina 1600E, Ford Escorts Mk1 and 2 and was the basis for the Lotus engine that went in the original Elan and Lotus Cortinas.

The Kent was in so much more than just that as well. Debuted at 997cc in 105E Anglia, also a 1300 Crossflow in the Capri, a 1500 Crossflow in the Corsair, and the Classic for a short time. Powered all Mk1/2 Cortinas*, as well as some Mk3s, as well as the Fiesta. Eventually the block found its way into the 21st century as the Endura (fitting name) being fitted to the Ford Ka and Mk4/5/6 Fiestas.

*Except the rare Savage V6 conversion.
 
Last edited:
BMC A-Series. Used in:

The original Mini and all it's derivatives.
Morris Minor.
Austin Healey Sprite.
MG Midget.
ADO 16 cars inc Austin America.
MG Metro and Maestro.
And a few Japanese cars in the 50s.
And a billionty million kit cars and homebuilt projects.

Also, the Series I Nash Metropolitan, which was manufactured entirely in Longbridge by Austin because Nash didn't have equipment small enough to produce it.
 
The mind-boggling and totally bonkers W16 in the Bugatti Veyron. :cool:

(Did I win?)
 
Ford 300 i6
AMC/Chrysler 4.0l i6
Cadillac V16
 
Top