I saw this on a Ecoboost FB page. Interesting reading.
Exhaust Notes Vol 23. Top 5 Modern Engines From The US, Germany, Japan, Italy and The UK.
Part 1 of 5.
When you think of an American engine, what cmes to mind? If you're like most, you probably imagine a torquey, big displacement pushrod V8 with a rumbling exhaust note powering a brawny muscle car down the open road.
What about an Italian engine? Most would probably imagine the sound of a shrieking small displacement Ferrari or Lamborghini 12-cylinder belching flames from its exhaust. Maybe the 458 Italia with its high revving flat-plane crank V8 winding up to its red line while it carves up Fiorano.
Like the US and Italy, any country with a long and storied automotive tradition has many defining characteristics that we associate with their car culture. But above everything else, nothing defines a nation's automotive identity more so then their greatest engines.
I've singled out five countries who's car culture is an important part of their national identity and picked 5 of their greatest modern engines. These are engines not only powered their most iconic cars but also help shape the very identity of their nations automobile culture.
Because this is a list of modern engines, only engines that were in production at some point from 1990 to present are included. As for what makes an engine "great" the following considerations were made in determining the lists.
1. Impact on domestic culture/industry
2. Performance in intended application
3 .Innovation/influence on design
4. Commercial success
5. Reputation/popularity amongst enthusiasts.
With that said, let's start with the greatest nation on earth, The Untied States.
1. GM Smallblock/LS V8
Displacement & Applications
(*abbreviated)
5.3(transverse)- Impala SS
5.3-Silverado
5.7- Corvette, Camaro, Numerous RWD applications
6.0-GTO, Corvette
6.2(LS)-Corvette, Camaro, Silverado
6.2 Supercharged-CTS-V, Corvette ZR1
7.0- Corvette ZO6, Camaro Z28
The venerable GM smallblock engine debuted in 1954 and its basic architecture remained in service for 5 decades. The modern day LS, while technically a clean sheet design, is an evolution of the same design philosophy. Simple, compact and powerful, the smallblock became the gold standard for V8 engines. In addition, it is also the most popular crate engine ever built. It's truly impossible to overstate just how significant the smallblock is to the history of American car culture. With a new version of the LS recently debuting in the C8 corvette, the smallblock legacy will continue carr
Bottom line- The smallblock is the quintessential American V8.
2. Chrysler HEMI V8
Displacement & Applications
5.7(gen 1)-Ram 1500, Magnum, Challenger & Charger r/t, 300c, Grand Cherokee, Full size SUVs
5.7(vct)- Ram 1500, Charger & Challenger R/T, 300C, Grand Cherokee, Durango
6.1 SRT- Magnum, Charger & Challenger SRT8, 300 SRT8, Grand Cherokee
6.4 SRT- Charger & Challenger scat pack, Durango, Grand Cherokee
6.2 Hellcat/Demon/Redeye-Charger Challenger, Grand Cherokee
"That thing got a HEMI?" While the modern HEMI has very little in common with its namesake, the modern HEMI facilitated the rebirth of Mopar muscle cars. The 707 HP Hellcat shook the entire Industry to its core, reminding everyone that the HEMI is still THE muscle car engine No other engine is more synonymous with American muscle.
Bottom Line- The world's most powerful production V8 engine of all time, the 840hp Demon, is a supercharged HEMI.
3. Ford Ecoboost V6
Displacements & Applications
3.5(gen 1 RWD)-F150, Expedition, Navigator
3.5(Transverse)-Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS, Explorer Sport, Flex, MKT
3.5(gen 2 rwd)-F150, Navigator, Expedition, Raptor, Ford GT
3.0(Transverse)-Lincoln Continental, MKZ
3.0(RWD)-Explorer ST, Aviator
2.7(rwd)-F150
2.7(transverse)-Continental, Fusion sport, Edge ST.
Before the Ecoboost, most truck buyers would never so much as consider a V6. The 3.5 EB had to be undeniably great, and it was. Ford now offers the Ecoboost as the top engine option on the F150, above even the 5.0 V8. Ecoboost engines are now the most popular engine option in F150, which is America's best selling vehicle. Ford even used a modified version of this engine for GT supercar, which won Le Mans. The newest Ecoboost, the 3.0 hybrid makes an astonishing 494 hp and over 640tq in the new Aviator-AMG V8 numbers.
Bottom Line- The Ford Ecoboost 3.5 is the greatest V6 of all time. I'll die on that hill.
4. Jeep(AMC) 4.0 Inline 6
Applications(moden 4.0)
4.0- 1987–2001 Jeep Cherokee
4.0- 1993–2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
4.0- 1987–1990 Jeep Wagoneer
4.0- 1987–1992 Jeep Comanche
4.0- 1991–2006 Jeep Wrangler
Applications- Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee
Regarded by many as the gold standard for off road engines, the iconic straight 6 made its debut back in 1964 and through a series of updates remained in production all the way up 2006. Famous for its bulletproof reliability, low end torque and simple design, the 4.0 has one built a cult following unrivaled by any other off road focused engine. It isn't uncommon to 250k+ miles examples still going strong today.
Bottom line- The heart and soul of America's most iconic off roaders for nearly 5 decades.
5. Ford Modular V8
Variants & Iconic Applications
4.6(2 valve)-Mustang GT, Thunderbird
4.6(3 valve)-Mustang GT, Bullitt
4.6(4 valve)-Mercury Marauder, SVT Cobra
5.4(2 valve)- SVT lightning, F150 Harley
5.4(3 valve)-F150, Navigator
5.4(4 valve)-SVT Cobra R
5.4(Supercharged)-Ford GT, Shelby GT500
5.8 Trinity-Mustang Shelby GT500
5.0 Coyote-Mustang GT, BOSS 302
5.2 Voodoo-Mustang GT350.
5.2 Predator(supercharged)-GT500
Fords modular V8 family was born out of a 4 billion dollar investment in 1987 with the first examples debuting in 1990. The modular engine is named for the manufacturing techniques of easily interchangeable(modular) tooling which allows numerous variants to be produced on the assembly line. Starting the 4.6 liter V8, every Ford V8 since has been based on the modular architecture. This flexibility has allowed for iconic, low volume engines such as the 5.4 Trinity, the flat plane crank 5.2 voodoo and the new SC5.2 Predator, which would otherwise be cost prohibitive.
Bottom line- The most versatile V8 architecture ever produced, the brilliant Modular architecture is the gift that keeps giving.
So there you have it. The 5 best modern American engines. I've included a gallery of the engines below that includes sone of the best variants of each engine. Part 2 will be dedicated to the nation that gave us the likes of AMG and BMW M, Germany. Stay tuned for pt 2 and the rest of this series in the coming days!
Let me know your top 5 in the comments and don't forget to share if you enjoyed this article. Be sure Follow Exhaust Notes for more content like this!
