In the automotive world, we have our favorite motors. Legends of iron and aluminum whose names elicit memories of tire smoke and law-breaking speeds. Legends like the Mopar 440ci Hemi, the Chevy L-88, the Toyota 2JZ-GTE, and the BMW S54B32. We focus so much conjecture and conversation on the great motors in history that we often overlook some of the perfectly impressive powerplants that have made their way under the hoods of the cars around us, and this article is dedicated to those hidden gems.
5. Volkswagen/Audi (VAG) EA888 2.0T Inline-4
Let's be honest, VAG puts this little motor in everything, and has for quite some time. Debuting in 2008, the EA888 2.0L turbocharged motor features 4 valves per cylinder (16 total), direct injection, an iron block and forged internals. Those latter bits mean strength, and strength means more boost, which we'll get to in a moment. Hanging off the side is a tiny little turbocharger, giving this car low lag times, and nice low-end grunt. Ranging in output, depending on application, from 168hp/207tq up to an impressive 296hp/280tq, this sweet little four-pot is generally hearty enough to deliver a pleasantly surprising amount of performance from the cars it powers. You're already sold on this motor aren't you? Well hold on to your butts, because the best part of this tiny two liter is once you slap a tune on the car. Turbocharged cars in general mean easy power; turn up the boost, make more of it, done and done. Some motors respond better than others to this type of tuning, and few as well as the EA888. Throw a tune and a downpipe by APR on an EA888 and you're good for 336hp/404tq, which starts to enter the realm of serious power. Add in this mix some amazing fuel economy and a great baritone exhaust note, and this miniscule monster is a winner.
4. Mercedes Benz M104 DOHC 3.2L Inline-6
Here's an example of a motor that is more about the potential it has, as a platform, than what it delivers on its own. In fact, the stock numbers and performance are likely why it's so often overlooked, especially in the United States. A constant fan of the minimalist mystique, smooth operation, and forced induction capabilities of Inline-6 motors, this particular beauty has always intrigued me. Most fun, in my opinion, is the 3.2L DOHC variant of the M104 with a respectable 220hp/229tq, also the most powerful version from the factory. While a sweetheart of a motor on it's own, the real fun comes by way of now prevalent aftermarket turbocharging kits. What Mercedes may not have planned, and we still don't seem to recognize in the US, is that this platform makes an amazing foundation for big turbo builds. What was once a budget-minded alternative to V8 options in Benz sports cars can be boosted to insane levels, from milder 400hp kits, all the way to outputs near 1,000hp. These motors, especially in the case of the more extreme turbo kits, also make a hellacious sound, somewhere between orchestra brass section, and jet-liner takeoff. The M104 is a gem, slowly fading into history, with production having ended just before the year 2000. Worth considering for your next build.
3. Ford DOHC 32V Modular 4.6L (Naturally Aspirated) V8
Only produced for a short few years, and placed in a small handful of cars, primarily the SVT Cobra of 1999 and 2001, this all aluminum screamer is one of the great V8s of the modern era. Unfortunately, the naturally aspirated DOHC 4.6 was quickly overshadowed by the supercharged version debuting for the 2003/2004 SVT Cobra. Still, the earlier motor features several excellent specifications making it worthy of much more praise and attention than it generally receives. Unlike the later motors, the early naturally aspirated 32V utilized an aluminum block, resulting in a far lighter motor overall, and better weight distribution in the cars it powered. That said, the majority of the blocks produced up through the beginning of 2001 were manufactured by Teksid in Italy. These blocks are capable, in their stock form, of handling up to a reported 900hp despite their minimal weight. These motors are also top end terrors, power peaking near their 7,000RPM redline, allowing a skilled driver to wring out each gear on a track. While doing so, the driver is also treated to one of the most melodious yet ferocious exhaust notes produced by a V8, unmistakable to previous owners, and enough of a reason alone to own one. Putting out 320hp/317tq in the Cobra, this motor was plenty to tackle the competition at the time, and responded very well to modification. It also served as the basis of the motor in Koenigsegg's absolutely ballistic CCR V8 where it produced 806hp/680tq. Aside from all that, these are big beautiful motors, with monster heads, aluminum intake manifolds, and nicely contoured valve covers. Those later supercharged models may be beasts, but this earlier iteration is a real treat.
2. Toyota 1UZ-FE 4.0L V8
Potentially one of the greatest small displacement V8s developed, this motor truly deserves praise and recognition near the top of this list. Exhibiting trademark Toyota reliability, these V8's were all but indestructible. Carrying much of the technology the manufacturer developed for enduring the abuse of racing, they were equipped with forged internals and 6 bolt main bearings. This was in large part because the motor was genuinely developed to be a platform for Toyota's race motors at the time, and benefitted from some of the best and most performance oriented engineering the company had to offer at the time. In fact, it's reported that over $400M in research went into this exact motor. Rated at 300hp/310tq, they don't flaunt enormous power numbers by today's standards, but would have been a real contender in the mid-90's when primarily used. That said, these are phenomenal candidates for motor swaps, given their small size, light weight, solid output, minimal cost and not to mention glorious sound.
1. Buick/GM L67 3800 Series II Supercharged 3.8L V6
That's right, sitting at the top of the list is the same old V6 that powered countless ugly Buicks and Pontiacs down the boulevard in your grandma's retirement community. Cars like the Buick Park Avenue and Regal, the Chevrolet Impala, and the Pontiac Grand Prix in their late 90's glory. Cars that were envied by... well, nobody. These poor motors are generally found in heaps today, typically idling outside a convenience store while the owner buys a tall boy and a scratch off. Make no mistake, that V6 under the hood is a serious jewel of an engine. Perched atop all 3.8L is an Eaton Gen III M90 blower, upping output to 240hp/280tq, not bad at all for the day. Here again we see the glory isn't in the factory package, but what you can do with it. First, it's already a forced induction motor, meaning more boost is a pulley swap and tune away. Second, you simply can't kill a Series II V6. Third, torque... lots of torque across a wide band compared to turbocharged or naturally aspirated V6's, and only increasing with modification. Swap them in another platform for a fun sleeper (I say a light old Chevy S-10), or leave them in one of their original soap-bar looking abominations and mod to your hearts content. You'll smile when you surprise them at the green light, and when you open the hood.
I truly love an interesting motor, whether it came in the car from the factory, or was swapped in. When you're out browsing, remember that you can't go wrong with any of the mills on this list, and be sure to comment with your own!
See you on the road,
Alexander
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