Favorite 4-cylinder car/engine?

[Egg Nog]

This thread was inspired by the "favorite engine" thread. It's a good question, but I thought I'd narrow it down a little...

So... what's your favorite 4-cylinder car or engine?

My answer:

Porsche 968 Turbo S

-305 hp
-369 lb-ft of torque (that's no typo!)

0-60 in 4.5 seconds, top speed at least 175mph!

http://vista.pca.org/stl/968turbo.jpg

[ozexige]

Rover series 'K' 1.8L 180HP

Fitted to Lotus Exige 4.6 secs


I have a question for '968' owners why has the car have the front bodywork of a 1985 '928'?

[Egg Nog]

Originally posted by ozexige
I have a question for '968' owners why has the car have the front bodywork of a 1985 '928'?

Well, in common Porsche fashion, they're actually different while looking very similar. (A la the front of the Boxster and the original 996). The 968 looks much better than the 928 in my eyes, with a more rounded and beautiful shape in general. You can see that the 968 bulges more along the front, as opposed to the flat 928 front. It is also a superior design: Faster, more efficient, easier to work on, more reliable, better handling, better weight balance, etc.

928 (S):
http://vista.pca.org/stl/big928s.jpg

968:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_img_a/209000-209999/209728_8_full.jpg

I hope you can see the difference :)

[ozexige]

Ah yes now I see it - it is more rounded.
As far as being superior in every other way - its not!
The balance of the 928 is superior to any front engined, rear drive road car ever made. The original 928 would pull easily past 240kmh and get there a lot faster than a VW engined Porsche. New 911's of the early 80's were never a match for 928's, in handling, performance, reliability and comfort.
As far as the 968 being more rounded - you are entirely correct - but for christ's sake the 968 was designed 20 years later!
I hope you can see the facts:)

[Rob]

my favorite 4 cilinder car would be the Donkervoort D8 210,
and the 928 rules.

[Kudosdude]

I win

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/large/732-1.jpg

675 kg
450 bhp

[piledriver]

I can be wrong, but weren´t there a version of one of these porsche or any other porsche with front lights in the same style of ferrari f355´s one...

[piledriver]

the flat 4 cilinder air cooled of the VW beetle (the old one, here in brazil called "Fusca") ...
I guess there weren´t more reliable engine than this.... I see these "cars" made in 68, 69... running at the streets until today...
:D

[ozi]

definitly ford escort rs cosworth 2000ccm, 220-450hp

[Egg Nog]

Originally posted by ozexige
Ah yes now I see it - it is more rounded.
As far as being superior in every other way - its not!

Yes, you're right, and I don't deny it at all. With all the talk of the 928, I mistakenly compared it to the 968. What I originally intended to do was compare it to the 944 (the 968's true predecessor), in which case my points are justified. Sorry for the mistake, and thanks for correcting that! :)


Originally posted by Kudosdude
I win

675 kg
450 bhp

You can't "win" when I ask an opinion :)

[ozexige]

Hey Rob - way cool car.

-------------------------------

Hope I didn't come off to strong 'Egg', but 928's are my passion and if I'm merciless in it's defence it's because like all us car-nuts here we have our favourites and no-one can convince us otherwise. :)

Unless we're wrong and only a few of us can admit that.

[Egg Nog]

Originally posted by ozexige
Unless we're wrong and only a few of us can admit that.

Thanks, I really appreciate that. I'm just hoping I didn't sound like I was bashing the 928, because I sure didn't mean to. I love any and all Porsche sports cars :) I do think that the 968 looks better, but I still love the looks and performance of the 928.

Anyway, I'm happy to hear that everyone is being so mature about everything. Happy discussing!

[ozexige]

'De nada'


:D

[Kudosdude]

;) I still win ;)

[ozexige]

Wot did you win - why wasn't I told it was a competition?
I want to win something.

[Kudosdude]

Being realistic I've always had a thing for the cosworth lump (http://www.wrc-cosworth.org/)

Though a flat four wouldn't go amiss

[henk4]

Well, why not go for the old Offenhauser Indy engine, that at least can show some real racing history, I don't know the exact parameters but I guess some US people out there know exactly what I am trying to talk about

[Gilly]

Probably the Ford Focus RC WRC 03 because it looks mad and has a powerful little engine of 300hp.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

I would probably go for the 1.5 DSi Engine found commonly in the Honda Jazz/Fit as it is quite perky, has good pick up and is unbelievably fuel efficient.

[motormaniac]

evo 8

[motorhead]

suzuki HAYABUSA 1.3L 4 cylinder - used in many cars like the westfield xtr 2 and the radical sr3

[motorhead]

GM's 1000HP 4 cylinder powerplants

[henk4]

Originally posted by motorhead
GM's 1000HP 4 cylinder powerplants

Fitted in which car??
If we talk shear power go for the BMW turbo F1, fitted in the Brabham and later the Arrows, in qualification trim with lots of boost 1300-1400 BHP.

[BPx]

S2000 or VX220/Speedster

As for fave 4-cyl? Probably GM's Iron Duke, or their new Ecotec. Both highly capable engines.

[Guibo]

While it might not have a great engine, my current favorite 4-cylinder would probably be the Mini Cooper S.

From the past, it'd be the 2002 Turbo or E30 M3 Evo III.

[Hoonda]

http://www.fast-autos.net/honda/s20007.jpg

Definitely the S2000! It makes 240 horsepower out of just 2 small liters... thats 120 horsepower per liter, more than any naturally aspirated production car. The F20C also revs up to 9,000 rpm, making it the highest revving production car engine.

http://www.fast-autos.net/honda/s200011.jpg

[motorhead]

Originally posted by henk4
Fitted in which car??
If we talk shear power go for the BMW turbo F1, fitted in the Brabham and later the Arrows, in qualification trim with lots of boost 1300-1400 BHP. it was just an engine development and it was not fit into any car perticularly

[Egg Nog]

*Bump*

We've got a lot more members on this board since when I originally posted this, so let's hear what everyone has to say now :)

[more-boost1555]

From the SVT Focus, 170 hp. Or the Duratech R from the WRC Focus.

[megotmea7]

-well as for power, id say GM's I4 drag motor, it was basicaly their 350 with half the cylinders loped off twin turbo'd and pushing about 4000hp, they had one in an integra drag car
-for production reliability most hondas I4's score top marks
-for production performance and modability either the SR20DET from the japanese silvias or the 4g63 from the eclispes and all the lancer evos both are awsomely modable and have great performance stock
-as for new motors that look promising the new WRX STi's 2.5 liter boxer turbo right now it makes 300hp but i want to see it when some shops get done with it

but keep for the most part the engine didnt make the car, the car made the engine if you know what i mean

[Batmobile_Turbo]

the volkswagen flat 4. for favorite cars the order would be
1. any early volkswagen
2. lotus elise
3. toyota mr2

[SPEED 12]

Lotus Esprit S4

[kennyknoxville]

exige w/k20 engine

[bum-man]

the Saab variable compression engines (i dont know if it will ever make production?? but it still is cool)...you can change the compression of the engine automatically depending on how much gas you give the engine.

[bum-man]

http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/featurepics/0458.jpg
"Saab is now launching an entirely new engine concept named SVC, which stands for Saab Variable Compression. Owing to the SVC engine's unique design, it offers performance on a par with units twice its size but with the fuel consumption of a small engine. The SVC engine is a five-cylinder 1.6 litre unit producing 225 bhp, and it delivers no less than 305 Nm of torque."

oops didnt realize it was a 5 cylinder...im sure if they make a 4 cylinder with the same displacement it will still be just as amazing.

[RS6]

The flat-4 out of the beetle and microbus, for definate. There is nothing like the rattle of a VW flat-4.

[Alfahollic]

Definitely the S2000! It makes 240 horsepower out of just 2 small liters... thats 120 horsepower per liter, more than any naturally aspirated production car. The F20C also revs up to 9,000 rpm, making it the highest revving production car engine.


Alfa Romeo achieved 240bhp with 1970's technology in the
Giulia GTAm.

1750cc: 220bhp @ 7200 rpm 220 km/h
2000cc: 240bhp @ 7500 rpm 240km/h

Also the Alfa Romeo 159 (1951)

The 1479cc engine - the most powerful 1500 ever built - developed 425 bhp at 9300 rpm and could propel the Alfa 159 along at more than 300 km/h.

[henk4]

[i]
Also the Alfa Romeo 159 (1951)

The 1479cc engine - the most powerful 1500 ever built - developed 425 bhp at 9300 rpm and could propel the Alfa 159 along at more than 300 km/h. [/B]

You may have overlooked here two things: The Alfa 159 is a straight eight.
The F1 turbo cars were also less than 1500 cc. The BMW 4 cylinder in qualifying trim was good for 1200+ BHP.

[Alfahollic]

You may have overlooked here two things: The Alfa 159 is a straight eight.
The F1 turbo cars were also less than 1500 cc. The BMW 4 cylinder in qualifying trim was good for 1200+ BHP.

Yes u r right, however this engine was built in 1951 not 1983. I bet it had plenty of traction as well. :p

[henk4]

Originally posted by Alfahollic
Yes u r right, however this engine was built in 1951 not 1983. I bet it had plenty of traction as well. :p

It was actually built before the war and Alfa managed to keep them in hiding to be used again later which they did to great success until they finally succumbed because of excessive fuel consumption.

[Alfahollic]

It was actually built before the war and Alfa managed to keep them in hiding to be used again later which they did to great success until they finally succumbed because of excessive fuel consumption.

really i didnt know that. wow.

[Batmobile_Turbo]

The flat-4 out of the beetle and microbus, for definate. There is nothing like the rattle of a VW flat-4.
i profoundly agree :)

[Egg Nog]

i profoundly agree :)

You like the rattle of a VDub flat 4 block?

Awesome, I'll take that as a compliment ;)

[Batmobile_Turbo]

You like the rattle of a VDub flat 4 block?

Awesome, I'll take that as a compliment ;)
yes, but not as much as the Golf GTI, the old one.

[lfb666]

BMW E30 M3 - 1990

Engine
Cylinders: 4
Engine Configuration: Inline
Aspiration/Induction: Normal
Displacement: 2467 cc | 150.5 cu in. | 2.5 L.
Valves: NA
Valvetrain: DOHC
Horsepower: 172.2 Kw / 234 BHP @ 7000 RPM
Torque: 240.0 Nm / 177 Ft-lbs @ 4750 RPM
Bore: 3.6801 in | 101.6 mm. | 0.1 m.
Stroke: 3.3101 in | 76.2 mm. | 0.1 m.
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1

Performance
0-60 mph: 6.1 sec
1/4 Mile: 14.7
Top Speed: 154.1 mph | 247.8 km/h

[16-4Veyron]

kudosdude won... lol

[henk4]

kudosdude won... lol

The question is more: Where is Kudosdude?? :confused:

[16-4Veyron]

good question :confused:

[jones.dk]

My favorite 4 cylinder car is: Honda S2000..... it sounds so good

[NAZCA C2]

Favorite 4-cyl race car is the Brabham BMW powered F1 cars of the early 80's. 4 cylinders, 1500cc, up to 1500 HP in qualifying trim!!!

Favorite 4-cyl road car is the Honda S2000. 2 liters 240 HP.

[cls12vg30]

Favorite 4-cyl engine, gotta be the Nissan FJ20ET:
http://www.v6-s12.com/Linked_Images/S12/fj20et_silvia.jpg

Look at that thing, what a monster. 190 hp stock in the mid-'80s, but the internals are built like an M1 tank, you can boost it into the stratosphere so long as you can find sufficient octane. Commonly found in 1980's Skylines and S12 Silvias in the Japanese home market, also in Aus. and NZ.
We're working on getting a few to our shores for swapping into S12's.

[Doza]

Favorite 4-cyl race car is the Brabham BMW powered F1 cars of the early 80's. 4 cylinders, 1500cc, up to 1500 HP in qualifying trim!!!

Favorite 4-cyl road car is the Honda S2000. 2 liters 240 HP.

No Way! '91 Honda Prelude Si engine:140 HP and 132ft-lbs of torque.
0-60 in 9 seconds! Whoa!!!!
Top Speed: 120 Mph!! Half of the McLarens!

[crisis]

4s are not really my thing but I am impressed by the Honda S2000 motor for its revability and by the ubiquitous SR20DET which has power and reliability and is fairly cheap to squeeze more out of.

[Burrito]

Seat Leon Cupra R

[Matra et Alpine]

Alpine (Renault) 5 "Tour de Corse" engine
1397cc turbo producing 250bhp in early 1980s !
http://alpinerenault.free.fr/galeries/galeriesimages/photor5turbocompetition02p.jpg
( I've a colour picture from Mount Stuart last year, I'll ook it out later )
It was where Alpine pioneered turbo charging a small engine which then went on to power the Alpine 500 F1 car which after testing Renault adapted and took to the track as theirs :)

[HBloverb18]

The honda b18c1 the best 4 cylinder engine

[mooseTSi]

mitsu's 4g63 turbo (evo's and DSM's)

[Egg Nog]

The honda b18c1 the best 4 cylinder engine

-1 for spewing such rediculous, unsupported nonesense.

[crisis]

-1 for spewing such rediculous, unsupported nonesense.
Ditto.

[henk4]

The honda b18c1 the best 4 cylinder engine

Honda even stole the engine designation from Volvo.

[SPN:DOC]

Honda even stole the engine designation from Volvo.
uuhhhh... I like to hear more about that... dose any one know when this happened, what Volvo engine was it..

[henk4]

uuhhhh... I like to hear more about that... dose any one know when this happened, what Volvo engine was it..

The Volvo four cylinder engines from the fifties and the sixties were denominated B16 and later B18. These engine were used in the Amazon model and later in the Volvo 144. I presume the engineers at Honda had no idea of this old type code.
I once entered in a discussion on a "B16". In my ignorance I thought that people were talking about the Chevron B16, one of the great all time sportscars (see UCP if you want more info). Only then I learned about the Honda engine type designation. My earlier remark was more of joke, so don't take the word stealing to strictly.

[Ferrari Tifosi]

the 4.6 liter 4 cylinder from the integra funny car. It's a twin turbocharged, nitrous injected, nitro burning monster of an engine. 4000 HP!!!!!

[Fiorano]

"If we talk shear power go for the BMW turbo F1, fitted in the Brabham and later the Arrows, in qualification trim with lots of boost 1300-1400 BHP." Funny that
in 1978 the Drake-Offenhauser turbo 4 was busting 1200BHP..in racing trim not qualifying
in 5 years development BMW did what had been done earlier by grease monkeys, not uberteknic of the F1 team... the Offenhauser motor was almost the same since the 1929 Miller 122 (2liter)!!!!- just a bit bigger
in all the world of racing outside of the ovals and indianapolis people seem to ignore what has been created in the small shops out of california

but best 4 or favorite?
the haybusa or kawasaki 1400 motors should be the best for the size naturally aspirated.
the mazda 2.0 as fitted in the MX-5 miata is such a zinger joy to drive it is my current favorite (havent tried the S2000... )
my Volvo amazon B18(now B25 :O) is fun but the old B18 as indestructable as it was/is is a lump of sluggish iron and puts out poo for power

[h22a]

Integra Type - R (99-00)
B18A i think
141kw - 178nm

[clutch-monkey]

^ what he said
plus the JDM version of that and the DC5

[Ingolstadt]

Perhaps the S2000 you guys are getting is a detuned version for emissions control. S2000s over my here are the JDMs, 250hp.

My fav 4 cyllinder

Honda F20C
Mitsu 4G63

And i can't wonder why no one mentioned UCP's all time favourite = 1.8T :p

[clutch-monkey]

Perhaps the S2000 you guys are getting is a detuned version for emissions control. S2000s over my here are the JDMs, 250hp.

that doesn't stop it from being a torqueless wonder, even compared to a K20A :p

[DesmoRob]

I'd have to say Honda S2000.

[Fiorano]

no love for the SR20DEt from Nissan?
hell of a motor...

over the Hondas B-series any day...:D

[jcp123]

Favorite classic 4-banger car - Datsun 510
Favorite classic 4-banger engine - 1.6l Lotus Cortina Twin Cam

Favorite modern 4-banger car - Toyota MR/2 Turbo
Favorite modern 4-banger engine - toss-up between 1.8t and the Ford 2.3 turbo

[jcp123]

Whoa...that post showed up twice, no idea how/why...sorry

[2ndclasscitizen]

Favorite classic 4-banger car - Datsun 510

http://static.flickr.com/84/216638428_073e09a0df.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/73/216638297_9a5718b294.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/98/216638164_c0c9046fbc.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/94/216637978_612c276150.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/58/216637795_7396fee211.jpg

I agree.

[charged]

^^^^ thats a lovely peice of kit
1.6 litre would be the 4age20v Engine designation 4A-GLEU
...165 bhp, 11.1 comp ratio VVT and quad throttle bodies and it revs like a banshee.:D

Formula atlantic cars got over 240bhp from a N/A 1.6 litre
http://www.club4ag.com/pictures/WALLPAPER/Atlantic_small.jpg

Favourite old school race engine is a Toyota 3k(3KR) 1166cc adapted with dohc, mechanical fuel inj and the best exhaust ive ever seen

[Ingolstadt]

^^^^ thats a lovely peice of kit
1.6 litre would be the 4age20v Engine designation 4A-GLEU
...165 bhp, 11.1 comp ratio VVT and quad throttle bodies and it revs like a banshee.:D

Is this the one in Toyota Levin? if it is, its one of my fav as well.

[Ferrer]

My favourite car and engine is the Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF Coupé (Variante 1016).

[john14]

My favourite four cylinder car/engine is the same as lbf666's favourite car/engine - the 1990 BMW E30 M3.

Also, my 1982 Honda Civic is my favourite Asian 4-cylinder car engine... :D

[lotusdag]

- will not forget the Cosworth BD-series of engines......- and the sound of a 2 ltr. BDG in an Escort on a rally-stage in the Welsh forests at 9500 rpm.....Mmmmmmm!

Dag

[hightower99]

Best four cylinder engine is the flat 4 EJ255 from Subaru...

it's mean!

Honourable mention goes to Mitsubishi's 4G63 turbo with MIVEC.

Both are awesome engines.