2MB Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 While on the toilet during a short break in Wales this weekend I thought I'd have a quick browse on the Pistonheads forums for a change. While it is generally the place where all that is wrong with the world congregates I did find one thread that could be plagarised for these hallowed pages: affordable iconic engines. In the case of the original, it stands at 7 pages of largely factually-incorrect chelp and dick waving (well, £30k is affordable isn't it...?) the likes of which I am in no hurry to see again. But I like the idea for a thread, so will start with a few that stand out from my limited first hand experience. Honda E seriesI'm probably on my own here, but I had a Rover 213 as my first car. The little alloy 12 valve screamed like a pig near its lofty redline, gave plenty of performance for a new driver and was ace on petrol. But to me it's here because of the abuse it took: I managed to put the new cambelt on a few teeth out but being non-interference it survived; I rebuilt the carb with some new parts on a trial and error basis; it ran even though there was hardly any metal left in the rotor arm, the list goes on. It went from being owned from by a couple of old dears (covering 48k in 20 years) to being asked to carry more than its allocated maximum passengers, being thrashed through the middle of nowhere, and countless other abuses that will remain unmentioned. The poor bastard had never been above 50mph and actually stopped working for a few minutes the first time it had to go on the motorway. I have never since known of an engine having to take a deep breath and then carry on as normal, and for that along with everything else it earned a place in my heart. Alfa Romeo Busso V6I've always had a strange aversion to V6 engines; there's something a bit off-putting about them unless they're in an Alfa. Not had one of my own but my dad had a 2.5 12v (155) at the same time as my unlce having a 3.0 12v (164). They were both standard but the noise they made going up the A653 was astounding: my child-self was unable to resist cracking into a broad and gormless smile. The song 'bittersweet symphony' by The Verve had a similar effect a few years before, but I've heard it too many times now. That isn't possbile with a Busso. The 155 was followed (via a few others) by a 156 24v. It was probably a much better car but didn't sound nearly as good. Plus it ate its belt and fucked 6 pistons and 24 valves, forcing me dad into £500 shitters for a few years. Which leads nicely on to: SAAB turboAfter getting burned with the Alfa, me dad decided to get something cheap that he didn't have to take a loan out to buy, and was therefore disposable should anything go wrong. The best* option in the local area was a wonderfully scruffy 5 door hatch 900S turbo, with the lower boost 140 ish bhp engine and a burbly exhaust. It was a lovely place to sit like all SAABs but the 16v slant 4 under that odd shaped bonnet was the star of the show. It took me to Leeds festival 2004, some of the journey sat on the roof, and, crucially, didn't break down or overheat like the newish Renault Espace my mates got a lift in. A small, albeit important detail an I realise I'm getting a bit sentimental but it was the first of many with the same basic motor and it's a fucking good engine: lots of shove when you need it but very refined and 100% reliable. PSA XUDI don't think there's much I can say that hasn't already been said about this one, but I'm one of the fan club. Transforms the character of whatever it's in without making it less enjoyable to drive (compared to petrol versions) BMW M42Just because the purists seem to think a BM without a straight six is not worth mentioning, and I adored the 1.8 twink in my E30. It is denounced generally as being gutless and needing to be screwed to the redline to get anything out of it, but in the real world I found it to be very flexible and better on fuel than it had any right to be. It also made a better noise than any BMW 6 pot I've ever heard, M3s included. This of course is purely subjective... Mercedes OM-6xxPrecisely the sort of thing Pistonheads users in the main would denounce, but an iconic engine to me at least. Years of forced progress in diesel engine technology has yet to produce anything as refined as these old lumps. I've only owned 2, a 3 litre 6 pot in a w124 wagon and a 2.5 5 pot in my 190, but have been in plenty of taxis in various places where they've still run like clockwork. Slow, but sure. The 1.6 million mile W123 taxi we hired in Marrakech felt tighter than my old 80k mile 280ce. They are capable of massive power outputs when turbocharged, but I honestly can't think of a better way to get around day to day than being behind an NA Merc diesel. As I said, my own experience is very limited. I could go on about the power delivery of the Nissan RB26 but there's another forum for that sort of thing, and I don't plan on joining it any time soon so I'll keep it to myself. Over to you .... catsinthewelder, Sigmund Fraud and LesRasK 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Honda Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Renault Sierra/Cleon. Been in everything from a R8 to a Twingo. mouseflakes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
320touring Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 skoda 1.3 pushrod Vag ALH tdi Renault F4R 2.0 16v from the 17/82 clios Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timewaster Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 A series. Ford Xflow. Pinto. Vauxhall red top. and of course Rover V8 What else? TRW, UltraWomble, Tamworthbay and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiperCub Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Can't comment on some of these as I've no experience of them but the one's I have: Alfa V6 - agree but the 24V sound improves with a decent (decent doesn't mean loud-ass stupid) exhaust. Had no mech bother with my 156 V6, great motor if serviced properly but an arse to work on. Pug XUD - again agree, drove to work in one tonight, not as powerful/frugal/clean/blah blah as a C/Rail fancy-nancy new dizzle but then again you can fix an XUD and it won't cost you a couple of months mortgage payments unlike the latter. Plus they'll still be around in another 25 years when most CR'ers will be long dead & buried. I'll add here, the Pug XU petrol, esp those used in GTi's - again, like the Renault Cleon equivilent, is one of the best small engines ever IMO.& while in hothatch land, the Vaux RedTop is another cracker, despite me not liking Vauxhalls. Beemer M42 - as fitted in the 318iS I briefly owned many years ago, yes, most BMW fours are a bit meh (M3 excepted) but the 16V M42 is a stunningly good engine. Would buy another E30 318iS tomorrow if I could find an unmunted one. One from the past: The BMC A-series, can be tuned to buggery and give insane power while staying in one piece, will smoke on almost endlessly but still for it's time (designed in the late 40's) a great engine used in a wide variety of cars. TRW and UltraWomble 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 K-Series. For all it is well known for OMGHGF, it was very much ahead of its time and is a great engine. 105bhp from a 1.4 when Ford & Vauxhall couldn't reach that with their 1.6 and they rev so well. fordperv, The Moog, chaseracer and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asimo Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Citroen flat four as in GS, Oltcit, Ami Super.I know it doesn't make that much power and is not very fuel efficient, but I really like direct air cooling and this engine has so many wonderful details. The last all new air-cooled car engine. Eddie Honda, mouseflakes, myglaren and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catsinthewelder Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Fiat FIRE for being lovely and revvy Land Rover 200tdi for being one of the only tdi's you can fix with a hammer Nissan E13 for sheer indestructability D Spares & Tyres 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
They_all_do_that_sir Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I'll second the k series. Brilliant engine. I've had a fair few in both 8 and 16v versions well ahead of their time. Even with the OMGHGF. Also partial to the old Vauxhall 8 valve lumps as found in corsa, astra etc. The smaller displacement ones are simple rugged old lumps. binhoker668 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheffcortinacentre Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 small block ford V8in std form 4.2-5.0 litres£300-500 will get you a useable eng & box.there roughly the same size as rover V8, weigh approx. 70LBS more than the 3.0 Essex V6.if fitted with tubular exhaust & ali inlet manifold they weigh nearly the same.they weigh over a 120 Lbs less than the lauded sb chevy V8 but give similar power!significant power increases can be had for the price of a 4 pot cosy eng in need of a rebuild.like the uk Essex V6 they powered everything from vans to sports cars via boats & luxury saloons. danthecapriman, Asimo and Taff 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarvinsMom Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 +1 for the a-series. what a great little motor, it started out in life as 803cc and 30bhp in the austin A30 to the metro turbo's 95bhp. in testing they had it running at 120bhp, but the greabox could not handle that so the wick got turned down. a bit. then on to various increases, 949cc, 1098cc and 1275 as an inline engine, and also 848cc, 997 & 998cc, 1098cc and also 1275cc as a transverse engine sat on top of its gearbox. 21million produced, it got used all over the world in all sorts,Minors, Spridets, the A40, mini's mokes, ADO16, Allegro, Marina maestro and montego and all the others that i have missed out!. a run from what 1952 to 2001, thats no mean feat!! what a great little engine. fairkens, DSdriver, Vince70 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDuke Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Commer TS3 - the ultimate in bloody-minded 'why the hell not' innovation. Could only have been designed in Britain. Marshall Tractor engine - 6 litres, 2-stroke, single-cylinder. Oh, and you start it with a shotgun cartridge. XUD - not just one of the best diesels, one of the best engines of EVAH. Peak of TD design, it's all gone downhill since. Uncle Jimmy, catsinthewelder, sco14 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rml2345 Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 After yesterday's antics the PSA TU engine has earned my respect as the wee TU9 in the biscuit tin did 70+ at very noisy RPM for hours and happily did the A road fun too.Why has no one mentioned the Volvo OHC Redblock? Bar the odd head gasket they'll run pretty much indefinitely. See also the Gardner 6LXB. danthecapriman, Joey spud and davidfowler2000 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honey Badger Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Honda F20C - The sensation of revving the keks off an engine and then keeping your foot down as it goes from 6000rpm to 9000rpm is addictive. Paying for a new set of shity soft Bridgestones after every 6500 miles isnt. Honda J30 - Silky V6 in my Accord coupe that's quiet and smooth most of the time but takes off like a scalded car over 3500rpm with a pleasing bark, shame it's mated to a really shit auto box, would be epic with a slick 6 speed manual. Standard Honda epic thirst for pez. Love the A series as well from a misspent youth blezzing about in various slightly scabby minis, loved the noise the induction and fan made as you worked on hard round some back roads, Isuzu 2.5td in my brava gets a mention as well, never needed to top up oil in the 7 years I had the pick up, faultlessly reliable as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulgalour Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 British Leyland's O series has to be another strong contender here. Many torques per litre, many miles per gallon and used in applications as diverse as the Princess, Marina and Sherpa to name but three. It had a reasonable production run and is a good tough old lump, cheap to work on and mostly easy to get parts for, can survive multiple OMGHGF incidents. MarvinsMom, Asimo and TRW 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Well the venerable V8 block has to be the most used custom conversion ''JC Quote'' In The WOOOOORLLLD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Tidybeard Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 renner 1.4 energy for that "oh i cant be funkin bothered to change down to 2nd" attitude to corners that auld shitters haveaustin rover s series about same powa as 2.0 pinto and non interference for "oops there goes the cambelt AGAIN"o series efi for mid life crisis on a shoestring budget *modern alert*hunda 1.8 ivtec for its back to front vtec for giffers and stingy bastids mpg MarvinsMom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOUL Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I'd have to add the Indenor XD series of engines, which Peugeot first bought out in the 403 I think, subsequently developed for the 404, 504, 604, 505. P4, Citroen H, Talbot Tagora, Ford Sierra, Ford Granada, Mahindra Jeeps, LDV vans, Volga GAZ, and Volvo Penta had them as 6 cylinder versions too! Sounds delicious in XDP6.90 form: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26kU2J9yP5k But best in original XD 4cyl : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFOxT5IldcY Lacquer Peel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skattrd Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I'm sorry but I don't get the XUD love, to me the equivalent VAG unit is better, more economical & more powerful. I wouldn't swap the motor in the boring for any other, it is the reason I own and drive the thing. See AHF and the mildly changed pre-pd, veg loving variants in late 90s VAGs. My dream car is one of these lumps in a mk2 Scirocco, and if the boring dies that may well happen. Fiat/Lampredi twink, sounds lovely and 100+bhp in the 70s was a decent score from a stock 2l motor. warren t claim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twosmoke300 Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Transit 2.5di , indestructible and sounds like a proper diesel . Vauxhall 2.0 / 2.2 dti reliable and economical with good torque V6 in the accord coupe , like silk danthecapriman, The Moog and JohnK 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Ross Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Land Rover OHV units. 2052/2286/2495cc NAD, and the 2286P. Bulletproof. I have seen them run with about a third of the recommended coolant and oil levels for a couple of hundred miles before giving up the ghost.... (Mine has had a cracked block for 3 years) Also, the related, but so much more fragile/nicer sounding 3412cc P and D Santana 6 cylinder units. Basically the 2286 with another half lobbed on one end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Has to be the a series or pinto for me. Both are stupidly easy to work on and when they die horrendously can both be used as boat anchors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burraston2006 Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Best engine evah? What ever I happen to be driving that hasn't failed to proceed!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binhoker668 Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Yes yes, predictably enough another vote for XUD here as well. Also seconding the 2.5DI Transit. Absolute horse of a thing. Lush.And the Fiat 'Fire' engine is great too. Tidy wee petrol flying machine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panhard65 Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Peugeot 1.2 diesel. Ok it is a crap engine and couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding but at least I have a picture. myglaren and Taff 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigmund Fraud Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Volvo redblock ! Not a particularly exciting engine design, but genuinely built to last a lifetime (just like the cars it powered) : danthecapriman, rml2345, Jim Bell and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraWomble Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 One from the past: The BMC A-series, can be tuned to buggery and give insane power while staying in one piece, will smoke on almost endlessly but still for it's time (designed in the late 40's) a great engine used in a wide variety of cars.THIS.There are two engines I love for their relative mechanical simplicity, reliability, versatility and ability to be tuned. The A series and the XU-D. The A series has a particular soft spot in my life however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerzy Woking Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Lexus 4.0 litre V8. The most refined V8 engine I have ever driven, so smooth, so quiet. Mine had done 250,000 miles with nothing more than routine servicing. Still good for 15mph plus. Supernaut and Honey Badger 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the judge Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 BMW flat twin. I know its not a car engine,but Dollywobs showed it would be a stormer in a car. It can be run on 20w50 too,so I claim Autoshite! mat_the_cat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honey Badger Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I'm sorry but I don't get the XUD love, to me the equivalent VAG unit is better, more economical & more powerful. I wouldn't swap the motor in the boring for any other, it is the reason I own and drive the thing. See AHF and the mildly changed pre-pd, veg loving variants in late 90s VAGs. My dream car is one of these lumps in a mk2 Scirocco, and if the boring dies that may well happen. Fiat/Lampredi twink, sounds lovely and 100+bhp in the 70s was a decent score from a stock 2l motor. God the Fiat 2.0 twink, I had a late 131 estate with the Supermirafiori Twin cam in it, it wouldn't idle but fecking hell did it shift, sounded epic as well, gunmetal grey with alloys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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