Best Engine Configuration Poll

[i001947]

I always had a thing for a NA V8 engine early on in my life. And although I never understood what that connection was then, I knew something was there. Now that I'm a lot older and understand the V8 connection it has helped me understand why I was attracted and bought the following vehicles like my M3, Tahoe, 740i Sport, and Porche 928.

For me a NA V8 creates an emotional response that other engine configurations just don't. The lion-like roar, the increased growling up to the red line, the reserved power on tap just speaks to me in a ways better that sex.

My only regret has been not knowing this earlier in life. Had I know this I would have never owned the following vehicles: BWM 320i, 325i, 525i.

Now if I ever come into some real money, a Ruf 911 V8 would be next on my very short list of super cars to own.

[happos2]

Voted NA V8. I like the linear response of NA (therefore turbos were out). I chose the V8 over the V6 as it capble of more power and torque (obviously pending sizes of each). Sound of V8 is better as well.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

While I love V8's, a 911 has to be a flat-six no matter what. A different sound for sure, but by god is it epic:

If i may asked you...is this your new red 911 S in the video ?
When yes....sounds fantastic

[bruce.augenstein@comcast.]

Originally Posted by i001947

I always had a thing for a NA V8 engine early on in my life. And although I never understood what that connection was then, I knew something was there. Now that I'm a lot older and understand the V8 connection it has helped me understand why I was attracted and bought the following vehicles like my M3, Tahoe, 740i Sport, and Porche 928.

For me a NA V8 creates an emotional response that other engine configurations just don't. The lion-like roar, the increased growling up to the red line, the reserved power on tap just speaks to me in a ways better that sex.

My only regret has been not knowing this earlier in life. Had I know this I would have never owned the following vehicles: BWM 320i, 325i, 525i.

Now if I ever come into some real money, a Ruf 911 V8 would be next on my very short list of super cars to own.

Beauty is in the ear of the beholder, sure enough, but why such a limited poll? And why is noise the primary consideration?

A straight six is in perfect balance, and neither the V6 or V8 configurations can claim that. Therefore the turbine smoothness of most BMW sixes. Back on noise, BMWs also have that trademark sonorous snarl from their straight sixes, but have you ever heard that wicked, edgy snarl from an early Jag C-Type? It'll make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

How about flat fours and sixes? Porsches have become legends over the years using a flat six.

Most V6s sound agricultural to my ears, but have you ever listened to a Ferrari V6, or a Lancia, for that matter? Music.

Yeah, "typical" V8s have that trademark burble that most of us (including me) know and love, but have you ever heard a flat crank V8? Think Ferrari V8 and you've got it. Sounds like a pair of Honda VTECs, each on a serious caffeine jag, mating.

What about V12s? Straight 8s? V16s?

They all have advantages and disadvantages. To just touch on this, a straight six is in perfect balance, as mentioned, but its crankshaft requires careful engineering because it's more susceptible to twist from individual cylinder firings (because of its length), and it requires a longer hood line.

The V8s shorter, stiffer crank is an advantage, and it's inherently more compact than a straight six (per unit of displacement) but it requires a lot more width underhood, especially if it's a DOHC, four-valve design.

Typically, more cylinders at a given displacement yield more power (easier to fill and empty smaller cylinders), but this tends to melt away somewhere near V10 status, because adding more cylinders also adds friction.

And so on.

These are just a few of the factors one should use when comparing engines.

I'm not even touching on what the planned use would be (of whatever design), which brings its own complications.

You should rethink this.

Bruce

[F1Venom]

I voted NA V8 but I am loving the Bi-turbo V8 AMG's....

[1MOREMOD]

i think many engines can be outstanding as pointed out by a couple posts above. i loved the s65 but am fairly fond of my s54 now as well. different sound for sure. more rasp and boy racer a little but still very cool. my e90 did get compliments all the time about its sound at the track.

[Longboarder]

When you said "configuration" I immediately thought of a mid-engine V10 screamer.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

When you said "configuration" I immediately thought of a mid-engine V10 screamer.

carrera gt possibly. i have yet to hear one in person. missed it last track day.

[i001947]

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

Beauty is in the ear of the beholder, sure enough, but why such a limited poll? And why is noise the primary consideration?

A straight six is in perfect balance, and neither the V6 or V8 configurations can claim that. Therefore the turbine smoothness of most BMW sixes. Back on noise, BMWs also have that trademark sonorous snarl from their straight sixes, but have you ever heard that wicked, edgy snarl from an early Jag C-Type? It'll make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

How about flat fours and sixes? Porsches have become legends over the years using a flat six.

Most V6s sound agricultural to my ears, but have you ever listened to a Ferrari V6, or a Lancia, for that matter? Music.

Yeah, "typical" V8s have that trademark burble that most of us (including me) know and love, but have you ever heard a flat crank V8? Think Ferrari V8 and you've got it. Sounds like a pair of Honda VTECs, each on a serious caffeine jag, mating.

What about V12s? Straight 8s? V16s?

They all have advantages and disadvantages. To just touch on this, a straight six is in perfect balance, as mentioned, but its crankshaft requires careful engineering because it's more susceptible to twist from individual cylinder firings (because of its length), and it requires a longer hood line.

The V8s shorter, stiffer crank is an advantage, and it's inherently more compact than a straight six (per unit of displacement) but it requires a lot more width underhood, especially if it's a DOHC, four-valve design.

Typically, more cylinders at a given displacement yield more power (easier to fill and empty smaller cylinders), but this tends to melt away somewhere near V10 status, because adding more cylinders also adds friction.

And so on.

These are just a few of the factors one should use when comparing engines.

I'm not even touching on what the planned use would be (of whatever design), which brings its own complications.

You should rethink this.

Bruce

Your opinion have been noted.

[mPlasticDesign]

I voted V8 but NA V10 would trump that.

[signes]

My favorites, as Bruce said, in the ear of this beholder:

1. Best all time engine sound (ever!): Ferrari 640 F1 car. Heard this for the first time at the French GP in '89, first sequential F1 gearbox. Hearing that thing rip down the front straight and fire off 4-5 rapid downshifts was auditory heaven.

2. Best road car engine sounds (tie): Ferrari V-8 (328 - nostalgic for me), Carrera GT V-10, nearly any Ferrari V-12, LFA V-10.

[ruff1017]

This is too limited choices
There ar far too many unique designed engines
High torque, high revving , inline six,flat six, flat crank design ,V10,V12, rotory,,,,,,
Then there are personal preferred sounds and feel.

I will never say one is better than the others.
Because they are all unique in their own way.
But,
It is more important to have the dedicated engine for that car.
Then the balance and purpose of the vehicle get mached perfectly.

Happy Motoring.

[bruce.augenstein@comcast.]

Originally Posted by signes

My favorites, as Bruce said, in the ear of this beholder:

1. Best all time engine sound (ever!): Ferrari 640 F1 car. Heard this for the first time at the French GP in '89, first sequential F1 gearbox. Hearing that thing rip down the front straight and fire off 4-5 rapid downshifts was auditory heaven.

2. Best road car engine sounds (tie): Ferrari V-8 (328 - nostalgic for me), Carrera GT V-10, nearly any Ferrari V-12, LFA V-10.

No problem with any of those picks, but for me, the best sounding street engine ever wasn't in a car. It was the Honda CB1000 straight six motorcycle, from back around 1978 or so. I had a Suzuki 750 at the time, and loved it, but that Honda made such a delicious noise that I was nearly seduced into getting one, even though the handling more or less sucked due to the limited ground clearance dictated by the extra-wide engine.

Bruce

[Ezio]

if i was modding, i would want a trubo V8. staying stock. n/a v8 or turbo v8

[signes]

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

No problem with any of those picks, but for me, the best sounding street engine ever wasn't in a car. It was the Honda CB1000 straight six motorcycle, from back around 1978 or so. I had a Suzuki 750 at the time, and loved it, but that Honda made such a delicious noise that I was nearly seduced into getting one, even though the handling more or less sucked due to the limited ground clearance dictated by the extra-wide engine.

Bruce

Hadn't even thought about bikes, nice choices.

[1MOREMOD]

Did the mustang v-6 get any votes?

[signes]

NA V-6 got one.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by signes

NA V-6 got one.

Who makes one that is at all desirable. When I think v6 I think camry or accord. Not exaxtly highly desireable.

[i001947]

Originally Posted by happos2

Voted NA V8. I like the linear response of NA (therefore turbos were out). I chose the V8 over the V6 as it capble of more power and torque (obviously pending sizes of each). Sound of V8 is better as well.

77% of us love the NA V8 too. Not so surprising.

[1MOREMOD]

I'm with the other guy. Newer ford motors feel like they are going to come apart at high rpms. This does not include the coyote 5.0 which I haven't driven.

[pkimM3r]

V12 from ferrari