Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The 2.2L Audi 5 cylinder 20v turbo motors used in rally cars etc I had one thet went to 230000 miles when I sold it and one that is currently at 190000 miles mine is tuned to over 300hp and gets 18mpg city and 24mpg highway.
The motors were used from the early eighties until the late ninties :0
I'm going to say the Chevy 350. It's been around since 1967, being used until 1997 and was based off of a tried and true block that had been running 12 years in the making. Now offered as crate engines.
In addition the blocks are usually pretty strong (especially the high nickel 010 blocks), parts for them are everywhere and anywhere, usually are the cheapest to build as compared to other engines using same quality parts, can make 400 hp easy w/o breaking a sweat, 500 if you don't mind it being a little untame, can have good economy when built right, doesn't require much up keep.
This engine has been used in everything from street rods, to muscle cars to 4WD trucks, to mud boggers, to race cars. Also this is one engine that will fit almost any vehicle with minimal mods, making it one of the most universal engines.
Slight correction here: the Gen I (traditional) 350 was used at least as late as MY 2002 in the Savana/Express vans. Too; the 4.3L V6 is still around so the spirit of the 350 still lives.
The parts interchangeability is a huge factor------especially with diminishing availability of stuff for Buick 350's, Ford 302/351, Toyota 22R, and so on......
Besides; it is damn near plug 'n' play to swap in a ca. 1990 Chevy 350 TBI/700R4 AT into any vehicle that had a factory Chevy V8 option-----including the Tri-Five cars.
As for longevity; I have seen 350's last in excess of 300K miles without being opened up (TBI versions in particular, the Vortec ones 'smell' like trouble).
Personally; I feel that Ford builds a (slightly) stronger vehicle but, between being pigs to work on------their parts standardization ain't.
Worse: Toyota, Nissan, etc, build mostly great cars but, again, parts swapping is damn near non existent.
Hell; aircooled VW stuff is fading out due to the dramatic drop off in Beetles, etc. in recent years.
I gotta side with sterlinggirl on the 5.9L ISB Cummins. I've got one in my truck and its been far away the best engine I've ever been around. Good mileage, unreal power, and durable as can be. My father's truck with a 5.9l cummins engine has tallied so far 630,000 miles and the truck still runs strong and if you didn't know better you'd swear the engine was brand new. He still gets 22+mpg, and after all 630,000 miles, he still has never opened that engine for work, only has replaced belts, hoses, and 1 set of injectors. Pretty rock solid and dependable, I'd say.
I'd have to go with the Chevy 350 as well. Parts are cheap, you can get 400+ horsepower from it and in newer factory builds, it can get excellent mileage.
Cummins Turbo Diesels are my choice for diesel engines. I've seen farm equipment with Cummins in them with well over a million miles and they still run strong. Regular oil changes and valve adjustments are all they need.
Toyota's 22R, 22RE, 2JZ engines. The 22R and 22RE are bulletproof, some going 600K miles w/o any repairs. They can take abuse day in and day out and never once hiccup. Gas mileage is great, reliability is arguably the best on earth. Performance is where it falls short though... the engines are dogs for the most part.
The 2JZ (inline 6) engine is incredibly reliable and takes to power extremely well. Ive seen many of those engines handle 800+ hp on stock internals and run perfectly.
Wow, I'm amazed at the support for the 350. I have that engine in one of my vehicles, and the only bad thing about them is the darned valve stem seals wear out too quickly.
I gotta side with sterlinggirl on the 5.9L ISB Cummins. I've got one in my truck and its been far away the best engine I've ever been around. Good mileage, unreal power, and durable as can be. My father's truck with a 5.9l cummins engine has tallied so far 630,000 miles and the truck still runs strong and if you didn't know better you'd swear the engine was brand new. He still gets 22+mpg, and after all 630,000 miles, he still has never opened that engine for work, only has replaced belts, hoses, and 1 set of injectors. Pretty rock solid and dependable, I'd say.
When I made my post about the Chevy 350: I should have been clearer that I was referring to gas motors.
As for Diesels; definitely the 5.9L Cummins, at least the older 2 valve versions
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
A vote for GM's small block V8
