cib24
Well-Known Member
13B-REW by far although I don't have a hugely diverse engine history. These engines make such good power for their compact size and are so easy to maintain. Yes, if you go over about 400 whp you will start to have longevity issues (i.e. instead of lasting 50-80k miles on average they could last as little as 10-20k if your running say 550 whp). However, they are so cheap to rebuild compared to a piston motor that it's easier to forgive it's faults. Also, in twin turbo specification on the FD RX7 they have such a broad torque curve and it's cool that they achieved that way back in the day before modern turbo technology, and it's all done with vacuum and pressure solenoids and manual switches. Also, the car weighs 2700-2800 lbs so it doesn't need crazy power to be fun especially given the rest of the car's balance.
The other engine that was fun was my 1986 Buick Grand National 3.8 V6 Turbo. The car itself looked cool but the build quality was terrible - typical 80s GM. The engine was very fun to learn on as it was one of the first fuel injected turbo charged American cars after I think the Mustang SVO, and it was all pretty simple even compared to the RX-7 which is also a before OBD car. The Buick motor can't rev to save it's its life as it's done by 5000 RPM but the motor was very stout, took mods well and also held up against knock well. Decent on fuel off boost too.
The other engine that was fun was my 1986 Buick Grand National 3.8 V6 Turbo. The car itself looked cool but the build quality was terrible - typical 80s GM. The engine was very fun to learn on as it was one of the first fuel injected turbo charged American cars after I think the Mustang SVO, and it was all pretty simple even compared to the RX-7 which is also a before OBD car. The Buick motor can't rev to save it's its life as it's done by 5000 RPM but the motor was very stout, took mods well and also held up against knock well. Decent on fuel off boost too.
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