What is the greatest six cylinder engine ever produced?

Porsche flat six. It doesn't matter which configuration- n/a, turbocharged... it's all good. Sweetest-sounding, most enduring, and probably best-performing six cylinder in the world. The BMW inline six has to take second fiddle, but it's superb, also.

for bulletproof reliablity and application from M3 to 3 / 5 series to X5, the BMW M54 Engine. Inline 6 for the win.

The performance Porsche has extracted from a flat six is brilliant. With or without turbocharging they are one of the world's all time greats. However my knowledge for engines isn't that great so I wouldn't have one on my list.

Porsche water cooled wet-sump engines (996, 997, 986, 987) frequently suffer from rear-main seal failures. The air cooled engines and the dry-sump from the GT3s turbos are reliable, the other water cooled engines not so much.

vcowman - the BMW 6 is reliable, but not when you wind it up to 8000RPM in the M3. Google for "M3 bottom end failure". The BMW is smoother, the Porsche sounds better. The BMW isn't quite bulletproof - my valves are starting chatter at 140km. The Porsche really does run 20,000 miles between oil changes, but then it cost almost $200.

A Porsche is a daily driver nowadays. Add on top of that up to 115 bhp / litre in stock, normally aspirated configuration, 20,000 mile between oil changes, ability to be pushed op to 800 bhp w/ turbo-tuning and all that out of a 3.6 litre that comes into more configurations that anyone can count...

BMW are great engines but they don't measure up in efficiency, reliability or versatility.

It has to be true, Porsche in 1st and BMW in 2nd.

agreed. porsche flat six, then bmw inline 6.

Im with you tough guy. I even went as far as saying the most "pratical" V-6. I will take a VQ engine over any German V-6. Go ahead de - boost me.

For the most practical V6, I would have to go with the VQ series from Nissan. I had the 3.0 in my 99' maxima. Power, efficiency, durability and refinment. I enjoyed that motor more then the 3.6 in my currnet CTS.

Man i had a whole piece written on BMW I6, then came posting time and Bang! it was all lost.... i just don't have time to write it again, but anyway,
BMW I6 are the best, PERIOD.
Porsche comes second with the B6 in the 997 GT3

Porsche's flat sixes are sublime and the M3's S54 engine sounds like heaven but let's be honest it's the

335i

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ALL THE WAY

I second the 335i

NSX, pure and simple...ancient, but it really woke up the competition - to bad there were no real updates for 13 years! Auto enthusiasts still rave about the sounds it makes...

no way.
that car was a one-off.
porsche's flat six and bwm's inline have proven themselves in countless iterations over years.

260 hp (originally), redline at 8200, it was an incredible motor back in 1991.

The best V6 engine is the VQ35HR found in the Infiniti G35 and soon with the displacement increased to 3.7L in the new G37.The best in-line six is the legendary RB26DETT Z2 found in the Nismo Skyline R34 GT-R Z-Tune.

And as for V8s... the RS4/R8's 4.2 would be on the list, as would the new M3's 4.0L, and maybe even the 6.2L in the new Merc AMGs. What else?

Porsche flat six air and water cooled 993/996/997: iconic, legendary, reliable, practical - all of this while feeding your senses with thrill after thrill.

ahhhh.. the RBs and the 2JZs!!! and maybe my 2.7l Elisa.. its a good engine so far ;p looool

The 2JZ-GTE I would say is the best Inline 6,I have yet to see another engine that can handle 1,000hp on a stock block without blowing up,and over 2,500hp on a built 2JZ-GTE found on the Street Glow Solara...

Fabian555 how the hell are you going to tell me the 2JZ-GTE cannot handle 1,000hp without being reliable,I have seen it done so many times on daily driven supras,the reason F1 engine get damaged is because they drive them hard all the time,so please don't argue with me because you probably don't have technical or mechanical know how to be discussing this matter!!

I think the CA30 motor will be a long runner...the problem is that there a so few of them out there...most are garage queens...I'm about to hit 130k miles with no oil burning or other issues...

Porsche flat six no doubt.

I also consider the I6s used in cars like the Mercedes 300E also noteworthy.

The 2JZ-GTE is also notable when discussing strictly 6-cylinders.

What's so great about the BMW I6? I guess BMW thinks it's great. They keep turbocharging the same one over and over again.

"What's so great about the BMW I6? I guess BMW thinks it's great"

Oh totally. It's all hype. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say the BMW I6 was any good...

...What planet are you from again? Planet hypocrisy?

While I agree that BMW sixes have been some of the best engines, I'm not so sure about the latest generation. At Automobile magazine they had a massive engine failure in their long term 3-series fleet and what about the limp-home mode that has been built in to protect the engine from heavy duty use. I don't they are going to be as durable as they once were.

BMW M30 3.5 I6 (as found in my 635csi)

25 year old engine, required nothing but standard servicing and it's still running silky smooth, sweet as a nut and has hardly lost any ponies.

now, i make NO CLAIMS that this is a performance engine. but one of the TOUGHEST and MOST DURABLE has to be the old chevy stovebolt 6, when BUILT (under license), and IMPROVED ON by toyota and installed in the legendary Land Cruiser.

the LC has been acknowledged as tougher than a rhinoceros. MOST RELIED UPON across africa, australia, and many 3rd world countries.

one of 'em fell thru the ice in alaska. once towed out, the rescuers figured they'd just continue the tow all the way home. guy behind the wheel figured just to see what happens, he'd switch on the ignition for a pull start.

the beast FIRED UP!

was able to just shake off the water like a dog, and continued on as if nothing happened!

BMW's N54 I6.... It won many world engine of the year awards from 3.0-4.0 displacement. But the best engine of all time is..... the V10 in the M5/M6... now thats what I would call engineering! Also, the NEW V8 in the M3 looks promising.....

BMW no doubt. I drove a CaymanS for 3 days and was dissapointed. My 3.0 BMW had way better low down tq and did not sound like an electric golf cart under 3000rpm. Besides BMW has smaller engines in the first place. Porsche engines are nice but nothing special unless it is a GT3. Highest hp/liter NA was the 3.2 CSL engine, 363hp untill the current GT3.

You guys have come up with great examples. The M3 and early M5 engines are of course wonderful, that goes without saying. The Porsche flat six is nothing short of a legend. Some of the Mercedes engines were definitely worth noting. However, I am a bit surprised that no one yet has mentioned the 4.0L straight 6 in the AM DB5.... Vantage form made 314 HP. Certainly a feat for 1963.

I think it was slow because it weighed 3500 lbs. Nearly 1000 lbs heaver than the jag. Not because of any lack in power.

And, if I remember correctly, the joe version of the DB5 was rated at about 270hp. It was only the Vantage that made more power.

A tough choice between the BMW I 6es and Porsche flat 6es.

The first great I6 BMW made the M328 hemi dual-pushrod of 1936 would be a choice. Was used as war payment to the brits an used by them until 1961.

The L24,L26,L28 motor from Nissan. Many of those motors are running with there original compression specifications after 200k miles. Seals and rings all intact. The only motor that I could truely say can not be killed easily.

The best V6 engine is the VQ35HR and the best in-line six is the legendary RB26DETT Z2 found in the Nismo Skyline R34 GT-R Z-Tune.

BMW and Porsche make the best 6's. I also like the 4.5L I6 in the FZJ-80 Land Cruiser...it won't quit.

I agree with you - and in third place I would put the Nissan 3.5 V6. I've driven all three of them and compared to other six-cylinders that is my personal order Porsche-BMW-Nissan

Toyota 3.5L V6 is a strong motor.

*****INCREDIBLE*****


I was waiting to chime in and see the response that I received with this thread. I heard many praisings of the Bimmers, the Porsches, and our JDM bretheren. I was getting down to the bottom of the page before I saw anyone mention the L series from Datsun. Good Call. [montyz81]
Other notables--

The VG series from Nissan, there had to be a predecessor to the almighty VQ.

Also one of the most historical engines in six cylinder history was not mentioned. This car was built between 1967-1970. It had one the most advanced chassis and engine combination of its time. Unfortunately the cost at the time was far to great to export this car successfully beyond the home market. Another car came into play to snatch this new brooding car segment away from our mystery car in 1969. Can you guess?

The 1967 Toyota 2000GT. Classic car wth a Yamaha tuned DOHC 2.0L I-6. This engine produced 150hp. Great effeciency for the time, and the benchmark for a long line of Toyota sixes that eventually came to the penultimate conclusion; the 7M-GTE. Thank you for your great response to this thread and there will be more to come soon.

I'm a Porsche fan but the Toyota 2JZ is the most beastly six ever, hands down.

thank you egog, finally someone edmited it, the 2jz is one of the best six cylinder engine ever, it can handle any kind of power and also lasts forever to.

I consider COST as part of the equation here for what's legendary.

Why wouldn't Porsche use that engine in their 911 Carrera S? Answer: The costs to produce this engine make it prohibitive and unaffordable. I think this is why the BMW I6 is a more "legendary" engine. The manufacturing processes require to produce such engines at certain price points are as important as the design of the engine itself. If Porsche could do this, then they could at least put a 100 hp-per-liter engine in their $95,000+ flagship 911 Carrera S.

For this reason, BMW's I6 wins for me.

When considering V6 engines we have to mention BMW I6, Porsche F6, and VQ V6. These engines are truly great and that is why they have been in use for so long.

Honda makes good engines as well: the NSX was good, but Honda is the maker of great 4 bangers.

Toyota's 2JZGTE is very famous for its ability to handle power.

Also the Skyline engines are also very venerable.

These engines all have their legacies.

Only the BMW I6, VQ V6, and the Porsche Flat 6 are available in new vehicles so they are keeping the legends going.

"When considering V6 engines"

I meant to say 6 cylinder engines in general.

the nissan v-6. the most flexible engine by far. it was in legends like the Z cars (300 and 350), exotics like the R390 and the mundane like the murano and pathfinder.

I'd have to say the Jaguar XJ220's V6 engine. It had very impressive power (I can't remember, but it was something comparable to a V12 I think). I also like Honda's VTEC V6 engines in the NSX. Plus, Porsche makes powerful V6's, too. Those are probably the best V6 engines in my opinion.

Porsche doesn't make a V6.

Also, the XJ220 V6 was a twin-turbo set-up.

IT certainly does make a V6 called TAG (Porsche design)

The BMW is smoother but I have to give the nod to the Porsche for making an engine just as good in a much smaller package for lower center of gravity.

the best engine ever from the first model is the inline six from the M3 when first used with 286 bhp, used aswell in the McLaren F1 in V12 form but with it's basis. And with last expression in the M3csl E46 with 360bhp, no porsche flat 6 or V6 can manage the elasticity, sound, consumption, and smoothness of this engine. BMW MOTORSPORT BEST ENGINE FACTORY!!!!

ok, here's another one: inline 6, dohc, 4-valve, and all of 1047 cc! 85 hp @ 9000 rpm.

this sat in honda's CBX bike. it did the 1/4 mile in 11.552 seconds, at 117.49 mph. not bad, for 1979!

then for a real jewel of an engine and work of art, there was the 297cc honda Six!


from motorcyclist:

"When Honda created its fabled six-cylinder racebikes in the 1960s, it was pushing back the frontiers of the technically possible. Honda’s attitude was that if its engineers could imagine it, they could build it—and it would win. The machines they created were the two-wheeled equivalent of the Apollo 11 spacecraft and the first manned mission to the moon in 1969.

Yet if you’re tempted to imagine, from the smug viewpoint of the 21st century, that re-creating one of Honda’s Sixes ought to be fairly easy, think again. Imagine attempting to build a replica of NASA’s Columbia, the Eagle lunar module and the Saturn pile of pyrotechnics that sent it toward the Sea of Tranquility. Even nearly 40 years later, much of what Honda’s race shop achieved remains at the cutting edge of what can be done with metal. That one man attempted to reproduce it in a sleepy English village is staggering. Cold fusion might have been easier...

link to full article:

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/122_honda_rc174_six/

Opinion from an automotive engineer:
Due to natural vibration harmonics, the I6 is inherently smoother than a V6 or boxer 6 (Porsche). The 60deg.V6 has less vibration than a 90deg V6 but still needs balance shafts. BMW does not need balance shafts on their I6 models therefore at high revs it is much smoother than the V or boxer orientations.
By the way I recently sold my BMW 3 for an Lexus IS which had nothing to do with the quality of the engine.

First define the word "best".
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If it means "most successful" - then it would the TAG V6 (Porsche) or Honda V6.
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If it means "most power and torque output, least noise, vibration and harshness" then I'd say BMW I6
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If it means "winning awards on the 10-best list 12 years in a row" then I'd say Nissan VQ engine.

I would agree with a lot of these comments above. I would say the porsche flat six is by far one of the best engines regardless of displacement and number of cylinders. And the bmw inline six is also extremely refined and very powerful. I do believe the VQ engine deserves a mention, but I dont believe its the best. There have been many reliability issues on this front. And its too bad it has not been hooked up to a better 6 more refined six speed tranny yet.

I do believe that the volkswagen narrow angle VR6 deserves a mention. No its not the best, but a pretty great engine due to its compact size and relatively good power. I also believe the inline six that appeared from Jeep for decades was a great engine. Certainly not the best, but those engines survived for at least 250,000 miles. Too bad DaimlerChrysler chose not to pour more money into this engine. I do believe some of the newest Cummings Inline Six diesels are also some of the best engines around. Its a different ball game, but I do believe that there are some serious contenders for diesel inline sixes out there that are great engines. But of course, i think most of us can agree that the flat six from porsche and the inline six from BMW are clearly the one and two spots.

I think the recent game-change Toyota GR 3.5 v6s, ~270hp 2GR-FE and 306hp 2GR-FSE, should be on the best list.

They are not only very powerful & smooth, but also very fuel efficient.

Sorry...I'm not that much of a gearhead to know all the engine codes but I have driven a few favorite 6-cyl cars that I thought had great powertrains. My favorite to this day is still the Chrysler 225 Slant-6 on a 66 Plymouth Valiant. It was smooth, powerful and easy to work on, except when changing the #1 sparkplug. I also liked the Alfa Romeo V6 on the GTV6 of the early 80's. My cousin had one. It made great sounds.

Easy,

1. Nissan Skyline's RB26DETT
2. Toyota supra's 2JZGTE
3. Honda NSX's C32B

I love the Porsche 996 M96/05 and M96/07 engines. The current M97/01s are not so bad either. I do prefer the M96/07 powerplants since it has been used from the first GT3 in 1999 to the current 911 GT3, Turbo and possibly the upcoming GT2 variant. Actually the M96/07 motor is still used in the newer GT3 RSR despite the increase in capactity.

I am fond of Cummins Inc. engines because they have this strange uniqueness to them. The B6.7 can unleash a 350 hp and 650 ft-lbs @ 1600 rpm. It is primarily the larger capacity engines that interests me. The Cummins ISL 8.9 liter straight six unit delivering 1200 ft-lb @ 1300 rpm and 400 hp at electronically controlled 2200 rpm with the aid of variable geometry turbochargers. Then the ISX 565 gets me attention as its horsepower rating is the same as its name but how about a hefty 1850 ft-lb @ 1200, which really catches my attention.

the nissan skyline gtr r34 engine is quite an achivement pushing out that much power from a standard engine but at the same time I have to give a mention to the v6 in the metro 6r4. Considering it was then put into the XJ220 its a pretty legendary engine

but power is not the only thing that makes a great engine. its the whole package. and I think BMW bring together all the best bits or power, refinement and reliability and make the best 6 bangers around.

My two most important criteria for a superior 6-cylinder engine are as follows:
(1) In-line or flat configuration as these are inherently in near-perfect balance. 60-degrees between cylinder banks is correct for V6 engines and 90-degree V6 engines are inherently out of balance.
Aluminum blocks should have iron liners or some even more durable steel alloy. Aluminum blocks that rely solely on impregnation with silicon crystals to give the pistons a hurable surface to slide up and down on are brittle and more prone to fracture.
BTW, formerly independent Aston Martin used to make (in the sixties I think) some in-line 6 engines using exotic alloys of the day like lead-bronze for engine bearings. Car guys have forgotten those little goodies and, although many good modern alloys are available, todays car companies don't want to pay the relaively small extra cost to use them.

Don't know. My low-spending experience is with the Chrysler slant six. I agree with Beken that it was smooth. For some reason, they normally had long engine life.

V-6 engines of sixty degrees between cylinder banks have been good workhorse designs. But as power and displacement increases, so do their need for a counter-rotating balance shaft to overcome inherent out-of-balance vibration. The latest reviews on Nissan's V-6 are starting to comment on high RPM harshness and one review of the Lexus IS350 comments on the soft engine mounts and consequent engine movement on the chassis.

One engine, the four liter Ford 60-degree SOHC truck engine had/has a central balance shaft on some versions. The design is covered in an SAE technical paper. Does anyone here know if other 60-degree V-6's have had balance shafts?

Well... they never said "automobile" engine so the greatest 6 cylinder engine in my mind was used for the Sherman tanks! It was Chrysler's A57 "Multibank" engine. Actually, it comprised FIVE of those 6-cyl engines placed around a single crankshaft! Today this would redefine your knowledge of 6 cylinder torque!

If anyone appreciates "old school engineering", you should look the A57 specs up and see what a marvel of an engine it was. It might not count since there were technically 30 cylinders total but those 6-cyl puppies got us through some tough times and should surely be placed on somebody's "best of" list.

lol!

brings to mind the numerous Double Six designs of the 1920s and '30s. saw a whole slew of 'em, in various stages of development in the Auburn musuem in Indiana.

one was NOT a v12, but truly 6x2, with TWO crankshafts.

along those lines, i read of a "mad scientist/engineer" aussie who stuck together two MOTORCYLE engines!

i know, that made it a v8, not a 6, but the result was awesome! if i recall right, they were 'Zook Hayabusa engines. each ALONE, could push a bike to the neighborhood of 200 mph!

This is truly a difficult question to answer BUT once you add all the pros & cons the fair answer becomes clear. I-6 has more important advantages than the rest. Packaging and natural internal balance are just 2 points that to me make the in-line the one. The flat 6 is the core reason for the 911's biggest fault, it's rear mounted motor. I-6 is more diverse, it can be used in almost any size car, flat 6 has limited application potential.

The application of the boxer engine is utilized in the Cayman and Boxster as well.

I’ve owned two 911’s (964, 996), an NSX and an E46 M3.

All equipped with 6 cylinder engines.

If I had to rank them, I’d say:

1. M3 (S54B32)
2. 911 (M64 – 3.6L, M96 – 3.4L)
3. NSX (C32)

The NSX was more a chassis car. The V6 didn’t have as much grunt as the inline-6 and flat-6, but revved very freely (much like the S54B32), and sounded very “F1-like” past 4900 rpm all the way up to the 8000 rpm redline. I believe it was the first massed produced car to have titanium connecting rods in the engine (to handle the high RPM). It had an awesome manual transmission that put the 911 & M3 to shame.

The Porsche 964 flat-6 was OK, but for some reason never made much of an impression. Maybe because I totalled it. Some of my friends thought it sounded like a vacuum cleaner --- haters...lol. It's odd to have an engine that doesn't have coolant, but it took something like 10-12L of oil.

The M96 was the 1st water cooled flat-6 on a 911, and thankfully retained some of the charismatic sounds of the air-cooled version. It was smoother and had more grunt than the type M64 engine.

I drove the new Carrera S with the 3.8L flat-6 and it’s very powerful, but not quite as fierce-revving as the M3 S54B32.

The M3 inline-6 with the “sport” button "on" had uncanny explosive power, and lightning-quick throttle response. It's never boring to drive and has an abundance of personality. It would be my pick for the greatest 6-cylinder engine ever.

How about the 4.0L I6 in the 1986 Jeep Cherokee? Car was a piece of crap but the enging could not be killed.

The origional 12V VR6 (AAA) from VW is the BEST 6 cylinder engine. It may not be the most power per litre, but its the most innovative, desigined to fit a 6 cylinder engine into an engine bay designed for a 4. It has the compact size of a V6, with the smoothness of an inline 6. Its also one of the best sounding engines in my opinion.

alright guys...

buick 3800.

turbocharged and intercooled.
think buick GNX, grand nat, and regal t-types.

big ass sedans going fast.

i have a buick and it has well over 100k miles.
i haven't had a problem yet.
and it's still in perfect condition.

Hey I know you guy's are all about power and sofistication of overhead cams 24 valves,cam phasers, multiple injectors, and how much a bottom end can take, but for strictly production (Stock) engine, the Crysler 225 slant six was tough, cast iron head and block, could be overheated until the paint burned of the block, and still run without smoking or burning oil, yes a very old non performer, but a total stump jumping machine!

VQ is number one ,real stuff reliable, flexible! perfomance motorsports 350z runing sixes stock block 2jz n c32 took years to do that stuff!

Wow... went skimming through everyones comments and not one of you douche monkeys went american. Fords 4.2L in my opinion is the best, here's why... When you're trying to name the chief, there is not one or two reasons why you pick it. You have a checklist. Which one has the most power, at the same time, which one is the most affordable, at the same time, which one is the most reliable, and so on. Ford's 4.2 is across the board is the most versatile. Can tow a boat, its affordable, easy to work on, gets good gas mileage and it is very reliable. Might seem overly simplified, but if you think about it, the 4.2 is the best bang for the buck.

Ford Australia Barra 310T 4.0L Inline 6 310 kW (416 hp) and pretty much bulletproof.

bmw,porsche,nissan,honda........no way.......ford make the best engines,their new inline 6 ligntning fast,their old cast straight six.....amazing.....and lets not forget their v8 in the phase 3 falcon.ford half the price as these other cars and twice as good!!!!!!!!