What is the best factory engine of all time?
Yep, it’s a tough a question—but somebody had to ask it. And we did via the OnAllCylinders and Summit Racing Facebook pages.
Do you measure the best engine by sheer horsepower? Do you focus more on durability? Or perhaps you give the nod to an engine that’s most affordable to the gearhead masses. It’s a complex question, and we literally got thousands of responses (and strong opinions) from performance enthusiasts like you.
Based on your answers, we’ve created a list of the top 10 engines of all time. Check back as we reveal the list over the next 10 days and unveil your #1 factory performance engine ever.
Stay tuned…
[…] Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time–see how the voting was done by reading our initial post. […]
302
426 HEMI
As if it could be anything but the 426 Hemi Mopar :/
I have 2 – 1969 Chevy 427 ZL1 and 1970 426 Hemi dual quad. For the older generation of muscle cars anyway. There are a lot of good new engines as well, like the 427 they are putting in the new Z28 and the Ford and Chrysler entries are hot too.
The best engine of all time is the chevy small block. The baddest engine of all time is the 426 hemi
[…] Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post. […]
willin to bet the chevy 350 will be number 1
[…] Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post. […]
[…] Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post. […]
Cheby sucks.
[…] Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post. […]
the ford flat head has to be in the 10.
Probably most durable motor of all time no doubt is the small block chevy in general…..the 283 in particular.
all of my 318s were more reliable then the 350s..
[…] Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post. […]
[…] Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post. […]
[…] Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post. […]
I think you guys need to re-label this as “Top 10 US Engines for Hot Rods of all time”.
Because if you think any Top Ten list shouldn’t have 1275cc Mini and 1200cc VW Flat four near the top, closely followed by the Cosworth DFV, you’re absolutely kidding yourselves.
Ford I6-300? WTF? Never heard of it,.. and the spec sheet when I google it looks pretty lame compared to the Aussie made Ford 250 and it’s 4.0 litre version – Search for the Ford Falcon Typhoon and Tornado (ones a sedan, the others a Ute) -> 550Nm of Torque from a 4.0.
And the 300 is above the Slant?
I take it you blokes have never heard of the ‘Hemi 6’ either ? +300hp, in 1972.
And lets not forget the W16 in the Bugatti, or the old Rolls Royce V8,….
Ford 427 cammer
[…] Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post. […]
1970 buick 455 stage 1!
[…] Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post. […]
[…] Editor’s Note: This series counts down the Top 10 engines of all time—see how the voting was done by reading our initial post. […]
Small block chevy…. Hands down, you can’t make more power cheaper…. Also notable is the 3.8 turbo and for the best designed I have to put the new ford coyotes at the top
Mercedes om617, ford 289, the old 8 valve VW 1.8 was great, Volvo b18, Honda b17, Chevy 327, Mazda 13b, Cummins 5.9
Buick 455 Stage 1
427 and 454 Chevy motors are the same. 302 Windsor (5.0) should replace the 351 on this list. The AMC 199-232-258 is a better design than the Slant 6. I would yank the Ford 300 in favor of the Pontiac OHC 6. Ditch the diesel and put in the Flathead Ford.
Right on! 5.0 best ever. Produces 414 HP from small block in 2012 Mustang
The 2010 and newer 5.0 is not a 302. The new “coyote” 5.0 is a DOHC version of Ford’s modular V8. The original 302 is an OHV engine made from 1968-2001 that produced 120-300ish hp.
2018 Coyote 302 Mustang produces 460 HP and 420 Ft. Lbs Torque stock.
The 12 valve 5.9 cummins is one of the strongest ,most durable longest lasting engines on the planet. Try pulling a house down with a flat head ford
427’s are different than 454’s. The bore is the same but the stroke is 3.76″ instead of 4″. Plus there was never a low horsepower version of the 427. They really rev and run great, a good combination. I’ve beat a lot of 454’s with mine and have never been beat by a 454
Yea…I was surprised to see the Windsor here as a top ten. The 302 was much better IMO. I had a Windsor in a 1970 Cougar and I never did like that engine. Give me a 289 or a 302 any day.
With out a set of heads the Windsor is a piece of garbage the 302 is a better engine and it will fit in a tool box!
the 351 4 Cleveland was better than both the 302 or 351 windsor the only problem it had was getting the oil back down to the oil pan and that was it down fall.
Agreed….and in six cylinders, they forgot the Jeep 4.0 litre and the earlier 4.2 litre which are virtually bulletproof
Dr. Thomas Tork
Durch the Cummins? The most capable and reliable motor in the whole list. As a P1 world championship race boat propulsion, as a tractor and truck engine. As a race engine and 1000000 miles every day motor. A list without the 6BT would be rediculous. In 1931 Cummins won Indianapolis with an inline 6 Turbodiesel.
these are all dinosaurs! best engines ever? haha, there’s many jap and euro engines better in just about every detail apart from suitability as an anchor. this list is a bit like your ‘world series’ which includes err.. just you.
John Tate is a person who hates everything made in America except himself, who, by the way, he is in love with. He spends hours every day looking at himself in a clear pool of water.
just bring it !
The small block Chevy lasted 50 years show me a Euro engine that is that durable!
Some aren’t bad Mylan Miler
-Jaguar L6, XK block , equipped the XK120 in 1947, still in the XJ sedan in the 80s, and till 1992 in a big Daimler limo.
5 times Le Mans winner.
-The so called Ferrari “Colombo” too many variants, too many races, too many victories start in 1947 till 1989 in the 412
-Maserati V8 start as a race engine 1957, in 1990 still on the big quattroporte.
You can joke at their reliability, but they were not that problematic, although they are a pain in the a$$ to care (changing oil very often, never pure water in the cooling system, checking chains regulary and so on… ). but the sound is really something on these babys.
Real problem is now parts and all the electrics which are plain ridiculous compared to US.
The small block Chevy lasted that long because GM was so slow to innovate.
You mean slow to mess with a good thing….but they finally succumbed
Don’t forget about the Chevy 302, I think only made in 69 and 70. Steel crank, cam, another bulletproof engine. Used in Z28.
Good day and thank you kindly for allowing my thoughts about engines based on what has been owned and used for a period of time. 1970 307 c.i., 1969 427 c.i. 390 h.p., 1992 12 cylinder Jaguar. 1962 marine Chris Craft application 283 c.i. and before 1964 the Hemi Elephant engines were available for wooden Chris Craft boats and were exceptional. Chevy 283 exceptional as well as the Dodge 318. Am trying to build up my 87 Cadillac Brougham d’elegance. 307 engine used in several GM cars seems reliable.
Key words naturally aspirated non Turbo/Supercharged/Nitrous.
That eliminates 99% of your Euro cars
How about the 3.5 hp Briggs and Straton lawn mower engine that saved the world from overgrown weeds, rats, moles and snakes.
I guess Pontiac 389 and Olds 442 don’t count?
The Olds 442 was not an engine. It was a car.
…but they ‘could’ have mentioned the 455
The Hemi should be #1. It has not lost in T/F or F/C since the early 1970’s!!!
…which make of hemi engine?
The only one that matters, Mopar.
Your a freaking Idiot and no nothing about engines that is clear to see!
Know not no,spell check!
Maybe you should change that name of the list to “Most Popular American Engines of All Time.” or something. As it is, this list just seems ridiculously narrow minded.
I think you got it right. Good job
The Ford 302 isn’t even in the top 10! That’s just not right. Even worse….the AMC/Chrysler/Jeep 4.0 didn’t even make honorable mention. Several million have been made and are still one of the most, if not THE most popular off road engines in existence.
The jeep 4.0 is a great engine primarily because it is an inline I’m very happy to see that the 300 strait 6 or as most of u liter guys would know it as the 4.9l made number 4, was going to yank it out in favor of the 351w but now I think I’m going to stick with it because of its sheer durability and extreme low end besides high HP in a 4wd please. Hey I’m sure even the Chevy and dodge guys will agree that the 300 6 is a good engine
Yes, the 300 straight six Ford is a monster. And yes, I am a MoPar fiend.
…and sadly they also missed the great old 383 Magnum….I had a factory installed 383 Magnum in a 67 Coronet 500….damn thing didn’t corner worth shite, but in a straight line it was G suit time!
Chrysler’s B engine (383) was far more common than the Hemi and 440, and is responsible for a considerable portion Chrysler’s muscle reputation on the track and the street. Hot Rod Magazine conducted a contest. They pitted a big dollar Chevy 383 stroker against a Chrysler 383.
The 383 was built by steve dulcich, in his garage, and thrown togeter with junkyard parts and old used stuff off the shelf. Everyone was laughing and making bets on how badly the mopar “junkyard dog” as they called it, was going to get spanked. The Chrysler crushed that GM stroker and stunned everyone. My vote would also have been for the 383 as #1. Its an unsung hero engine that is always overshadowed by its larger brethren.
The olds 455 is one of the best engines GM ever made , they had the highest nickel content, you could not wear them out!
Right on the money James but,I’ve worn/blown up a few. Jet boat engines that is.
Rolls-Royce Merlin engine in a P-51 Mustang. It changed a donkey into a racehorse.
Our sugar cane mill was powered by 6 Nubian goats. Extremely dependapull power plant that ran on weeds and Privet Hedge. Oh, I almost forgot, the goats were all black.
was there a better fed white goat supervising? Just kidding!
I’m a ford man myself but in reality there is good and bad in all American made engines i have better service out of ford where the next guy may get better service out of Chevy or mopar everyone is different so who is to say what engine is better
350, first place, 426 Hemi, second place.
Last time I saw a 350 chevrolet at the local meet, there was more people watching it than the lousy 426…
The top-10 list is worthless, stop arguing about the place that other engine had. Ford 427, at the 10th place… behind the slant 6 LOL!
Fat chance that some crappy grandma motors SB was drawing more attention than a Chrysler elephant motor, LOL
I’m 74 years old; I was weaned on Chevy 216’s and 235’s in the fifties. My Father over-hauled a 235 thus: 1) He mixed sand from a children’s play-lot with toothpaste to create a grinding compound to re-surface the valves and valve seats in the head. 2) The block had already been done to .40ths over, so he just ground the lip off each cylinder, and replaced the worn rings with fresh .40ths rings. 3) He coated all the gaskets with (lead-based) house paint – dried twice. 4) He used the same bearings in that they showed very little wear. The engine was in a GMC 3/4 ton with a granny box. We rarely ran the truck over 55 mph, but Dad drove it, I drove it, a Brother drove it. We finally let the truck go when Dad died in 1973. They were both tough as nails. We mis them both very much. Thanks for reading. Leonard Powell, Berkeley, CA
I had a buddy in the 60’s with a 54 Chev….that old 235 was acting up sporadically but got him home (50 odd miles) where upon examination it was found to have broken the crank
All of you guys are top notch in my book I’m going blind and have been depressed about it badly the last couple of years, I’ve always been a Chevy man ,but this morning you guys gave me the gumption to put away my depression and go buy a 69′ Ford p/u with a 300I6, don’t know how I’ll ever be able to put it on the road but just knowing I got off my ass and tried is good enough for me ,thank you. Randal Skates ,Lake Isabella, CA.
chevy 425 horse 396 and chevy 327 375 horse,
327 365hp wasn’t it (Corvette FI)
The 425 hp 396 and the 375 HP 327 were so badly over rated even GM seen there mistake and re rated the 396 to a more realistic 375 hp. and a 330 hp Boss 351 engine would destroy any 375 hp 327! that is proof GM liked to brag and over rate there engines.
Have to say that diesels are an entirely different consideration. Have heard commercial drivers debate them for hours on end, going back to the Cummins 444 and many others. You can’t just throw in one diesel engine on a list of ten gasoline engines and do the subject justice. Hope you’ll look into doing a separate list.
265/283 Chevy small block. Ancestors of all that is great.
The first sbc to be hotrodded!! 283 was and still was a beast. I have 2 of them and I love ANF know all the tricks to tune them just right!! U have to admit, 290hp in 1957 was out of this world!! Several sbc engine combinations were based off these 265s and 283s and shared lots of parts.
The underrated chrysler 340 has to be in the top ten. It would wipe the floor with a stock 350 and embarrassed many big blocks. An amazing engine by any account.
Absolute truth here.
what about the 460 then???
Where is Chevrolet’s small block 327? One of the most durable engine ever. Pound for Pound one of the best engines ever produced.
How about the all-aluminum Buick Olds Pontiac 215, that became the Rover 3.5, 3.9, 4.0, 4.2, 4.6? Only factory block to win the Indy 500. From 1961 to well into the 1990s. Put in many hot rods and stock performance cars in England and other countries. I built one in my basement and a friend and I brought it back upstairs in a plastic 50 gallon can.
I enjoyed your list, many of the big blocks never made it down under.
The Aussie Barra turbo (Ford 4.0L I6) more than accounts for most of the list, and was still smoking the 6.2LS-X in 2016 at the end of local production. You can see Barras with 500,000km on them, or if LPG fitted, 1,000,000km is not uncommon. We remained RWD and I6 right until the end…
350,especially the lo5 vin k.this is was built to last,durability,reliability,and descent power.these motors have been known to go a million miles.i have one that has 160,000 miles and runs like it was 5 miles.no smoke,no burning oil,ticks,noises,nothing.amazig,amazing engine.have to go with the L05 vin k 350.
The best motor ever made that can run is 10.million. miles. Can anyone tell me which motor it is .and it can be put in every car and plenty of horse power .
With little or no maintenance.no transmission.
gas turbine engine?
Why are machines asking me if I’m human all the time?
Did anyone ever here or the Crysler 1957 and 1958 “392” hemi? The daddy of them all .
1993 6 hp. Briggs and Stratton. 31 years old, rarely maintained (maybe as many of 3 oil changes, 2 spark plugs) ALWAYS has started on the 1st pull, even after sitting all winter, and runs better now than new. 1 front wheel rusted completely off, still my weekly work horse.
Hey Joel, you may appreciate this list of underrated engines we put together with more input from our readers. Spoiler alert–there’s a pull-start in there!