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Ward's 10 Best Engines for 2008

Old 12-10-2008, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Robert_Nashville
The engine received some major changes (including of course the bump in displacement) for the '08 G37 but the G37 was introduced in 2007 (the engine was on that year's list).
I am continually impressed with the VQ. 330hp from 3.7 liters, without direct injection, is very impressive. It does require premium fuel, though -- I'd like to see what the DI 3.6 could do if tuned for 93 octane.

Originally Posted by Robert_Nashville
I am beginning to think that most "lists" (10 Best anything; COTY, etc. etc.) are published mostly to give internet forum members something to argue about.
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Old 12-10-2008, 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by JakeRobb
I am continually impressed with the VQ. 330hp from 3.7 liters, without direct injection, is very impressive. It does require premium fuel, though -- I'd like to see what the DI 3.6 could do if tuned for 93 octane.
I suspect that the next few model years for the G37/370Z will see modest HP gains for the 3.7 but I suspect we are reaching the upper limit for it until they do go to direct injection...when that might happen I have no idea.

Premium fuel is a PITA; especially when it's over $4/gal!

However, I paid $1.52 for premium last night...it's too bad I can't stockpile gasoline.
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Old 12-10-2008, 04:57 PM
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AND the GM LS is all alloy! The Hemi aint!
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Old 12-10-2008, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by guionM
The award is for the new Hemi engine, not the Dodge Challenger.

In the Challenger and Charger with Automatic, it's 370. With manual, it's 375. In the Ram, it's 390. I picked 380 as a median. If I wanted, I could have simply came out with the 390 figure.

It's like a internet remake of the movie "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" whenever the subject is comparing the LSx engine to another V8, displacement differences seem to be completely overlooked. It's as if simply because an engine has eight cylinders arranged in a "V", it's all that's needed. That's how we end up with 281 engines put up against at 376 ci. engines ignoring 325 engines or even 5.4 engines against 5.3s.

The Chrysler Hemi engine is 345ci.
The GM L99 is 376 cubic inches.
That's 30 cubic inches smaller.

Thats a bigger difference in size than exists between the Impala's LS4 (325ci) and the Camaro's LS1 (20 ci) and the LS1 vs the LS2 (20ci).

There is roughly a 30 horse difference between the LS4 and LS1.
There is a roughly 50 horse difference between the LS1 and LS2.

There is a 13 horse difference between the 376 ci L99 and the 345 Hemi.

Hemi has 12 lbs/ft more torque, despite being 31ci smaller.

Imagine a new revised, LS1 having only 13 less horsepower than the LS3 (about 410hp) despite being 30-40 ci smaller yet still having 12 more lbs/ft of torque and getting slightly better mileage. I suspect we'd both be all over the thing praising it, and there would be no doubt about what was the better engine.

Attach such an engine to a different brand, and everything changes.



The 6.1 Hemi is a the counterpart to the LS3.

::blah blah blah magazine racing::
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 STOCK Dyno:

http://www.dragtimes.com/2008-Dodge-...phs-15527.html

368 RWHP, 337 RWTRQ

We'll give it a 15% loss because it's automatic and that comes out to 432 crank hp, 396 crank tq.

2008 Chevrolet Corvette STOCK Dyno:

http://www.dragtimes.com/Chevrolet-C...lip-12824.html

389 RWHP, 371 RWTRQ

Give the Corvette a 12% loss for the T56 and you get 442 crank hp and 421 torque. Both were run on a dynojet.

The Corvette doesn't even have the NPP exhaust, some dyno over 390 with it but I wanted it to be more fair.

Furthermore I am not impressed with the modern 5.7 hemi numbers. You forget the LS1 came out TWELVE years ago. There are plenty of 500rwhp builds form the lil ol' 346, find me the Hemi counterparts?

Last edited by 93Phoenix; 12-10-2008 at 05:27 PM.
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Old 12-10-2008, 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by JakeRobb
Dodge's site says that the Ram's version of the Hemi has two spark plugs per cylinder,
I think they all are and would be surprised if MOPAR was indeed using single and twin plug heads.
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Old 12-10-2008, 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by SSbaby
AND the GM LS is all alloy! The Hemi aint!
Not that it isn't a nice feature, but I can't see where having an all aluminum engine is some sort of technical triumph unless the LSx block is cheaper (and stronger) than the iron block in the hemi?
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Old 12-10-2008, 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by 93Phoenix
[Furthermore I am not impressed with the modern 5.7 hemi numbers. You forget the LS1 came out TWELVE years ago. There are plenty of 500rwhp builds form the lil ol' 346, find me the Hemi counterparts?
Hot Rod Magazine probably has a few, they get a major stiffy over the hemi, IIRC they did a 500hp with cam, tune and headers awhile back then FI'd the same engine. As for number of mag articles featuring SBC build-ups, go figure, when hasn't an SBC had the majority of engine build-ups.
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Old 12-10-2008, 07:19 PM
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What do (or should) non-factory build-ups of engines have to do with Ward's list?
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Old 12-10-2008, 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by bossco
Not that it isn't a nice feature, but I can't see where having an all aluminum engine is some sort of technical triumph unless the LSx block is cheaper (and stronger) than the iron block in the hemi?
Oh it's a manufacturing achievement alright! That's why Chrysler did an iron block instead of the newer (and higher tech) alloy... because it was far easier & cheaper to build. That's why both Ford and Chrysler haven't followed GM down this path, it's because it isn't a simple process to mass produce alloy V8s.

By doing an all alloy engine, GM managed to shave 100 lbs from the engine alone - implied, it overcomes the OHV's deficiencies compared to DOHC 'equivalents'. That's a great achievement in any language!
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Old 12-10-2008, 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by JakeRobb
GM's L76 (Commodore, G8 GT, 2007+ Suburban/Avalanche/Silverado/Sierra/Yukon XL) has cylinder deactivation and cam phasing (aka VVT). L99 does too.
G8 GT's L76 does not have VVT.
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Old 12-11-2008, 12:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Robert_Nashville
What do (or should) non-factory build-ups of engines have to do with Ward's list?
About as much as Guy comparing the 2009 Hemi to a 1997 LS1.
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Old 12-11-2008, 12:47 AM
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I have pretty extensive seat time with a Charger SRT8..and while it is a great motor..it is no LSX. It makes a lot of down low grunt...but does not feel nearly as revable as an LSX. As for being fuel efficant....I have never seen a 6.1L get above 14-15mpg mixed. The 5.7L might be better..but I can't imagine it is that great.
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Old 12-11-2008, 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Robert_Nashville
Premium fuel is a PITA; especially when it's over $4/gal!
Oh, come on. The price for premium is pretty much always $0.20 above the price for regular. The higher the prices go, the smaller the percentage penalty for premium!

$3.99 for regular -> $4.19 for premium. That's 5% more.
$1.49 for regular -> $1.69 for premium. That's 13% more.

Originally Posted by R377
G8 GT's L76 does not have VVT.
Apologies -- you're right. And the version in the Commodore doesn't have VVT or AFM.

However, the truck version has both.
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Old 12-11-2008, 10:55 AM
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i agree with the list for the most part.


The hemi being on there i'm not totally sold on. It is an improved motor and hence got there attention.
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Old 12-11-2008, 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by JakeRobb
Oh, come on. The price for premium is pretty much always $0.20 above the price for regular. The higher the prices go, the smaller the percentage penalty for premium!

$3.99 for regular -> $4.19 for premium. That's 5% more.
$1.49 for regular -> $1.69 for premium. That's 13% more.
True. But when gasoline prices rise 30% in a matter of days as they did late this summer; every extra penny is noticeable.

Let's just say that expensive gasoline is a PITA regardless of what grade you are buying.
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