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Ward's Announces 10 Best Engines Winners for 2007
Wards Automotive ^ | 12/5/2006 | WardsAuto.com

Posted on 12/06/2006 8:52:31 AM PST by eraser2005

DETROIT – Three new powerplants join the list of Ward's 10 Best Engines winners for 2007, the 13th rendition of the annual competition that recognizes automotive powertrain excellence.

(Excerpt) Read more at wardsauto.com ...


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KEYWORDS: autos; car; engine
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This is arguably the highest honor for engine design around, in case you weren't aware.

Its worth noting that many of these engines are available on other vehicles than those listed. The Ford 3.5L which makes the list is also offered on the Lincoln MKZ in addition to the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, and will be used on the Mazda CX-9 and the Mustang (according to wiki, at least) and a good number of other vehicles, based on press releases claiming 1/5 of all Ford vehicles will come with this engine by the end of the decade. The 4.6L also comes on the Explorer and close derivatives are available on many other vehicles... And the Mazda 2.3L is available not just on the Mazdaspeed3, but also the Mazdaspeed6 and CX-7. It also is available non-turbocharged on the Mazda3, Mazda6, Mazda Tribute, Mazda MPV, Ford Escape, Ford Ranger, Mazda B-series, Ford Focus, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln Zephyr, with derivatives on other vehicles....

1 posted on 12/06/2006 8:52:34 AM PST by eraser2005
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To: eraser2005

bttt


2 posted on 12/06/2006 8:54:21 AM PST by CDHart ("It's too late to work within the system and too early to shoot the b@#$%^&s."--Claire Wolfe)
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To: eraser2005
I think the GE90-115 outclasses all of them.


3 posted on 12/06/2006 8:56:28 AM PST by Paleo Conservative (Karl Rove isn't magnificent.)
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To: Red Badger
Diesel Ping.

From the article:

DaimlerChrysler AG’s 3L DOHC V-6 turbodiesel, the only ’07-model light-duty diesel engine for sale in the U.S., is available in a trio of Mercedes-Benz models as well as the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD. The powerful and frugal new diesel V-6 produces torque that far surpasses gasoline engines of similar size while providing 25% better fuel economy.

Equally important, in Mercedes’ E320 Bluetec, the high-tech 3L turbodiesel is coupled with the first phase of new exhaust-aftertreatment technology that soon will make diesels as low-emitting as today’s gasoline engines.


4 posted on 12/06/2006 8:57:30 AM PST by Yo-Yo (USAF, TAC, 12th AF, 366 TFW, 366 MG, 366 CRS, Mtn Home AFB, 1978-81)
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To: eraser2005

I'd like to see a list of the worst..the Chrysler 2.7 from the 98 intrepid would be right up there!!!


5 posted on 12/06/2006 8:57:33 AM PST by conservativehusker (GO BIG RED!!!!)
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To: Paleo Conservative

Maybe... but it would be a royal pain to have on your car. :)

Now, a turbine-powered hybrid... that might be worth investigating...


6 posted on 12/06/2006 8:58:09 AM PST by eraser2005
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To: eraser2005

"Now, a turbine-powered hybrid... that might be worth investigating..."

Until you blow a "rod" (so to speak, no "rods" there in a conventional sense) and puncture the rechargable battery when a drunk t-bones you.


7 posted on 12/06/2006 9:00:18 AM PST by MeanWestTexan (Kol Hakavod Lezahal)
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To: eraser2005
Ford Motor Co. 4.6L SOHC V-8 (Mustang GT/Mustang Shelby GT)

I thought the engine in the Shelby was the DOHC 32 valve version as well as being 5.4 liters.

8 posted on 12/06/2006 9:08:07 AM PST by Lx (Do you like it, do you like it. Scott? I call it Mr. and Mrs. Tennerman chili.)
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To: eraser2005
This is arguably the highest honor for engine design...

Arguably is right.

I don't know the exact criteria for this honor, but some of the engines cited are horribly expensive, a maintenance nightmare and require extensive training simply to change the spark plugs.

Now if you go for just plain old day-in and day-out reliability and ease of maintenance, we gotta go back to about the '50's, i.e., the old 265/283 V8, the old 260/289 V8, the 318 V8, even the old slant six from Dodge.

But then, you did say arguably.

I doubt few will agree, but then, I'm kinda old school.

I still yearn for the days when a man could spend 3-4 hours on a Saturday afternoon and accomplish all the maintenance needed for a 6 month period on his vehicle, whereas the same maintenance now requires an appointment with a mechanic who is appalled if you even call him a "mechanic", and the time invested is probably three days and $300.00 bucks.

And that's just for an oil change and new plugs.

Oh, well.

But then, I've not let a "dealer techician" touch any Harley I ever had, either, unless it was some of kind of warranty required work.

9 posted on 12/06/2006 9:08:11 AM PST by OldSmaj (Death to Islam. I am now and will always be, a sworn enemy of all things muslim.)
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To: eraser2005

Nissan makes it again.


10 posted on 12/06/2006 9:08:22 AM PST by MatD
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To: conservativehusker

Is that similar to the 2.7 on a 04 Sebring? I have 90K on it now, and it gets 26MPG at 80MPH. Never a hint of an issue.


11 posted on 12/06/2006 9:08:30 AM PST by southlake_hoosier (.... One Nation, Under God.......)
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To: Paleo Conservative
I think the GE90-115 outclasses all of them

I'll need to work on the body a little bit to get it to fit in a 1977 Celica GT.

12 posted on 12/06/2006 9:10:01 AM PST by SunTzuWu
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To: eraser2005

Ward's is the gold standard for comparing engines.

I bought my last car by deciding on the right engine first, then looking at what models it's been dropped into.

Afterall, who wants a purdy-looking coach when the engine is sub-par.


13 posted on 12/06/2006 9:10:11 AM PST by Sax
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To: OldSmaj

Sad that we can not work on our new cars.

The specialized tools alone make it too expensive.


14 posted on 12/06/2006 9:12:11 AM PST by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: southlake_hoosier
I believe the sebring has the same engine..DOHC..they have made improvements since 98 - but Change the oil regularly...
15 posted on 12/06/2006 9:14:45 AM PST by conservativehusker (GO BIG RED!!!!)
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To: conservativehusker

I did a quick Google on the2.7 Sebring Engine and this one popped up...like I sade make certain oil is changed REGULARLY..


http://www.topix.net/forum/autos/chrysler-sebring/TH77KD52OT40ADHG1


16 posted on 12/06/2006 9:20:31 AM PST by conservativehusker (GO BIG RED!!!!)
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To: george76
Actually, I work on my own cars for almost all issues.

The trick is, getting a good code reader (about 120 bucks) and knowing what the codes mean.

Other than various valves, sensors and actuators, engines have changed little since the 70's.

Cheers,

knewshound

Latest article;
17 posted on 12/06/2006 9:29:06 AM PST by knews_hound (Sarcastically blogging since 2004.)
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To: knews_hound

I also do almost all the work myself - I primarily pay someone else if there is a safety issue with the work (as in compressing coil springs, etc)...

Also, it is fair to note that you can still build a decent code reader yourself for $30 or so, or you can take the car to AutoZone or Advanced Auto Parts and they'll read the codes for free.

And if you buy a decent car, you won't be reading codes very often. Both my Taurus and Camry have had their lights come on just once in 10 and 9 years, respectively, and for the exact same problem (EGR)....


18 posted on 12/06/2006 9:45:58 AM PST by eraser2005
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To: eraser2005

Interesting how many of the gassers are using direct injection. Wikipedia has a good write-up on the theory of operation. I am wondering how they are eliminating piston burn and over heating in the ultra-lean mode.


19 posted on 12/06/2006 9:49:00 AM PST by IamConservative (Any man who agrees with you on everything, also lies to others.)
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To: eraser2005
Probably the best engine in history was Tessla's Electric Motor installed in a 1930 Pierce Arrow. The motor powered the car to speeds above 90 mph. [More info here] Sadly, Pierce Arrow Company folded and was taken over by Studebaker. We all know what happened to Studebaker. The engine patent was probabky purchased by Westinghouse. It has been reportedly 'suppressed' for over 70 years. Maybe if had not been lost to history we would not be dealing with Iraq, Iran, Syria and spoiled Saudi oil princes today.
20 posted on 12/06/2006 10:24:34 AM PST by ex-Texan (Matthew 7: 1 - 6)
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