Top 10 Inline Sixes Ever Made

[FalconXV]

http://performancedrive.com.au/top-1...nes-time-2623/

Do you think any missed this list?

[Raptor]

I'm fine with the list but their facts are a bit off.

The later LJ XU1 was a 202ci version of the Holden red motor not a 186ci as stated and the Brock racer that defeated the GTHO ran triple side draft Webers (with one choke blanked off) not triple stromies.

Yes, I'm an ex Torana guy

Started my Ford life with the 4.0 OHC as that was then the best inline six available locally.

Best engine ad ever was for the Charger hemi six.



.

[FalconXV]

Originally Posted by Raptor

I'm fine with the list but their facts are a bit off.

The later LJ XU1 was a 202ci version of the Holden red motor not a 186ci as stated and the Brock racer that defeated the GTHO ran triple side draft Webers (with one choke blanked off) not triple stromies.

Yes, I'm an ex Torana guy

Started my Ford life with the 4.0 OHC as that was then the best inline six.


.

My bad, I'll look into getting that corrected A$AP

[Raptor]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

My bad, I'll look into getting that corrected A$AP

Oh, I didn't realise you had any influence on the list

Stormberg carbs are correct for the road going versions, only the race cars ran Webers. Earlier LC model was a 186 but the one everyone remembers was the final LJ GTR XU1 which was a 202.

You hit all the ones I would think deserve a mention; BMW, Jaguar, Toyota, Nissan and in Australia the XU1, Charger and turbo Barra. I Liked the inclusion of the Cummins diesel and the Hudson Hornet was before my time but I know about it thanks to Cars the movie

[FPV GTHO]

I'll get flamed to hell, but the Barra 6 isn't a top 10 engine IMO. The only local engine I'd probably put on that list is a Hemi 6

[chris0]

If you know you were going to get flamed before you started typing...
As far as the list goes, the barraT can well and truly hold its own. Handling copious amounts of boost and abuse, and still running for hundred's of thousands of kms

[XR.1967]

The 1972 LJ GTRXU1 ran triple 1 3/4 inch CD's even at Bathurst
In 1973 Brocks LJ run the one choke triple webbers..
Bonds car ran the triple 2 inch CD's.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by Raptor

I'm fine with the list but their facts are a bit off.

The later LJ XU1 was a 202ci version of the Holden red motor not a 186ci as stated and the Brock racer that defeated the GTHO ran triple side draft Webers (with one choke blanked off) not triple stromies.

Yes, I'm an ex Torana guy

Started my Ford life with the 4.0 OHC as that was then the best inline six available locally.

Best engine ad ever was for the Charger hemi six.

image

.

Hemi...this guy gets it. 205hp out of a standard 265 two barrel engine? Well over 320 from the E49 powerhouse shown in the picture up there? What's not to like??

I remember a radio advert in about 1981 when the Valiant was on the way out. It had two guys, and it went like this:
Guy One: "I'm looking at a new car...a big six".
Guy Two: "Oh, a Holden Commodore with the 3.3?"
Guy One: "No, a BIG six."
Guy Two: "Oh, a Ford Falcon with the 4.1?"
Guy One: "No, a REAL BIG SIX...the Chrysler Valiant with the 4.3 liter six with Electronic Lean Burn."
They then went on with a few details of the car.

Of course I'm biased...
To paraphrase the first sentences of "The Riflemans Creed"...
"This is my hemi. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My hemi is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my hemi is useless. Without my hemi, I am useless. I must rev my hemi true. I must drive straighter than my enemy who is trying to outrun me. I must outrun him before he beats me. I will..."

[Pis-ton broke]

Chrysler slant six was a tough engine.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by Pis-ton broke

Chrysler slant six was a tough engine.

There's been more than a few of them over the years running around with big superchargers on them and they take all sorts of abuse.

[TUF_302]

That list was a lot better than i thought it would be actually

[Tassie f100]

As a locally used big volume engine it would be hard to go past the RB30 used in the VL Commode.Hemi chrysler wasn't a bad engine except when tricked up,the only reason they didn't win Bathurst was because they couldn't last the distance

[Eaturbo]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

As a locally used big volume engine it would be hard to go past the RB30 used in the VL Commode.Hemi chrysler wasn't a bad engine except when tricked up,the only reason they didn't win Bathurst was because they couldn't last the distance

Don't agree with the RB 30. They weren't really that good standard. Very low torque compared to the EA Falcon 6 and VN Commodore V6. I used to blow the doors off stock RB 30 in my EA manual and the Stock turbo was non intercooled and only had a tiny turbo. Only very worked RD 30 turbos went any good and they were also known for cracked heads and over heating. Sorry but the Toyota 2JZ shat on anything Nissan did including the RB 26 GTR engine.

[T MAN]

just to add the charger 215,245 and 265 hemi was a straight 6 not a slant 6, the slant 6 was used in earlier chryslers and was a 225ci from usa

[Tassie f100]

You may be right about the Toyota 6 but I was referring to fairly big volume sales.The RB was a good engine but was let down by being fitted to a body that didn't allow proper cooling.As for torque you are comparing 3ltrs with 3.9 or 4.ltrs and you would have to be very biased to call the 3.9ea a good engine

[EBSXR6]

3.5 Six BMW 635 CSI

[Crazy Dazz]

I don't get it. It starts off talking about engines, then switches to cars. Which is it?

And really you have to compare the engines against their competition of the day.

The Ford I6 gets a star simply for its longevity, and for what FA were able to do on very limited volumes.
Also depends on your criteria. Do you rate something like the Intech (AU) for its practical indestructibility and ability to clock up 500kk? (Features highly valued by the Australian Taxi Industry, but barely considered elsewhere)

The biggest issue in considering the Barra, is that it has no competition. Does that make it unbeatable? Or just a dinosaur?
(Or maybe a legend?)

[bingoTE50]

Jag made some good I6 gear .

[Crazy Dazz]

Also, if you're going to include limited production variants, then have a look at the Toyota GT built in the late 60's. It featured a Yamaha developed variant of the early Toyota M engine. It was a Twin OHC 2.0l 6, and made around 150hp (IIRC) it was ahead of its time, and well ahead of Toyota's contemporaries.
I think there were only a few hundred GT's built, and I think there were a few different engines.

[EBSXR6]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

I

The biggest issue in considering the Barra, is that it has no competition. Does that make it unbeatable? Or just a dinosaur?
(Or maybe a legend?)

If FA had have been selling a lot more vehicles, export etc and they had have had the budget to go to Weight Watchers (Alloy Block), direct injection the engine would be right up there with anything from Europe.

The LPI has been reported to output 230KW but has been strangled to 198KW.

Imagine a Barra Turbo with the latest Twin Scroll Turbos. The Three Pointed Star is going back to straight sixes.

[castellan]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Hemi...this guy gets it. 205hp out of a standard 265 two barrel engine? Well over 320 from the E49 powerhouse shown in the picture up there? What's not to like??

I remember a radio advert in about 1981 when the Valiant was on the way out. It had two guys, and it went like this:
Guy One: "I'm looking at a new car...a big six".
Guy Two: "Oh, a Holden Commodore with the 3.3?"
Guy One: "No, a BIG six."
Guy Two: "Oh, a Ford Falcon with the 4.1?"
Guy One: "No, a REAL BIG SIX...the Chrysler Valiant with the 4.3 liter six with Electronic Lean Burn."
They then went on with a few details of the car.

Of course I'm biased...
To paraphrase the first sentences of "The Riflemans Creed"...
"This is my hemi. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My hemi is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my hemi is useless. Without my hemi, I am useless. I must rev my hemi true. I must drive straighter than my enemy who is trying to outrun me. I must outrun him before he beats me. I will..."
image

My old VH had a 265 red engine with yellow rocker cover and a round chrome air filter with 2BBL carby, it could get a bit of a wriggle on.

So to my dads old VG ute 2BBL 245 ute was red engine with a black crinkle rocker cover and air filter, and a mates VG Pacer had red engine with yellow rocker and air filter.

No other 6 cyl could have a go at them hemi 6 cyl.

[Madaya]

Love my NA I6 FG Ute (petrol). Smooth, torquey motor.
But I feel it could do just that little bit more, without resorting
to the turbo route and spending big. 4 litres is a lot of motor to
play with. If I stumble into some cash, would be great to have a
play.

Chrysler Hemi 265. Massive. Brothers VH Charger (which I retuned after
someone Masters stuffed it), was fitted with a 500 2bbl Holley, plus
extractors and twin exhaust - 3 speed manual = Monster.
Engine was high compression and I'm sure it would out accelerate
the Ute by at least a second in the 1/4. The Ute should hold its own on
a track, better brakes, more gears (6sp manual).
Pity some idiot ran a stop sign and T boned the Charger.

[castellan]

Originally Posted by T MAN

just to add the charger 215,245 and 265 hemi was a straight 6 not a slant 6, the slant 6 was used in earlier chryslers and was a 225ci from usa

Slant 6 they were casting them and fully made in Australia from 1966 or 1967. No holden or ford 6 could out power them in the day.

[castellan]

Originally Posted by Eaturbo

Don't agree with the RB 30. They weren't really that good standard. Very low torque compared to the EA Falcon 6 and VN Commodore V6. I used to blow the doors off stock RB 30 in my EA manual and the Stock turbo was non intercooled and only had a tiny turbo. Only very worked RD 30 turbos went any good and they were also known for cracked heads and over heating. Sorry but the Toyota 2JZ shat on anything Nissan did including the RB 26 GTR engine.

The Holden EFI 3.3L in the VK had more torque down low then the 3.0L Holden Nissan engine and a mates 3.0L turbo with 3 inch and wick wound right up she went real well, he got the radiator done in 1994 and never over heated once and we went out flat to the boards using up a whole tank, but I had sweat running down my neck, I remember that, it only had std seats then and it was just so hard to hang on, that bastards mental.

[castellan]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

As a locally used big volume engine it would be hard to go past the RB30 used in the VL Commode.Hemi chrysler wasn't a bad engine except when tricked up,the only reason they didn't win Bathurst was because they couldn't last the distance

Hemi 6 lasted the distance at Bathurst.

[Express]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

http://performancedrive.com.au/top-1...nes-time-2623/

Do you think any missed this list?

Mate I like your articles you’ve recently started posting for us, it’s good to have a car nut who writes willing to share with the forum.

Keep it up.

[MethodX]

Pontiac had a OHC Six in the first gen firebird, and tempest. available with 4 barrel carb. The sprint.

A high-performance version, called the Sprint, was optional. The Sprint featured high-compression pistons, a hotter cam, dual valve springs, a split/dual exhaust manifold, a better coil, and it utilized the then new Quadrajet 4-barrel carburettor.

The LJ 202 XU-1 all the budget they had at the time.

[FalconXV]

Appreciate the feedback. If I made a V6 list what would I include? I was thinking Alfa busso, L76, Ferrari dino, xj220, 2GR-FSE, giulia, ford GT vr38 any others?

[Junkyard-Dog]

As great as the XU1 was, I think it's a big stretch to put the Holden red motor in this list.

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

Appreciate the feedback. If I made a V6 list what would I include? I was thinking Alfa busso, L76, Ferrari dino, xj220, 2GR-FSE, giulia, ford GT vr38 any others?

Lancia Aurelia B24, first mass produced V6.
GMC Syclone..