The ls 911 thread got me thinking about what are the most impressive engine I can think of and to me I have three. While I repspect many engines for many different reasons, the three I chose are for the simple reason, you can't kill them. All three can take an incredable amount of neglect and keep on going. All three were built in astronomical numbers.

1) the type1 VW, I can't find a bad thing to say about these engines. In my off road racing days I've had the left bank blow the valve train out and the engine still ran, and still finished the race
2) the GM ls series, while incredable important in terms of V8's I'm not too impressed with the earlier gens of the SBC.
3) cummins diesel...in terms of hard to kill. You really have to try, and try hard you will to even hurt one f the older gen cummins. The newer ones suffer a little bit due to the electronics

Bonus engine, the 917's flat 12, there is nothing in the world that sings as beautiful as that bad boy.

 

Been very impressed with the M30 3.5 liter big six in my 5 series. Torquey lump that really never feels strained. And even with over 250k on it, hasn't lost a step and doesn't burn much if any oil.

 

largely agree with you M3, but while the LS-series are simply great, the SBC can't really be underrated. Basically unchanged for decades and has proven itself to be incredibly robust and workable.

Cummins is also a great choice BUT it literally took decades for Dodge to put a transmission behind one that wasn't a complete turd. I realize this is a motor thread but the motor has to go hand in hand with a mainstream transmission that can handle it.

That said, for a diesel light truck power-train I think a Duramax has got to be the high water mark. Great engines but the Allison was and is a fantastic transmission to pair with it.

To further contribute: Datsun/Nissan six cylinder L-Series.
From the L24 in the 240Z, fuel injected in the L28 280Z/ZX, Turbo charged in the L28ET and even a shockingly decent diesel variant, very robust and underappreciated in a lot of ways.

 

Putting power aside, the old and faithful 230 flat head six can not be outlasted. My slightly upgraded time period correct flat 6.

 

my vote would be the bmw s14 that was in the e30 bmw. great power for a little engine, that loves to rev, and one that after 12 years of ownership has never missed a beat.

 

I agree with the BMW M3 s14 engine, developed for racing so high revving, reliable and high output/size ratio, especially in EvoII form like the one I have, 95,6 bhp/litre

The Honda B16A1 Vtec engine is also a nice engine, small, high revving and reliable. When the Vtec kicks in it goes like a little rocket.

 

A favorite of mine is the 1290cc Alfa Romeo 101 series Veloce engine. All aluminium, duel over head cams, twin 40mm Webers, carried 7 quarts of oil, sodium filled valves, 8000 rpm out of the box, the tach didn't even register until 2000 rpm. I raced this same engine for three years...8000 rpms every gear every lap, wouldn't use a quart of oil in a weekend. The same basic design continued into 1600 cc, 1750 cc and eventually 2 liter...but nothing reved like the 1290 cc.

 

I have to mention the Toyota/Lexus 1UZ-FE.
Great engine and even a FAA certified aircraft powerplant.

Mike

 

I loved the torque my diesel X5 made. "Want to pull your neighbor's house off the foundation? This'll probably do it. The 3-liter, six-cylinder diesel engine is rated a healthy 265 horsepower at 4,200 rpm and a stunning 425 pounds-feet of torque at 1,750 rpm"

I didn't love a lot about the rest of the car, but that diesel was fun.

 

For mindblowing durability, you can't go wrong with the Toyota 22R and it's relatives.

The Mitsubishi 4G63 also holds a special place in my heart as well.

 

GM 3800 v6. Put in every crappy car. Old tech. But the engine always outlasts the car.

 

I don't know the designation but the engine in the Ferrari 458 has a glorious sound.

 

That 3800 is a very popular swap engine with tons of aftermarket support.

 

Skyline RFB straight 6 has to be up there along with the Cosworth BDA/BDG

 

Straight 6 Chevy 235, or 250 is hard to beat... I am with you on the type 1 VW.... The Chinese killed that market though.. I still have several Land Speed Records that stand with T1 engines I built, and I've made over 300HP NA from one, and over 700HP with boost, on Alky... Those engines are where I cut my teeth.

I have a first Gen Duramax in my GMC and it's been making over 600HP for the last 200K miles. All I've ever done to it is a water pump. A few weeks ago it still made 505HP at the rear wheels on my chassis dyno. It shreds rear tires, damn thing still spins pulling a 30' trailer.