What was the best domestic engine ever built?

[lightweight]

Well it all depends on each persons criteria. No answer really.

BTW it may be domestic to a US citizen, but to others its an import

[Kumacho]

I had no idea that anyone could confuse "domestic" in the "American cars" forum. I'm sorry but it seemed pretty self evident to me.

If I didn't make it clear enough, I am sorry.

[Rockefella]

The Chevy Small Block would probably rank best in this category, so the LS1 for me.

[blackcat77]

Small-block Chevy. The design is 50 years old and still going strong. And it works for everything from race cars to family sedans.

[Fleet 500]

I made my selection for best performance engine (426-Hemi). For general build quality and overall reliability, I would choose the '68-'76 Cadillac 472-cu.-in and 500-cu.-in engines.
Great engine; tons of torque (525 ft/lbs for '68-'70; 550 ft/lbs for the '70 500 Eldorado engine), smooth, powerful and a typical one will last for years and years... or more like decades and decades.

Also:
- Early (1951-1958) Mopar Hemi (331, 354 and 392 cu. in)
- 225-cu.-in Mopar Slant-Six
- 318 Mopar V-8

["Clevor" Angel]

I voted for the 8 litre Viper V10, but I think that the Boss 429 or the 427 Cammer were the greatest american engines ever made. The chevy small block is not that great, especially stock, its plentiful and opened up a new market but its not big, it doesn't rev high, its not very powerful(new LS2 doesn't count), and the design has had major changes in the past. The only things that haven't changed are that its still a pushrod v8, 350cid, and goes in chevy's. The Boss and the Cammer on the other hand were MONSTERS. They were huge even in their day, the Boss could be bored & stroked to 830 cubic inches(13litres), and was found in the fastest on-track fords in the history of nascar. The Cammer powered the fastest drag cars in the 60's, first engine to power a bodied car into the 9's and 7's in the quarter mile.

[pAinTrAin]

The pre-90's Chevy Small Block 350....the best ever built!


Well before the LS-1 came out

[2ndclasscitizen]

the old small block kicked ass, but i voted for the 427 cause of the sound it makes out of side pipes

[lightweight]

I had no idea that anyone could confuse "domestic" in the "American cars" forum. I'm sorry but it seemed pretty self evident to me.

If I didn't make it clear enough, I am sorry.

You are right. My bad. I saw it on the new threads on the home page of UCP.

Sorry!!!

[Esperante]

I'll go out on a limb and say Ford Mustang V8. A well designed, well built engine that can take a beating and manage very well with additions and tuning.

[sunk]

Although the Mopar 440 is my personal favorite, I would have to go with the 426-Hemi. As Bobby Isaacs once said, "The Hemi turns on where the others shut off."
Also, it's the engine the powered the '69 Charger Daytona to a top speed of over 180 mph straight from the factory.

I think it reached 200 mph in NASCAR

[sunk]

I think the Huson Hornet's I6

[bigblackcad]

tough to pick on that one i'll have to say the 440 followed by the ford 427 CJ
...and the worst would have to be the pontiac 301

["Clevor" Angel]

I think it reached 200 mph in NASCAR

200.447mph at talladega.

[Matra et Alpine]

200.447mph at talladega.

Getting to a high speed isnt' realy a measure of an engine, is it ??
Is NASCAR allowed to use any gearing and diff or is it fixed ???

After all the MG EX181 driven by Stirling Moss reached 245.64 mph.
1489cc ( Did have a supercharger though, but even using a multipler it's pretty pointless numbers )