Jalopnik asks "What’s The Worst "Performance" Engine?"

[Paul]

I think their answer is no surprise.

http://jalopnik.com/5885355/whats-the-worst-performance-engine

Ford's Romeo 4.6 modular V-8 was supposed to be the next great blue-oval engine when it came out: it was a clean design, it incorporated the newest production techniques, it was intended to carry Ford's power-for-the-people image into the 21st century. What it didn't do was live up to gearhead expectations. It's not a terrible engine, but it never really replaced the classic Windsor pushrod V-8 in most people's minds; it's a motor more for taxis than track terrors. The Coyote five-liter version has restored some serious muscle and pride to the Mustang, but the fleet of 4.6L models out there still seem to be lacking the right stuff.

LMAO

Paul.

 

[MadStang]

I beg to differ especially considering how pathetic the 5.0 was in stock form from 79-95. sure 96-98 4.6's suck but don't lump PI into that mess lol

 

[ProKiller]

not to mention the 3valve is still the same design. i think there is a lot worse out there. i'd classify the 4.6 as a disappointment but not a "worse"

 

[1997GT4.6]

Haha I saw that coming lol. its definitely not a great performance engine, at least not the 96-98 motors. The pi motors are pretty good as well as the s197.
But i'm not sure about worst. If it wasn't in the taxis and trucks would they feel the same about it tho?

On the other hand the dohc 4.6 is pretty impressive for its time.

 

[ttocs]

I think what they meant there was that I can remember "hearing" the new 4.6 was gonna come out and KILL the 5.0. All the mustang fans of the day were chomping at the bit for a new/better motor and when it arrived, well it was not what we expected.

Its hard to throw the 302 in that catagory because it was designed prior to fuel injection and kept in production for far too long to NOT be considered better then the 4.6 IMO>.

 

[95riosnake]

Was the 305 that came in some of the 3rd gen camaros considered a "performance" engine? If so, I would have to go with that as the worst..

 

[Rice_slayer]

LMAO that article is a joke. My little 4.6L DOHC is WAY more impressive than my old 302. I have minor bolt ons with this car and have more power than my old 5.0L did with a HCI swap. I don't know which 4.6L's they mean, 2v, 3v, or 4v, but the mod motors love boost, not the best NA engine, but they love boost. There is some pretty deadly 2vs though, duffy's NA one comes to mind...

 

[Slykin]

Was the 305 that came in some of the 3rd gen camaros considered a "performance" engine? If so, I would have to go with that as the worst..

+1. We have a 40 International rat rod with a 305 in it. Talk about slowwwwww.

 

[bigkeeko]

When I first saw the title I thought like other guys , "Here we go...........2v".

Sure its not exactly an award winner but the worst? Are they taking into account reliability etc or just the output?

I know guys bang on about the old pushrod 5.0s and I`m not knocking them but the ones I have been in (stock) haven`t exactly been a ball of fire either.

I know other manufacturers squeeze more hp out of smaller engines but thats not always a case for top marks.

I`ll give you an example. Before the Mustang I had a Honda Accord Type R. 2.2 four banger with 212hp. Lightweight, top chassis, suspension, interior the lot. Car by all accounts was brilliant. Would pull my Mustangs pants down on all but a straight line.

BUT. That was it. You could do FUCK ALL with it. Nothing. The Japs had squeezed every bit of power from it really half the `upgrades` were wasting cash.

The 2V? Ok, no award winner but it was a stress free laid back V8 that could cope with bolt ons gas or a blower giving you much more power than the former. I love the Mustang. From an owners perspective and not an automotive journalists, I like the fact I can do things with it. Fuck what some wanky report says.
3vs if I recall correctly won some `engine of the year` award a while back and like someone has said, they`re pretty much related to ours.

 

[mikey94gt]

They shoulda wrote the article about the 4cyl Honda.... Just pick one, they all suck... lol

 

[5litrarag]

Annnnd we're off.... hahaha

Thanks, Paul.

 

[1997GT4.6]

I haven't seen Paul on here recently and he comes back to tell us our cars are slow lol

 

[JerZeyStangz]

That article sucks. There were no comparisons. I felt like they chose Ford out of a hat of manufactuers, and looked down the history line to see what was the least performing V8. They didn't even narrow it down to NPI, they just said "Modular", and said that the new 5.0 brought it back.

I agree with the above comments. Considered for the time during high emission regulations, and new OBD2 systems. Ford went luke warm with NPI 2V, despite it having major potential, it came with 6 catted H pipe/Restrictive Intake manifold and a tune that didn't favor performance. This is what KILLED the performance part of this engine, which can be reversed quite easily. Other than that, their choices for engines in that article I felt was random.

 

[mygreengt]

they have got to be talking about the npi.

 

[Dalamar]

I experienced that first hand. and it took the aftermarket about 4 years to do anything about it.
NPI's are great for paper weights, paper machet and boat anchors!

 

[justinschmidt1]

lol, thats awesome.

The npi 2v was a pretty worthless engine but I really dont see how the Pi 2v was so bad...the 4vs were very nice motors as well.

Yea, they were a bit underpowered...but they are rock solid and seem to be able to get decent gas mileage. Ive seen a lot of 4v guys claim close to 30mpg.

The 4.6s always catch a bad rep

 

[JerZeyStangz]

They lumped mostly all the modulars in, but I have a feeling npi engine was what they were getting at. I'm not going to lie, the engine in stock form is just slow.

 

[Paul]

I have a feeling they were talking about the 4.6 NPI, PI, 2v and 4v. That's how I read it.

Paul.

 

[Rice_slayer]

Meanwhile, in paul's computer room...

 

[Cobranator]

If that's true than I don't know how they came up with that. Do they not realize that back in the day the 96 4V Cobra engine was one of Wards 10 best engines for that year?