who builds the best 4banger?

[jmauld]

Thanks for sharing, this is fun for me.

I guess i've withheld the project for fear of getting laughed at. I'm thinking an early jeep, CJ5 or earlier. Yeah, who puts a 4 in a jeep? Well, they did initially. I also know some of these might have 6s, and the AMC 6 is in my opinion pretty bulletproof, but i'm just looking to be different, so I'll definitely want a longitudinal compatible 4.

I've had bad luck with a VW 2.0, in my 99 jetta i lost a cylinder at 12k miles. so i don't think i'd ever consider one of those.

the toyota 4 may be a good one, i thought many of the toyotas were interference free. the subie would be cool, but i don't think that would work in a jeep. The ford maybe, and the dohc saturn could work.

what about the Nissan? The old hard body 4's are supposed to last forever.

In this application I think you'd be hard pressed to find something better than the iron duke. There's a reason it's already in soooo many jeeps. I bet that old cj should be a lot lighter than the newer jeeps too, so it wouldn't have to work as hard.

The 4cyl that was in the old mustangs might be a decent choice as well.

Why not the 4.0l straight six or the old dodge 225ci slant six?

 

[texasOFT]

Ditto on the Toyota 22R

 

[keller_S10]

Another vote for GM Ecotec

 

[35mm]

Another vote for the 22R.

I will always have a soft spot for the Toyota 3SGTE from the MR2 Turbo. 2 liter with 200/200 from the factory. A $10 boost controller will get you a very reliable 300 hp (I beat on mine for years at this level). Intake, exhaust, fuel and slightly bigger turbo will give you a still streatable and reliable 450 hp. Go crazy like Rod Millen did with his Pikes Peak car and get 900+.

Very Stout motor.

 

[DodgeZ]

SRT4 motor 2.4L turbo

 

[dougmac]

Series 50 Detroit Diesel ..... overhead cam, 320 HP, 1,150 ft lbs of torque!!

Never mind.... it might be a tad heavy for your application .....

 

[brownbagg]

I got six toyota 22r, they are super easy to work on and parts everywhere, only thing you need to know is the 84 model is differnet from the 85 +. they are both good, just the heads are different and wont interchange. the fuel injection is so easy you can modifly one in a couple days with junkyard parts, I did it. aftermarket parts can produce over 200 hp with these motors.

 

[M10]

BMW M10. Used in everything from the family sedan to Formula 1.

 

[Trucky]

LD9 2.4

Not biased or anything.

 

[mdub]

Thanks for the awesome posts. Right now the toyota 22r and volvo B230 on on the top of my list.

 

[bgott]

I've seen quite a few old Mercedes diesels sitting around Houston. Usually the car is ragged out and the transmission is shot, the engine is OK. I don't know where there is any right now, you just have to look around.

 

[Racecarl]

John Deere 4.5l Powertech is a good engine--LOTS smoother than a 4bt Cummins.

 

[Mavawreck]

291k on my volvo redblock. Blew a head gasket around 220k, still had cross hatching on the cylinders. Uses about 1/2 a quart every 4000 miles.

 

[kbs2244]

Check out these guys.
They seem to know what works and what dosn't in a Jeep.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/about/about.htm

 

[Greatbear]

For simple, cheap and ability to make decent power, the Chrysler 2.2/2.5L can fit the bill. Can be had with carb or EFI, turbo or no, FWD and RWD.

 

[ascalise]

x2 Mercedes OM616 2.4L Diesel will go longer than any of us will.

 

[mdub]

Check out these guys.
They seem to know what works and what dosn't in a Jeep.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/about/about.htm

Thanks for the link!

 

[Jawn]

I guess i've withheld the project for fear of getting laughed at. I'm thinking an early jeep, CJ5 or earlier. Yeah, who puts a 4 in a jeep? Well, they did initially. I also know some of these might have 6s, and the AMC 6 is in my opinion pretty bulletproof, but i'm just looking to be different, so I'll definitely want a longitudinal compatible 4.

<snip>

what about the Nissan? The old hard body 4's are supposed to last forever.

here's a better idea than my earlier suggestion, then.

Nissan Z24... 2.4L, in stock trim it's 103hp / 134 ft-lbs torque. I hear the Weber 32/36 DGEV is a nice upgrade on them.

- Readily available, I'm sure there's plenty of 720s and early Hardbodies in the junkyard.
- Far as I know, parts availability is fine.
- I don't recall anything about mine being hard to work on
- see above for hp/torque spec

- Don't know about interference... but it does have a chain instead of a belt.
- Not DOHC... only SOHC.
- This one does meet your requirement of no fancy electronics.

Watch for past head gasket failures in a used engine. I have seen others that have blown the gasket between two siamesed cylinder walls. Causes it to idle fine and run fine at light throttle, but anything more and it sounds like you're banging on the block with a sledgehammer due to one cylinder igniting the other through the breach.

That said... one of the M-B diesels mentioned above would be tempting. I wonder if one would fit in my truck...

 

[shampoop]

toyota 3sgte

Edit: forgot about the mitsubishi 4g63

Both have been around since the early 90's, are relatively simple and cheap with retarded power potential.

a good vid demonstrating the capability of a 4g63

 

[T-Steve]

I was thinking Toyota 4A-GE, but it's probably a bit too wimpy for this.

I second (or third or fourth) the Ecotec. It's got everything he wants.

Though in a Jeep with a four cylinder, some kind of Iron Duke seems right.

 

[Mmfh]

A engine that would work well for what you are doing and last a long time would be the Porsche 924 engine, or also called the AMC 121 engine.

These engine and trans setups were used in the Post Office Jeeps for years and years. If I remember right, 2.0, it has OHC and is non-interference. Aluminum head and iron block. Easy to work on and good and gas.

It worked for the Post Office for a Long,Long, time. They are around and could be had for cheap and would make a very easy install.

Mm

 

[crewchief888]

friend of mine stuffed a toyota forklift 4 banger diesel in his cj, and added a turbo from a volvo (?)
lots of custom fab work in the bellhousing/flywheel to mate up with the 727 trans.
sadly the crank broke about a year later.
another friend has ford running gear (from a 78 bronco) under his wj wrangler

altho it's not a 4 banger
a 4.3 tbi gets my vote.
lots of them around,
easily adaptable to nearly any trans/xfer case
enough power to move a jeep around on trails
not enough power to start breaking parts

 

[Jawn]

A engine that would work well for what you are doing and last a long time would be the Porsche 924 engine, or also called the AMC 121 engine.

These engine and trans setups were used in the Post Office Jeeps for years and years. If I remember right, 2.0, it has OHC and is non-interference. Aluminum head and iron block. Easy to work on and good and gas.

It worked for the Post Office for a Long,Long, time. They are around and could be had for cheap and would make a very easy install.

Mm

I thought the P.O. Jeeps had Iron Dukes.

 

[Manowar]

You don't state your budget but here's a 'new tech' gem to dream wheel-I have one in my '11 Optima.
KIA or Hyundai 2.0 GDI Turbo.
Pro:
All aluminum block/head.
Gas direct injection.
17.5psi boost turbo.
Forged internals with chain drive cams.
87 octane gas.
274 HP from 121 cubic inches. (137 HP per liter)
265 TQ. - 80% available from 1750 to 6500 RPM.
Can do near 30 MPG depending on gearing and use.
Con:
Spendy.
1700 PSI fuel pressure pump needed.
Lots of electronics needed.
Need to turn north / south with some type of transaxle / gearbox adaption.
Here's the turbo side (forward in KIA):

Enjoy!

 

[Mmfh]

I thought the P.O. Jeeps had Iron Dukes.

Its been a few years since I've built any of these, but around here everyone I saw for a long time had that AMC 121 setup.

Mm

 

[Cheap5.0]

I didnt read the thread but just in case someone somehow missed these guys:

2.5 L from the 89-04 wranglers.

Plenty of cheap parts, tons of stuff in junk yards, super tough long lasting engines. The only downside is they are a bit weak, but what they lack in power they make up for just about in every other aspect you would want in an engine.

 

[c39er]

The Buda 344 diesel!

 

[NUTTSGT]

2.3L Ford from a Ranger or Mustang.

Pros:
Available
Tons of parts available OEM and aftermarket
Rugged and reliable as a rock

Cons:
Cast iron block and head=heavy
old technology mechanically
not nearly as **** looking as some.

I agree. This engine is relatively lightweight and strong. Oval trackers used them, Ford put turbos on 'em, the aftermarket still has great parts available and they are super cheap.
I have personally seen many run 250-300 hp with a decent turbo, production head...on pump gas.

Yep, I'd agree with the 2.3 Ford. You could pull the entire drive line out of a Ranger basically, engine, trans and transfer case. Throw in the 8.8 rear and a matching Dana 28/35 up front and you'll be set.

After you get that in, pull the fuel injection and turbo off of a T-bird and it should run decent.

 

[slip knot]

2.3 L ford in the turbo version was a monster. pull the turbo and set up a good nitrous setup and win lots of cash from the IROC Z boys. The mid 80s were fun!!!.

Nowadays I feel the same for the Continental "red seal" motor found in Lincoln welders and Fereguson tractors. Bullet proof!

 

[NUTTSGT]

2.3 L ford in the turbo version was a monster. pull the turbo and set up a good nitrous setup and win lots of cash from the IROC Z boys. The mid 80s were fun!!!.

The 2.3s had bigger rod bolts than the big brother 5.0 too

 

[shampoop]

Now that I think about it, why does it need to be a 4 cylinder engine? What's so special about the application that only a 4 cylinder would work?

all aluminum gen III/IV chevy v8's are not that big or heavy, cheap, tons of power, high mpg's.

 

[ZRX61]

Cosworth....

 

[BackTracker]

Now that I think about it, why does it need to be a 4 cylinder engine? What's so special about the application that only a 4 cylinder would work?

all aluminum gen III/IV chevy v8's are not that big or heavy, cheap, tons of power, high mpg's.

This.

and the 4.0 inline 6 jeep had been using forever (and is actualy an old american motors engine) is a beast.

 

[RobSmith]

Buy a stupid subaru motor...they go like stink..have hundreds of after market parts and best of all they sound like an old VW....just what you need to look and sound cool.
Put it in a stock beetle 'sleeper' and have some traffic light fun.

 

[Nogglefish]

Have you seen what they do with toyota trucks? They overthrow governments. The rock crawlers are amazing.

If you want deisel, look at the Hilux. Watch how top gear couldnt kill it. A total classic.

Or just stick with gas. But for a "jeep" you cant beat toyota. Unless you build a toyota land cruiser that is.

 

[Jawn]

Have you seen what they do with toyota trucks? They overthrow governments. The rock crawlers are amazing.

If you want deisel, look at the Hilux. Watch how top gear couldnt kill it. A total classic.

Or just stick with gas. But for a "jeep" you cant beat toyota. Unless you build a toyota land cruiser that is.

Problem I see with the Toyota diesels (or about any of the small japanese diesels) is they're not very common here in the states. Granted, that does make them even cooler in their own right... but might be hard to find parts for.

 

[Carnut12]

VW or Audi 1.8T or 2.0T. Both are reliable, though both are interference engines, readily available(especially the 1.8T) and and there are a ton of after market options if you have an interest. I have a 2000 Passat with 319,000 miles on it as proof of its relaibility. With an ecu chip it pushes about 200 HP and 207 ft. Lbs. of torque.

Sounds like a great project- have fun!!

Very surprised it took so long for someone to bring this one up, this engine is outstanding. I have an Audi TT now with the 2.0, also had the GTI with the 1.8.

 

[NUTTSGT]

This.

and the 4.0 inline 6 jeep had been using forever (and is actualy an old american motors engine) is a beast.

AMC used to own Jeep many ago.

 

[Scott65]

Very surprised it took so long for someone to bring this one up, this engine is outstanding. I have an Audi TT now with the 2.0, also had the GTI with the 1.8.

This summer I sold my 2001 Audi TT 1.8 with ecu modification- 267 HP, tons of torque and would be great in a cj. I did a frame off on a 1981 cj7 with a 6 cylinder- no power(probably the reason I sold it). I would have loved to have had a 1.8T or 2.0T in that vehicle! Makes me want to restore something....

 

[ket-tek]

2.3L Ford from a Ranger or Mustang.

Pros:
Available
Tons of parts available OEM and aftermarket
Rugged and reliable as a rock

Cons:
Cast iron block and head=heavy
old technology mechanically
not nearly as **** looking as some.

Had a couple of these, and they are cheap to build and repair, and tons of Turbo parts and turbo building/tuning information for these engines if you want some more power from it.