I think he was saying that they should be in the same category, since the 1.8 is a turbo and serves in similar applications to the 2.4. I tend to agree.

 

as for honda: the b18c (smallest motor 'ive' ever seen making 500whp+) excluding the 13b. the h23a1 for its excellent turbo capabilities.

other cars(imports): 2jz, rb26, 20b
othercars(domestics): 426hemi, 427CJ, 351C, and of course the SB350, and the 454

just my opinion
-Chris

 

Ah - so instead of the displacement categories, there should be "passenger car", "performance car", "economy car", "work car", "luxury car", "green car" etc. type categories?

Hmm, it does make sense to consider an engine in light of it's intended use...

Oh, and a fun tidbit - while the F20C won first in the 1.8-2.0 liter category, the F22C1 placed 6th (last) in the 2.0-2.5 liter category.

 

My favs:

Chevy small block
Pontiac 455 (the Chevy 454 never really lived up to its expectations IMO)
Buick 3800 (especially any turbo'd or SC'd one)
Nissan VG/VQ
Honda F20C
Toyota straight-6 (any of 'em)
BMW straight-6 (likewise)

 

TOYOTA 3SGTE

 

they do have engines by catorgory:
best fuel economy, best performance engine, best new engine...
they add catorgories every once in a while.

the breakdown by displacement is used so that similar engines compete aganist each other. otherwise, we'll get comparsions like the V6 in the RL vs the V12 in the S600... hardly fair imo

 

You said it better than I did!

Part of the reason I mention this is because I really like the LS6 and LS2 motors. I don't think they get the respect they deserve outside of the US. The LS2 has relatively low power per liter. It would have been good ten or fifteen years back but today it's run of the mill. On the other hand it's still an impressive motor. The LS2 is light for a 400hp mill; around 460lb when set up for an auto, the manual's flywheel adds around 35lb (from memory) and results in the just under 500lb weight you see for the LS6. I'd be willing to bet none of the over 4.0L motors (save maybe Ferrari) is lighter than the 6L vette motor. This is better power/lb than our 2.0L motors yet it gets great highway mileage. Yes, it does it with a ridiculous overdrive but I would be happy if my Honda could have a similar overdrive. In fact I'm curious what other motors produce more power per pound. However, the Vette motor has to compete with top dollar euro motors. It may not have the sophistication they have but it's far cheeper, probably more fuel efficient (without being in like vehicles it's hard to tell), probably lighter, and definitely more compact (the one natural advantage of the pushrod is compact packaging).

I'm by no means saying the LS2/LS6 should have won but I am saying the rules are stacked against it.
As was better illustrated by others, it does seem to make sense that an Accord I4 should compete against a VW 1.8T since they would be in competing cars. Personally I like the Honda motor better.

I guess the problem is we see them as competing cars (same class, same buyers etc). We don't think about the Accord's 150hp, 2.4L being a big motor compared to a 150hp 1.8T VW (given the VW's iron block the Honda motor probably weighs less). In countries with a displacement based tax system the 1.8T is great because it gives you "big motor" power (Accord) with "small motor" taxes (Civic).

Personally I think something more like Automobile Mag's best car break down would be suitable: Luxury-over $X, Luxury-under, Econo, Family, Sports over $X, Sports under $X etc.

I think Ward's ten best list includes factors like this.

 

D16A6

 

 

Blah blah blah, who gives a shit. The F20C has near zero torque and a single application. Big ing deal. It is a gimmick, not a great motor.