What Engines Are Compatible With My Car: Understanding Car Engines

Facebook X Pinterest LinkedIn StumbleUpon

The engine is the heart of your vehicle. It’s the part that most car enthusiasts are so passionate about. You will hear most car lovers brag about the powerful new engine they have installed.

At times they speak so enthusiastically that you might be tempted to swap yours for an upgrade. Hold up! Before you switch your inline-four to a straight six, you should be sure that the new engine perfectly suits your vehicle and lifestyle.

Every car owner has different values and preferences. Equipping your car with the most exemplary engine might be your top priority.

However, firstly, you need to consider other essential factors like cabin space and safety. The various roles car engines play in your everyday commutes.

In this article, you’ll learn about different engine types. You’ll also be able to choose the right engine for your car. Let’s take a look.

What Engines Are Compatible With My Car

The Four-Cylinder (Inline-Four) is the most popular engine around. It’s compatible, meaning it can fit in almost any cabin space. Anatomically, it’s so simple with one cylinder head, one cylinder bank, one exhaust manifold, and finally, one valve train.

Additional Information

This engine type has a low manufacturing cost. However, the engine is not well balanced. This limits its capacity to between 2.5 to 3 liters. The engine is well suited for front-wheel-drive cars.

Straight Six (Inline Six)

If two cylinders are added to the four cylinders, the engine automatically becomes a balanced inline-six engine.

It’s known as one of the finest and smoothest engines in the market—the inline-six powers most BMWs.

The engine is as simple as inline-six and easy to maintain. However, maintenance can become troublesome with time because of its size.

The inline-six does have a higher center of gravity compared to the horizontally opposed engines.

Horizontally Opposed (Boxer or Flat)

This engine lays flat under the hood hence the name flat. To many, it’s the performance choice. The machine was designed explicitly for fast cars. The engine does function smoothly and efficiently.

The only issue is it takes up a lot of space. Its secondary and primary forces are well balanced. The engine is more complex, and this makes maintenance quite tricky. It has two cylinder heads and valve trains.

V6

The V6 engine is packed with six cylinders, just like the inline-six. The versatile engine does offer torque and ample power. It’s more powerful and advanced than the inline-four.

The engine is typical in luxury sedans, midsize sedans, and other muscular choices like Ford Mustang.

The engine is ridged but compact. It’s suitable for both front and back wheel drive cars. It has two cylinder heads which add extra weight and cost. In addition, this makes the engine a bit complicated to maintain.

V8

Two extra cylinders on a V6, and you have a V8. It’s a potent engine which powers many big vehicles. The V8 engine was so standard in the American beasts.

The V8 is only perfect for rear-wheel-drive cars. It has a formidable balance and is very complex, with several moving parts. Therefore it’s more extensive, heavier and more expensive.

Hybrid Powertrain

The hybrid powertrain train contains both the traditional internal combustion and electric motor. Today many car manufacturers are turning to these types of engines.

It’s in a bid to step away from the dependency on fossil fuels and save the environment. The Toyota Prius is one of the many models with this type of engine.

The hybrid powertrain is the perfect choice for those who want fuel-efficient vehicles and cleaner air.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Engine Type

Putting a modern engine into a car that it wasn’t designed for is complicated. Meaning it’s pretty expensive, and several things like wiring, cutting, and fabrication should be put into considerations.

Other factors like fuel and cooling systems need to be considered too. If you are looking for more power, you have to be sure the whole drive train can take it in.

Here are some of the many factors that will help you in selecting the right engine type.

Steering

The steering linkage is challenging to figure out. The issue arises when you try to navigate past the headers. Several after-market components can be used.

However, many do upgrade the whole steering system when making an engine upgrade. At times the combination of the parts might require a very odd steering combination linkage.

Cooling System

The cooling systems are not as tricky. However, they do require immense amounts of work. The famous mechanical fans do work better with older version engines. Modern engines heat up quickly and thus need better cooling systems.

Many people do not consider the specific functionalities of a modern engine.

They end up installing or reinstalling the mechanical fans or use a cheap electric fan. Such will not guarantee enough airflow.

Engine and Car Wiring

Wiring is a pretty tricky thing to many, regardless of the size of the project. In modern engines, wiring tends to be quite complex and needs a lot of knowledge. You must have an understanding of relays, wire gauge, amperage, and the overall circuit.

Headers

Many people do know that exhaust manifolds have to be modified. But they don’t think it can be complicated.

However, after the engine has been placed in the compartment, they realize how complex the headers can fix.

The spark plugs, steering linkage, and wires can be complicated when fabricating the header. When someone pictures how the titles need to be layout; they realize the tubing will hit either the body or frame. This forces them to start the process again. It’s a common and quite costly mistake.

Fuel System

For efficiency and better filtration, we need more prominent and high-quality fuel lines. Selecting the proper fuel pump can be somewhat tricky. It would be best if you used the factory-style in-tank pump.

The frame-mounted high-volume pumps tend to overheat and vibrate. They are not great for long drives.

Torque Converter

For those who want the driveline to stay the same, getting the perfect converter with the correct transmission and flywheel pattern can be tricky. However, several after-market converters can fit your needs.

This issue can be solved earlier through extensive research. You do not need an engineering education, but it would be best to seek professional advice. Plus, it will save you time.

Wealth is information; you can use the various sources of car information available. Go through car websites, magazines, cars shows, and many more.

Driveshaft

The issue about the drive shaft is not that tricky. The common problem is that most people find it hard to measure the driveshaft or to select the perfect flange or yoke. At times people do not open up to the drive shaft shops.

They end up installing a blower that has 800 hp in the car. This bends the driveshaft or forces it out from the sides when hammered.

How Can An Engine Meet Your Specific Needs?

As mentioned, the engine is the most crucial part of your vehicle. I’m sure you need an engine that can perform the specific tasks you want. So, when installing a good-performing engine, you need to be keen on your needs.

Family

Transporting your family members can mean a lot of things. Most family cars tend to be sedans. I’m confident for their safety; you won’t need an engine that has been designed for speed.

In such a case, the simple inline-four engine will be enough. It will allow you to carry out the various family duties effectively, plus it’s easier and cheaper to maintain.

Heavy Lifting

For this, you have to find a powerful engine. The most powerful engines around are the V6 and V8. The choice you make is dependent on your budget and the amount of work you will be doing with your car.

Commute

It can be to work and then back home. The best engine needs to be economical when it comes to fuel consumption.

It should also offer power and speed when towing the road. The inline for and the hybrid engine are best suited for such functions.

Travel

Travelling is more fun when you are travelling as a group. Most great travels are always to the countryside where the terrain is not as great. Again it does involve carrying lots of luggage like camps, chairs and many others.

Plus, most traveling cars tend to have heady bodies that powerful engines can only power. For such, you’ll surely need a potent engine that can cruise over the hills with luggage. On this, the V6 and V8 engines can do it.

Conclusion

An engine swap is not impossible but can be tricky. You should keep the process as simple as possible.

This article has offered a detailed guide on how to select an engine for your car. Plus there are other documentations that can provide you with the information.

Always, there are several kits out here with plans and prefabricated parts that will certainly make life less complicated.

The engines have been categorized in terms of power and compatibility. Make sure you select the right one.