What's your favourite engine?

[Dadam]

Engines I've driven:
Ferrari 355, the flat plan crank V8 - what a glorious howl
Peugeot 205 1.6 GTI, lovely rorty raspy noise, especially with that aftermarket air filter
BMW straight 6 diesel in the 330D (think mine is the N57). Creamy to drive and doesn't even sound like an oil burner.

Engines I've experienced at a close remove:
F1 cars from the V10 era, hammering up the hill from Eau Rouge.
RR Merlin of course
Avro Vulcan jet

 

[BigSid]

I remember, as a teenager, being at an airshow c1980, and a Vulcan ran down the runway, took off and immediately did the classic, virtually straight up, climb. I have never, experienced the sense of raw power in the subsequent c45 years, incredible.

.....other then when Drago breaks wind of course....can hear it from Posh-shire right down in this 'ere West Zummerzet.

I also remember being at an air show (early 80's at Barton I think) when the Vulcan made a flypast. Heard it coming flying relatively slowly then it went to burner, flew past along the runway then went vertical. I was surprised I didn't have any broken ribs as I could feel my chest being compressed.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I have a distinct memory of being at Edgbaston watching a cricket match when a Vulcan did a low pass overhead. Basil d'Olivera was playing - so probably very early 70s. That's all I can remember: d'Olivera and the Vulcan.

In the early 2000s I worked in Newbury and I recall seeing a Vulcan overhead while sitting outside eating my sandwiches. I think that was a preserved one. What airfield is near to Newbury? Greenham Common? Or was that closed by then?

 

[BrumJim]

This is the biggest of the type I referred to. I used to develop oils for these engines and always jumped at the chance of an engine room visit. It’s like honey I shrunk the crew; various parts of the engine look just like ones you are familiar with from ‘normal’ engines, but at a massive scale. Like the exhaust valves, crankshaft, con-rods etc.

And running just a bit above 100 rpm.

There was a point a few years ago that anything I was dealing with in trains (DMUs) also had similar problems with my car. Seeing the difference between a 19l engine from under a train and a 2l engine out of a car bay, brake pads that sit in your palm vs ones that you need to bend at the knees to pick up, turbos that look like a snail has crawled under the bonnet in comparison, etc. I can imagine that marine diesel items (other than brake pads, of course!) is another level on top, and then some more. And a good chunk further too.

 

[Dadam]

I remember, as a teenager, being at an airshow c1980, and a Vulcan ran down the runway, took off and immediately did the classic, virtually straight up, climb. I have never, experienced the sense of raw power in the subsequent c45 years, incredible.

Similar to me.
Except there was a guy wandering round the airshow selling these "jumping bean" toys to the kids. Just those coloured cylindrical gelatin pill cases with a ball bearing inside so they wobbled and flipped end over end when he rolled them round his tray. One of the trays they used to sell ice creams from in the intermission. No doubt they wouldn't be allowed now of course. I wonder how many kids passed ball bearings in the next few days!

Anyway, the Vulcan had just done the majestic deafening climb, everyone was awestruck, open mouthed and silent.
Then as the roar subsided there was this little voice "....come and get yer jumpin beans!" Cue general laughter and some bloke said "you're wasting your time mate!"

 

[Profpointy]

A V twin Guzzi has the sort of deep rumble that wiuld make you want to never switch it off.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTCRF_m7eAk


Everything should sound like that, even your watch.

The first sizeable bike I had a ride on (as pillion) was my pal's V50 guzzi and I was absolutely wow'd by it. Modest performance by bike standards but an absolute rocket ship compared the 1300 Cortina I owned at the time.

I have been seriously considering a modern guzzi; torn between the 1100 tourer-ish one, and the 850 cafe racer or alternatively their adventure bike version. Only holding off because my last bike was written off after a cack handed theft attempt and any new machine would likewise have to live in the road

 

[BrumJim]

Many, perhaps all really big diesels are two strokes; ship engines and the Napier Deltic mentioned upthread and I think a fair few down to truck engine size.

Anything subject to Euro Engine emissions control seems to be heading back to the 4-stroke option.

 

[MichaelW2]

I was cycling somewhere in East Norfolk and heard a distinctive aero engine sound that was familiar. I couldnt see anything yet but a second later a Spitfire flew overhead, maybe from Lowestoft air show.
My house was on on a regular military jet transit route so I was very familiar with the " sound of freedom" but nothing speaks like a Merlin.

 

[figbat]

Many, perhaps all really big diesels are two strokes; ship engines and the Napier Deltic mentioned upthread and I think a fair few down to truck engine size.

On ships there is a split between those running huge 2-strokes, which tend to be large cargo ships, container ships, tankers etc and those running (usually several) 4-stroke diesels (often as electrical gensets) like coastal craft, smaller container ships, ferries and cruise ships.

Pretty much all modern commercial vehicles are 4-stroke (trucks, tractors, trains, excavators, quarry trucks etc).

I also developed oils for those! 😉

 

[Drago]

...but nothing speaks like a Merlin.

Except for the Griffon, which despite being from an older development origin (it was developed from the Buzzard) waw a better performer and sounded equally saucy.

 

[Dogtrousers]

11 years ago I was labouring up Starhill Road on the N Downs when I heard an unusual low thrumming sound and saw two Lancasters flying overhead. I took this fantastic photo. The papers offered me thousands for it, but I said no.

 

[Psamathe]

I don't know enough about engines to have a favourite beyond that I have a strong belief that "Sports Cars" should have fairly low cc engines. No skill or anything when you put a 3+ L engine in a smaller car and it goes fast. But a 1600 (or smaller, maybe 1800) highly tuned engine in a small car that goes really fast is much more what I'd call a "Sports Car".

Back in the days I has a Triumph Spitfire Mk III 1300 cc engine 'd spend ages balancing and setting up the carburettors (it wasn't fast but was fun). And whilst I didn't work on the engine of my Lotus 111S its 1800cc engine was highly tuned with fabulous handling again I'd still call it a "Sports Car" where something with a massive heavy engine I wouldn't.

Ian

 

[Drago]

I have a strong belief that "Sports Cars" should have fairly low cc engines.

I would largely agree. It's about having fun and thrills at sensible velocities. These folk that fit blowers to MX5's and the like are totally missing the point.

Derek.

 

[Jameshow]

A series.

Pug TU /TUD

Volvo 5 cylinder

Audi V6. Not had a bmw S6.

Rover V8. (Parents P6 bitd)

Would love a v10 or V12...

 

[Reynard]

I don't know enough about engines to have a favourite beyond that I have a strong belief that "Sports Cars" should have fairly low cc engines. No skill or anything when you put a 3+ L engine in a smaller car and it goes fast. But a 1600 (or smaller, maybe 1800) highly tuned engine in a small car that goes really fast is much more what I'd call a "Sports Car".

Back in the days I has a Triumph Spitfire Mk III 1300 cc engine 'd spend ages balancing and setting up the carburettors (it wasn't fast but was fun). And whilst I didn't work on the engine of my Lotus 111S its 1800cc engine was highly tuned with fabulous handling again I'd still call it a "Sports Car" where something with a massive heavy engine I wouldn't.

Ian

Austin Healey?