Most Reliable Powertrains?

Serendipity

So the "What car does everyone drive" thread got me thinking, which drivetrains do you think are best for long term reliability? As in stands the test of time with low maintenance?

Ward's 10 Best Engines this year includes the Audi 3.0, BMW N55 (the one from the 335i IIRC), the Ford 5.0 used in the Mustang, VW Jetta TDI Turbodiesel, Nissan's electric drive used in the Leaf, and the powertrain from the Chevy Volt.

Personally, I would pick the GM 3800 (used in many Buick/Oldsmobile models), Jeep 4.0 High Output paired with the AW-4 transmission (Wrangler/Cherokee), Ford 5.0 from the Mustang, GM LSx used in the Corvette (with either a 6L80E or Tremec), Nissan VQ (Maxima/370z with SynchroRevMatch 6MT).

So if you were to make a "top 10" list of powertrains, which ones would you pick and why?

jbooker82

Wikipedia wrote: »

This engine is also used by Stewart and Stevenson in the MA Baggage Tow Tractor (pdf), and Harlan in their standard tow tractors [1], as well as a multitude of other pieces of equipment, such as ski lifts, power generators, wood chippers, tractors, and, until they converted to diesel engines, most UPS trucks. Many UPS trucks still use the 300 to this day.

In stationary service (generators and pumps) fueled with LPG or natural gas, this engine is known as the CSG-649.

Ford Inline 300 ci six cylinder (4.9L)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Straight-6_engine

67jason

air cooled VW...efficient and has surley withstood the test of time and very easy to maintain.

obieone

4.3L Vortec used in the old S10, Astro, Safari's etc. I drove an Astro with this powertrain, and the original transmission went a 278k miles. The co. replaced the tranny, and was still running when I quit, at 300k.
I think the reliability is the reason GM got rid of all the above mentioned vehicles.
They still have the 4.3, but they put it in a full-sized p/u. Bad move on their part. JMO.

slammin86

Anything honda with a manual transmission...lol.

VR3

I have limited experience with cars but I can tell you my 91 F150 with the 5.0 Windsor and an automatic 4 speed seemed virtually indestructible.

I learned alot of stuff the hard way with that truck and I managed not to destroy it.

TitaniumMan

400,000 miles from a 289 V8 and a C4 transmission in a '65 Mustang. Then, being a young idiot, I traded it for a real POS.

snotpmah

obieone wrote: »

4.3L Vortec used in the old S10, Astro, Safari's etc. I drove an Astro with this powertrain, and the original transmission went a 278k miles. The co. replaced the tranny, and was still running when I quit, at 300k.
I think the reliability is the reason GM got rid of all the above mentioned vehicles.
They still have the 4.3, but they put it in a full-sized p/u. Bad move on their part. JMO.

I agree. I bought a new Safari for our delivery service, that was still going strong @ 270K when I sold off my trucks. If I remember, the dealer told me it was a Chevy 350 with 2 cylinders lopped off :cool:

The straight six that went into all the Jeep Cherokees were pretty damn reliable as well. I had one. It was noisy, got sh*tty gas mileage, but it just wouldn't quit.

silvertuner

slammin86 wrote: »

Anything honda with a manual transmission...lol.

thats funny. ive blown up my fair share of honda transmissions, have the shattered spider gears laying around in a box in the garage to prove it, along with dead oil pumps, bad distributors, bent valves, spun rod bearings, and religious blocks.

but i still never blew up my ep3, even with just 1 quart of oil in the engine :biggrin:

Sherardp

If we talking power then some of my votes go to BMW, Mercedes. German Engineering is outstanding. If your talking USA, a John Deere 6068 or Catepillar is a force to reckon with .

TNRabbit

Toyota 22RE (I've seen a few with over 500,000 miles)
Toyota's newer 4.0 liter V-6 looks like it is going to be a great engine, too.
Toyota, Mercedes, VW, and Cummins all make diesel engines that go forever.

Squidmon

More than 750K trouble-free miles from Nissan powertrains since '88.

bobman1235

A couple dozen people saying their personal experiences isn't going to tell you anything (unless you're just asking for fun opinions). Find a day-to-day mechanic and ask them what they think is generally reliable, or find statistics somewhere.

Knucklehead

bobman1235 wrote: »

A couple dozen people saying their personal experiences isn't going to tell you anything (unless you're just asking for fun opinions). Find a day-to-day mechanic and ask them what they think is generally reliable, or find statistics somewhere.

I agree, a sampling hardly tells much....but like you said for fun, here goes:

My Company uses either full size Chevy or Ford vans and I have found the reliability of either V8's to be outstanding with normal maintenance considering the abuse of everyday stop and go traffic and long idling etc etc... we put these vehicles through.
As far as personal vehicles go, Ive generally bought Ford vehicles and with routine maintenance they have always been dependable vehicles. Honestly though, with todays manufacturing processes I believe that most automakers have made fairly reliable engines and drivetrains IMO.

dorokusai

Chevy Avalanche LT+, 5.3 V8 and not a single, major problem.

The only maintenance issue I've had so far was battery related and it's been replaced 3 times historically.

I believe there's some minor binding in the drivetrain during lock-in/out from 4wd but I've noticed this in every Chevy I've owned or worked with, including the Trailblazer.

ohskigod

i'll second the nods for the 4.3l chevy and 4.0l jeep engines

owned them both for multiple years. not the most refined engines in the planet, but bulletproof. had the 4.0 for 10 trouble free years and the 4.3 for 5. miss them

sda2mike

my 96 civic with 190k, might qualify...not for the mileage - it aint done yet around 3 years ago, i used a coupon for an oil change...drive home and the mgr calls and wants me to come right back...he wont say why, either...i get suspicious..i go out to the car and there's a long line of oil right out of my complex...check the dipstk and she's dry - bone fkn dry...so, i get it towed..they run compression tests...i brought to another mechanic..it's all good..that was 24k ago! most engines would have sht themselves..

bobman1235

"Bone dry" on the dipstick isn't that bad; if the oil light didn't come on I doubt you actually got to dangerously low levels.

sda2mike

bobman1235 wrote: »

"Bone dry" on the dipstick isn't that bad; if the oil light didn't come on I doubt you actually got to dangerously low levels.

yeah, the light never came on...btw, the oil change dude put the new filter on without the rubber gasket...doh!

amulford

The Ford straight six 300 tops my list. I've run three of those over the years. One to 350,000 before I put it up, one to 275,000 before I sold it, and one I now have with 225,000 on it. All of them were/are still running strong.
Right up there though was the older Ford 6.9 diesel V-8. I've never had one but have seen them with half a million miles on them. And them b!tches wasn't babied neither...

billbillw

Unfortunately, I don't think any of the current model drive-trains will really end up in the 'most reliable' category compared to older designs. The push for more horsepower, lighter engines, and fuel economy has reduced the reliability on most of the drive-trains that were previously though indestructible. Nissan's V6 was practically bulletproof in the late 80's and thru the 90s. Now that it revs to 7k+ and makes 300+HP, not so much. You won't be seeing 300,000 mile Maximas or Infinitis anymore.

Many of the old straight six designs really were hard to beat as well. Jeep, Ford, Toyota, Mercedes, BMW, and Chrysler all made great straight (or slant) sixes that just ran forever with just basic maintenance. Outside of the need for a long hood, it really is one of the best basic designs for an engine.

Its a shame that most of the manufacturers have moved away from the straight six. It was mainly due to wanting more horizontally compact engines for crash testing/survivability.

disneyjoe7

I have to agree just about any straight 6 will win in the reliable powertrain department. The Buick / GM design of the V6 3.8l has to be the least reliable engine built IMHO.

ben62670

Ford, Chevy straight 6. Dodge slant 6. Ford 302, 351w, and for desiel the 6.9 Ford.

JimAckley

Well if you don't mind deviating from OEM combinations for a brief moment, the DESTROKED trucks are probably the finest I've ever seen. They take the rock-solid F250/F350/Excursion platform, and install the Cummins Diesel block from the Dodge heavy-duty lineup and Allison 1000 transmission from the GM heavy-duty lineup. Together, you have the best chassis, best engine, and best transmission. I'm not sure how you'd beat that combo.

http://www.destroked.com

Jstas

bobman1235 wrote: »

A couple dozen people saying their personal experiences isn't going to tell you anything (unless you're just asking for fun opinions). Find a day-to-day mechanic and ask them what they think is generally reliable, or find statistics somewhere.

Oh, now you've gone and done it! Applying logic and reasoning to such a serious topic! You're nuthin' but a bully! :mad:

disneyjoe7

JimAckley wrote: »

Well if you don't mind deviating from OEM combinations for a brief moment, the DESTROKED trucks are probably the finest I've ever seen. They take the rock-solid F250/F350/Excursion platform, and install the Cummins Diesel block from the Dodge heavy-duty lineup and Allison 1000 transmission from the GM heavy-duty lineup. Together, you have the best chassis, best engine, and best transmission. I'm not sure how you'd beat that combo.

http://www.destroked.com

Sounds bullet prove to me :biggrin:

greyford1979

We have Allison transmissions in the 4500s at work, one blew up at 7000 miles and another at 13,000. Neither one was abused:eek:

JimKellyfan

Really, there are far too many to list, if maintained properly.
Too, it depends on your wallet and what one wants to spend and can spend.
My favorites not in any order other than thought process:
1) Chevy 305 or 350
2) Chevy 3.8 or 3.1 or 3.4 - 6 cylinder
3) Honda VTEC 4 cylinder
4) Nissan 2.4
5) Slant 6 Dodge
6) Jeep straight 6
7) Ford 5.0
8) Toyota 4 cylinder
9) Ford 3.0 6 cylinder
10) Old Ford 302

And really, the list can go on and on. If maintained properly is key. All fluids break down, not just oil, so change 'em all.

ben62670

I find the comment about ask a mechanic about long lasting engines kinda humorous.Most grease monkeys haven't been turning wrenches for that long. Without setting a time period most wouldn't know about how great some of the older engines were. Also as a side note the straight sixes had 7 main bearings and V6's only have 4.

camp21178

My 2.4 liter Toyota truck engine had 249k on it when I traded it in. It did not use a drop of oil and got higher than rated gas mileage. Never had a problem.

bobsauto49

I worked at my dads carquest store for 15 years,and now own it! We also have a repair shop/2 techs! With my knowledge i would never blink buying a, gm2.2L,3.8L,5.3L, or a Ford 300 I6, Toyota 22R,or a Nissan 3.0L! But most engines now a days perform well when maintained properly!