V8 ENGINES , THE POWER & PRICE

V8 Engines are responsible for some of our most beloved sports cars, sedans, SUVS, and even offroaders today. On top of being one of the best sounds we’ve heard come out of a vehicle, they are one of the most powerful motors out there! Whether it’s a flat plane crank V8 or a cross plane crank pushrod V8, they get the job done. V8 engines are one of the smoothest power delivery systems out there hence the popularity, so let’s get into the conversation of why.

What you will learn:

What is a V8 Engine?

A V8 engine is a motor with the piston arranged side by side at an angle. It could be a 90 or 60 degree angle depending on the model, but all the pistons are connected at one point which is the crankshaft. That gives the engine block a  “V” shape hence the V in V8. The “8” signifies the amount of pistons it has. Yes, 8 pistons for a lot of power potential! These 8 pistons are split into 2 inline 4 engines. These 2 inline 4 engines are fused together, with each side running as such. Both inline 4s share one crankshaft and lean at a 90 degree angle split, hence yet again the reason the engine block is shaped like a “V.”

This is a great benefit because as an inline 4 engine operates, there is one power stroke happening every 180 degrees of a crankshaft rotation. Now in a V8, there are two  power strokes happening every 180 degrees, which makes for a wonderfully smooth power delivery. One crankshaft rotation is 360 degrees, so for the V8, that’s one power stroke for every 90 degrees that has passed. These power strokes are happening in each bank simultaneously. Each side of the V is called a bank, so that’s two banks total. When one power stroke happens on bank 1, the next happens on bank 2, so there is a wonderful balance of motion taking place.

This motion helps with engine performance as well. This repetitive power stroke motion is referred to as the engine’s firing order. However, this balance is on a flat plane crank V8, because of the crankshaft design. A cross plane crank V8, which has a cross plane crankshaft design allows for a slightly different firing order. This cross plane crank V8 firing order allows for two pistons to have a powerstroke in one bank, one right after the other. This would complicate exhaust flow for this engine. This means the exhaust system will have a more complicated design on a crossplane crank V8 versus a flat plane crank V8. It also explains why these two types of engines have their own distinct sound.

What is considered the best V8 engine?

There are a lot of things the V8 does best, such as sound, performance, power and smoothness. Which V8 engine is the best? This answer depends on your taste or needs quite literally. However, let’s jump into some examples of the best V8 engines.

America is the home of the V8 engine! The most iconic muscle cars from America, all sport a V8 motor under the hood. Let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be a muscle car without a V8. America has three muscle car manufacturers that pushed what it means to be a “pony car” to the limits. Chevy has the LS/LT engine, Dodge with the Hemi and Ford with their 5.0 and Voodoo flat plane crank V8 engine. These engines can be found across many vehicles in these manufacturers’ line up. Here are some cars thats sported variations of these engines:

Chevrolet V8 Engines

Chevy has the tried and true LS engines that have been around for a long time. So it’s no surprise for the amount of support and aftermarket parts this platform has when doing an engine swap. This engine checks all the boxes when it comes to reliability, power and potential. It also produces great torque at low revs, which is good for the engine’s longevity and great for a lot of power potential. A great example of the LS engine is the LS9 in the Corvette C6 ZR1.

The C6 ZR1 had a supercharged 6.2L LS9 engine, pushing out 638 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque, at 3,800 rpm. These capabilities were in a car that weighed 3,519 lbs! This was the perfect tool to make clouds!

The C7 ZR1 pushed this to the next level. When you think it couldn’t get any crazier. The C7 ZR1 sported a 6.2L LT5 pushrod V8 engine, generating 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Yes, these cars are legal! This was the pinnacle of the front engine V8 platform in the corvette.

Then the corvette switched to a mid-engine platform with the LT2 engine. Because of the position, this allowed the engine to be a bit taller. That being said, it has a different intake manifold system, which breathes air from the back of the car. This brings some benefits, which improves the overall flow of the engine. The result is a very solid engine, pushing out 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque at 5,150 rpm. Great power in a well balanced mid-engine layout!

The LT engine got a huge change recently with the C8 z06. The engine went from cross plane, to a 5.5L flat plane crank V8, with the LT6! This produced a better flowing well balanced engine that screams all the way to 8,600 rpm! This LT6 is rated one of the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engines in a production car to date! It produced 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of peak torque at 8,400 rpm. This is no regular supercar. You don’t drive this car, this car takes you for a ride!

Chrysler V8 Engines

Chrysler’s hemi engines are also a force to be reckoned with! They were in all different brands, such as dodge and jeep. The hemi engine is known for its big displacement.

The Dodge Challenger 392 scatpack as an example, has a 6.4L HEMI V8 engine, pushing out 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm! A very solid and well balanced engine, mated with the chassis of the Dodge Challenger scatpack widebody. This has been one of the best introductions to the muscle car world.

Dodge took it a few steps forward, by putting a supercharger on top with the challenger hellcat! As if the predecessor did not have enough power?!?! The hellcat produced 717 Horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque around 4,500 rpm, for the 2023 model year. Your tires will not survive! The engine responsible for this hellish power is the 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8 engine!

However, there is more! Dodge raised the bar again with the hellcat REDEYE. This Variation produces another 80 horsepower more, with 797 horsepower and torque up to 707 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm. Traction is just a figment of your imagination at this point.

Dodge went past that point yet again, with the dodge demon. The 6.2L HEMI SRT DEMON V8 engine produces 808 horsepower and 717 torque. This engine is what we would use to fly to the moon ladies and gentlemen. Other than the ridiculous performance you can get out of the HEMI V8, the sound matches that performance with precision. If you’re not careful, you can blow out an eardrum!

Ford V8 Engines

Ford V8 engines are also one of the best V8 engines on the market. The ford mustang, is one of the most iconic american muscle cars known today. With the latest gen, the mustang GT has their 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine. This motor produces 450 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of  peak torque at 4,250 rpm. This is more than enough power for the streets.

Higher variants of this sportscar, like the Ford mustang GT350 and GT350R, comes with their flat plane crank 5.2L voodoo coyote V8 engine. This is the high revving american muscle car, that still has the distinct muscle car sound, even though it has a flat plane crank. So no, it doesn’t sound like a ferrari. The Voodoo engine produces 526 Horsepower and 429 lb-ft of peak torque at 4,750 rpm. Yet again, Ford upped the game with their iconic mustang!

Ford also has a 5.2L crossplane crank V8 engine, with a supercharger! Yes, I’m talking about the Shelby GT500. This engine punches out a wapping 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of peak torque at 5,000 rpm! These are supercar numbers in an American muscle sports car, well…supersports car now!

How much does a V8 engine cost ?

From the List of engines mentioned above here are their prices :

• LS engines used price range from $4,200 – $6,200 depending on the model you get. New LS engines range from $7,500 – $9,200. The LS9 found in the C6 zr1 now costs $21,403.
• The LT5 engine found in the C7 zr1 will cost you around $20k. The C8’s LT2 also costs roughly $20k, with about 5,000 miles on it. As it stands today, Chevy hasn’t made a final decision on selling the LT6 from the C8 Z06 as a crate engine yet.
• The 392 Hemi V8 engine, found in the Dodge Challenger scat pack costs $8,525.85. The hellcat 6.2L supercharger Hemi V8 engine, cost between $16,500 – $18k. The hellcat Redeye variant, good for 807 horsepower will cost you $21,807.  The Supercharged 6.2L HEMI SRT Demon V8 engine, will cost about the same as a Redeye, which is approximately $22k.
• Ford’s 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engines, found in the Mustang GT cost $10,575. Meanwhile, the 5.2L voodoo coyote V8 found in the GT350/GT350R, will not be offered as a crate engine because of how unique it is. However, the 5.2-liter supercharged cross-plane crank V-8 engine, found in the Shelby GT500 would run you about $25k.

All in all, if you’re interested in buying a V8 crate engine, the cost ranges from $4k to $25k plus, depending on the make and model.

Are V8 engines worth it ?

It depends on what you’re looking for. Some benefits that come with a V8 Engine are:

• V8’s ability to last because of its power output. It doesn’t need to rev as high as a V6 or lower cylinder engine to get up to speed. This can relieve stress on certain engine parts.
• V8s are great for suvs, pickups, trucks because of its towing capacity, compared to a V6. It has an extra 2 pistons batting for it, burning more fuel, creating more power for hauling and towing needs.
• V8s are great for sports cars, because they tend to make more power than a V6. This is a plus for sports cars or supercars because power is delivered smoother and readily available. This means, you can get more performance out of a V8 powered sports car or supercar.

So is it worth it? Do any of these points speak to your needs? I know it does for me!

Why do V8s last longer ?

Your engine lasting long depends on your use of it. If you have your engine well maintained and you don’t put heavy amounts of stress on it, it can last a very long time. V8’s can last from 250,000 – 500,000 miles, if well kept. The V8 engine has the added benefit of not having to rev as high as a V6 engine would to get up to speed. This is  because of the extra 2 pistons. This can easily contribute to the engine’s longevity overtime.

What’s the most reliable V8 engines of all time?

According to CarHp.com, most reliable V8 engines of all time go out to the; Chevy Small-Block, Toyota UZ V8, Chrysler 6.4 Hemi engine, Hyundai Tau 5.0L V8, Ford 5.0 Coyote, Mercedes Benz M113 V8 and BMW N63 4.4L V8.

What’s the fastest V8 engine ?

The fastest V8 powered car goes out to the Dodge Demon 170. This car is for trips to the moon like I mentioned above. With a 0-60 mph of 1.66 seconds and the top speed of 215 MPH, this car seems to be hunting down jets to race against!

Why do people like V8 engines ?

V8 engines bring a lot of joy to car enthusiasts around the world. Do you know what the Corvettes, Lamborghini URUS, Dodge Demons, Jeep Trackhawks, McLaren 720s, Ferrari 458s, and Porsche 918 Spyder, which are all top-of-the-line fun cars, have in common? A V8 engine!