Engine types Reconditioning guides per engine

Sweden's most reconditioned inline-4. A cast-iron block that handles everything from daily driving to 600-horsepower turbo builds. Complete guide with workshop prices, common faults and camshaft profiles.

Volvo's iconic turbo five. All-aluminium whiteblock with a forged steel crankshaft. From the 850 T5 to the S60R. PCV system, turbo builds and reconditioning guide.

The classic BMW inline-6 that defined the E30 era. Cast-iron block, timing-belt drive and a popular turbo platform. Timing-belt tips, common faults and performance.

BMW's legendary big inline-6. 27 years of production, timing-chain drive and the basis for the S38 (the M5 engine). Turbo builds up to 800+ hp. Cooling system, common faults and specifications.

BMW's modern straight-six - timing-chain-driven DOHC with VANOS (M50TU). Cast-iron block and forged crankshaft that take plenty of boost. Factory-verified tightening torques, common faults (timing chain, VANOS, cooling system) and turbo builds.

BMW's reliable double-VANOS six and one of the most popular swap engines. Aluminium block with cast-iron liners. Factory-verified tightening torques, common faults (VANOS, cooling system, CCV) and tuning guide.

The world's most built V8. From the classic 350 in cruisers to the modern LT4 supercharged. Gen I (1955-2003), Gen II LT1/LT4, LS Gen III/IV and Gen V LT direct injection. Hub with reconditioning prices, RPO matrix and four in-depth generation guides.

Toyota's legendary straight-six. Cast-iron block with a square 86×86 mm bore, 7 main bearings and a bottom end that handles 1000+ hp. The 2JZ-GE is the NA version, the 2JZ-GTE is twin-turbo from the Supra MK4 and Aristo. Verified against Toyota FSM RM502U.

The Skyline GT-R engine. Sequential twin-turbo, 6 individual throttle bodies, cast-iron block with 7 main bearings and a ladder frame. N1 oil pump as standard at rebuild. The platform is routinely built to 1000+ hp. Verified against the Nissan R32 FSM.

Toyota's drift and rally legend. 5 generations: AE86 bigport, AE92 bigport, smallport, 20V silvertop and 20V blacktop. High-RPM NA engine with a redline up to 8400 rpm. A classic platform for stroking to 1.8L and turbo builds.

Toyota's turbocharged straight 2.5 six. Cast-iron block, 7 main bearings, parallel twin-turbo (gen1) or single-turbo VVT-i (gen2). A bottom end that handles 600+ hp. Verified against the Toyota factory manual.

Honda's high-revving i-VTEC four. Chain-driven DOHC, perfectly square 86x86 mm. K20A2 and K20A3 with different torques. Verified against the Honda/Acura factory manual.

The K20's bigger 2.4 sibling with a longer stroke and more torque. i-VTEC, chain drive. A popular base for the K-swap. Verified against the Honda factory manual.

The drift icon. Aluminium block with cast-iron liners, chain drive. Two generations (S14 black-top and B13/N14 GTi-R) with different tightening torques. Verified against the Nissan factory manual.

The Skyline's turbocharged straight-six and the cheaper sibling of the RB26. Cast-iron block, NVCS variable cam timing, timing belt. NEO (R34) and non-NEO (R33). Verified against the Nissan factory manual.

BMW's first modern twin-turbo six with direct injection. Aluminium block as a platform for 500+ hp. Torque-to-angle stretch bolts throughout. Verified against BMW TIS factory data.

The E46 M3 engine. High-revving NA six with six individual throttle bodies and an 8000 rpm redline. An M-Power legend. Verified against BMW TIS factory data.

BMW's magnesium-aluminium six with Valvetronic, the successor to the M54. Light and responsive. Verified against BMW TIS factory data.

Mercedes' legendary straight-6 diesel. Cast-iron block, extremely durable (the OM602/OM603 family). NA and turbo. Verified against Mercedes factory data.

The VW Group's most widespread turbo four - the EA888 in everything from the Golf GTI to the Audi S3. Cast-iron block, timing chain and the infamous timing-chain tensioner (Gen1/Gen2). Factory-verified tightening torques, generation differences and turbo builds.

Volvo's classic five-cylinder turbodiesel - the D5244T in the V70, XC90, S60 and S80. All-aluminium with a timing belt that must be changed on time (interference engine). Factory-verified tightening torques, glow plugs and cylinder head reconditioning. One of Sweden's most common diesels.

Volvo's 16-valve redblock - a DOHC head on the classic iron block bottom in the 740 and 940 16V. Shares its block with the B230 but has twin overhead camshafts. Factory-verified tightening torques, timing belt and cylinder head reconditioning.

Saab's 2.0 turbo four from the H engine family - balance shafts, Trionic and the B204 in the 900 NG, 9000 and 9-3. Factory-verified tightening torques, turbo builds and cylinder head reconditioning. A classic Swedish turbo engine.

Saab's Trionic T7 generation of the 2.0 turbo - sibling to the B204/B235 with balance shafts. The B205 in the 9-3 and 9-5. Factory-verified tightening torques, turbo upgrades and reconditioning prices.

Mitsubishi's legendary turbo four - the 4G63T in the Lancer Evo I to IX. Known for the 6-bolt vs 7-bolt crankshaft and huge tuning potential. Factory-verified tightening torques, crankshaft generations and turbo builds.

BMW's straight-six between the M50 and M54, with single VANOS. Cast-iron block (Europe) or aluminium block (M52TU) - a difference that governs both tightening torques and reconditioning. Factory-verified tightening torques, common faults (VANOS, cooling system) and swap tips.

The early redblock two-litre engine - from the carburettor B21A to the iconic 240 Turbo (B21ET). Cast-iron block and timing belt. Factory-verified tightening torques (TP-30170), early vs late cylinder head bolt and turbo builds.

The direct predecessor to the B230 - a 2.3-litre redblock with a 96 mm bore and SOHC. Shares most with the B230 but with an earlier block and valvetrain. Factory-verified tightening torques (TP-30170) and cylinder head reconditioning.

Saab's 2.3-litre 16-valve from the H engine family - chain-driven with twin balance shafts, in the Saab 9000 from naturally aspirated to Aero turbo. Distinct from Volvo's B234. Factory-verified tightening torques, balance shafts and cylinder head reconditioning.

Saab's 2.3 turbo in the Trionic T7 generation - big brother to the B205, with balance shafts and a timing chain. The B235 in the 9-5 and 9-3 Viggen, up to 260 hp in the Aero. Factory-verified tightening torques and turbo builds.

Mercedes' straight 24-valve six - cast iron block with an aluminium head and timing chain, in the 300E-24, E320 and 300SL-24. The petrol sibling of the OM603 diesel. Factory-verified tightening torques, timing chain and cylinder head reconditioning.

Mercedes' straight-6 diesel and the predecessor to the OM606 - swirl chamber (IDI), cast-iron block and timing chain, in the W124 300D and W126 300SD. NA and turbo. Factory-verified tightening torques and cylinder head reconditioning.

The VW Group's 1.8T 20-valve (EA113) - five-valve head, timing belt and K03/K04 turbo, in the Golf GTI Mk4, Audi A4 and TT. The predecessor to the EA888. Factory-verified tightening torques and turbo builds.

One of Europe's most widespread diesels - the VW 1.9 TDI (EA188) with a VNT turbo, in both swirl-chamber and pumpe-duse (PD) form. Factory-verified tightening torques, glow plugs, injection and cylinder head reconditioning.

Volvo's classic pushrod engine - 5 main bearings and a gear-driven camshaft, in the Amazon, P1800 and PV544. Almost indestructible and the forefather of the B20. Factory-verified tightening torques and cylinder head reconditioning.

Volvo's 2.0-litre pushrod engine - the further development of the B18 with the same robust architecture, in the 140, Amazon and P1800E/ES. B20E/F with injection. Factory-verified tightening torques and cylinder head reconditioning.

BMW's common-rail four-cylinder diesel - in the 1, 3 and 5 series. Notorious for the rear timing chain that can fail. Factory-verified tightening torques, timing chain and cylinder head reconditioning.

BMW's single-turbo straight-six - the successor to the N54, with Valvetronic, double VANOS and a twin-scroll turbo. Factory-verified tightening torques, common faults and turbo builds.

The M division's high-revving V8 - derived from the S85 V10, with eight individual throttle bodies and double VANOS, in the E9x M3. Rod bearings are the classic fault. Factory-verified tightening torques and tuning guide.

The classic rear-wheel-drive Ford four - SOHC with a timing belt, in the Cortina, Capri and Sierra. Enormously popular in tuning and motorsport. Factory-verified tightening torques and cylinder head reconditioning. Note: the Pinto engine, not the American car.

The Group A and rally legend - Cosworth's 16-valve turbo head on a Pinto-derived iron block, in the Sierra RS Cosworth, RS500 and Escort RS Cosworth. Garrett turbo and huge tuning potential. Factory-verified tightening torques and turbo builds.