Chandler is an automotive expert with over a decade of experience working on and modifying cars. A couple of his favorites were his heavily modded 2016 Subaru WRX and his current 2020 VW Golf GTI. He’s also a big fan of American Muscle and automotive history. Chandler’s passion and knowledge of the automotive industry help him deliver high-quality, insightful content to TuningPro readers.
It seems like a question as old as time, who makes the better automobile, Honda or Toyota? For decades, the two Japanese auto manufacturers have been dominating the U.S. market with their ultra-reliable, high-quality, and low-cost automobiles. Among consumers, they are widely known as two of the most dependable brands on the market, and it…
First released in 2011, FCA Stellantis’ 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 engine has quickly become one of the most popular all around power plants. Many people have even gone as far as to say the 3.6 Pentastar is “bulletproof” in its reliability. What exactly does a “bulletproof” 3.6 Pentastar mean and is that really true? That’s…
Ford built their Modular 4.6 V8 engine for just over two decades from 1991–2014 and it was one of their most popular power plants. During its production life, the 3-valve version from 2005–2010 and the 4-valve versions from 1996–1997 and 2003–2004 are by far the best years. These years are all largely free from major…
Of all the fantastic motors the Toyota Motor Corporation has built, the 2JZ-GTE, 1JZ-GTE, 1LR-GUE, 3S-GTE, and 2ZZ-GE engines are by far the best. They range from four to 10 cylinders and power various Supras, Celicas, and the godly Lexus LFA. For many, these are the finest things to have ever come out of Japan…
Looking back at Ford’s illustrious history, they have produced quite a few ultra powerful motors. Of them, the 5.2 Predator supercharged V8, 3.5 EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, 6.7 PowerStroke turbo-diesel V8, and 5.0 Coyote V8, are some of the most powerful. These are some of the highest output engines ever to reach the American market from…
Why are Toyotas so reliable? It’s one of the most commonly asked questions in the automotive world, and for good reason. Since the 1960s, Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota has continually been one of the more popular and well respected brands to sell automobiles in the United States market — and they didn’t get there by…
Toyota’s 3S-GTE engine has long been one of the most popular JDM power plants for upgrading and modding. A turbocharged, 2.0 liter inline-four engine, the 3SGTE powered the 1986–1999 Toyota Celica and 1990–1999 Toyota MR2 sports cars. Its stock output isn’t too crazy at 182-260 horsepower and 184-239 lb-ft of torque. However, modified 3SGTEs have…
Though neither are in production today, Subaru’s 2.5 liter EJ255 vs EJ257 motors are still some of the most sought out and recognizable in JDM history. Of the two, the EJ257 offers better performance and potential for modding, but both are outstanding motors. Subaru primarily used the engines inside the high performance Legacy GT and…
For those looking to build out their EJ255 powered Subaru, the top mods are a downpipe, ECU tuning, cold air intake, and an intercooler. Subaru used the 2.5 liter flat-four EJ255 four-cylinder engine from 2006–2014 inside various models, including the Impreza WRX, Forester XT, Legacy GT, and Outback XT. Depending on the year and model,…
The most common Hyundai Genesis 3.8 engine problems are carbon buildup, various oil leaks, timing chain rattle, and excessive valve ticking. The Hyundai Genesis 3.8 liter Lambda II RS V6 engine appears in many vehicles in the Hyundai lineup. Overall, the engine has achieved status as having above average reliability, but that doesn’t mean it’s…
Mercedes-Benz produced the M103 E26 and E30 inline-six motors from 1985–1996, and they were extremely successful. The M103s powered everything from the high performance 300SL to the G-Wagon, and came in 2.6 or 3.0 liters in displacement. Over the years, the M103 engine proved itself to be very reliable and solid, with only a few…
The five best LS swap cars for 2024 include the Jeep Wrangler (YJ & TJ), the Nissan 240sx (1989–1998), General Motors G-Body (1978–1988) and F-Body (1967–2002), and the FoxBody-era Ford Mustang (1979–1993). There are hundreds of different vehicles that enthusiasts have thrown an LS-V8 engine inside, but I’ve found these are some of the most…
