What are some of the best sounding 4 cylinders ?

[-]

PurpleSausage77@reddit

Hondas are meh, I love em, but no doubt it’s the intake induction sound that rocks on them.

Fiat 500 Abarth I had was sick, then you get to the Alfa 4C and it’s as exotic as 4cyl gets.

Flat 4 with a UEL header, or anything with a UEL header. That distinct rumble is just cool. It’s probably the last 4 cylinder I’ll own (sick of them) and it’s the gutless FRS/GT86 FA20 with UEL header + tune and the rumble sound makes it tolerable for me.

Maybe GLA/CLA AMG

Evo X

SRT4 Neon, the OG of burble crackle pop when nobody else really had it. But not stupid turbo destroying gunshot backfiring.

[-]

djsnoopmike@reddit

The 4AGE from the Corolla of legend has been consistently one of the best sounding 4 bangers ive heard

[-]

RunninOnMT@reddit

Yeah or old cosworth engines also sounded great.

[-]

dragonheadx8@reddit

The 4age is heavily inspired by old cosworth engines

[-]

icroak@reddit

Yup I literally bought a SRT-4 for the sound, and I’m still not tired of it.

[-]

ElPatioColonial@reddit

My Speed6 with a 3in turboback sounds rowdy, much deeper than expected for a 4 cyl

[-]

upthedips@reddit

The S2000 is a pretty great sounding Honda 4

[-]

Competitive_Art_9181@reddit (OP)

After hearing what the mps3 sounds like. I kinda liked it has some bite in it

[-]

_k_b_k_@reddit

The Alfa 4C is exotic as a car, but nothing about it's engine is. It's a modern, emissions-compliant, downsized, turbocharged four banger. Had the same engine in a family hatchback and while yes, the 4C has a better exhaust it doesn't really make a substantial difference.

My old 2.0 TwinSpark sounded much, much better. It was slow as fuck, but sounded better 😄

[-]

Daft_Steampunk@reddit

This sounds pretty damn good for an I4. People have completely forgotten about mechanical & intake noise in favor of obnoxiously loud exhaust notes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5083_Z1BCTw

[-]

BudFox_LA@reddit

B48

[-]

blunttrauma99@reddit

Not the answer you are looking for, but most Japanese sport bikes.

[-]

GrayBull789@reddit

This is absolutely it. Take any 600 i4 revving at 16k. Pure music

[-]

toiletsurprise@reddit

RC51 is just lovely.

[-]

TheRealCorbonzo@reddit

Well you're not entirely wrong....This first time I ever heard one was at a gas station. Completely caught me off guard when the guy turned it on.

Such a wonderful sound.

[-]

AlwaysBagHolding@reddit

Yes, the correct answer is two RC51’s riding next to each other.

[-]

MichiganKarter@reddit

My RC51 had only two cylinders, displaced one liter, and would carry the front end in third gear

[-]

swugglewumps69@reddit

Cbr250 mc22

[-]

AlwaysBagHolding@reddit

Likely the only 19,000 rpm engine listed here.

[-]

rubenthecuban3@reddit

Aprillia v4

[-]

Frazeur@reddit

Absolutely agree! Although he only said 4 cylinders, and althoug personally I'm a fan of the I4 screamers, many seem to love the Italian V4s as well, or the R1, which is a crossplane I4.

[-]

newoldschool@reddit

Ducati desmo

[-]

goranlepuz@reddit

Honda 750 1cyl FTW! 😂😂😂

[-]

banananas_are_sick24@reddit

The 1300 cc V4 in the Yamaha Royal Star sounds insane with a proper exhaust

[-]

uncleduddly@reddit

The Offenhauser, Offy, was an amazing 4 cylinder and won many races between 1935-1976

[-]

Tough-Marsupial-6254@reddit

The Subaru 2.5 with uel headers and a Invidia R400 turbo back

[-]

losromans@reddit

I had some funky amr or apr or something full 4” turbo back on my old sti se. it was so growly and fun.

Or a nice 4g63t in my talon. That was nice crappy muffler shop chop.

Haven’t had a 4cyl since my sti and went 370z then a couple v8s and just a 4Runner now.

I miss having a manual beater to mess with.

[-]

JohnnyCanuck133@reddit

The Subie burble. By far the best.

[-]

AWDDude@reddit

This should be the top answer, the ej257 may not be the most reliable 4 cylinder engine, but it is the best sounding.

[-]

jonnyt88@reddit

I had a 2.0 WRX with EL headers, unknown downpipe and a cobb catback and it still sounded better than most 4cyl.

Though when I bought it, it had a fart can on it and did not sound good.

[-]

Pantsmnc@reddit

I have an old 00 forester with uel headers. NA. came with the exhaust and even though it's leaky and loud, still sounds cool rumbling around.

[-]

BlindSkwerrl@reddit

Also vote for a Subi boxer (not diesel) engine.

[-]

lm26sk@reddit

+1 for suby

[-]

w_sir3c1@reddit

VAG EA888

[-]

Ok-Reindeer5858@reddit

Ducatis

[-]

tucsondog@reddit

Vfr800 open header

[-]

autech91@reddit

Gear driven cams 🤤🤤🤤

[-]

Mediocre_Diamond_330@reddit

This is the correct answer, I had a 99

[-]

AccidentalGirlToy@reddit

Saab V4.

[-]

OppressorTron@reddit

GM Iron Duke 2.5l.......

[-]

Rapom613@reddit

Depends on what kind of sound you like. A high RPM scream? Something like a K series Honda comes to mind, maybe an F20 I personally prefer a little more character.

Alfa twin cam - especially with dual side drafts on it

Toyota 4age - I actually prefer the older 16v models instead of the newer 20v models

Honda B series. Nothing like one with aftermarket cams cracking an aggressive vtec crossover

Offenhauser race engine. One of the most successful racing engines ever built, very unique construction, massive power potential.

Ford Lima. With some performance parts typically used in circle track racing, the humble Lima can sound downright nasty. Rev happy, powerful, and reliable

Olds quad 4. Easily one of the best American 4s ever built

[-]

kaack455@reddit

IH gas

[-]

Filthy510@reddit

Biased opinion, but I've always loved a tastefully modified sr20det.

[-]

ed_423@reddit

No mention of 718 cayman? Not the gts or above of course.

[-]

Total-Improvement535@reddit

Abarth 500’s
ND Miata’s with a good exhaust set up
Honda Magna (V4 motorcycle)
MGB’s

[-]

Slow_S60_@reddit

Nobody say 1.9 TDI yet?

[-]

InconsistentTherapy@reddit

Mitsubishi 4G63T

[-]

FrankCostanzaJr@reddit

honda B series and K series, and the legendary F20B from the s2000

toyota 4age, especially the 20v blacktop

nearly any 70s/80s/90s japanese 4 sportbike. I have an 01 yamaha fz1 with ITB's and it SCREAMS to 11-12k

[-]

YozaSkywalker@reddit

BMW S14 might be the best sounding NA 4 cylinder outside of superbikes

[-]

Prom_etheus@reddit

BMW 4 as found in Mini Cooper S & JCW

[-]

mamny83@reddit

Cross plane r1 probably.

[-]

badhoopty@reddit

a built vw bug engine...

and the srt4 with a little bit of stuff thrown at it.

[-]

zCanadia@reddit

LNF from cobalt SS turbo, deep rumble

[-]

I_am_Forklift@reddit

I have an 89 Porsche 944 Turbo S. It’s a huge 4cyl (2.5L) and turbocharged. It sounds exotic and raw with a catless setup. Was the fastest 4cyl in the world at the time. And largest. Sounds insane and is modern car fast

[-]

itsjakerobb@reddit

Honda S2000.

Basically everything sounds good over 7,000 rpm.

[-]

redeyedrenegade420@reddit

Toyota 4P carbureted forklift engine!

[-]

thetastelesssheikh@reddit

Mercdes A45. Golf R

[-]

throwaway007676@reddit

The only four cylinders I can think of that don’t sound like weed eaters are the older Subaru engines. The newer ones have different manifold to make them sound like every other four cylinder engine.

[-]

SailingSpark@reddit

Fiat/Lancia twin cam. One of the best sounding engines, let alone a 4 cylinder. You can find them under old Fiat spiders and in the Lancia Delta Integrale

[-]

Carguycr@reddit

This!

[-]

Dex_Maddock@reddit

Yep. Lampredi did it best.

[-]

Carguycr@reddit

Fiat Lampredi engine

[-]

Any_Web_1784@reddit

B series has a special place in my heart when the vtec kicks in provided its got an intake and a solid exhaust thats not too braapy

[-]

UnderwhelmingAF@reddit

The Hyundai Elantra N sounds pretty good.

[-]

skinisblackmetallic@reddit

Beams 2zz?

[-]

bfjt4yt877rjrh4yry@reddit

1987 Honda Accord 5 speed

[-]

TheOtherAkGuy@reddit

The Toyota 2ZZ-GE specifically in the Lotus Elise.

[-]

LevoiHook@reddit

V4, boxer 4 with unequal lengte headers

[-]

Leave_Eye607@reddit

I truly enjoy UELs on the boxer engines.

[-]

Jack_ButterKnobbs@reddit

The vw 2.slow can be a great sounding 4 cylinder. I was pleasantly surprised when I put an exhaust on one. Old air cooled VWs also have their charm.

[-]

SirWillae@reddit

I prefer the sound of zero cylinders

[-]

donutsnail@reddit

Of I4s, BMW S14, Ford Cosworth BDA, Toyota 4AGE, hot versions of the Fiat/Lancia/Alfa Lampredi come to mind right away. Nothing relatively modern if that’s what you’re asking.

I dig the old UEL Subaru EJ sound

V4 motorcycles nearly all sound amazing

[-]

mdr1384@reddit

MINI Clubman JCW, 300 hp version. Pretty grunty at low revs.

[-]

Admirable-Shallot-79@reddit

B18 with a short ram

[-]

zeronian@reddit

Subaru boxer

[-]

Dirt077@reddit

Some pretty good Alfa 4 cyls from the 60s and 70s

[-]

Imaginary-Thing-7159@reddit

mini cooper jcw

[-]

Motor_Arugula_4282@reddit

Fiat 500 abarth

[-]

Ok-Attempt2842@reddit

If I ever hear a good one I'll get back to you with an answer.

[-]

HuckleCatt1@reddit

MINI John Cooper Works (JCW)'s sound great. Nice burble.

[-]

NH_OPERATOR@reddit

My 86 sounds amazing with a valved exhaust - https://youtu.be/XHt3j2HsqlI

[-]

Background-House9795@reddit

My 67 MGBGT sounded amazing with the Monza muffler. Twin chrome tips looked great too on the dark blue car. Fun ride!

[-]

yottyboy@reddit

I’m building one just like that! Has the original monza which is in great shape.

[-]

JolyonWagg99@reddit

A friend of mine had the same setup on his ‘68. Sounded great!

[-]

Background-House9795@reddit

A lot deeper sound than it should’ve ever been. Wonderful tone. But you should hear it without a muffler. I caught part of the exhaust on a piece of pipe sticking out of the ground and the entire system aft of the header came off. I tossed it in the back and drove home. Boy was it loud! The slightest pressure on the gas pedal and it was just embarrassing how loud it was. It was a slow trip through the neighborhood.

[-]

Psi-Pop@reddit

BDA/G Cosworth in an Escort sideways thru a forest.

[-]

MusicMan7969@reddit

I liked the sound of my Camaro with the LTG 2.0 Turbo. It had a bit of a growl to it, but wasn’t obnoxious.

[-]

ConsiderationNearby7@reddit

Subaru EJ20

[-]

AYPEETWO@reddit

S2000

[-]

TheJumpingPenis@reddit

16 valve 1.8 in the old vw's

[-]

Silly_Hurry_2795@reddit

Working on the n+1 principle Volvo five pot🤪

[-]

Milnoc@reddit

My Fiat 500 Abarth with the stock exhaust.

[-]

Various_Bandicoot437@reddit

Gotta be a Honda. Even the mundane 1.8 liter I had in my integra sounded great. My buddy put a b16 in it from a civic type r and sold the car back to me and it sounded even better.

[-]

proscreations1993@reddit

Japanese sport bikes lol

[-]

averagemaleuser86@reddit

Subaru boxer in the WRX/STI hands down.

[-]

chubbyostrich@reddit

Ford’s ecoboost, esp on the mustangs, truly sounds amazing.

[-]

Moist-Yard-7573@reddit

I like the Honda Civic Type-R pre turbo, the Yamaha R1 RN49 cross-plane and the Honda VFR800 RC46. The first one a plain inline 4, the second one an inline 4 who thinks it is a V4 and the third one which is a true V4 :)

[-]

AustinsBrainBakery@reddit

F20c is top 3 no doubt I will die on that hill

[-]

AlwaysBagHolding@reddit

B18C5 is up there.

[-]

Odd_Chemical114@reddit

Really anything NA Honda VTEC with a performance bent will sound incredible at high rpm.

[-]

Canelosaurio@reddit

K20Z3 is number two for me.

[-]

Hash-82@reddit

My baby 20 years ago was a ym2000 S2k with an Inline Pro 3L and custom short-tube headers with an extrusion-honed manifold.
The AP1 ECUs were not flashable, so I had to get a Hondata.
After another couple of grand in the head, I could set the redline to 12K.

My GOD, the sound that car made when it was screaming...

[-]

Competitive_Art_9181@reddit (OP)

Ok Honda is s2k is a good reference point for good sounding 4 cyl

[-]

Equal-Fee770@reddit

The only good sounding 4 banger I heard was a 2013 Impreza WRX with aftermarket pipes my best friend had. Seems those boxer motors make a much cooler sound then an I4. Also, a v-twin and a v8 are the nicest sounding motors to me so take this with a grain of salt

[-]

Captkarate42@reddit

Sound is highly subjective, but I personally really like the way the old vw 1.8t's sound with a big turbo and a decent exhaust.

[-]

jerik22@reddit

You need a AWD block with a AEB large port head, with a 3040 turbo with a 3 inch turbo back exhaust. 🎶

[-]

Casalf@reddit

Yeah I've got a b6 and so im super biased but I love the sound of them too

[-]

Captkarate42@reddit

Nice. I had an mk4 gti with a k04, two-step, fancy aftermarket diverter, and a full custom stainless exhaust. It made all kinds of fun noises.

[-]

TheSmokedPotatoe@reddit

3sge beams ,4age , f20 , 2.1 pinto , sr20ve , built k20-24 Frankenstein, 4g63.

[-]

SemperBavaria@reddit

E30 M3 - nothing comes close

[-]

SolarWind77@reddit

This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but Hyundai nailed it with the 2l N cars. That deep rumble is a rarity in the 4cyl world

[-]

Depress-Mode@reddit

Abarth! 595/695/124, all the same 1.4L engine but with different exhaust options, but they all sound good for tiny cars.

[-]

Initial-Ad8966@reddit

Easy.

Honda Civic with a Spoon engine, a T66 turbo, NOS, and Motec Exhaust.

[-]

Parkstyles@reddit

K24

[-]

Sudden_Hovercraft_56@reddit

Alfa Romeo 2.0 T-spark

Fiat/Abarth 1.4 Tjet

[-]

horsimus@reddit

Giuseppe Busso is famous for his V6 (had one, loved it, hype is deserved), but his work on the Alfa Romeo ‘Nord’ engines produced superb results.

Other than that, it’s most anything with a V4 (Lancia Fulvia for cars; Aprilia, Ducati and Honda for bikes)

[-]

spas2k@reddit

Honda S2000

[-]

rzugorzyt@reddit

Subjective opinion, but no four bangers comes even close to Alfa Romeo's Nord engine.

[-]

sunbro2000@reddit

The 26B of course 😎.

[-]

horsimus@reddit

I like the way you think

[-]

FlyBirdieBirdBird@reddit

Toyota 2ZZ.

[-]

Expert-Masterpiece70@reddit

Audi 2.0T have a nice note, especially when tuned and the resonators are deleted.

[-]

UniquePotato@reddit

Anything with unequal length headers

[-]

jeepsies@reddit

I love a good 20v blacktop 4age

[-]

JipJopJones@reddit

4age >>>>> everything else

[-]

sunbro2000@reddit

I had the 4age but I loved my 4agze ;)

[-]

jeepsies@reddit

Oh and dont forget itbs

[-]

TheMotizzle@reddit

S2000 hitting redline

[-]

samit2heck@reddit

Alfa Romeo Twin Spark

[-]

Tuna_Finger@reddit

Obviously most motorcycles. The boxer Subarus have a distinctive sound that a lot of people like. The one that’s been getting me lately is the k20. Just got my wife an RDX and every time she starts I think “wow that sounds amazing.” And that’s with a stock exhaust.

[-]

Nice_Emphasis_39@reddit

Fiat 500 Abarth

[-]

Electronic_Film_9904@reddit

The one near the end of this article sounds pretty bad ass.

https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/annapolis-valley-brothers-known-for-championship-winning-engines-419193

[-]

Woekie_Overlord@reddit

Not a car engine, but the Yamaha R1 from 2009 onwards. It has a crossplane crank.

[-]

basedjase_@reddit

BMW E30 M3 hands down best four banger note

[-]

ThirdSunRising@reddit

The old air cooled Volkswagen and Porsche flat fours were fantastic sounding

[-]

Vmaxed_T7@reddit

Vmax v4

[-]

newoldschool@reddit

I'll throw out

old VW abf and the older 1.8L 8 valve

[-]

surmatt@reddit

Flat 4's.

[-]

twelfthfantasy@reddit

Probably something in the sport bike world, if we're being honest.

[-]

AlwaysBagHolding@reddit

Tossup between cross plane R1 and gear drive VFR’s.

[-]

Dex_Maddock@reddit

Lampredi 4cyl.

Best 4banger ever made.

[-]

JolyonWagg99@reddit

‘54 Austin Healey 100/4

[-]

DoggoCity@reddit

Most any flat 4s sound good. I'm biased but the 2.4 in the BRZ/GR86 sounds good when you put a decent exhaust and/or headers on it. The 2.5 EJ series sounds great too, though not the most reliable

[-]

Ok_Two_2604@reddit

The Beast of Turin

[-]

Tony-cums@reddit

SRT-4.

[-]

Lino155@reddit

I've actually gotten a lot of comments on my 09 turbo cobalt. Catless downpipe, stock resonator and a magnaflow muffler.

[-]

ChaChiO66@reddit

4 cylinder cummins in a CJ, rolling through the woods of Wharton State Forest, pulling out a K5, at 3am while piss drunk and miles from the nearest paved road...

Yeahhhhh. Good times.

[-]

mds818@reddit

I won't name a car or engine for some obvious reasons, but in all honesty it's all subjective... I had a modified exhaust and.. plenty of stuff on regular commuter engine, you really couldn't hear any difference on regular revs, but as you got closer to the redline it sounded insane, especially in a tunnel...

Obviously, some engines are in class of their own and can't be touched (V10s in general)

But for regular cars, I don't care how loud they are, I want music... not scream without a tone.

[-]

MagnusAlbusPater@reddit

I’ve always found V10s to be some of the most unpleasant sounding engines.

A nice throaty V8 like the LT2 is awesome, as is the Jaguar V12.

V10s just tend to sound like they’re trying to tear themselves apart.

[-]

ganashers@reddit

Alfa Romeo 8v twin spark 2.0.

[-]

pepeneverknew@reddit

The ones that are connected to another 4 cylinders at the crank - v style.

[-]

Identifymeatpopsicle@reddit

22re!

[-]

jondes99@reddit

Honda H22 and Saab 16V turbo engines (non-Ecotec) are my favorites.

[-]

BeauKnows42@reddit

One side of an LS?

[-]

Good_Split_3749@reddit

my 2001 Accord Special Edition:)

[-]

BehindHazelEyes718@reddit

The Alfa 4C that pulled up next to me says that's the right choice. Sounds fucking mean

[-]

unpolire@reddit

Alfa Romeo.

[-]

Successful_Ad_9707@reddit

K20Z3

[-]

Recent_Permit2653@reddit

Subaru. With unequal length headers.

That’s kinda it. Inline fours kinda all sound annoying to me.

[-]

RideShinyAndChrome@reddit

Hondas are definitely not it, except maybe a nicely done B series An EJ with a good exhaust sounds mint 4AGE 3SGE BEAMS 2ZZGE

(I'm a yamaha/toyots glazer)

[-]

StrongInjury3148@reddit

I heard a Toyota 86/Subaru brz at a light the other day that sounded better at idle than a 4 cylinder has any right to. Not my style but certainly unique in a sea of Hondas. (I drive a 2000 accord beater haha)

[-]

PlasticSpend3462@reddit

Offenhausers sounded good.

[-]

nostradumbass7544678@reddit

Cosworth BDA, my old EJ22 Subaru

[-]

BarnyardCoral@reddit

Yamaha R1 crossplane and Aprilia RSV4. Oh, whoops, this is r/askcarguys. Ummmm, does the Honda CBR1000 motor in Matt Brown's Honda S600 count?

[-]

TableDowntown3082@reddit

Unless its revving higher than 13k, it doesn't sound great IMO. And I swear to god, the first person that starts talking about subarus...

[-]

jeepsies@reddit

I mean.. its subjective. There is no right answer.

[-]

fishymamba@reddit

Yup, I prefer sound of a high rpm 4 cylinder than a low rpm 8 cylinder.

[-]

Oak510land@reddit

600cc's

[-]

krombopulousnathan@reddit

And liters. And the Ducati V4

[-]

3rdreprieve@reddit

The EJ255 and 257 are up there.

Miatas of all four generations do tend to sound pretty good.

[-]

sprchrgddc5@reddit

Hyundai N cars? My Kona N sounds so cool stock.

[-]

Jamaidian@reddit

K24 induction noise is lovely.

Deleted CJAA turbo spool is 🤤

Subaru UEL headers of course are great.

Fiat Abarths sound sick, as does the Alfa 4C.

[-]

Autobacs-NSX@reddit

ALL inline 4 cylinders sound like Honda civics with fart can exhaust. I don’t care what you think about your $5k exhaust setup, it’s a fart can to everyone else. I’m not saying it sounds bad, but it’s not good either. The only legitimate good sounding 4cyls are the boxer ones with the uel that sound burbley and lobey like race car v8s

[-]

BLINGMW@reddit

I tried to find some heavily modified rally cars but the Cosworth or E30 M3 don't sound "good"

OTOH, a Ducati Panigale V4 might be it

[-]