The ULTIMATE Mazda I4 Engine Tier List

[@brandonfriesen5389]

That skyactiv g is honestly I think the best modern NA 4 banger. Lots of power and low down torque and it just doesn’t break. As someone who has worked for Mazda, you may have an oil leak or two. All very easy and cheap to fix. And you’ll never kill that engine. We had a customer misfuel their 2015 Mazda 3 2.0 and they drove in as it was running on diesel(albeit not super well). Fuel drain and fresh gas and it was good as new. I love my euro cars but if friends or family ask me what new car to buy, it used to always be Toyota. Now it’s always Mazda.

[@Spartan536]

I was debating beween a 2021 Mazda 6 Signature or a 2019 Infiniti Q50 Sport, ended up with the Q50, part of me thinks I should have gone with the Mazda 6 Signature. I have nothing against the VR30DDTT, your video covering that engine shows that its also an incredibly well built engine, but the Skyactiv-G being a 4 cylinder that run on REGULAR UNLEADED and gets those performance numbers, and with a VERY MINOR ECU tweaks can reach 300 horsepower on 93 Octane while keeping fuel efficiency high is just impressive.

[@christopherclark4774]

I think you chose right. 6cyl smoothness and sound over a 4 popper

[@running2redline]

I think you couldn’t have gone wrong with either, and the Q50 is a beautiful car. Congrats and I hope you’re enjoying it!

[@chrish8487]

One thing to keep in mind is that the Mazda6 turbo needs premium fuel to get the most hp and tq, and running 87 will definitely hurt performance. Also, the Q50 is quite a bit faster regardless of what octane fuel you put in it and both engines are better off left stock.

[@NinerRacingDivision]

@Spartan536 Ouu!! I have experience with both Mazda6 and Infiniti Sedans!! 😄 I've driven my ex's third gen (skyactiv) 2015 Mazda6, (i haven't driven the '21 Mazda6 Signature) but it didn't really give me nearly as much of a raw experience as my first gen Mazda6 Sport V6. They both have the same amount of power, but the third gen's steering rack didn't compare to the communicative, stiff miata-esque steering rack my first gen had. The power input was a lot more linear instead of the first gen's VVTi, regardless, still a good car. Aftermarket won't be as available as a Q50 tho. Please do what you like with your own money, but I replaced my 312,000 mile Mazda6 with a 50,000 mile 2011 G37 Sedan with the VQ37VHR and I've driven it 43,400 miles in 4 years of ownership and it is hands down the most reliable car i've owned aside from my current NA Miata. It's also an incredibly agile and capable car in the mountains for its size and weight; infiniti sedans are surprisingly rigid. A Q50 3.7 would be bulletproof; I'm not sure if those VR30DDTTs are as reliable as the VQ37s, but i know they aren't notably unreliable either. Please do ya own test drives, research, and do what you want with your money :) Both are great choices for a modern sport sedan!! Hope this helped in any way ever so slightly

[@chrish8487]

@NinerRacingDivision We have a 2013 G37 with 30k, now it has about 90k with zero issues. I would recommend changing the transmission fluid every 60k (some Jatco transmissions have issues), but the G37 and Q40/50 cars with the 3.7 have been very reliable. Thanks for your insights!

[@DrecnchedCanadian]

I will always love mazda because they made one of the best drivers cars of all time and don't look like they are going to stop making that drivers car. I'm also still hyped about the RX9 concept.

[@running2redline]

That’s why I own one! It’s always the answer

[@rewanker7336]

That's not RX-9 but Iconic SP

[@omarshehab585]

The G engine is similar to a standard GM 5.3 Vortec in concept, fairly under stressed and not impressive numbers, but a real workhorse, they take a beating like hell and very reliable. Same goes for the OHV series in the beginning, they have a wide variety and would've liked to see more expansion to their background, later engines like the 2.0 MA is actually a very good engine, designed to be in many applications from sports cars to pickup trucks. The torque is impressive and I could swear the numbers online aren't accurate for some reason. I once towed my Mazda 3 with my MA equipped Mazda RX-5 home and it was a walk in the park. I truly believe these engines where overshadowed by the tuner scene and weren't popular due to the presence of rotaries.

[@running2redline]

Really interesting information, thank you for adding this!

[@nicolasrico7973]

I own a 1998 Mazda b2600i truck with the g6 with over 400k miles, haven’t done anything to the engine and still goes strong…. One of the most reliable engines Mazda has ever made imo

[@nicholasdilillo4506]

I drive a 2017 focus se I love the 2.0 duratec. Sounds very deep and is very capable on the canyons and autocross such an underrated car

[@zetsuboublogger]

I think you've might missed some detail about F Series, as my 04 Ford Laser (Mazda Protege's OEM sister car) using DOHC of the F Series (FS-DE, 130 HP) while JDM version of 2.0 GT is using FS-ZE (170 HP as N/A)

[@GlaceNotGrace]

Don't forget about the mazdaspeed protégé's FSDE-T!

[@WillJacksonNW]

Super nerd here, In the US market we got the 2.0l FSDE (1996-2002 626, 2001-2003 Protege/protege5), and 1.8l FPDE (1999-2000 Protege) and the 2.0l FSDET (2003 Mazdaspeed protege turbo). The FSDE was around 130HP with 2000+ models ditching the distributor and came with a forged crankshaft and bigger intake and exhaust ports. Most later engines also had variable intake runners. The 2003 FSDET came with a bolt on turbo kit that bumped power to about 180hp. The later FS engines are very good engines often lasting to 250-300k miles if maintained. They can't take boost as well as the BP engines but can do about 11psi/ 220hp on the stock block setup reliably. Very good engines stock though suffering from oil starvation issues as people neglect servicing and valve stem seal maintenance. In Japan they got 2 higher compression FSZE engines with the Mazdaspeed Familia getting the highest compression and most aggressive cam setup also getting around 180hp naturally aspirated. They also got the standard FSDE in various trims and vehicles.

[@m00bly]

@@WillJacksonNWthis is good info btw. I somehow got the familia fsze jdm, torque sucks below 3k rpm but likes to rev and sounds nice though

[@WillJacksonNW]

@@m00bly what intake manifold are you running? stock USDM FSDE or the ZE? also are you sure it's a ZE? All imported engines are sold as ze but you have to confirm via borescope and look at the pistons to be sure

[@m00bly]

@@WillJacksonNW sure it’s a ZE. Over here we like consume a lottttt of jdm half cuts. Though i didn’t do it myself, the previous owner did a full conversion including all the dash, bits and parts from a Mazda speed sp20. Exhaust is stock from the half cut. Body is from a donor from a ford lynx wagon. Which is 99% identical.

[@Snowbush2]

Would love to see Volvo engines next Volvo's infamous redblock, inline 5 offerings, straight 6, Yamaha v8 and of course their record for the most miles on a vehicle would be cool to see.

[@running2redline]

I will try to get more Volvo in future videos, all of their inline 5 engines I covered in my 5 cylinder engine tier list found on my channel, check that out to see those! Some really neat ones for sure, thanks for the suggestion!

[@SWHSMonsters]

I have a 2020 Maxda 3 with the SkyactivG without the turbo. I absolutely love the car. I may not have all the performance but im on 93 octance and im over 200hp and torque without boost. Its so mych fun to drive too.

[@enriquerivera592]

When I was a little kid, my dad had 1997 protege, it was his first Mazda. That car was a tank, that thing was the only car we had for awhile and my dad would take my mom to work and then take me to school and then pick us up and it would do it all week long. I remember that he used to praise the engine and how he push the engine to his limit and it would not brake down. I loved that car, I wish I would of gotten to drive it when I was of age but he was forced to sell it.

[@anyau]

Nice video. I really want to put a skyactive-g engine into my 323 BF now.

[@calliris]

japanese diesel engines tier list next maybe? id love a video that focuses on diesel engines!

[@bhuvstechworld9743]

skyactiv x deserves better. For the simple reason that it took major leaps

[@poehalcho]

European here. Would be very interested in French I4 list. If I am not mistaken France has some extra strict emissions legislations, so the French manufacturers tend to use smaller than average engines, yet somehow stay competitive quite well. Plus France has historically done quite well in sport events such as Rallye.

[@Thee_Sinner]

I think it would be cool if you made another video or two with the rest of the Mazda engines all on the same tier list.

[@yaboi7801]

Hi sorry just that at 4:12 you forgot the ford Couriers as an application for the G6e motor

[@yaboi7801]

Also the G6 motors have issues overheating. Lift heads semi frequently

[@running2redline]

Missed that, thanks!

[@Creeperboy099]

From a friend I learned that not only did the E engine make it into the Laser but the B6 made it into the Ford Capri with a turbo- it’s a niche little car, and when I saw one for the first time, I couldn’t tell if I was looking at an MR2 or a Fiero

[@edim108]

Mazda really doesn't get enough creddit. They made one of the absolute best driver's cars of all time and Mazda3 which also handles phenomenally until the recent one with torsion beam.

[@lochsloy217]

Do Mazda rotary engines next

[@minerska3395]

I have the 2.0 skyactiv G in the mazda biante, good sounding engine for a van😂

[@made-in-Japan-2006]

G engine deserves it The Center A

[@nboy7]

The Ecoboost Mustang and Ford Focus RS mk3 use a variant of the 2.3L MZR.

[@glurak888]

I got a B3 in my 323 and have a BP05 in my garage to work on, and swap in

[@betterthannothing1620]

Z series info. It's actually an evolution of the B series. I'd consider them a part of the B series than their own separately family. You can swap parts between them and the B6. The head is a better flowing design than the B series as well. Supposedly 20% more flow. Also the engines in the Mazda2 and Mazda3 you have listed are different from the earlier Z series. They are an all aluminum engine that is a smaller verison of the L series.

[@curtisnoble.]

NOTIFICATION GANG

[@Tycho_3111]

Yuhh

[@swagpug7891]

Aye u should do a an american diesels tier list

[@louisgoirand5220]

Hello. I would love to see a italian V8 tier list

[@charlieives8006]

No MZR-DISI 2.3L Turbo mentioned :(

[@running2redline]

That is a phenomenal variant for sure!

[@kenneth2405]

Is it risky to buy a CX-9 with the 2.5T? I heard problems about parts cracking 😅

[@running2redline]

I would personally look elsewhere. A class action lawsuit has been won for that particular case, but not extended warranties provided. From what I can find it doesn’t seem terribly common, but with many other mazda options not having such issue I would explore what else suits your needs. I should have mentioned that issue although only on that variant.

[@kenneth2405]

@@running2redline thanks for the advice 👍🏽

[@JoseMartinez-gy9eo]

Ultimate Subaru Flat 4 list?

[@collin2056]

Will there ever be an american 4cyl tier list?

[@drakona357]

It has to be one engine tire list

[@therealmudafuka7200]

Dude, if you really want to see what FE is capable of, just look at the south African car scene. we literally just throw them in with minor changes and boost and there are many that push 500hp on stock internals

[@running2redline]

That’s incredible, I’ll take a further look!

[@JzrJeremy]

@@running2redlinef series, Particularly f2t and fe3 certainly tops b series and mzr in terms of performance potential. They just aren’t well supported and used as they aren’t as common. I’ve owned a mzr and currently have a fe3 making 400 safe hp on stock internals, only thing upgraded on the motor itself is valve springs and head studs

[@benmarley3086]

BP supremacy

[@Raidenorius]

Mitsubishi next?

[@victorpasillas2561]

Please american 4 cilinder

[@mitchellmeyer4177]

So one of Kias only reasonable cars had a Mazda engine. Further proves Hyundai kia are the off brands of the car industry

[@running2redline]

Ouch, pulling no punches lol. Thanks for watching!

[@mitchellmeyer4177]

@@running2redline no, who's going to argue that Hyundai Kia make anything other than trash

[@tsubakiboii]

WOOHOOOOO

[@mitchellsteindler]

No shop manual makes replacing cams on an nc miata easy 🤣

[@running2redline]

If you’re referencing the clip, that was a valve cover gasket job. I agree cams is not fun under any circumstances lol. Thanks for watching!

[@rewanker7336]

Why you put L series to S tier, they are the worst Mazda (sorry i mean Ford) engines, they have enormous oil consumption, Even Mazda don't exactly know the cause of the oil consumption of L series. and there is no exact solution. The Z series deserve to be highier, i have Mazda 2 2007 with 1.5 103hp ZY-VE and it's so good and reliable. I have a lot of power and small fuel consumption. compared to L series. they were developed purely by Mazda.

[@running2redline]

I own and regularly track a higher mileage L series and have not consumed a drop of oil, maybe I’m one of the lucky ones, but I haven’t seen anything about oil consumption in the NC forums either in the last year. I can agree on the Z, certainly a stout engine. Thanks for watching!

[@dovydaskaminskas4227]

F series only A tier? Really? The most reliable Mazdas engines. The simple FE engines endure so much abuse you wouldn't believe. Or even the FE3N engine alone would put the F series to S Tier. It was 88 and later, when there where no aftermarket or anything, one of maybe a couple engines on the world that let you triple its power without any internal modification. It came with forged crank and rods out of the factory.

[@running2redline]

That’s a completely valid argument and I may have missed there. At least it was at the upper end of the rankings, forged internals are certainly a massive plus. Thanks for watching!