Designing a new engine today involves a host of specialized engineers, working on everything from metallurgy to electronics. There was a time, long before CAD design and sophisticated computer simulation programs, when men used a drafting board and Bridgeport to design and build a new engine family.
The website TopSpeed recently posted an article written by Ciprian Florea naming his choices for the five greatest engine designers. There’s little argument against his picks, as they all are legendary names in the automotive history books. Most are European. Harry Miller and Fred Offenhauser are the only US-born designers to make the list, thanks to their engines dominating the Indy 500 through much of the last century.
Other designers on the list include Giotto Bizzarrini, who developed notable Ferrari and Lamborghini engines; Vittorio Jano, also Ferrari; Hans Mezger, Porsche; and Mike Costin and Keith Duckworth, the brains behind the Cosworth racing engines.
Apparently, the key to making this list is designing specialty engines for exotic cars or race vehicles. High-production engines require large teams of engineers to ensure durability, cost effectiveness, emissions compliance and much more these days. Even some venerable designs like the original small-block Chevy and the first Chrysler Hemi are rarely linked to one person. We know that Ed Cole was the lead engineer on the SBC after being hired by Chevy in 1952. And although Tom Hoover is considered the “Godfather” of the 426 Hemi engine, the original Chrysler Hemi was designed and produced before he joined the company. Also not on the list is anyone connected with Japanese engines, which certainly boast a few iconic powerplants.
With CNC machining and design software, it’s possible to build your own engine. We’ve featured stories on all-billet engines designed by Mike Moran, CFE Racing and Goodwin Competition. Again, very specialized engines. Even before computers, Reeves Callaway built an IndyCar engine from scratch.
There’s rarely a consensus on any “top” list, and this one is no exception. We’d like to hear your thoughts on the topic.