V6 engines are common in the automotive world, but they're not always the most exciting. It's true that they make great power and torque, but they don't offer the same level of tuning potential as their inline counterparts. But with forced induction, V6 engines can be made to perform just as well as their I6 and V8 counterparts.
The ability to tune these motors has made them popular for drag and road racing applications. The potential for enormous power makes them ideal for those who want to go fast without spending big money on a twin-turbo setup or simply want more torque for daily driving.
8 Nissan VG30DE(TT)
Nissan's VG30DETT is an aluminum, 3.0-liter V6 engine that was introduced in 1989. The VG30 features dual overhead camshafts with roller rocker arms and hydraulic lifters for each valve train component.
They developed a hybrid T22/TB02 twin-turbochargers system for this car which, together with a manual transmission, made 305 horsepower.
7 Audi V6 2.8-Liter
The Audi V6 2.8-liter is a great engine with a lot of potential for tuning. We can find the Audi 2.8-liter in various models from the B5 platform to the face-lifted B6 platforms and Passat models from VW. It's also used in some early S4s and TTs, although not all these models make their way over to the U.S.
The engine's compact dimensions make it easy to fit into smaller vehicles like hatchbacks or sedans while its smooth power delivery makes it ideal for daily driving or weekend auto crossing—plus it has plenty of tuning potential if you want to get serious about performance upgrades.
6 V6 Toyota 1GR-FE
The V6 Toyota 1GR-FE is a very good engine, and its tuning potential is excellent. It's based on the legendary 2GR-FE, which was also a very good engine. The 1GR-FE has a smaller displacement than the 2GR-FE, but it still produces roughly the same amount of power.
The 1GR-FE is known for its reliability and durability, making it perfect for daily drivers or track cars. The engine has an aluminum block, which helps reduce its weight while also helping it to run cooler than most engines of this type.
5 Ford 3.5 EcoBoost V6
The Ford 3.5 EcoBoost V6 is also a great engine for tuners. It's got a lot of potential, and it's relatively inexpensive. The Ford 3.5 EcoBoost V6 was first released in 2015—but it's still one of the most sought-after engines out there today.
And with good reason: it's got tons of power and torque, so even though it might be older than other engines out there today, its tuning potential is still definitely worth exploring.
4 Cadillac CT6 V6
The Cadillac CT6 V6 is a great engine, and it's got a lot of potential for tuners. The Cadillac CT6 V6 uses direct injection technology to make more power than a comparable naturally aspirated engine at lower RPMs, which has always been difficult for turbocharged engines.
The Cadillac CT6 V6 is the spiritual successor to the legendary CTS-V that makes 306 horsepower, with plenty of space for more.
3 Nissan VR38DE(TT)
The Nissan VR38DE(TT) is an incredible engine, one that still amazes us today. The Nissan VR38DE(TT) is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that delivers up to 530 horsepower and 448 pounds of torque in its stock form, but modified versions can produce over 1,000 horsepower thanks to their high compression ratios and optimized turbocharger setup.
The Nissan VR38DE(TT) is also a good choice for tuners because the engine is very reliable, and they can tune it to make it even more reliable at stock levels.
2 Alfa 2.9-Liter Twin-Turbo V6
The Alfa 2.9-liter Twin-Turbo V6 is a great, reliable engine that can be easily modified by tuning companies to give you more power than you thought possible. The Alfa 2.9-liter Twin-Turbo V6 offers up to 505 hp from its stock configuration, but tuners have boosted power numbers as high as 650 hp (which comes close to what you'd get out of a Lamborghini V12).
The Alfa 2.9-liter Twin-Turbo V6 is another good choice for tuners because it's an older engine often used in many models of cars, so there are lots of parts available for it if you break something while modifying it.
1 Acura NSX 3.5-Liter Twin-Turbo V6
The new Acura NSX 3.5-liter Twin-Turbo V6 also provides plenty of power while still being fuel efficient, thanks to its unique design features. The Acura NSX 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 is also an excellent platform for tuning because it's already pretty powerful out of the box, with a total output of 573 horsepower.
You can increase that by adding some new turbos or upgrading the supercharger, but if you really want to go all out, we recommend adding a nitrous system.
Sources: Alfa Romeo of Akron, Guide Auto Web, McChip DKR, Low-Offset, Ford Authority, HCD Mag,