Did you know the Dodge brothers made engines for brands from all three major manufacturers? They first came to fame making engines for Oldsmobile, which was owned by GM (Oldsmobile met its demise in 2004). The engines were critically acclaimed, and engineers loved them, so it was only natural that Henry Ford asked them to make engines for the Model T when he launched the Ford Motor Company, which is still a powerhouse today and owns a slew of brands. By 1913, the brothers grew frustrated with Ford and decided to launch their own brand, choosing their last name as the namesake.

Dodge was bought out by Chrysler after the brothers' death, and the rest is a history we're sure you're familiar with.

Mopar (Chrysler-owned brands such as Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep, and of course Chrysler themselves) have long been making efficient economy cars and pavement-pounding muscle cars, and some truly iconic engines have powered their unique cars. Legends from the HEMI to the Cummins diesel are almost synonymous with the brand, but Mopar has a few stinkers to that should alert buyers. Here are five of the best engines found in Mopars, and five you should avoid at all costs!

10 Avoid: Powertech 4.7L V8

2008 Dodge Nitro 3.7-liter 'PowerTech' V6 Engine Was Unreliable
Virtual Parking

Chrysler launched the Powertech line of engines in 1999 in an effort to bring more efficiency and modern tech to the lineup, and replace the aging Magnum 5.2L and 5.9L V8s, which were in service since the 1960s! The lineup featured a 3.7L V6 and a 4.7L V8. The motors were put in SUVs and trucks beginning in 1999 and were phased out in 2013 and replaced by the Pentastar V6 and HEMI V8s. Nearly 15 million were built during its 14-year lifespan. The 3.7L proved popular amongst Jeeps fans, with anecdotal evidence of the reliability and capability of the engine. The V8 was met with less fanfare, though.

2007 Dodge Dakota
via drivespark

So why avoid it? Well, the most notable fault is the lack of power. The 4.7L V8 in the 2003 Dodge Dakota made 230 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The 5.9L Magnum V8 in the 1998 Dodge Dakota made 250 hp and 345 lb-ft of torque. Tell us which one you'd rather haul a trailer with. Eventually, the power was boosted with a new head design, but the engine was still anemic compared to the 5.7L HEMI. The 4.7L did get better fuel mileage, but no one buys a V8 truck for fuel mileage. There were also complaints of sludge in the V8 which would cause blown head gaskets...yikes! If it were up to us, we would sacrifice a little fuel money for the power and reliability of the Magnum V8s.

9 Buy: 5.9L Magnum V8

1998_jeep_grand_cherokee_156218735598764dagc-59-bat-65
Via Bring a Trailer

The 5.9L Magnum V8 was actually launched in 1971 for use in Dodge and Plymouth trucks and muscle cars and was named after its size in cubic inches (360 cubic inches). The engine completely replaced the popular 340 V8 in 1974 and was one of only two V8s offered by Dodge throughout most of the 1980s and 1990s.

It was based on the LA line of V8s that actually began in 1964. The 5.9L and its smaller 5.2L brother found use in police cars, trucks, and the last of Chrysler's muscle cars before the 5.7L HEMI came around in 2003. In 1992 Chrysler rebranded the last of the LA engines as the Magnum engines, along with upgrading some components and switching to fuel injection.

Dodge Durango 4x4
Dodge

The 5.9 was a monster, making 250 hp and 345lb-ft of torque when it was launched in 1971, and when it was discontinued in 2003. The LA version found use in the Plymouth Duster, Plymouth 'Cuda, Dodge Diplomat, and all of Chrysler's line of trucks until they switched to the Magnum nomenclature. The Magnum version could be found in the Dodge Ram, Dakota, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. This engine will be missed by Mopar fans young and old.

Related: 8 Cheap American V8 Cars (That Aren't Camaros Or Mustags)

8 Avoid: 2.2L Inline 4

1982 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible 2.2-liter K Inline-4 Engine Was Unreliable
Bring a Trailer

When Lee Iacocca took control of Chrysler in 1979 the company was in financial ruin, about to file bankruptcy and close its doors for good. To save the company Lee Iacocca ditched the gas-guzzling V8s and switched to more efficient straight fours. These engines marked the beginning of a dark age in Chrysler performance, the era of the K-cars. Sure the K-car saved the brand, but it took the charm of the company with it.

1982 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible With An Unreliable 2.2-liter K Inline-4 Engine
Via: BringaTrailer

Chrysler attempted to turbocharge these engines and put them in smaller coupes, but they never caught on like the fox-body Mustang and 3rd generation Camaro did. Many consumers complained of oil burning and poor performance, with power topping out at 96 hp at the beginning of its lifespan.

7 Buy: 2.4L SRT4

Dodge Neon SRT-4 Engine
Via Bring A Trailer

Want serious performance and economy? We recommend the 2.4L SRT4. The engine was the follower to the poorly received 2.2L 4-cylinder and was tuned with input from famed Italian automaker Lamborghini...yes you read that right. The SRT4 used MPFI and a turbo to bring total output to an impressive 230 hp.

2004 Dodge Neon SRT4 2 Cropped
Via barnfinds.com

Chrysler used the 2.4L in a variety of cars, from the Neon SRT4, PT Cruiser GT, and several Spanish-only market models. The SRT4 pushed 15 lbs of boost at the most, but that's more than you'd ever need in day-to-day driving. So go find your own little pocket rocket and have a blast with your own piece of SRT technology! Related: These Are The Most Ridiculous Modifications For A Dodge Caliber SRT4

6 Avoid: 2.7L LH V6

2004 Chrysler Sebring 2.7-liter V6 Engine Was Unreliable
Flickr

Used for nearly 12 years in Chrysler cars, thousands of these little V6s came equipped in many Dodge and Chrysler favorites like the Charger, 300, and the Intrepid. Chrysler engineers saw the LH V6 as the way of the future, hoping to beat the competition as car manufacturers moved away from the V8 engine layout.

So, what was so bad about a little gas-saving V6? Oil sludge. A poor head-gasket and water-pump design doomed the engine from the start. Coolant would slowly leak into the oil, which would cause catastrophic failure unless addressed immediately. This engine could be blamed for tarnishing Chrysler's reputation as the "engineer's brand" and putting Chrysler cars near the bottom of reliability rankings. Next time you see a car with the 2.7L LH V6 for sale, run.

5 Buy: 225 Slant Six

1960 Plymouth XNR Concept Car Engine Bay Slant Six
Via: RM Sotheby's

You've probably already heard of this legend of a motor, probably for its iconic 30-degree slant. Chrysler engineers found that slanting the combustion chamber allowed for a more efficient combustion process and allowed it to fit in cars with a low hood. These can be found in anything from the classic Dodge Dart, the Dodge D150 pick-up, and the odd Dodge A100.

via oldparkedcars.com

Other than its quirky design, the Slant-Six is known for its dead reliability. The Slant Six is ranked above legends like the Toyota 2JZ, Chevrolet LS, and the Volvo B5. Simple design and strong materials are what allowed the Slant Six to achieve mind-blowing mileage feats, with some owners hitting 300k miles with no issue!

Related: The Chrysler Slant 6 Was The Underdog Of The Muscle Car Era

4 Avoid: 3.0L EcoDiesel

Jeep 3.0 EcoDiesel
Via: FCA

Dodge and Jeep launched the EcoDiesel to make use of the Ram 1500 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The idea was a more fuel-efficient alternative to the range of HEMI engines offered on both. While the EcoDiesel delivered in fuel economy (promising 1,000 miles before a fill-up) it was lackluster everywhere else.It made only 240 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque compared to the HEMI's 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque, not bad for a gas engine.

2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel
via: 2021truck

Did we mention this engine is prone to fires? That's right. Cracks are common in the EGR coolers, which allows coolant to leak on the hot exhaust headers and cause a fire. 108,000 models were recalled by FCA for this issue. We recommend staying clear of this engine and handing over the extra dough for a HEMI.

3 Buy: 5.9 Cummins Turbo Diesel

Sure, the 6.7L is more powerful, and we recommend it, but the 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel sticks out for price, reliability, and slew of aftermarket support. The 5.9 Cummins made a whopping 650 lb-ft of torque at the end of its production in 2007. The engine was used starting in 1989 with the first-generation Ram, lasting over twenty years before it was upgraded; so there are plenty of parts cars. Many have found their way as swaps into Dodge muscle cars, and even a few Ford and Toyota trucks.

Dodge Ram - 2500HD 2012

So why get a diesel over a gas engine? Well, there are three main advantages. The first is towing power, which is because of a slightly different combustion cycle than a gas engine. The next advantage is fuel economy, with a 5.9 Cummins getting 24 mpg, compared to 12 from the 5.9L Magnum. Lastly, diesel engines last longer due to slower engine wear. So if you decide a diesel is for you, there's no question...the Cummins Diesel is the way to go. Related: The Hidden Truth Behind The Cummins Diesel Engine

2 Avoid: 3.5L SOHC V6

Via Wikimedia Commons

The SOHC V6 replaced the LA-based Magnum V6 and Slant Six. Sure, the V6 had good fuel economy and decent power, making 250 hp. The engine found its way in anything from Dodge economy cars to VW minivans (yes...a VW), but it lacked any memorable characteristics... at least any good ones.

topspeed.com

Like the 2.7L LH V6, the 3.5L SOHC V6 was plagued with reliability issues, including the dreaded oil sludge. Many engines had cooling issues as well. So what should you buy if you want a reliable engine in your Dodge truck or car? We're sure you already know the answer.

1 Buy: 5.7L HEMI V8

Chrysler 5.7L HEMI
Stellantis

This is the obvious choice for power, reliability, and wait for it...fuel economy. The MDS cylinder cut-off system allows for the 5.7L HEMI to achieve higher MPG depending on driving habits. We recommend finding a trustworthy mechanic who can disable the system to prolong the life of your engine though.

2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee
Dodge

The HEMI made an impressive 345 hp at launch, and throughout a lifespan of nearly 20 years, there are plenty of parts and spare engines available. The HEMI was popular in police service as a testament to its reliability. No reason car fans love the 5.7L HEMI so much. There's a HEMI for any application, so go find what suits you!