Engines are the beating heart of any vehicle—but how much do you really know about them? At Gearhead Engines, we live and breathe remanufactured power. So, we’ve gathered some of the most interesting, quirky, and jaw-dropping engine trivia to share with fellow gearheads.
🛠 1. The World’s First Car Had Less Power Than a Lawnmower
Karl Benz’s 1885 Motorwagen was the first gas-powered car, and it only had ⅔ horsepower. Today’s lawnmowers often top that easily—yet his invention sparked the automotive revolution.
🔩 2. NASCAR Engines Don’t Have Speedometers
Why? Because they don’t need them! NASCAR engines are tuned to max out performance, not comfort—and crews use data telemetry to track speed anyway.
🏎 3. Formula 1 Engines Hit 15,000 RPM (and Up)
F1 engines are marvels of engineering, screaming up to 15,000+ RPM. That’s more than 5x the redline of most daily drivers.
🧊 4. The Coolest Engines? Literally.
The Saturn V rocket’s F-1 engines (used to launch Apollo missions) were so powerful that they had to burn super-cooled fuel to keep from melting. Now that’s running hot and cold.
🚜 5. Diesel Engines Were Almost… Peanut Powered?
Inventor Rudolf Diesel ran his early prototypes on peanut oil, not petroleum. His vision was for farmers to fuel their own equipment sustainably.
🧠 6. Engines “Breathe” Just Like You
Engines inhale air (intake) and exhale exhaust in cycles that mimic human respiration. That’s why airflow matters—and why air filters are more important than most people realize.
🥇 7. Toyota’s 22R Engine Is Practically Immortal
Known for its insane reliability, the 22R has powered everything from Hilux trucks to Baja buggies. With regular care, some 22Rs have crossed 500,000+ miles.
🕰 8. Some Engines Outlive Their Cars
A properly remanufactured engine can outlast the rest of the vehicle—especially when built by experts like us here at Gearhead Engines. It’s not uncommon to see our engines running strong years after installation.
🌎 9. Jet Engines Share Roots with Car Engines
Jet turbines and car engines both operate on the internal combustion principle—but jet engines skip the pistons for spinning turbines and insane thrust.
🧰 10. The Engine Is Only as Good as the Builder
Remanufactured engines, like the ones we produce at Gearhead, are stripped, cleaned, machined, and tested to meet or exceed OEM standards—giving you like-new reliability without the like-new cost.
⚙️ Final Gear: Ready for a Reman?
At Gearhead Engines, we believe in more than just horsepower—we believe in craftsmanship, quality, and giving engines a second life. Whether you need a remanufactured engine for your car, truck, SUV, or workhorse, we’ve got you covered.
Are you a true engine enthusiast? At Gearhead Engines, we live and breathe high-performance powertrains, and we know our customers do too! Whether you’re a seasoned mechanic or just love cars, here are some fun car engine trivia facts to rev up your knowledge.