(Photos from the BangShift collection) — I have always thought that engines make for compelling photos. The way people modify them, the way they dress them up, the way they try to disguise or hide certain aspects of them make for fun photos to look at. This gallery features engine photos that were all taken in 2013 as part of race coverage, car show coverage, and even coverage of a boat event. In many ways, engines define and classify cars. Build a 1932 Ford with a small block Chevy and people glance at it. Build the identical car but used a 12-cylinder Lincoln engine and they will flock to it and never leave. This is not to say the small block is bad, but it is to say that the 12-cylinder is that good.

In this gallery there are some engines that we can laugh at like a Cross-Fire injected Chevy in a 1980s Corvette and other engines that you just have to stand and respect like a flame belching Hemi on nitro. In the middle of those two lies a wide range of traditional engines like flatheads, big blocks, and inliners. There are four bangers in here, six cylinders, race motors, and yeoman like lumps that are providing just enough giddy up to move the car and its owner on down the road.

This is a gallery from assorted contributors that show for us in 2013. You’ll be seeing more of their work in the coming days as we roll out their “highlight reel” items where they share their favorite photos from the year!

HIT THE LINK BELOW TO SEE ALL THE ENGINES IN THE GALLERY!

GALLERY LINK: