Many automotive firsts are often frequently disputed. The first muscle car, for example. Does that title belong to Oldsmobile or Pontiac? And is the first supercar a Mercedes-Benz, or a Lamborghini?

This is a story of a Toyota four-cylinder engine that produced more power than post-Oil Crisis American V-8 engines.

When it comes to car engines that changed the game, many of them did so without the fanfare they deserved. Some of these ...