What Are Crate Engines And Are They Any Good?

What are crate engines and are they any good for your next project car? We explain everything you need to know before you buy one. When “building” a car, you might have heard the term crate engines bandied about a lot. On paper, it sounds easy. Take the old engine out of your vehicle and put in the best crate engine money can buy. Of course, there are plenty of reasons why you would want to do that. You love your old car, but it’s ancient under the hood, and you can’t bear to kill it. You bought a classic car and want to restore-modify it into an asphalt-chewing, opponent-spitting beast. You are working on a project car and want to give it the most powerful heart there is, especially in times of silent but powerful EVs. While there may be many more reasons that make you choose a crate engine to be part of your automotive family, let’s first start by addressing the elephant under the hood of your car. What exactly is a crate engine, and why do you need it?
Original Article by Arun Singh Pundir: www.hotcars.co...
Script by: Ian Somers
VO by: Bradley Hasemeyer
Edited by: Jean Bernard
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[@Jaidezilla]

You should support your local engine builder. It is becoming a dying art.

[@wesleyzaleski3655]

Because they suck and are very slow

[@fbird90nw]

​@@wesleyzaleski3655Amen, I tried to get mine build by a local engine builder, he never got back to me. Tried to keep up selling me when I said I wanted a regular LS3

[@DominatorGarage]

@@wesleyzaleski3655not really. Most engine builders as what you’re building and will build for your request and application.

[@thomaskitlica5572]

It's a dying art for a reason most people are out for the buck and cut corners not to mention most don't know what they are doing!!!!

[@fbird90nw]

@@thomaskitlica5572 amen, I called an engine builder and he kept trying to sell me something I didn't want. Took forever to get back to me. I called a parts company and they had a fresh LS3 Crate Motor ready to ship out. Guess which one I chose

[@jeffscholl9491]

I agree I had a local mechanic build a mopar 383 for me. I gave him ideas on how I thought it should be built and he tweaked it just a bit using his 30 plus years of experience. If you know anything about mopars it’s that they are expensive But by using him and not a crate engine I saved a few bucks which I used to buy top of the line engine parts “aluminum heads”. It’s very reliable easy to start and fairly powerful I wouldn’t change a thing.

[@machobunny1]

If you need to be taught any of that, you need to stay away from any kind of engines. But, for the record, my Coyote Ford Racing Engine started instantly on the first request, and has always done so since.

[@johnnymula2305]

I prefer to build my own. I just built a 347 Stroker with Trick Flow 11R head kit. I like to double and triple check all my tolerances. I used H Rod connecting rods with DDS Forged Pistons. Its producing 450HP. Im all in with all name brand parts for 6500.

[@briankeenan4901]

You make me feel old. I remember when crate engines were usually just GM 350's.

[@bwrscott1]

Go big block. 454's forever

[@garybulwinkle82]

My brother put a crate 318 in his Barracuda and it leaked oil badly! Turns out they neglected to put the bottom half of the rear seal in it!! Originally, I told him it would be easy to rebuild, but oh well!!!

[@keywest63020]

Not all crate engines are created equal . The most important decision you will make purchasing one is who built it. Always go with factory engines not some company that is used by auto part stores. A rebuild from your local rebuilder will liklely not have the lifespan of a factory motor and thats a fact.

[@jayc4562]

I put a 290 hp 350 in a 1985 gmc. 4bolt main and essentially the same as 72 73 corvette in the cam department. around 3k

[@LoneWolfSnowplowing]

Imagine making a video about engines and you don't even know how to spell carburetor.

[@lonelybikr]

You forgot to mention with a newer fuel injected engine the pcm will have to be programmed for it to run. Gone are the days of just dropping it in and jetting the carb. More $$ dished out.

[@Only1Science]

Ordering mine from Temu tonight! LOL

[@477RTE]

what happened

[@KarlPersson-pb2zj]

That response made me laugh...but you probably can order one from them...just make sure the pistons are made of metal.

[@casonscheline711]

How was it?

[@TreWilliams-n6n]

It all depends on your budget

[@fonziebulldog5786]

And what didnt they tell us !?.

[@harmonygritz2839]

Teardown of an engine is not too difficult, but it's what needs to be done after disassembly that separates the men from the boys. A fully equipped machine shop with CNC milling, hot tank, not to mention in-house dyno testing. These are the benefits of crate engines, and how they're handled before they put them up for sale.

[@diegosilang4823]

Not to forget discipline of keeping workshop clean reducing risk of contaminating engine parts.

[@mpccenturion]

I have blueprinted engines for 50 yrs. Less than $1000 and it listed 100,000 miles again. That's 250,⁰00 total. Body died.

[@garryhill8700]

I remember buying Short Blocks for $1.00 a Cubic Inch and having a set of Heads rebuilt for $100.00. Brand new rebuild. SB 350 for $400.00

[@Dogboy1960]

I used to build 'em myself. Not anymore. Just can't justify it. The problem today vs the past is all about the success of Blueprint engines and the way the company has grown and expanded their offerings to so many choices and power levels. This one company has just changed the world to a place where it would have to be a very specific build that is well outside what they offer for me to ever consider "building" again. For MOPAR or FORD guys this may happen more often but for a Chevy guy like me? Blueprint offers so many choices that I really don't have any problem finding something VERY CLOSE to what-ever my need/goal is. Most recently a 400 SBC. I could have built it myself but ultimately the small change I might save isn't worth the chance I'd take on anything from machine work to my own possible mistake made. (Honest car guys will have a story of something gone wrong in their own history here and I certainly have my own sad stories of repeated work too). The video points to "short warranties" on Crate engines of 2 years. Blue print actually goes 3 years but I'd be OK with just 2 years anyway. If something is wrong you won't need 2 days, never-mind 2 years to see it.

[@NyronGT]

0:06 Why censor words?

[@ujmrider]

I don't need a crate engine because my Toyota has the fantasticly reliable and long lasting 4.7 v8. However a new body and frame would be nice at this point.

[@scottruether2500]

Crate doesn't mean great. Read the parts info before purchase . There may be a reason your local builder was more expensive .

[@anthonyrowland9072]

Crate engines are always gonna be a compromise. Also many are mass produced and have lesser parts in them. You'll know you have the right valve train parts, engine fasteners, and correct specs if you go to a reputable local builder. You'll probably save money too. I looked at some Blueprint engines once and saw grade 8 rods bolts once and never looked at them again. Hard nope...

[@Noone-jn3jp]

Did you see the LSX on Donut? Friday motor for sure

[@jdwht2455]

I have a Ford crate motor in my '31 roadster. It's, for all intent, a '98 Explorer engine and started at 210 Hp. After reworking the GT40P heads, a good roller camshaft and rocker arms, an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and carb and a full pre Holley owned MSD ignition amongst other things, now sits at a wee bit over 300HP and plenty for crusin' and reasonable gas mileage. Not my first rodeo with crate motors as they at least start with a new block and innards and you can go from there

[@fobbitoperator3620]

Answer to thumbnail question: "It's an engine you buy, that's in a crate."

[@Healthliving1967]

I’d rather rebuild my own engine than pay for a crate engine. At least you know what your getting when you do it yourself.

[@steveb7310]

That’s just CRATE!

[@dabprod]

Yep....once had a 350 ci Chevy crate motor in a van. Ran like a fine watch.

[@chardelraconner7324]

if a letter doesn't have a chain on it how much *would* you estimate emblematic moon landing

[@johnthomas-uy4tw]

Depends who designed and built it

[@paulradice3534]

ZZ632 Hellcat eater 👍

[@mrshifter8220]

It really doesn't have anything to do with laziness.....it's all about how fat your wallet is....period.

[@chich2744]

Crate engines = thousands of dollars for a paper weight. I know it happened to me.

[@codyreynold]

The question is, can you sell the motor you pulled out? To help offset the cost of the new one

[@PonkyKong]

Used motors are hard to sell.

[@DG-oq8hj]

I don't know if this this is still done today but in the past some outfits would add a core charge to the price of the engine and would refund it back to you when you sent in the old engine for them to rebuild. You will need to check with whoever you buy the crate engine from.

[@Karrpilot]

Quality rebuilding facilities are becoming fewer and farther away. And the prices have gone up like crazy. We sent over a set of cylinder heads for repairs. The invoice was more than a brand new cylinder heads cost.

[@chardelraconner7324]

random : precision aiming instead ; it'll fall off when I'm finished

[@robsnodgrass915]

Eight different size piston boors might maybe make more horsey.

[@rooster68able]

Why do you have to lift your car to instal a engine? If anything you want the car lower

[@tonganhorsepower]

In some vehicles, it is easier to drop it out the bottom and back in that way. Especially if you have a lift.

[@patrickgriffitt6551]

Many many front wheel drive cars are built with engine installed from the bottom at the factory. I would expect that practice to have been employed on a few of the others as well.

[@SyracuseIsOranges]

Turn key pallets are crazy cool

[@thecloneguyz]

My 77yr old neighbor has a 283cui with twin turbos pushing 18lbs BOOST @ 9000rpm Blows my mind that a small V8 can spin that fast without flying apart. He SWEARS it can do 10,700 rpm shifts but it wont do it for long.......

[@chardelraconner7324]

dentistay

[@rick-kx7gy]

Or a quality remanufactured engine from Jasper . 100,000 mile warranty with an install kit .

[@Karrpilot]

Jasper is synonymous with junk. Buy the crate engine. You'll only have to do it once that way.