When you’re “building” a car, you may have heard the term crate engines thrown around a lot. On paper, it looks easy. Take the old engine out of your vehicle and put in the best crate engine money can buy. Of course, there are many reasons why you would want to do this. You love your old car, but under the hood it’s old and you can’t bear to kill it. You’ve bought a classic car and want to restore and modify it to turn it into an asphalt-chewing, opponent-spitting beast. You’re working on a project car and you want to give it the most powerful heart there is, especially in the age of silent but powerful electric vehicles.
While there may be many more reasons why you choose a crate engine to be part of your automotive family, let’s start by addressing the elephant under your car’s hood first. What exactly is a box engine and why do you need one?
What exactly are crate engines?
The name “crate engine” comes from the fact that these engines are shipped in wooden crates, and is a new, ready-to-install engine, sold primarily by the aftermarket. That said, it also refers to the long blocks sold by the automakers themselves.
A crate engine often comes as a complete package, including the block itself, along with the rotating assembly (crankshaft, rods and pistons) and heads. Many also include a camshaft, intake and carburetor as a complete unit that you can install without any problems, as all these parts work perfectly together.
Most crate engines tend to be presented as high-performance options, although there are a number of support units on the market as well. You can get them as short blocks (block and rotating assembly), long blocks (short block plus cylinder head), “complete” engines (long block plus intake manifold, exhaust headers), and even key engines in hand, sent with all but oil and noise. It all depends on how much time you have on hand, how much money you want to spend and what your car really needs.
Before, it was the aftermarket you needed to find your perfect crate engine. Today, you can get a crate LS engine from a Corvette or even a HEMI from Dodge. If you’re a JDM fan, you can look to Japan to get the perfect crate engine as well, especially if you’re a fast and furious fan and I want this 10 second Supra!
Crate motors come with HP warranties and ratings
All crate motors are guaranteed and power certified and have undergone extensive testing. Today’s crate engines are reliable and easy to install. Forget the old days of running to the machine shop to get or even make a part. Also, no more need for trial and error engine experiments that more often than not blew up in your face and take away your bank balance. Since these engines come pre-tuned, they are the best heart for your car, giving maximum power with minimum effort.
There is also a wide range of options today with power ranging from 615 horsepower (Ford Megazilla) to 1,817 horsepower (Hennessey Fury). Of course, it depends on whether you’re simply trying to rebuild the car that grandpa left you in plain sight or a trip through the Flash. You can also choose from aftermarket crate engines from Edelbrock, Nelson, Mopar, or DSR, or stick with Detroit, Ford, Chevy, or Dodge. Either way, you’ll get a reliable, proven engine that’s ready to go and will last you many years of trouble-free life. A Hi-Po crate motor can set you back over $30,000, while a standard one can retail for around $10,000. If your dream car isn’t a track beast, you can certainly get a reasonably priced crate engine to get your project going.
How is it different from your car engine?
Frankly, now that the auto giants are also making crate engines, there is no difference between a car engine and a crate engine, it’s just that a crate engine serves different needs. Chances are you’ll be looking for a crate engine as you embark on a restoration project of any kind. It could be a crashed Ferrari you bought or dad’s old Dodge. It could be a classic car in your garage that you can’t get over, or your old car that you want to give new life to.
A new car has its engine assembly, but if you are embarking on a construction project, you will need a new engine. Buying an old machine or even a remanufactured one may not meet your power needs, so it’s best to go for a crate engine that accommodates all the power dreams you might have and also suit your financial needs. Simply put, you might not be looking for a new car, but a crate engine is the perfect way to breathe new life into your dream car.
Of course, it’s not as simple as opening the engine and dropping it under the hood of the car. Still, if you know your car, it’s easy enough considering all the parts come inside that box, and all it takes is a steady hand, an inside knowledge of your car, and a few hours of work, to of course
Are there any disadvantages to a box engine?
Since crate engines come certified and with a warranty, reliability and dependability remain the biggest advantage. As for the disadvantage, it is the high price. If you’re looking for a HiPo crate motor, they can cost you the same as the price of a new car or about that. For example, Chevy’s LS9 crate engine will set you back more than $21,403 for 640 horsepower. In case you want the Chevy ZZ632 crate engine that pushes 1,004 hp, be prepared to pay almost $38,000 for it. You can get a basic Ford Mustang or a Chevy Camaro for the same price.
Spending that much money on an old car or a restorer is not something everyone is comfortable with or can afford. There’s also the fact that a box engine warranty isn’t the same as a new car warranty. Most crate engines have a warranty of 24 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. New cars, on the other hand, have longer warranty periods and also have various free service schemes for the first two years.
Remember that you also need to be knowledgeable about cars if you plan to swap the crate motor yourself, and you’ll need a basic setup that can lift your car so you can install the other drivetrain parts. Otherwise, you’ll need a mechanic who knows his stuff, and getting him to do the job right will also involve some expense. Crate motors are a great way to bring a car you love to life, just make sure you have the money to support everything that goes into your beloved car project.
Sources: RobbReport, Chevrolet
