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When it is time to either replace the engine in your vehicle or to add a power plant to your next hot rod project, a crate motor is a common option. JEGS has a crate motor for just about every need. Whether you have a daily driver or full-out race car, we have a crate engine to satisfy your need for speed. For those of us who aren't professional builders or who lack the tools to build a high performance beast, crate motors are a great option! Most crate motors come with a great warranty to back up your purchase, and almost all of our engines have confirmed dyno specifications for horsepower and torque so you know exactly what your new crate engine can do. To learn more about buying the right crate motor, read on.
What Is A Crate Engine And What Does A Crate Engine Come With?
A crate engine is an assembled motor that typically is shipped in a wood or heavy-duty plastic crate. Crate motors are either offered in one horsepower option level or they can be made available in different levels of dress or power. Crate engines usually include a warranty that expires when either a specified amount of time or mileage is reached (whichever comes first). Nearly all crate engines have the rotating assembly installed into the block. This includes the:
This “entry level” version of a crate engine is called a “short block” as it does not include the cylinder heads or camshaft.
What All Is Included On A Long Block Crate Engine?
When a crate motor includes the short block, camshaft, and cylinder heads installed, it is called a “long block”. This will include:
Also included in most long block packages are any additional gaskets to complete the engine assembly. A completed long block assembly includes everything that rotates or moves internally inside the block and heads.
What Is A Dress Crate Engine?
The next level of crate engines is called a “dress” engine. Typically, the parts installed on a dress engine include the assembled long block as well as:
- Valve Covers
- Oil Pan
- Timing Cover
- Intake Manifold
- Carburetor or Throttle Body
- Distributor
- Harmonic Balancer
- Water Pump
The number or type of parts can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and option level.
What Is A Turn-Key Crate Engine?
The highest level of crate engines is called a “turn-key” engine. This is a dress engine with additional parts that make it nearly ready to “turn the key” and start after installation. Typical parts included in a turn-key crate engine include:
They also can include the front accessory drive assembly, which contains all of the brackets, pulleys, and belts to drive the water pump, alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor, depending on the application. As with dress engines, turn-key engine components can vary in number and type depending on the manufacturer and level of options.
What Is A Non-Street-Legal Crate Engine?
A non-street legal crate engine is an assembled motor that will not pass any emissions tests or comply with local laws regarding modifying a vehicle. These types of motors are designed for “off-road” use only. This means the vehicle with a non-street legal crate engine will be trailered to and from a race track and not used on public roads. Check your local laws to confirm whether the engine you want to use follows them before purchasing.
Most Popular Crate Engines
Which Is Better A Crate Engine Or A Rebuilt Engine?
There are differences between crate engines and rebuilt engines. To start, both are shipped in a wood or heavy duty plastic crate. So a rebuilt engine can still be called a crate engine. Unless the crate engine is shipped directly from an original manufacturer like Chevrolet Performance or Ford Racing, the blocks and in some cases cylinder heads for both crate engines and rebuilt engines are remanufactured. This means the supplier finds good usable block and cylinder head “cores” that can be cleaned, inspected, and machined to be "like new" and within factory specs. This saves a lot of money versus casting a brand new block or heads in a foundry. There is an exception to this on cylinder heads. Typically, crate engines use performance cylinder heads that are made from aluminum or even cast iron and are brand new. If you prefer a brand new block, the options most likely will be limited to its original manufacturer. A crate engine, outside the remanufactured block, will have brand new internal components. Rebuilt engines may have a remanufactured crankshaft, which has the journals machined and uses oversize bearings to compensate. Rebuilt engines may also be assembled with remanufactured connecting rods, camshaft, intake and exhaust valves, rocker arms, and pushrods following the same cleaning, inspecting, and assembly process. Rebuilt engines also typically add a “core charge” to the price of the engine. This deposit is refundable once the original engine it is replacing is returned back to the manufacturer so that they can continue to rebuild the same engine for the next customer. Performance crate engines typically do not include a core charge as they use mostly performance parts aside from the engine block.
How Much Does A Crate Motor Cost? / How To Select The Right Crate Engine
It is difficult to provide an exact amount for the cost of a crate motor due to so many options. A typical crate engine can cost anywhere from a couple thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the level of performance and number of parts included. To narrow the estimated cost down and select the right crate engine, goals need to be set regarding what parts you want included, the horsepower level, and manufacturer. A JEGS technical representative can help answer questions and select a crate motor that matches your budget and needs.
How To Install A Crate Engine
Installing a crate engine is a large task, requiring specialty tools and skills. When replacing an existing engine with a rebuilt engine, the process is typically straight-forward; disconnect and remove the old engine from the vehicle and install the replacement in the reverse order. This includes draining and replacing all fluids, unhooking and temporarily moving wiring and hoses out of the way, and removing and replacing the engine with an engine hoist or crane that can raise and lower the motor from the engine bay. The main two connection points on engines are the engine mounts and the transmission. The engine mounts connect the engine to the frame while the transmission connects to the back of the engine and is supported by its own mount to secure the assembly to the vehicle chassis. A lot of care needs to be performed documenting the removal to help with the installation so that nothing is forgotten and a smooth process results in success. If you are working on a project where the original engine is not being replaced with a similar engine or you are doing a new or custom build, there are a lot of items you need to cover to ensure all systems are in place. This includes the cooling, ignition, charging, starting, exhaust, and fuel system. A careful and well thought-out plan needs to be developed and executed to have a successful installation. In the end, installing a crate engine is both a rewarding and money saving experience.
What Oil Should I Use in a GM Crate Motor?
GM crate motors typically use a high quality oil that is either 10W-30 or 10W-40 weight. If break-in oil is required with your crate motor, straight 30 weight is a common oil type to use. However, always refer to the included instructions with your engine to confirm the correct weight based on your temperature climate and the specific engine you purchase. Also, do not use synthetic oil for the first 5,000-7,000 miles unless directed otherwise, as the rings seat properly with conventional oil and need time to wear in with the pistons and cylinder walls. In addition, when the engine you have does not have a roller camshaft, it is recommended to use an oil that contains zinc phosphorus or purchase a zinc additive to mix with your high-quality oil of choice. This helps prevent premature wear with flat tappet lifters.
Where To Buy Crate Engines And Who Makes The Best Crate Engines
There are many places online to purchase a crate engine but only one clear choice. JEGS offers a large selection of crate engines from brands backed by industry leading warranties, making the perfect addition to your daily-driver or performance vehicle.
Chevrolet Performance Crate Motors
Chevrolet Performance is the leader in the Chevy crate engine market. With a great lineup of LS, small block and big block Chevy engines, you can find a GM Performance crate motor to get you going. Chevrolet Performance offers engine kits ready to assemble, engine blocks and turn key Chevy crate engines. You choose the crate engine that's right for you. All engines come with dyno sheets so you know you're getting the right motor for your needs. Crate engines come with an industry leading warranty. Since it's Chevrolet Performance, you know it's a quality engine.
Choose From
Edelbrock Crate Motors
A trusted name in high performance, Edelbrock delivers big with a great lineup of crate motors for hot rodders and performance enthusiasts. Edelbrock offers crate engines for Ford, Chevy, and MOPAR applications with a variety of horsepower and torque combinations. Edelbrock uses quality components to build high performance engine packages that perform well and look great. They dyno test their engine packages to verify horsepower and torque numbers. Edelbrock crate motors also have a warranty that's right up there with the best in the industry!
Blueprint Crate Engines
Blueprint crate engines have a reputation for being quality-built crate motors that you can rely on. They spend time building them right and offer a great warranty. Blueprint has several crate engines to choose from. Whether you're building a budget cruiser, high end hot rod or race car, Blueprint has a crate motor to suit your needs.
Ford Racing Crate Engines
You Ford guys will love the engine lineup from Ford Racing. You have several displacement options for small block Ford (Windsor). Ford builds them in 302 and 347 cubic engine versions. Or, step up to a 5.0-based Coyote motor. To round out the collection, Ford Racing also builds the 427, 460, and 572 big block with massive torque numbers!
ATK Remanufactured Crate Engines
ATK Engines has an engine for your muscle car, truck, daily driver, or boat. Their high performance engines make it easy to complete the build on your hot rod or engine swap. Built with quality parts, engineered to eliminate OEM problem areas and backed by a warranty, this manufacturer is an excellent choice for your next project.
Can't Find The Crate Engine You Are Looking For?
A JEGS expert is ready to answer your questions and help you select from one of the JEGS crate motors available for your specific application.
