What Is a Crate Motor

A crate motor or crate engine is a replacement engine for a vehicle. They’re called crate engines because they’re typically shipped in wood or heavy-duty plastic crates.

Most crate engines are duplicates of production engines made by vehicle manufacturers like Ford and General Motors (GM). These engines can also be built with custom components that increase horsepower and torque over stock engine specifications.

There are also crate engines that are exact replicas of older renowned engines, such as the 2JZ engine, which was originally fitted in the original Toyota Supra. GM even offers crate motors that were fitted in many of their sports cars like the Corvette, Camaro, and CTS-V. Since crate engines are brand new, they’ll typically have a warranty.

Depending on the manufacturer, crate engines can be a complete engine or a set of parts that only includes the major components like the cylinder block, cylinder head, pistons, and crankshaft. Some manufacturers even offer customization options so that the engine can align with your vehicle’s unique setup or performance goals.

There are also reconditioned crate motors. These are motors from an older vehicle that have been stripped, cleaned, and repaired by an engineer or mechanic. Reconditioned crate motors have been reassembled and tested, so they’ll run like new and even come with a warranty. Since reconditioned crate engines aren’t new, they’re typically sold at a more affordable price.

Crate engines can come pre-built, which means you simply have to drop them into your vehicle’s engine bay. However, crate engines can also come in a short-block or long-block configuration, which means they aren’t complete. Short-block engines only come with bare-bones components without the cylinder head and valvetrain components. Meanwhile, long-block crate engines are essentially short-block engines with more components like the camshaft, valvetrain, and possibly the exhaust manifold.

Why Get a Crate Motor?

You’d want to replace your vehicle’s stock engine with a crate engine for several reasons. However, before you get a crate engine for your vehicle, you need to know exactly what you’re getting. New crate motors typically come with a specific set of instructions that tell you what to do to run and break in the engine. Some new crate engines might require you to pour break-in oil and run the engine at a specific engine RPM for a certain amount of time. Afterward, you’ll have to drain this oil and put proper engine oil.

When purchasing a crate engine, make sure you know exactly what you are getting, what you will need to make it all work, align, and also make sure you properly read the instructions and understand the processes involved.

–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Replacing a Faulty Engine

Your old engine might have an issue such as overheating. When severe issues like this arise, engines can be written off. As a result, the only way to get an engine for your vehicle is to get a replacement.

Engines are also only expected to last around 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Once a vehicle has exceeded its lifespan, it’ll typically start to have issues. Getting a crate motor is good for owners who want to give their old vehicle a new life. Installing a crate engine can allow a vehicle to run reliably for another 200,000 miles.

You Want a Better Engine

If you have a sports car, there are only so many upgrades that you can put on your vehicle that will improve its performance. However, there’s no better way to make your vehicle faster than getting a bigger, more powerful engine. The engine is the heart of your vehicle. Replacing your vehicle’s 4-cylinder engine with 6 or more cylinders will drastically improve its sound and feel.

You Want Better Customizability

Some stock engines don’t allow you to customize them with aftermarket parts. Getting a new crate engine can allow you to install new components, which might improve its performance. You might also want to install a new crate motor just because you can’t find replacement parts for your old engines.

Disadvantages of Crate Motors

Replacing your vehicle’s stock engine is difficult. Here are several reasons why you might want to reconsider getting a crate motor for your vehicle.

It’s Time Consuming

The main hurdle in getting a crate motor for your vehicle is the sheer amount of time involved. There’s the initial challenge of determining whether an engine is compatible. Getting a different engine means determining whether it’s compatible with your vehicle’s transmission and chassis. You also need to determine if the engine can be mounted properly. You’ll need to do a lot of research and planning for this. Then, you need to have good fabrication skills and spend an exceptional amount of time under the hood just so that the engine doesn’t fall out while you’re driving.

It’s Expensive

Getting a crate motor will also be expensive. For the cost of the engine and labor, expect to spend somewhere between $3,000 to $5,000 if you’re using a used crate engine. However, this can easily go upwards of $12,500 if you’re choosing a high-performance engine and parts.

You Might Need to Register the Vehicle Again

Depending on where you live, swapping in a new engine might require registering your vehicle again. This is especially true if the car was previously titled salvage or if you want to obtain a rebuilt title. Check with your local DMV for more information on whether you need to re-register your vehicle.

It Might Not Comply With Emissions Tests

When you put a new engine in, your vehicle might also have to undergo emissions inspections. You should check emissions inspection laws in each state to know what you need to do. California in particular has policies that prohibit vehicle owners from getting engines that weren’t offered for their specific vehicle’s model year.

Don’t underestimate the time and effort required to install a new crate engine in your vehicle. Your project or repair requires time and a tremendous amount of expertise and knowledge. It’s not for the faint of heart, and it can’t be done by a novice with a handbook and a few garage tools. Go for it if you’ve done it before. If not, you should hire a professional to do the work for you. Doing a crate engine installation is a minefield with many headaches, unless you’re very familiar with engine swaps. That being said, a proper installation with professional tuning and testing will give you pleasure for years to come.