Engineering:Crate Engine
A crate engine is typically a fully assembled automobile engine that is shipped to the installer on a "Crate". Crate engines are manufactured by many different companies, but they all share the same characteristics of being complete engines ready to install once removed from the crate. Generally a crate engine only needs bolt on accessories such as water pump, fuel system, and exhaust. This type of engine has various applications including general replacement, hot rod builds and motorsports competition. Crate engines are often seen as an economical solution opposed to engine overhauls or custom builds.
Applications
Crate engines are well suited in many different vehicle platforms. Engines are often used in the following applications:
- General automobile engine replacement
- Custom hot rod street builds
- Marine engine replacements
- Motorsports Competition (Asphalt, Dirt Track, Drag Racing etc.)
Advantages
Crate engines are often seen as an economical choice no matter what the application is. In general automobile engine replacement, a crate engine is often very competitively priced when compared to the cost of a full rebuild of a faulty engine. Installers often opt for the crate engine because of the cost and ease of replacement. Crate engines are typically a bolt in replacement with no internal work being performed to the engine compared to a complete overhaul that requires internal part replacement by trained mechanics. Hot Rod and other custom street applications also often choose a crate engine because of the higher value when compared to a custom built engine.
In motorsports the crate engine option has become very popular for various reasons. Crate engines are often a more affordable option when compared to a purpose built race engine so budget racers often go this route. The crate engine also has developed a large fan base in many different racing series because of the competitive racing. As all racers in the field have identical engines, the races are won by driver's talent and chassis setup, and not the amount of horsepower a team can afford to build into their engine.
Examples
References
- ↑ "CT 350/350 Circle Track Crate Engine | Chevrolet Performance" (in en). http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines/ct-350.
- ↑ Parts, Ford Performance. "347 Cubic Inches 415 HP Sealed Racing Engine | Part Details for M-6007-D347SR| Ford Performance Parts". https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6007-D347SR. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
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