Everything You Should Know About Crate Engines – SlashGear

The name “crate engine” doesn’t carry a lot of mystique. It mostly refers to the fact that engine assemblies are shipped in a wooden crate. A Chevy Small Block, for instance, can weigh over 500 pounds with all the accessories. An engine coming in an average cardboard box isn’t really feasible. 

As for what a crate engine actually includes, that’s up to you (and your wallet). Crate engines can range from bare-bones assemblies that are just the engine block, pistons, and the valvetrain, or it can be an entire engine with all accessories including a transmission. General Motors refers to these engines as “Connect and Cruise” as they can theoretically be dropped into the engine bay of any classic GM and be ready to run without an undo number of runs to the auto parts store. 

Restoring a classic car to a running and driving state is a popular use for a crate engine. But a crate motor can also be used to modernize an older car with new power. Such is the case with Mopar’s (the parts division of Stellantis) Hellcat crate engines. Instead of trawling junkyards all over the country to find a wrecked Dodge Challenger Hellcat to pry the engine out of, you can buy an entire supercharged 6.2-liter V8 right from the factory. It’s even called the “Hellcrate” as subtlety is not Dodge’s strong suit.