Crate Engines

A crate engine is a fully assembled engine that's shipped in a crate, ready to be installed into a vehicle. Crate engines are popular among car enthusiasts, racers, and restorers because they save time and potentially money compared to rebuilding an existing engine or assembling a new one from parts.

Hi-Tech Engine Components supplied a 500+ horsepower crate engine for the television show Overhaulin'. The show aired on The Learning Channel (TLC) on September 26, 2006. Hi-Tech had supplied five performance crate engines for the program so far this year. Crate engines are more complete than ordinary replacement engines and usually include valve covers, oil pans, timing covers and intake manifolds. According to Rex Falkenrath, Hi-Tech CEO, "the automakers including GM, Ford, and Daimler/Chrysler have enjoyed great success with their crate engine offering. Our aftermarket customers wanted to participate in the category and the recently introduced Hi-Tech Crate Engine program has really taken off."

A typical crate engine will include the following components:

1. Block: This is the main part of the engine where the combustion takes place. The block contains the cylinders where fuel and air mix and are ignited.
2. Cylinder Heads: These are attached to the top of the block and contain the valves that let air and fuel in and out of the cylinders.
3. Camshaft(s): The camshaft operates the valves. It can be located in the block (a "pushrod" or "OHV" engine design) or in the cylinder head (an "OHC" design).
4. Crankshaft: This translates the linear motion of the pistons into rotational motion that can drive the vehicle's wheels.
5. Pistons: These move up and down within the cylinders, compressing the air-fuel mixture and then being pushed down by the explosion of that mixture.
6. Connecting Rods: These connect the pistons to the crankshaft.
7. Timing Set: This keeps the camshaft(s) and crankshaft operating in sync so the valves open and close at the right times.
8. Oil Pump: This circulates engine oil under pressure to the rotating bearings, the sliding pistons, and the camshaft.

Depending on the specific crate engine, it may also come with additional parts such as the intake and exhaust manifolds, fuel injection system or carburetor, water pump, distributor or other ignition system components, and even spark plugs and wires.

However, a crate engine usually does not include the transmission, which needs to be matched separately to the specific application, nor does it typically include accessory components like the alternator, power steering pump, or air conditioning compressor. These can often be transferred from the vehicle's existing engine, or they can be purchased separately.