Best Crate Engine: How to Choose, With Picks by Budget and Use
The best crate engine fits your vehicle, power target and whole budget in the dressing level you can finish. In our range, the lowest price is a $4,899 small block Chevy 350 long block. BluePrint describes its carbureted, deluxe-dressed 350 ($5,949) as a cruiser and daily driver that runs on 87 octane. 383 and 400 small blocks add power for little extra size.
This list covers only what VL Automotive stocks. It does not rank engines by reliability or claim one brand is better; it matches engines to uses using the horsepower, torque, displacement, dressing level, fuel system and price stated in each listing. For the basics, start with what a crate engine is.
How to choose a crate engine
- Start with the vehicle. The engine family the chassis was built around (small block Chevy in many classic Chevrolets, small block Ford in early Mustangs) usually needs the fewest changes. A different family, such as an LS or Coyote swap, adds mounts, oil pan, wiring and transmission work.
- Set a realistic power target. More power needs more brakes, cooling, fuel, driveline and tires. Many street cars and trucks run well with an engine rated somewhere between 330 and 450 HP.
- Budget for everything around the engine. Transmission, exhaust, cooling, fuel system, engine controller (EFI) and installation can rival the engine price.
- Choose carburetor or EFI. Carbureted engines are simpler to wire; EFI starts and idles more consistently but needs a controller and suitable fuel system. See carburetor vs fuel injection.
- Pick the dressing level. Decide how much you want to assemble yourself; the table below shows what each level includes.
Turn key crate engine vs long block: what each level includes
“Turn key” is a seller’s term for the most complete level: an engine that arrives with intake, ignition, fuel system and accessories fitted. It still needs a transmission, exhaust, cooling, a fuel supply and wiring in the vehicle. Here is what the four levels of one engine, the BluePrint small block Chevy 350 rated 341 HP, include according to their spec tables:
| Included | Long block ($4,899) | Deluxe dressed, carbureted ($5,949) | Dressed with accessory drive ($7,899) | EFI with accessory drive ($8,949) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cylinder heads, cam, valve covers, oil pan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intake manifold | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Distributor and plug wires | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water pump | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Carburetor | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| EFI | No | No | No | Yes |
| Harmonic balancer | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor | No | No | Yes | Yes |
The same 341 HP engine costs $4,899 as a long block and $8,949 as an EFI engine with the accessory drive, so compare like for like. Read each listing’s own list before ordering: the BluePrint SBC 400 EFI, for example, notes that its harmonic balancer, flexplate and water pump must be bought separately. Our long block vs short block guide explains the bare levels.
Which crate engines suit which build
Lowest price and the most for the money
The lowest-priced crate engine we list is the BluePrint SBC 350 long block at $4,899 (341 HP, 371 lb-ft). For LS power, the GM Performance LS3 long block is $6,042.95 for 430 HP. Measured as list price per rated horsepower, those two work out to $14.37 and $14.05, but both are long blocks, so add the intake, fuel and ignition parts before comparing them with a dressed engine. Our crate engine prices guide lists the price range of every family.
A first build or daily driver
BluePrint describes the carbureted deluxe-dressed SBC 350 ($5,949) as an excellent cruiser and daily driver engine that makes up to 18 inches of vacuum, works with power brakes, a stock torque converter and stock gearing, and runs on 87 octane fuel. It comes with a 600 CFM carburetor, distributor, water pump, harmonic balancer and fuel pump. The EFI version with accessory drive ($8,949) uses a Holley Sniper EFI system and 9:1 compression, which BluePrint says suits 87 octane pump gas. A mild, complete small block like these is the simplest place to start.
More power without a big block
Stroker small blocks add displacement in the same external size. The BluePrint 383s are rated 436 to 445 HP (the base dressed 383 is $6,599); the BluePrint 396 is rated 491 HP from $7,064; and the BluePrint 400s are rated 500 HP (the 400 with aluminum heads is $7,349). See the 383 stroker guide and the 400 small block Chevy guide.
The best 350 crate engine for your budget
| 350 crate engine | Rated HP | Price |
|---|---|---|
| BluePrint SBC 350 (341 HP family, long block to EFI with accessories) | 341 HP | from $4,899 |
| BluePrint SBC 350 (390 HP family) | 390 HP | from $5,049 |
| GM Performance 350 (19433030) | 330 HP | $5,661.89 |
| GM Performance 350 HO (19433038) | 330 HP | $7,311.95 |
| GM Performance ZZ6 (19432104) | 405 HP | $7,982.95 |
| Quicksilver QS 357 CT (sealed) | 350 HP | $7,306.31 |
Ratings are from each listing. The GM ZZ6 has the highest rating of these at 405 HP; the BluePrint 341 HP family offers the most dressing options. The CT350 and CT400 circle-track engines and the Vortec L31 are left out of this table. More in the Chevy 350 engine guide and the small block Chevy crate engines category.
A truck, towing or a heavy car
For a heavy vehicle, look at torque and a mild camshaft rather than peak horsepower. Few listings publish a torque curve, but these spec tables state peak torque:
| Engine | Rated HP | Rated torque | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| BluePrint 426 Gen III Hemi | 610 HP | 525 lb-ft | $16,899 |
| BluePrint 408 small block Mopar | 465 HP | 494 lb-ft | $9,649 |
| BluePrint SBC 400 | 500 HP | 510 lb-ft | $7,349 |
| BluePrint SBF 408 | 450 HP | 470 lb-ft | $8,749 |
| BluePrint SBC 383 | 436 HP | 443 lb-ft | $8,999 |
| GM Performance 6.0L LS364/450 | 452 HP | 441 lb-ft | $7,285.07 |
| Quicksilver QS 383 (sealed) | 400 HP | 440 lb-ft | $9,916.13 |
| BluePrint SBC 350 | 341 HP | 371 lb-ft | $4,899 |
The Ford Performance 7.3L Godzilla ($7,409.99, 445 cubic inches, 430 HP) is another large-displacement option; its listing does not state torque. See horsepower vs torque for why torque matters for towing.
A classic Chevy car or truck
A small block Chevy is the traditional choice because it uses the original mounting pattern in chassis built for one; the 350, 383 and 400 share the same basic external size. An LS swap gives more power per cubic inch but adds swap parts; see our best LS engine guide. Check the oil pan, exhaust and hood clearance for your specific vehicle, because the listings do not state vehicle fitment.
Big block Chevy
Big block options run from the GM Performance 454 HO (438 HP, $8,971.95) and the BluePrint 454s (460 HP, from $9,099) through the GM 502 (461 HP, $10,195) and ZZ502 (508 HP, $14,319.05) to the GM 572/720 (720 HP, $20,062.95) and the BluePrint 632 (815 HP, $17,149). See big block vs small block and the big block Chevy crate engines.
Ford crate engines
| Ford crate engine | Rated HP | Price |
|---|---|---|
| BluePrint SBF 302 | 361 HP | from $6,049 |
| BluePrint SBF 347 | 415 HP | from $7,199 |
| BluePrint SBF 408 | 450 HP | from $7,799 |
| Ford Performance 363 | 507 HP | $11,549.99 |
| Ford Performance Z427 | 535 HP | $11,999.99 |
| Ford Performance 7.3L Godzilla | 430 HP | $7,409.99 |
| Ford Performance 5.0L Coyote Gen 3 | 460 HP | $10,594.99 |
| Ford Performance 5.0L Gen 4 Coyote | 480 HP | $12,249.99 |
| Ford Performance Aluminator XS 5.2L | 580 HP | $27,099.99 |
| Ford Performance 572 big block | 655 HP | $18,846.99 |
For an early Mustang or other small block Ford, the 302, 347 and 408 keep the original engine family. Coyotes suit modern swaps and need their own controller and wiring; see the Coyote engine guide and 347 stroker guide.
Mopar
The BluePrint 408 small block Mopar is rated 465 HP and 494 lb-ft ($9,649), and the BluePrint 426 Gen III Hemi EFI engines are rated 610 HP from $16,899. See the 426 Hemi guide.
Drag racing and sealed racing classes
For the strip, the highest ratings we list are the BluePrint 632 (815 HP), the GM 572/720 and the BluePrint LS 427 (605 HP). For circle-track classes that require sealed engines, we list the Quicksilver QS 357 and QS 383 and the GM CT525. Several GM Performance engines are sold for competition use only; the product page says so.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best crate engine?
There is no single best one. Match the engine family to your vehicle, the power to your brakes and driveline, and the dressing level to what you can finish. In our range a complete small block Chevy 350 is the simplest street choice, and 383s, 400s, big blocks, LS and Coyote engines add power.
What is the best crate engine for the money?
On list price per rated horsepower, long blocks such as the $4,899 BluePrint SBC 350 and the $6,042.95 LS3 come out lowest, but you add parts to finish them. Compare the total cost of a running engine, including intake, fuel, ignition and accessories.
What is a turn key crate engine?
A crate engine supplied with the intake, ignition, fuel system and accessories already fitted, so it is close to ready to run once installed. You still connect the transmission, exhaust, cooling, fuel supply and wiring. Check each listing’s included-parts list, because “turn key” is not a standard specification.
What is a good crate engine for a beginner?
A mild, complete engine in the family your vehicle was built for. BluePrint describes its deluxe-dressed carbureted SBC 350 as a daily driver engine that works with stock gearing, a stock converter and 87 octane fuel.
Which crate engine is the most reliable?
We do not rank engines by reliability. Longevity depends mostly on matching the engine to the use, correct installation, break-in, tuning and maintenance. Choosing a mild engine for street use and following the manufacturer’s instructions matters more than the brand.
What is the best crate engine for a truck?
One with strong torque and a mild cam in the family the truck was built for. Of the listings that publish torque, the BluePrint 383 (443 lb-ft), the 6.0L LS364/450 (441 lb-ft) and the BluePrint 408 small block Mopar (494 lb-ft) are examples.
What is the best Ford crate engine?
For early small block Fords the BluePrint 302, 347 and 408 keep the original engine family; for modern swaps the 5.0L Coyote crate engines are rated 460 to 480 HP, and the Aluminator XS 5.2L is rated 580 HP.
Related: what is a crate engine, crate engine prices, best LS engine, long block vs short block, carburetor vs fuel injection, engine break-in, all crate engines, all guides.
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