When you are in the market for a new Ford engine, you have some powerful yet simple options available to you. Whether it’s time to replace that tired and worn out engine or you want something that packs more of a punch, look no further than Ford crate engines to come to the rescue.
If you’re on the lookout for some Ford crate motors, chances are that you’re looking for something a little extra over your current ride, or you’ve tried pioneering the external combustion engine and thrown a rod through the block.
Either scenario is going to cost you some dollars, but depending on exactly what you want, you could be pleasantly surprised.
For this list, we’ve tried to cover most angles – most value through to most horsepower, they all have one thing in common; FoMoCo.
It’s simple to find what you need to bring your old ride up to date or make your classic muscle car more impressive.
What is a Ford Crate Engine?
Crate Engines, otherwise known as a crate motor, is basically just a factory-built engine. This motor arrives right at your front door and there are no adjustments needed. You’ll get an engine that is timed perfectly, balanced, and ready for installation.
It’s important to say that you should be able to find a Ford Crate Engine that fits within any budget. You’ll notice when browsing around that there are plenty of cheap engines if you just need to get your car running on a budget. There are also your high-powered, top-of-the-line, beastly motors that will cost you equal to a down payment on a new home.
The point is – you should be able to find an engine that works for what you need.
Why You Want a Ford Crate Engine
A Ford crate engine is going to provide your latest project with the power it needs. The best part is that all of the components are included. This means you get everything from the oil pan to the cylinder heads. Often, some of the accessories will come as well such as distributors, intake manifolds, carburetors, and more.
What is important to know is that there are elements that won’t come with most Ford crate motors. While this isn’t true in every case, these items aren’t to be expected with your package:
- A transmission
- Cooling system components
- Induction system components
- Fuel delivery system
- Charging parts like the alternator, battery or starter
Another perk of a Ford crate engine is that you can place it into any vehicle you desire as long as they are compatible. If you’ve been dreaming about making your old pickup truck a powerhouse – now is your chance!
If your engine blows and you don’t want to put in a Ford crate engine, you still have several other options. Your first alternative is rebuilding the engine yourself. You and I both know how much of a pain that is. We don’t advise you to take this route unless you have nothing else to do with your time because this could last weeks!
Your second option is to have someone else rebuild the engine. The last option is to purchase a custom-made engine from the builder. These three avenues aren’t easy and often lead to further headaches.
Why not go with the painless route which is often cheaper as well? Plus, many Ford crate engines come with a decent warranty, so you are covered.
Where to Buy a Ford Crate Engine
Ford crate motors can be purchased right through the Ford Motor Company. Whether you do this online or through the local dealership is up to you. There are also some other online companies that offer a nice selection of crate engines at reasonable rates.
Some that we’ve come to trust are Summit Racing and JEGS. The only problem you might face is deciding what engine you want to put in.
Our Top 12 Ford Crate Engines
With all that information, here are our top Ford Crate Engines you’ll want to check out!
Ford Performance Parts 5.0L DOHC Aluminator Naturally Aspirated Crate Engines M-6007-A50NAA
This has been one of the most popular Aluminator engines from Ford Racing, so it was a no-brainer to stick to the top of our Ford crate engines list. It has been the ideal replacement for a Mustang GT (2011-2014). With this drop-in engine, you have the perfect option for customs or restomods.
This Ford Performance engine features a 5.0-liter long block assembly with a compression ratio of 11.0:1. This engine runs just about $10,000 from Summit Racing and it was built on the Mustang GT aluminum block production.
The list of included parts is extensive and surely justifies the additional cost. It contains Manley H-beam connecting rods, aluminum heads, Boss 302 bearings, forged pistons, ARP 2000 bolts, and a composite GT intake manifold. In addition, you’ll receive the oil pan, damper, throttle body, valve covers, spark plugs, and water pump timing cover.
The engine also comes with a 24-month, 24,000-mile warranty, so you don’t have to worry about anything going wrong.
ATK High-Performance Ford 302 300HP Stage 2 Crate Engine
If you want to revive your old ride, the ATK High-Performance Ford 302 300HP Stage 2 engine is a great option. On top of that, it only runs about $3,600 from Summit Racing, so it’s an affordable choice as well.
You can expect a little more oomph out of this 302 C.I.D long block assembly with a 10.0:1 compression ratio, 300 horsepower and 336 lb-ft of torque; it is the ideal choice for your daily drive or low-key hot rod.
With this engine, you’ll receive all the parts that are needed including your air cleaner, carburetor and spark plugs. If you need more than that, you’ll want to jump up to the Stage 3 Crate Engine, but expect to pay for it.
With a 2-year, 24-month warranty on this engine, what could possibly go wrong?
Roush 511 FE $26,710
Roush is known by gearheads worldwide for their products and pedigree, and these 511 FE small block performance crate motors are no exception. Sure, it isn’t at the lower end of market price-wise, but you’re getting something special with this Ford crate motor.
The 511 ci motor is made up of all the right parts – a Shelby aluminum block, forged rods and pistons, and a Scat cast steel crank. Sitting on top of the motor is a pair of Edelbrock cylinder heads (far superior to cast iron heads) which are fed with a dual-plane intake manifold, all being supplied by a Holley 750-cfm carb.
The motor comes pretty much dressed so you won’t need to spend another $1,000 to get it ready. Better yet, this 600 hp 625 lb-ft motor comes with a 24,000 mile / 2-year warranty.
BluePrint Engines Ford 347 C.I.D. 400HP Base Stroker Crate Engines BP3474CT
It’s possible to satisfy your desire for horsepower without breaking the bank. The BluePrint 347 C.I.D. 400HP Base Stroker Crate Engine is built from a reputable company that stands by its work with a 30-month, 50,000-mile warranty.
This custom-built Stroker is dyno-tested and balanced, but that’s not all. The company also sends you the dyno results so you can see the difference for yourself. This hand-picked 347 C.I.D. long block assembly has a compression ratio of 10.0:1, 400 horsepower, and 415 lb-ft of torque. It features forged rods, a cast crank, and hypereutectic pistons that are able to handle the additional power. Then, BluePrint adds its own double roller timing set, aluminum cylinder heads and a hydraulic roller camshaft.
At just over $4,000 from Summit Racing, who could ask for more?
Kaase Boss 9 $19,900
771 reliable horsepower for less than $20,000? We’ll take it.
Based on an ordinary 385-series bottom end which was bored out an extra .030” with a huge 4.300” crank, this 521ci motor uses the all-new Kaase Boss 9 aluminum cylinder heads and a single-plane intake fitted with an 850-cfm carb to produce some big numbers – 771 hp & 731 lb-ft of torque (all on regular pump-gas).
Not enough for you? Upgrade the cam and fit a Dominator carb and you’ll be looking at 900+hp – that should be sufficient for most needs!
ATK High-Performance Ford 351W 385HP Stage 3 Crate Engine
If you need a turnkey 351W for your truck or car, the ATK High Performance is a nice starting point. At just under $6,000 from Summit Racing, you have that extra power you’ve been wanting. Your hot rod will find some new motivation with the 351 C.I.D. long block assembly featuring a compression ratio of 9.8:1, 385 HP, and 410 lb-ft of torque.
For maximum assurances that you’ll get down the road, this engine is balanced, hand-built, and dyno-proven. It comes with the distributor, spark plugs, carburetor and even the water pump.
Just like the other ATK High-Performance engine from above, this one also has a 2-year, 24-month warranty.
Ford Racing Boss 363 $8,500
This is an official high performance Ford short block crate motor, and while it may not be a pavement-shredding 700+ hp beastie, it’s got enough to get you where you’re going in a hurry – 500 hp & 450 lb-ft.
Ford has done this by doing away with the regular upgrade of .030” overbore and instead went straight in for a 4.125” bore coupled up to a 3.400” crank giving a cubic displacement of 363ci. The beauty of the 363 is space – with a deck-height of just 8.200”, this little motor will fit into just about anything.
It’s not turnkey, but you don’t need to add too much to make it work, and for that sort of money, it’s definitely a winner.
ATK High-Performance Ford 302 $3,609
This crate engine has the lowest cost on this list, and while it’s definitely budget friendly, it will still give you a 300 hp kick.
This motor is aimed at the replacement market – something for your daily driver rather than an all-out performance upgrade. This Ford crate motor is simple but reliable – just the thing you need when you’ve blown your motor (and budget) along the strip.
300 hp and 336 ft-lb of torque is enough to get the job done and for the money, it’s not even worth looking at repairing your existing mill. Just drop one of these small-block replacement motors in and you’re good to go.
Ford Performance Parts 427 C.I.D. 535 HP Crate Engines with Z2-Series Cylinder Heads M-6007-Z2427FFT
This modern take on the iconic Ford 427FE motor will leave you speechless. It was built on the Ford Racing’s Boss 351 block, so you know it’s got the power. Built for high-performance, this beastly crate engine has specially engineered connecting rods and pistons for your application.
In addition, the 11.0:1 compression ratio hard-anodized forged pistons feature a Grafal low-friction coating. The engine produces 535 HP and 545 lb-ft of torque. If you think I’m done, I’m really just getting started! The connecting rods are made with premium Manley H-beam and ARP 2000 bolts before they are fitted with BOSS 302 high-performance bearings.
Ford Racing also gives you their aluminum “Z” cylinder heads with this engine plus a .594-inch lift hydraulic roller cam. It also features valve covers, oil pan, timing set with cover, water pump, and harmonic balancer with a 2-year, 24-month warranty.
The only downside is that this engine will put you back about $10,000 from Summit Racing.
Edelbrock Supercharged Coyote $22,850
The list wouldn’t be complete without a little Forced Induction. The Coyote measures up at 5.0 liters, (305ci in old money) and makes a perfect upgrade for pretty much anything, be that a resto-mod or upgrading.
The package is complete with a brand-new aluminum block, forged rods, pistons and crank, Edelbrock E-Force TVS 2300 blower, electric intercooler water pump, intercooler, 50 lb fuel injectors and all the bits to dress the motor.
As for power, that this blown motor creates 700 hp and 606 lb-ft of torque, all driveable and with a smooth delivery. In all honesty, we’d expect to see the torque numbers a little higher, but maybe Edelbrock is being a little conservative. Either way, reliability is the word of the day, and you get a 2-year or 24,000-mile warranty on the engine.
ATK High-Performance Ford 460 525HP Stage 3 Crate Engines HP19C
If you are ready to tear up the road, this ATK High-Performance Engine Ford 460 525HP Stage 3 crate engine is what you’ve been waiting for. Built from the ground up, this 502 C.I.D. performs as powerfully as you’d expect. With a compression ratio of 9.5:1, 525 HP and 570 lb-ft of torque, this engine is what dreams are made of.
The quality components are assembled together to give you an unstoppable package capable of turning some heads as you roar down the street. Most everything except the wiring harness and air cleaner comes with this package. You’ll get the forged connecting rods, hydraulic flat tappet cam, intake manifold, nodular iron crankshaft, hypereutectic pistons, Edelbrock Performer RPM cylinder heads and even the carburetor.
While you might expect that it comes with the same 2-year, 24-month warranty as most of the engines, I bet you didn’t expect it cost less than $9,000 from Summit Racing.
Ford Performance Parts 2.0L EcoBoost Crate Engines M-6007-20T
You might be wondering why this EcoBoost crate engine made our list, but a short explanation should make that clear. Yes – it is a four-cylinder, but this compact little engine has quite the performance.
First of all, the 2.0-liter motor produces 252 horsepower and 272 lb-ft of torque. On top of that, it is about 55 pounds lighter than a comparable V6 engine, making it a great addition to your daily ride and one of the best base crate engine options out there.
This small package gives you ultimate responsiveness and the ultimate in operating efficiency. It’s equipped with a Borg-Warner turbocharger producing 16 psi of boost, a direct-injection, high-pressure fuel injection system and twin independent variable camshaft timing. It includes your induction system, valve covers, oil pan and spark plug set-up. This complete turnkey package has the standard 2-year, 24,000-mile warranty as well.
If you want to add dramatic power to your small ride, it will make complete sense to invest the $6,600 from Summit Racing. Remember, you don’t need to drive a high-powered truck or classic hot rod to make a stunning impression on the road; all you need is one of these high-quality Ford crate engines.
What Other Crate Engines Should Make the List?
As you can see, the choices are plenty, but it really is dependent on what you’re looking for or power requirements. If it has to be a Ford crate motor, then you have the pick – forget all about GM, LSxx and the like, the blue oval has you covered.
We should also remember that most of these options have a few upgrades available as well, so if the little ATK is something that does it for you but you’d like just a little more punch, power can easily be increased for a few extra dollars.
As with anything, you need to check the small print and legislation – some of the products listed may not be legal for road use in your state, so it’s always worth checking (and checking again) whether you’re likely to run into trouble.
Of course, prices can change, so check with your local supplier to make sure the listed prices are still current.
At the end of the day, if you didn’t find what you were looking for on this list, there are literally hundreds of Ford crate motors – decide on what works for you and then go have fun!
Now that we’ve shown you ours, it’s time for you to show us yours! If you’ve ever swapped your engine with one of these Ford crate engines, we’d love to hear about what you’ve used and how they worked out for you. Leave us a comment and give us the scoop.
