High-Performance Crate Motor Buyer's Guide

by John Baechtel

What could be better than horsepower in a box? That's essentially what you get when you buy a crate motor - factory-built horsepower that's ready to bolt in to your project vehicle. In the last 10 years, the crate motor market has boomed - stock and high-performance V-8 motors are available from Chevrolet, Ford, and Chrysler, and from many aftermarket companies as well. Most feature factory warranties, a multitude of options, and to-your-door delivery. John Baechtel is an expert on performance engines. In this book, he'll show you what crate motors are available from the major manufacturers; he also covers the accessories you'll need, how to prep and install a crate motor, and how to get it started and properly broken in. It's the ultimate guide to buying a crate motor and getting the most out of it.

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1996

About the author

John Baechtel served as technical editor of Car Craft Magazine in the seventies, executive editor of Hot Rod Magazine throughout the eighties and then editor of Car Craft again in the nineties. He was a GM motorsports consultant for ten years and then opened a race engine testing facility for over a dozen years before retiring early to write technical and historical automotive books and manage a growing group of automotive high-performance enthusiast websites.

He is a Bonneville racing veteran, 200 MPH Club Member, International FIA speed record holder and avid collector of land speed record memorabilia and LSR model cars. He builds his own race engines and is the author of a dozen technical books on engine building and race car construction. He enjoys researching and collecting vintage engines and speed equipment.