Chevy’s V8 engine is the largest and most powerful crate engine in the brand’s history

Following its appearance in November 2021 at the SEMA show, Chevrolet's latest crate engine has finally gone on sale as an engine that one can buy and have delivered in a wooden crate. ‍

That’s why it is referred to as a ‘crate engine’. The engine can also be used for projects or as a replacement. Boasting the ZZ632/1000 name due to its 632 cubic inches or 10.35-litre capacity, the V8 has a bigger cylinder block and it is naturally aspirated with power outputs rated at 738 kW and 1,188 Nm of torque at. 

According to Chevy, the engine is capable of producing just under 372 kW and around 950 Nm at 3 500 r/min, thanks to a relatively high compression ratio and its designation to only run on 93-octane fuel. 

The engine features CNC-machined alloy cylinder heads with eight fuel injectors with each delivering up to 39 kg worth of fuel-flow per hour. If our maths serves us well, that’s more than seven litres of fuel per minute. 

The unit comes with no overhead cams thanks to valves that operate by pushrods and rocker arms from a single camshaft in the block. 

On the other hand, the intake and exhaust valves are made of titanium while the four-bearing crankshaft is made of forged steel as well as connecting rods. The pistons are made of forged aluminium. 

However, the engine can only be used on the track and not on public roads due to emission regulations. To make sure it is durable, Chevrolet says it has performed the equivalent of 200 drag-strip runs on a dynamometer. 

Over the past years, the crate engine trend saw the introduction of Dodge’s Hellcat Redeye V8, Honda’s Civic Type R and it’s alleged that Ford is working on a twin-turbo Godzilla engine. 

If you’re interested expect to part with around R450,000 for the crate engine…