Ford Racing (the new name of Ford Performance) has some seriously cool crate engines in its lineup, ranging from the 310-hp 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder priced at $5,765 to the 612-hp 7.3-liter Megazilla V8 that costs $25,295.
The problem is the most affordable Ford V8 crate motor costs $9,850, which is what the Blue Oval charges for the 340-hp 302-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) Boss V8 crate engine (part number X2302E). Since not everyone is working on spectacular, concours-grade project cars, that’s a little on the expensive side. The good news is there are companies out there offering more affordable alternatives for those looking to save their hard-earned dollars while still getting a good crate engine for their Ford car.
Texas-based ATK High Performance Engines is one of these companies, and they have been offering crate engines for decades, both for Detroit’s Big Three and overseas brands like Toyota. The cool thing about ATK is that it offers powerful crate engines for Blue Oval projects without forcing owners to choose another badge. Let’s focus on ATK’s products targeting Ford Windsor 302 enthusiasts, specifically the ready-made small-block 302 Windsor long-block packages that can help Ford builders complete their project cars faster and with some non-negligible savings.
These engines are sold directly by the company or through various resellers across the United States. Before we list the crate engines in question, you should know that ATK’s 302 long blocks are based on a late-model hydraulic-roller-based core with a factory-style rotating assembly and aftermarket cast-aluminum cylinder heads. This gives customers the choice of adding their own induction components or spending additional money on intake manifold and fuel delivery.
Without further ado, here are the three Ford Windsor 302ci crate engines offered by ATK that deliver a healthy 375 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque.
We used the prices on ATK High Performance Engines’ website as a benchmark, but you should know that ATK crate engines are offered by many online resellers. Make sure you shop around because you never know where a special offer awaits.
This Stage 1 long-block based on the tried and true Ford 302 targets builders who already have induction and dress-up parts. This crate engine includes an OE roller block with a cast crank, OE rods, hypereutectic pistons, and the same roller cam found in the higher stages. It also comes with aluminum heads, valve covers, and either a front- or rear-sump oil pan. There’s also a dual-sump version that costs the same and is recommended for late-model Fox-body applications, but that one requires a reverse-rotation water pump, whereas the front-sump uses a standard pump.
What you don’t get as part of this Stage 1 package is also important. The parts that are not included are the balancer, flexplate, intake, water pump and timing cover. This makes the Stage 1 kit ideal for builders who already have these parts or want to shop separately for their own. At $4,766, it’s the most affordable ATK Ford Windsor 302 crate engine.
For a $1,100 premium, ATK offers a Stage 2 long-block crate engine that includes all the missing accessories from the Stage 1 motor. That means you get stuff like a harmonic balancer, TCI flexplate, an Edelbrock Performer RPM dual-plane intake that offers a broad torque curve and street/strip versatility, a Melling high‑volume oil pump, double‑roller timing set and Pro Billet distributor.
As for the fundamentals, the Stage 2 kit comes with a seasoned OE roller block 1987-1995, cast crank, OE rods, hypereutectic pistons, and a 9.5:1 compression ratio. ATK aluminum cylinder heads, hydraulic roller cam, and an oil pan are also part of the package. As with the Stage 1 motor, buyers can choose between a front- or rear-sump oil pan with the matching water pump.
ATK’s Stage 3 crate motor is the one to get for customers who are looking for an easy plug-and-play solution. It has the same components as Stage 2, but it also comes with an induction system. Customers can choose between a Quick Fuel HR‑Series 680‑cfm (cubic feet per minute) carb or a FiTech Go Street 400‑hp EFI kit; each one is priced at $6,675. Either way, the motor comes equipped with spark plugs and plug wires.
For carbureted applications, Stage 3 uses a dual-sump oil pan, reverse rotation water pump, and an 80-gph mechanical fuel pump, while the electronic fuel injection (EFI) variant uses a front-sump pan and standard-rotation pump; it also requires an MSD ignition box to feed a tach signal to the ECU.
As with Stage 1 and Stage 2, the power and torque ratings are the same at 375 hp and 380 lb‑ft. However, Stage 3 motors ship ready to fire, which makes them the ideal solution for builders who want their project car up and running as quickly as possible.
Regardless of the stage chosen, ATK says every one of its Ford crate engines is hand-assembled and balanced using top-quality parts. The engines are also blueprinted and dyno-tested before shipping to make sure they run under the right parameters. Also worth noting is the fact the manufacturer offers a two‑year warranty for its crate engines.
In conclusion, the Stage 2 crate engine priced from $5,866.99 looks like the sweet spot of the range because it comes with an intake system, timing cover, water pump, distributor, harmonic balancer, and flexplate – parts that can add hidden costs to a budget long-block if they are not sourced correctly. Now, if you already have those components, and you know they are good to go, Stage 1 is the more economical choice at just $4,760.
Finally, Stage 3 adds induction and ignition for a complete engine, providing a completely turnkey solution for those who want their project fired up as soon as possible. At the end of the day, when you factor in what you get for the money you spend and compare horsepower per dollar, you realize that ATK High Performance Engines’ packages are hard to beat when it comes to bang for your buck.
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