Chevrolet Performance is looking to steal some of the hype from the Ford 7.3L Godzilla Crate Engine with the announcement of the L8T 6.6-liter crate engine and its availability to order for 2023. Originally offered as just a block, the fully-built L8T crate engine can be found in the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado HD, and now it’s available to purchase for your project vehicle.
Chevrolet Performance 6.6L L8T Crate Engine: Details
The 6.6L L8T V8 has the most significant displacement of any engine in the Chevrolet LT family and is rated at 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. In addition, the Crate Engine is designed to work, offering plenty of low-rpm torque and direct fuel injection for precise fuel control. This enables a compression ratio of 10.8:1, contributing to the engine’s high output. Now, imagine the power people can get if equipped with a supercharger.
The L8T crate engine is built with a forged steel crankshaft and other high-strength parts for durability and heavy-duty performance. Additional features include oil-spray cooling for the pistons and a cast iron, long-skirt cylinder block with six-bolt, cross-bolted main caps for strength and durability. It even comes with production-style exhaust manifolds.
For those interested in putting this engine in their project vehicle, Chevrolet Performance will offer two versions of the L8T. A complete crate engine and a long-block assembly. The crate engine includes the intake manifold, throttle body, water pump, and fuel system. Meanwhile, the long-block assembly doesn’t feature all the essential bits to get the engine running. This should allow builders to customize the L8T long block with the induction system of their choice.
Both versions will require a Front End Accessory Drive system which is available from Chevrolet Performance, and customers can opt to purchase one with or without air conditioning. Pricing for the Chevrolet Performance 6.6L L8T engine is not yet available, but we expect it to be competitive with that of the Ford Godzilla crate engine.
Image via Chevrolet
