[VIDEO] Chevrolet Performance Engineers Explain Why They Push Crate Engines to the Breaking Point

Oct 21, 2026

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[VIDEO] Chevrolet Performance Engineers Explain Why They Push Crate Engines to the Breaking Point

Everyone loves discussing increasing horsepower on their rides, but mix and match the parts incorrectly and at some point everything fails. In the first episode of Chevrolet Performance’s new Bench Racing series on YouTube, they sit down with four engineers and ask them what fails first and why they push their engines to the breaking point.

“If you’re afraid to break it, you built it wrong” was the title for this segment. Host Garrett asked the team three questions and then they went around the table to see how each engineer answered, and who came up with the best answer. Whoever won got parts for a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS bracket car. When you give engineers a white board and parts there’s no need to bench race.

First they discuss what breaks when testing their engines to failure. Jeff answered the question with “the release engineer.” I’m sure many of us can relate to that! Stephanie answered that it would be the valvetrain. She went into detail on why and if you’re a Corvette owner thinking about a cam swap this will make sense. Once you put a new cam in, you need to make sure the rest of the valvetrain can handle it.

Rods and pistons were also brought up as well as valves. As Rod said once you add power you’ll start breaking things. Once you reinforce one thing the next thing will break. They even told us that they have made new “windows” in blocks while testing. Not cheap but they would rather know what their limits are instead of the customer.

How does testing a crate engine differ from testing a production vehicle. There are many factors that come into play with one of the main ones being duty cycle. If you’re putting that engine in a truck, you know what it’s going to do. Throw it in a much lighter hot rod and now you have a whole different scenario.

This is why calibrations are so important when testing. They can gather information from customers as well and test that on the dyno. Don’t forget that when you’re building an engine you want it to run but you also want it to be reliable.

Once you’re done testing the dyno isn’t all that’s done. They install their power trains in cars and get them calibrated with the transmissions. Then they take them out on the track. As Jeff said you never see someone driving a dyno. After the engine is tested for durability, they will pull the engine apart and inspect it. If they find anything such as bearing wear they will have to go back and modify it then retest it.

As the discussion continues, their 1970 Chevelle is coming together with an LSX454 long block. They added an LS3 intake and a 4L85 automatic with a higher stall converter. Thrown some big rear tires and paint it black with yellow/orange/red flames you have yourself a fun question and answer session.

If you’re into Corvettes and want to know a more about how the engineers at Chevrolet Performance test engines, this is a fun video. The cam-swap discussion alone gives you something to think about before ordering parts. Check out Chevrolet Performance’s Bench Racing video below and meet some of the people whose job is to find out what breaks before you do.