It's Crate Engine Day, Apparently - This Time, It's the Honda Civic Type R Mill

Between Mopar’s 707-horsepower Hellcat engine and Honda’s 306-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter from the Civic Type R, the crate engine gods have smiled on both axles today.

Like Mopar, Honda took advantage of this week’s SEMA show in Las Vegas to announce the availability of the front-drive monster’s engine in standalone form. No doubt this news immediately inspired visions of the cobbled-together HR-V Type R you really wanted, but be warned. This engine comes with an asterisk.

That’s because the 306 hp, 295 lb-ft engine is only available for purchase through Honda Performance Development’s Honda Racing Line program. Yes, forget about spirited on-road motoring in a vehicle inspired by a now-deleted Honda tweet. The Type R crate engine is a track-only proposition.

Honda claims the engine’s availability “to U.S. grassroots and professional racers for verified, closed-course racing applications through the HPD Honda Racing Line program” follows years of enviable Type R motor availability in Europe and Asia. Now that the engine sits in a U.S. production vehicle, the automaker’s spreading the fun around. Honda noted its “long-term commitment to the support of grassroots racing” in the United States and elsewhere.

Once a buyer proves they’re obtaining the motor for sanctioned racing purposes, Honda will hand it over for the sum of $6,519.87, minus shipping costs.

Having proven its track prowess in the hands of experienced racers, it’ll be interesting to see the Type R’s engine set up shop under the hood of specially modified and purpose-built track machines. Maybe someone’ll bring a HR-V.

[Images: Honda]