When your air compressor loses its motor, the replacement decision comes down to more than horsepower. The four industrial motors here are all 5HP single-phase units, but they split into two frame camps: 184T and 56-frame. One 184T motor is rated at 1750 RPM, while two 56-frame motors are rated at 3450 RPM; the other 184T is positioned as a direct-replacement unit. Prices span $128.79 to $455.00, so the choice can also be a budget call. The frame size matters because 184T and 56-frame motors are built for different compressor bases. Here is how to match the motor to your compressor's frame, speed, and current needs.
Quick take
If you need a 184T frame with a totally enclosed fan-cooled enclosure and 1750 RPM, the mek 5HP 1750RPM 184T is the option to focus on. If a direct-replacement fit with a two-year warranty is your priority, the OE Quality 184T frame motor covers that. For a 56-frame 3450 RPM motor, the OE Quality SPL costs a bit more than the GARVEE while listing a lower full-load current, and the GARVEE takes the lowest-price slot.
Price comparison
| Product | Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| 5HP 1750RPM Air Compressor Electric Motor 184T Single Phase TEFC 208-230V | USD 449.99 | |
| 1 Piece 5 HP Single Phase Industrial Air Compressor Electric Motor 184T Frame | USD 455.00 | |
| Single Phase 5HP SPL Air Compressor Electric Motor 5/8\" Keyed Shaft 230V 3450RPM | USD 141.88 | |
| 5HP SPL Air Compressor Electric Motor 230V 3450RPM 5/8\" Keyed Shaft Single Phase | USD 128.79 |
Decision matrix
| Decision point | Recommended motor |
|---|---|
| 184T frame with fan-cooled enclosure and 1750 RPM | mek 5HP 1750RPM 184T |
| 184T direct-replacement fit with warranty | OE Quality 184T frame motor |
| 56-frame 3450 RPM with lower full-load current | OE Quality SPL motor |
| 56-frame 3450 RPM at the lowest price | GARVEE 5HP SPL motor |
Product notes
5HP 1750RPM Air Compressor Electric Motor 184T Single Phase TEFC 208-230V
This mek motor pairs a 184T frame with a 1750 RPM base speed and a totally enclosed fan-cooled enclosure, making it the 184T option with a stated lower speed in this group. It runs on 208-230V single-phase power at 60 Hz, with full-load amps listed at 28.5-27A. The price sits at the upper end of the range, so it demands a bigger budget. If your compressor is built around a 184T frame and you want the fan-cooled enclosure with 1750 RPM, this is the motor to measure against.
1 Piece 5 HP Single Phase Industrial Air Compressor Electric Motor 184T Frame
This OE Quality motor is a 184T frame 5HP single-phase unit with a direct-replacement fitment tag. It comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty and a steel build, and it lists full-load amps of 28.5-27A on 208-230V. The enclosure is ODTF, which is a different style from the TEFC on the mek. It has the highest listed price in this group, so the warranty and direct-replacement positioning carry the cost. Use it when your swap needs a 184T motor and the assurance of a manufacturer warranty is part of the purchase decision.
Single Phase 5HP SPL Air Compressor Electric Motor 5/8\" Keyed Shaft 230V 3450RPM
The OE Quality SPL motor is a 56-frame 5HP unit with a 5/8-inch keyed shaft, 230V input, and a 3450 RPM base speed. Its full-load current is 17.6A, which is lower than the 20A listed on the GARVEE 56-frame motor. It is an open drip-proof design, and the listing includes CW/CCW rotation with the factory setting at CCW. The price is well below the 184T motors but a few dollars above the GARVEE. The catch is the 56 frame, so it will not fit a compressor set up for a 184T mounting pattern. If your motor mounts on a 56 frame and you want 3450 RPM, this is the balanced choice.
5HP SPL Air Compressor Electric Motor 230V 3450RPM 5/8\" Keyed Shaft Single Phase
The GARVEE SPL motor is the least expensive option in this comparison. It matches the OE Quality SPL on the core specs: 56 frame, 5/8-inch keyed shaft, 230V, and 3450 RPM. Its full-load current is listed at 20A, which is higher than the OE Quality SPL's 17.6A. It also uses a 56 frame rather than a 184T, so it is not a direct replacement for a larger-frame compressor. The listed weight is 46.2 pounds. If your replacement is for a 56-frame SPL motor and the entry price is the deciding factor, this is the one to start with.
Final recommendation
Match the frame first. If your compressor uses a 184T base, choose the mek 5HP 1750RPM 184T when you want a TEFC enclosure and a stated 1750 RPM speed, or the OE Quality 184T when direct-replacement fit and a two-year warranty are the priorities. If your compressor uses a 56 frame, pick the OE Quality SPL at the lower full-load current or the GARVEE for the lowest price. The GARVEE is the entry pick; the OE Quality SPL is the small step up for a lower amperage rating.
