The engine warmer is far superior and convenient. Think of the engine warmer as an oven and the heat gun as a microwave. The engine warmer must be on longer but will heat up the internals of the motor much more thoroughly, then the heat gun. The heat gun will work but the extra $40 to $50 you will spend on the warmer is well worth it. You don't have to rush back to your pits to heat your motor before your heat if your out helping pit or track maintenance. You can leave the engine warmer on for hours. The longest I have ever left mine on for is an hour and it temped at 230, the chassis was at 90. So the heat will transfer down into the chassis.