The Gen 3 Coyote crate engine is a high-performance engine that you can drop into just about any vehicle you want. Depending on the application, it could be an easy or a difficult conversion. For example, a late ‘90s V6 Mustang would need major changes to the engine bay.
What are the specs of the Gen 3 Ford Coyote Crate engine?
The Gen 3 Ford Coyote crate engine is a high-performance engine that makes 460 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm. The engine is set up with a 12:1 compression ratio, which is on the high side.
Because of the higher compression ratio and other high-performance goodies, the engine features:
- Hypereutectic aluminum pistons
- The same Sintered steel rods as the BOSS302 Mustang
- A forged steel crank
The top end features 12 mm head bolts, an 80 mm single bore drive by wire throttle body, and high-flow aluminum cylinder heads. The intake is made of tuned composite to help save weight and provide better air delivery.
Double overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing help get all of the air and fuel the engine needs to produce 460 horses. The engine weighs 445 pounds.
History of the Gen 3 Ford Coyote Crate Engine
When Ford’s ever-popular small block neared the end of its time for engineering, the manufacturer needed a new engine for its popular pony car – the Mustang. The Mustang GT started out with a mere 225 horsepower, and over the years, moved up to 260 horses, then 300 horses, then 412 horses with the first generation of the Coyote 5.0L engine.
The Coyote engine evolved into the Boss 302 and the VooDoo 5.2L engine you can find in the Shelby GT350.
Ford’s original 5.0-liter engine was first used in 1968 and was referred to as the 302. That engine came with a four-barrel carburetor and made 250 horses. The engine morphed into several versions, including the Boss 302, the 5.0 H.O., and the Cobra 302.
Mustangs with the Fox body were often referred to as the ‘five-point oh,’ so Ford decided to capitalize on that. The manufacturer brought it back with the 2011 GT. That engine made 412 horsepower. It was from this engine that the Coyote was developed.
Early specs included:
- High-flow aluminum heads, a composite intake, and variable valve timing
- Tuned exhaust headers
- 11:1 compression and 0.472/0.433 lift with a duration of 260/263 degrees
Bob Fascetti, the director of large gas and diesel engines at Ford, picked Mike Harrison to build a new Mustang engine. They aimed for 400 horsepower. After a few years of working on it, the Coyote was born.
Which Models Feature the Gen 3 Ford Coyote Crate Engine?
The Gen 3 Ford Coyote engine was designed for the Mustang, but when you buy it as a crate engine, you can drop it anything you want. While most models will require some modification, some might require major modification and fabrication.
The Coyote engine also comes in Ford F-150 trucks, though it is not as powerful as the Coyote engine in the Mustangs.
People Also Ask
How Much Does a Ford Coyote Engine Cost?
Prices depend on where you get the engine from, and what you buy to go along with the engine. The average cost of the engine alone is around $10,000. You could spend upward of $20,000 making the swap.
Is the Coyote a Good Engine?
Yes. The Coyote even has a version that you can find in the Ford F-150, though it’s not as powerful as the Gen 3 Coyote for Mustangs. The Coyote in the F-150 makes 395 horsepower.
How Long Do Coyote Engines Last?
As with any vehicle, if you perform regular maintenance and take care of the engine, it could last for 200,000 miles or better. Ford named the engine after a race car that had the first four-valve V-8 from the 1960s.
Which is Better – GM’s LS or the Coyote?
The Gen 3 Coyote makes 510.4 horsepower at 7,600 rpm and 398 pound-feet of torque at 5,400 rpm, but the LS comes in sooner and stronger at 556.3 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 498 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm.
Which Ford Trucks Have the Coyote Engine?
You can find the Coyote engine in 2011 through 2021 F-150 trucks.
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