Ford Coyote Engine: 5.0 Specs, Generations, Horsepower and Crate Engines
The Coyote is Ford’s 5.0-liter, all-aluminum V8 with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, introduced in the 2011 Mustang GT and also used in the F-150. It has gone through four generations, with Mustang GT ratings rising from 412 HP in 2011 to 480 HP in 2024, and Ford Performance sells it new as a crate engine. “Coyote” began as the engine’s development name and is now how Ford Performance and most enthusiasts refer to it.
Ford 5.0 Coyote engine specs
| Specification | 5.0L Coyote |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 5.0L (about 302 cubic inches) |
| Layout | 90-degree V8, dual overhead cams per bank, 32 valves |
| Block and heads | Aluminum |
| Bore x stroke | 92.2 x 92.7 mm (3.63″ x 3.65″) in Gen 1 and 2; 93.0 x 92.7 mm (3.66″ x 3.65″) from Gen 3 |
| Cam timing | Twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT) |
| Fuel injection | Port injection in Gen 1 and 2; port plus direct injection from Gen 3 |
| Compression ratio | 11.0:1 in Gen 1 and 2; 12.0:1 from Gen 3 |
| Ignition | Coil-on-plug, controlled by the engine computer |
| Firing order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
The firing order and cylinder numbering are covered in our Ford firing order guide.
Coyote generations: Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3 and Gen 4
| Generation | Mustang GT years | Mustang GT rating | Main changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 1 | 2011 to 2014 | 412 HP (2011-12), 420 HP (2013-14) | The original Coyote: 5.0L DOHC, Ti-VCT, port fuel injection |
| Gen 2 | 2015 to 2017 | 435 HP | Revised cylinder heads and valvetrain, new intake manifold with charge motion control valves |
| Gen 3 | 2018 to 2023 | 460 HP at launch | Bore enlarged to 93 mm, port plus direct injection, compression raised to 12.0:1 |
| Gen 4 | 2024 on | 480 HP (500 HP in the Dark Horse) | Dual-throttle-body intake and further revisions, same 5.0L size |
The F-150 has used the 5.0L Coyote since 2011 with truck-specific tuning and different ratings, so a truck engine is not a direct match for a Mustang calibration.
Gen 3 vs Gen 4 Coyote
Both are 5.0L engines with the same 93 mm bore and 92.7 mm stroke, Ti-VCT and combined port and direct injection. The Gen 4 adds a dual-throttle-body intake and is rated at 480 HP in the 2024 Mustang GT, against 460 HP for the Gen 3 when it launched in the 2018 Mustang GT. For a swap, the practical difference is the electronics: each generation needs its own matching control pack and calibration, so buy the engine and controls as a set. Ford Performance’s Gen 4X 5.0L Coyote crate engine is rated at 460 HP and 420 lb-ft with 12.0:1 compression and direct plus port injection.
How much horsepower does a 5.0 Coyote make?
In the Mustang GT, factory ratings went from 412 HP (2011) to 420 HP (2013), 435 HP (2015), 460 HP (2018) and 480 HP (2024), with the Mustang Dark Horse at 500 HP. Our 5.0L Coyote listings include 460 HP and 480 HP models; compare the exact part number and product specifications. The 5.2L Aluminator XS listing is rated at 580 HP.
5.2L Coyote-family engines: Voodoo, Predator and Aluminator
- Voodoo: the 5.2L flat-plane-crank V8 from the 2015 to 2020 Shelby GT350, rated at 526 HP.
- Predator: the supercharged 5.2L from the 2020 to 2022 Shelby GT500, rated at 760 HP.
- Aluminator XS: Ford Performance’s hand-assembled 5.2L crate engine. Ours is the Aluminator XS 5.2L (M-6007-A52XS), rated at 580 HP at 7,800 rpm and 445 lb-ft, with 12:1 compression, a forged steel crankshaft, Manley forged rods, Mahle forged pistons, CNC-ported GT350 cylinder heads and a 65 mm dual-bore Cobra Jet throttle body. It is engineered to work with 2015 to 2017 Mustang GT electronics.
Building your own 5.2? The Ford Performance 5.2L Gen 3 Coyote aluminum block (M-6010-M52B) has a 3.700″ bore and a one-piece rear seal. See all engine blocks.
Coyote vs LS
| Ford 5.0 Coyote | GM LS3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 5.0L | 6.2L |
| Valvetrain | Dual overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder | Single cam in the block, pushrods, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Factory rating | 412 to 480 HP (Mustang GT) | 426 to 430 HP |
| Crate engines here | 460 or 480 HP (5.0L), 580 HP (5.2L) | 430 and 495 HP |
The Coyote makes its power with high revs and four-valve heads from less displacement. The pushrod LS is narrower and more compact for its size, which makes it easier to fit in tight engine bays, while the Coyote keeps a Ford build all-Ford. Compare the details in our LS3 engine guide, LS swap guide and Coyote swap guide.
Ford Performance Coyote crate engines and prices
| Engine | Part number | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L Coyote crate engine (listed for 2018-19 Mustang) | M-6007-M50C | 460 HP | $10,224.99 |
| Gen 3 5.0L Coyote crate engine | M-6007-M50CAUTO | See product page | $10,594.99 |
| Gen 4 5.0L Mustang crate engine (manual) | M-6007-M50D | 480 HP | See product page |
| Gen 4 5.0L Mustang crate engine (auto) | M-6007-M50DAUTO | 480 HP | See product page |
| Gen 4X 5.0L Mustang Coyote | M6007-M50H | 460 HP, 420 lb-ft | $12,249.99 |
| 5.0L Coyote crate engine, 302 ci (listed for 2018-21 Mustang) | M-6007-A50NAB | 460 HP | $14,579.00 |
| 5.0L Coyote with 10-speed automatic | M-9000-PMCA3A | 460 HP | $19,699.99 |
| Aluminator XS 5.2L | M-6007-A52XS | 580 HP, 445 lb-ft | $27,099.99 |
Prices change, so check the product page for the current price. Every order ships for a flat $75 to any US state. See all Coyote crate engines and our crate engine price guide.
What a Coyote crate engine needs
A Coyote is fully electronic, so it needs a control pack (computer and harness) made for its generation, plus an EFI fuel system that suits its injection type, engine mounts, an oil pan and headers that clear your chassis, and a compatible transmission. The Gen 4X listing notes that the engine needs a control pack with wiring, PCM and an installation kit for project-car use. Our Coyote swap guide walks through each part.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Coyote a 5.0?
Yes. The Coyote displaces 5.0 liters, about 302 cubic inches. The Voodoo, Predator and Aluminator engines are related 5.2-liter versions.
How much horsepower does a 5.0 Coyote have?
Mustang GT ratings range from 412 HP (2011) to 480 HP (2024), and 500 HP in the Dark Horse. Our 5.0L Coyote listings include 460 HP and 480 HP models; compare the exact part number and product specifications. The 5.2L Aluminator XS listing is rated at 580 HP.
What is the difference between a Gen 3 and a Gen 4 Coyote?
Both are 5.0L engines with port and direct injection. The Gen 4 adds a dual-throttle-body intake and is rated at 480 HP in the 2024 Mustang GT, against 460 HP for the 2018 Gen 3. Each needs its own control pack.
Is the Gen 4X Coyote the same as the Gen 4 crate engine?
Compare the exact model rather than treating the names as interchangeable. The listed Gen 4X M6007-M50H uses a single throttle body and is rated at 460 HP. Our Gen 4 M-6007-M50D and M-6007-M50DAUTO listings use twin throttle bodies and are rated at 480 HP. Check the transmission application and matching controls on each product page: Gen 4 manual application and Gen 4 automatic application. Ford provides model details for Gen 4X and Gen 4.
What years did the Coyote engine come out?
The Coyote arrived in the 2011 Mustang GT and F-150. Gen 2 followed for 2015, Gen 3 for 2018 and Gen 4 for 2024.
Does a Coyote crate engine include the computer?
Not unless the listing says so. Ford Performance sells control packs for its Coyote crate engines separately.
How much is a Coyote engine?
The 5.0L Coyote crate engines we list start at $10,224.99, the Coyote with a 10-speed automatic is $19,699.99, and the 5.2L Aluminator XS is $27,099.99.
What is the difference between a 5.0 and a Coyote?
Coyote is the name of Ford’s 5.0-liter dual-overhead-cam, 32-valve V8 used in the Mustang GT and F-150 since 2011. Earlier Ford 5.0 engines, including the 1980s and early-1990s Mustang 5.0 HO, are the pushrod 302 small block, a different engine. So every Coyote is a 5.0 (or a 5.2 in its Voodoo, Predator and Aluminator versions), but not every 5.0 is a Coyote. See our Ford 302 engine guide.
How much does a Coyote engine weigh?
Ford Performance’s part pages list an engine weight of 445 lbs. for the Gen 3 5.0L Coyote crate engines (M-6007-M50C and M-6007-M50CAUTO); those pages don’t say what the figure includes. For the Gen 4 crate engines (M-6007-M50D and M-6007-M50DAUTO) Ford Performance lists 453 lbs. without front accessory drive components, and for the Gen 4X M-6007-M50H it lists 445 lbs. without front accessory drive components.
Related: Coyote swap guide, Coyote firing order, Ford 7.3 Godzilla engine, Ford 302 engine, Coyote crate engines, all guides.
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