Here’s a clearer, richer look at the COYOTE 5.0 ENGINE—the powerhouse behind many Mustangs, F‑150s, and even crate-engine swaps:
Production & Design.
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Introduced in the 2011 model year for the Mustang GT and F‑150; built at Ford’s Windsor, Ontario plant
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Aluminum block and heads, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, cam-torque-actuated Ti‑VCT Bore × stroke near-square: ~3.63″ × 3.65″ (92.2 × 92.7 mm).
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Displacement: ~4.951 L on Gen 1–2; bumped to ~5.035 L in Gen 3
Generational Breakdown & Output
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Gen 1 (2011–2014)
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Mustang GT: 412–420 hp, 390 lb‑ft.
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F‑150: 360 hp, 380 lb‑ft Mustang GT: 435 hp, 400 lb‑ft. Improved heads, springs, cams, intake w/ CMCV Gen 3 (2018–2023)
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Mustang GT: 460 hp, 420 lb‑ft; Gen 3 adds high-pressure direct injection, plasma-sprayed liners, 12:1 compression, and redline to 7 k rpm F‑150: 395 hp, 400 lb‑ft
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Gen 4 (2024‑present)
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Mustang GT/Dark Horse: up to 480–500 hp; new “Gen IV” hardware: dual intake, forged rods/crane
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Reliability & Known Concerns
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Widely considered very reliable, with many exceeding 150,000–200,000+ miles.
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Common issues:
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Early Gen 1: mild idle knock, oil consumption.
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VCT solenoids on Gen 2/3 occasionally fail.
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Timing chain stretch on high-mile or hard-driven units.
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Gen 3 direct injection brings carbon build-up, but dual injection reduces it
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Crate Engines & Performance Versions
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Ford Performance Gen 3 crate engine (M-6007-M50C/AUTO) delivers 460 hp/420 lb‑ft. Selling for ~$11,635 MSRP with full build: high-flow heads, DOHC, Ti‑VCT, plasma-block, etc.
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Stage 1 builds with Gen 3 core (~$8,900) provide similar specs .
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There are special variants:
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Roadrunner (Boss 302): stiffer springs, bigger cams.
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Voodoo (flat-plane crank) & Aluminator (cross-plane high output, up to ~580 hp).
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Predator (supercharged, Shelby GT500): up to ~700 hp
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Summary Table COYOTE 5.0 ENGINE
| Gen | Years | Mustang HP | F‑150 HP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011–14 | 412–420 | 360 | DOHC, Ti‑VCT, break-in issues |
| 2 | 2015–17 | 435 | 360 | Strongest reliability sweet spot |
| 3 | 2018–23 | 460 | 395 | Direct+port injection, high comp |
| 4 | 2024+ | 480–500 | — | Dual intakes, forged internals |
Is It Right For You?
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Exceptional blend of performance and real-world reliability—great for street, track, or swaps.
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If you’re buying used, Gen 2 (2015–17) is often recommended for its optimal balance.
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New builds or swaps? Gen 3 crate engines are turnkey 460 hp systems with solid internals.
