The Ford Coyote is a 5.0L V8 engine powering the 2011-2020 Ford Mustang GT and Ford F-150 pickup trucks.

Since the Coyote engine’s inception, Ford has made several upgrades and changes to the platform. The most substantial changes took place with the Gen 3 version in 2018, with the introduction of a new dual fuel system comprised of direct-port and port fuel injection.

Coyote 5.0L engines are broken down into three generations. In each generation, there is a Ford Mustang version and a Ford F-150 version of the engine, with only basic differences between them.

The Coyote truck engine is optimized for torque while the Coyote Mustang engine makes more horsepower overall.

Each new Coyote generation brought improvements in horsepower, torque, and even rpm capability.

Gen 1 Coyote 5.0L Mustang  

  • 2011-12 GT – 412 hp @ 6,500 rpm – 390 ft.-lbs. torque @ 4,250
  • 2013-14 GT – 420 hp @ 6,500 rpm – 390 ft.-lbs. torque @ 4,250
  • 2012-13 Boss – 444 hp @ 7,400 rpm – 380 ft.-lbs. torque @ 4,500

Gen 2 Coyote 5.0L Mustang

  • 2015-17 GT – 435 hp @ 6,500 rpm – 400 ft.-lbs. torque @ 4,250

Gen 3 Coyote 5.0L Mustang

  • 2018-20 GT – 460 hp @ 7,000 rpm – 420 ft.-lbs. torque @ 4,600
  • 2019-20 Bullitt –  480 hp @ 7,000 rpm – 420 ft.-lbs. torque @ 4,600

Gen 1 Coyote 5.0L F-150

  • 2011-14 – 360 hp @ 5500 rpm – 380 ft.-lbs. torque @ 4250 rpm

Gen 2 Coyote 5.0L F-150

  • 2015-17 – 360 hp @ 5500 rpm – 380 ft.-lbs. torque @ 4250 rpm

Gen 3 Coyote 5.0L F-150

  • 2018-20 – 395 hp @ 5750 rpm – 400 ft.-lbs. torque @ 4500 rpm

For enthusiasts hunting social media marketplaces and ad sites, or combing salvage yards for a suitable dog for an engine swap, understanding the differences and requirements for these engines up front can prevent you from buying the wrong parts or being disappointed because you ended up with a truck engine when you thought you were getting the Mustang version.

The Mustang Coyote engines were equipped with stainless steel Tri-Y exhaust manifolds, performance based camshafts, higher compression ratio (11:1), and wider oil pump gears.

The catalytic converter on the 2015-20 Mustang 5.0L is part of the driver’s side exhaust manifolds, and on the passenger side, the converter bolts to the manifold with a two-bolt flange.

The F-150 Coyote engines came equipped with cast iron exhaust manifolds, broad-torque range camshafts for towing power, and 10.5:1 compression.

The F-150 Coyote engines came equipped with cast iron exhaust manifolds. (Image/Ford Motor Co.)

The Differences Between Gen 1, 2 & 3 Coyote 5.0L Engines

Here are some specific external identifying features and parts that may help you authenticate an engine at a salvage yard or from a marketplace ad.

Gen 1 Coyote engine intakes do not have charge motion control valves (CMCV) like the Gen 2 and Gen 3 engines.

CMCV are flat plates inside of the intake runners which are mounted on a single shaft (per side). Each shaft is controlled by a vacuum canister. These valves restrict airflow velocity resulting in improved idle quality and improved low-end torque on the Gen 2 and 3 engines. Under heavy throttle, the valves open to let the engine breathe freely.

This is a Gen 2 Coyote engine with the charge motion control valves (CMCV) located on the back of the intake manifold. (Image/Ford Motor Co.)

All Gen 3 engines have a direct-injection pump mounted on the passenger side of the cylinder head, which is easily identified because the #3 ignition coil is offset to clear the injection pump and uses a short ignition wire.

(Image/Ford Motor Co.)

All Gen 1 and 2 Coyote engines have a 7-quart steel oil pan.

This is the 7-qt. steel oil pan used on Gen 1 and Gen 2 Coyote engines. (Image/Ford Motor Co.)

The Gen 3 engines use a larger 10-qt. composite pan.

This is the 10-qt. composite oil pan used on Gen 3 Coyote engines. (Image/Ford Motor Co.)

All three truck-engine generations had a front-mounted oil cooler/filter mount that used a 90-degree adapter to make the filter more accessible.

Gen 1 Mustang engines didn’t have an oil cooler, except for the Boss 302 and the Track Pack-optioned Mustangs.

Gen 2 and 3 Mustang engines were equipped with oil coolers mounted directly to the engine block, and didn’t use an adapter.

The truck and Mustang Coyote engines each used different timing covers.

The Mustang engine’s timing cover has an idler boss on the driver’s side.The F-150 engine’s timing cover moved the alternator further out to the side, and doesn’t have the idler boss.

The intake manifolds on the Mustang Coyote engines are gray in color. The F-150 Coyote intake manifolds are black. Note: The GT350 Mustang intake manifold is also black, but the GT350 engine is a 5.2L and this article is focused exclusively on identifying 5.0L Coyote engines.

Also, on the F-150 engines, the Gen 3 intake is taller than the Gen 2 intake.

We hope this information helps take some of the bite out of your hunt for the right Coyote and engine parts for your project.

Author: Dave Matthews

Dave Matthews was a mechanic for the U.S. Army, a Ford dealership, and served for many years as a fleet mechanic for construction companies. Now a technical content producer at Summit Racing, Dave has spent decades working on everything from military vehicles to high performance race machines.