The Ford Coyote engine gives a classic Bronco or old Ford truck modern power with modern reliability.
This guide covers what each generation of the Coyote makes, why the Gen 3 is a swap favorite, and what it takes to put a Coyote crate engine into an early Bronco or a classic Ford truck.
- The Coyote is Ford’s 5.0L DOHC V8, first used in the 2011 Mustang GT.
- Ford rates the Gen 3 crate engine at 460 hp and the Gen 4 at 480 hp.
- A Bronco swap needs mounts, headers and exhaust, cooling, an accessory drive, power steering, EFI fuel and the engine’s electronics.
- We make the Coyote swap parts for early Broncos, and Kincer Chassis can build your chassis with the engine already installed.
Coyote Engine Generations
Ford introduced the Coyote in the 2011 Mustang GT. Each generation since has added power and new technology, which is why it has become a favorite for high-performance builds.
| Generation | Mustang GT years | Power | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 1 | 2011 to 2014 | 412 hp, 390 lb-ft | 5.0L DOHC V8 with an 11.0:1 compression ratio |
| Gen 2 | 2015 to 2017 | 435 hp, 400 lb-ft | Revised intake manifold, camshafts and cylinder heads |
| Gen 3 | 2018 to 2023 | 460 hp, 420 lb-ft | Direct plus port injection, 12.0:1 compression, 93 mm bore |
| Gen 4 | 2024 and later | 480 hp, 415 lb-ft (crate) | Further fuel, valve timing and calibration updates |
Power figures are Ford’s ratings for the Mustang GT and the Ford Performance crate engines.
Why the Gen 3 Coyote Is a Swap Favorite
The Gen 3 Coyote brought several changes that make it a great engine for a retrofit.
- Bigger bore and more compression. The bore grew from 92.2 mm to 93 mm and compression went to 12.0:1. The bigger bore burns more air and fuel, and the higher compression burns it more completely.
- Dual fuel injection. Direct injection helps efficiency and power at high rpm. Port injection helps at low rpm and keeps carbon from building up on the intake valves.
- Broad power band. 460 hp and 420 lb-ft with power spread across the rpm range, so it works for everything from cruising to hard driving.
Four questions about how you drive, and we’ll point you to the engine that fits.
A Coyote crate engine makes 460 to 480 hp and suits highway driving and performance. We make the mounts, headers, radiator and more for an early Bronco swap.
Shop Coyote swap partsTalk through your swapThe Cummins R2.8 gives you 310 lb-ft of low-end torque and better mileage for trails, towing and range. We sell the R2.8 and build chassis made to take it.
Read the diesel swap guidePutting a Coyote Crate Engine in an Early Bronco
A Coyote swap takes planning, the right parts and a good understanding of both the engine and the Bronco. Here’s what the job involves.
- Pick the engine. Choose your Coyote crate engine and make sure you have the wiring harness and control pack to run it.
- Prep the Bronco. Pull the old engine, clean the engine bay and check the mounts and crossmembers.
- Sort out the chassis. A stock frame may need cutting, welding and reinforcing to fit the Coyote and handle the power. A Kincer early Bronco chassis is built to take a Coyote 5.0 from the start.
- Upgrade the transmission and driveline. The Coyote can overpower the original transmission, driveshafts and differentials, so plan to upgrade them.
- Mount the engine. Our CNC Coyote motor mounts position the engine in an early Bronco and line it up with the transmission.
- Upgrade the cooling. The Coyote needs more cooling than the stock setup. Our two-row aluminum Coyote radiator has TIG-welded tanks, and each one is leak tested.
- Fit the exhaust. The Coyote’s exhaust ports sit differently than the original engine’s, so you’ll need new headers and a Y-pipe and exhaust.
- Add the accessory drive and steering. Our front drive accessory kit and Coyote power steering pump are made for the swap, and the tilt steering column kit clears the Coyote.
- Feed it fuel. The Coyote is fuel injected, so it needs more fuel pressure than a carbureted engine. Our 23 gallon stainless EFI fuel tank comes with a 340 lph pump.
- Wire the electronics. Plan how the engine computer, sensors and gauges will work with the Bronco’s older electrical system.
Motor mounts, headers, radiator, accessory drive, power steering and fuel, all made for 1966 to 1977 Broncos.
Want to skip most of that work? Kincer Chassis can build your early Bronco chassis with the crate engine already installed and ship it to your restoration shop or straight to you.
Putting a Coyote in a Classic Ford Truck
The steps for an old Ford truck are close to the Bronco swap, with a few differences.
- Engine placement. Find the best spot for the engine. That may mean modifying the firewall or building new mounts.
- Drivetrain. Upgrade the transmission, driveshaft and differential to handle the power.
- Mounts. Build mounts that hold the engine securely and line it up with the transmission.
- Cooling. A bigger radiator and better fans to handle the extra heat.
- Exhaust. A new exhaust that fits the Coyote and the truck’s underside.
- Fuel. A new pump and fuel lines for the higher pressure an EFI engine needs.
- Electronics. Plan how the engine computer works with the truck’s older wiring.
Want 4WD too? See our 2WD to 4WD conversion kit for 1965 to 1979 Ford trucks.
The Technology Behind the Coyote
Direct and port fuel injection
Direct injection improves combustion and power. Port injection reduces carbon buildup on the intake valves. Together they burn fuel more completely, which adds power and mileage.
Twin independent variable cam timing
Ti-VCT adjusts when the valves open and close. It adds torque at low rpm and horsepower at high rpm, and it helps mileage and emissions at every speed.
Plasma-sprayed cylinder bores
Newer Coyotes use a plasma-transferred wire arc coating on the cylinder walls instead of cast iron sleeves. The coating is hard and durable, cuts friction and helps manage heat, and it lets the block be lighter without losing strength.
A Coyote crate engine brings modern performance to a classic design. If you’re planning a Bronco restoration, it’s one of the best upgrades you can make. Kincer Chassis also has a guide to a successful Bronco Coyote swap.
Coyote Crate Engine FAQs
What is a Coyote crate engine?
It’s Ford’s 5.0L DOHC Coyote V8, sold by Ford Performance as a complete engine ready to drop into another vehicle. The Coyote first appeared in the 2011 Mustang GT and is still in production.
How much horsepower does a Coyote crate engine make?
Ford rates the Gen 3 Coyote at 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. The Gen 4 crate engine, from the 2024 Mustang GT, is rated at 480 hp and 415 lb-ft on premium fuel.
Will a Coyote fit in an early Bronco?
Yes, with the right parts. An early Bronco Coyote swap needs motor mounts, headers and exhaust, a bigger radiator, an accessory drive, a power steering pump and a fuel system that can feed an EFI engine. We make those parts for 1966 to 1977 Broncos.
What else do I need besides the engine?
A control pack or wiring harness to run the engine, a transmission and driveline that can handle the power, and the cooling, exhaust and fuel upgrades above. Call us and we’ll help you build the parts list for your Bronco.
Can I buy a chassis with the Coyote already installed?
Yes. Kincer Chassis can build your early Bronco chassis with the crate engine installed and ship it to your restoration shop or straight to you.
Mounts, headers, radiator and more, made for 1966 to 1977 Broncos.
Shop Coyote partsOr call (865) 297-3478
