​From 5.0 to 5.0: Fitting a Coyote in your Fox Body Mustang

When the S197 Mustang reached dealers in 2011, there was one question on the minds of owners of older Mustangs: How can I put the new V8 in my car? It's taken a while, but after some trial and error, aftermarket parts companies have brought together the parts needed to fit the Coyote in the Fox Body Mustang.

Why Use a Coyote?

The Coyote is a modern aluminum engine with a DOHC valvetrain and variable valve timing. This motor is similar in size to a 429 big block, but the dry weight is within a few pounds of the 5.0.

In current Mustangs, this engine makes well over 400 hp yet it lets these cars get 30 mpg on the highway and run on regular unleaded. This makes it the perfect candidate for a street car build, offering the power of a built 5.0 in a reliable stock package. Ford Racing has also rolled out an “Aluminator” crate motor that improve on the stock engine's performance while remaining in line with small block crate motor prices.

Is There a Difference Between Truck and Mustang V8s?

Compression on the truck engine is slightly lower, and it has more restrictive porting to help make the low end power needed for this application. Since this engine is still new, there aren't a lot of easy ways to get these motors to match the performance of a stock Mustang motor.

What Do I Need to Fit a Coyote in My Fox Body?

ECU: The ECU used in modern Mustangs and trucks has an advanced immobilizer system that checks several systems before it will allow the engine to be started. This is great if you want to keep someone from stealing your new car, but it makes the stock ECU unusable for a swap like this. Both Ford Racing and Holley make complete engine management systems including wiring harnesses that make it easy to run this engine.

• K-member: The Coyote is based on the 4.6 and 5.4 liter “Cammer” engines used in 90’s and 2000’s Mustangs, so it uses the same motor mounts.
• Bellhousing: Like the K-member, a bellhousing made for a Cammer will bolt to this engine.
• The rest of this list will depend on the particulars of your setup from how low the engine sits in the K-member to the equipment your car came with.
• Manual or hydroboost brakes: There's no way to get the stock vacuum brake booster to fit alongside this wide engine.
• Steering shaft: The rag joint on the stock steering shaft can get in the way of the motor.
• Sway bar brackets: A set of SN95 mounting brackets will lower the sway bar so it's out of the way of the Coyote's oil filter and alternator.
• Oil filter: A shorter oil filter like the once specified for the 4.6l will fit the Coyote and will be easier to install and remove.
• Oil pan and headers: Again, space is an issue, but how much of an issue depends on your setup. UPR Products makes a K-member with this swap in mind, providing maximum space for both parts. From there, it's a matter of measuring to see what will need to be replaced.

Where Can I Get the Parts for This Swap?

Anderson Ford Motorsports has been helping Mustang owners increase the performance of their cars for over 30 years. We can help you put together the parts you need to fit one of these engines, upgrade the drivetrain and suspension to handle the added power, and even increase performance with our supercharger kits.