DEARBORN - With Ford planning the return of a 5.0L-V8 engine in the Mustang GT, it had to have a proper name to go along with it. And in 2011, the world got to meet the Coyote. The first Generation of the 5.0L Coyote was a 420 hp, 390 lb-ft engine that helped fan the flames of an already massive, passionate Mustang fanbase. 

The Coyote, which remains the powerplant of all Mustang GTs that roll out of Flat Rock Assembly Plant, has not been an idle beast, though. Its howl has evolved over time thanks to the tinkering improvements brought forth by the talented engineers of Ford Motor Company. 

The 2015 model year marked the first major design changes for the Coyote since its introduction in 2011. And then again in 2018, the Coyote was thoroughly reworked, featuring dual-fuel, high pressure direct injection combined with low-pressure port fuel injection technology for increased power and efficiency. 

To date, the 2018-2019 Coyote offers the most amount of differences when compared to 2011-2017 versions of the past. To help distinguish between the different generations of engines the Gen 1, Gen 2, and Gen 3 designations are used in alignment with Mustang GT Model Years:  

• Gen 1 – 2011-2014 
• Gen 2 – 2015-2017 
• Gen 3 – 2018-2019 

For a full understanding of the changes, the Ford Performance Parts team has put together a deep dive into the technical changes and improvements of the howling Coyote over the years.

And as always, the Ford Performance Techline is ready and willing to help. Phone lines remain unavailable at this time, but the online portal is still active: https://performanceparts.ford.com/contact-us/