Questions regarding switching engines to a Coyote/follow up question

[cfriedman67]

I have a 3.73 rear gear. Will that work or do I need to go to a 3.55 as I have read others use? Second, does anything change with the power steering that came with my kit?

Thanks again

I started my build about 5 years ago. The main mistake I made was buying a used engine and transmission. The TKO 500 I purchased needed to be scraped and I purchased a new TKO 600 from Hanlon. The engine was a used 1997 mustang cobra 4.6 4V. I purchased them sight unseen and hoped for the best. Besides the TKO600 I'm using the Ron Francis chassis harness, vintage gauges, heater, Russ Thompson turn signals. I don't know a lot about engines but I new it didn't sound right. Long story short is I pulled the engine and brought it to a local engine builder who is going to look at it and give me a estimate of what it will cost to rebuild/refresh etc... If I cant rebuild or choose not to I would like to go with a coyote. I Do think it is the easiest choice for me as I believe the drive shaft is the same as well as the engine mounts. I also believe the bell housing that I have will work as well. My questions are:

- knowing what I already have, is installing this engine fairly straight forward? Plug and play with the Ron Francis Chassis harness that I already have?
- I currently have a mechanical clutch. Would I need to change to a hydraulic clutch?
- I will need to run CATS as I am in NY. I know Mike Forte sells GP headers with CATS as I spoke to him already. My question is can I use the CATS from my 1997 engine that were purchased from Factory Five and J pipes to save some money.
- Also, since the car is painted already do I need to worry about the exhaust not lining up with the cut outs that were fitted for my other engine? I believe factory five has headers that swivel but the don't have CATS attached?
- I also have the Wilwood pedal box and Rus Thomson gas pedal. Can I use that pedal or does that need to change as well?
- I m sure there are some questions I'm missing but this is a good start.

Last, I know the two engines are not comparable on an apples to apples basis for a lot of reasons( horsepower, warranty, etc...) but part of the decision will come down to cost and the differential between new and rebuilt.

Appreciate the insight

Craig

[edwardb]

Some responses. Can't help with the NY requirements or cats. But the rest:

- Define "plug and play." :rolleyes: Yes a Coyote, I assume with a Ford Performance control pack, interfaces to the Ron Francis harness quite easily. Only three connections to make it run: Ignition sense, start sense, and fuel pump. Obviously you have to provide battery voltage to the Coyote power box and a cable to the alternator. It's very similar to the work required when adding aftermarket EFI to a more traditional engine. One other minor point, you'll have to break into the Coyote engine harness for your tach. Pretty easy and discussed in multiple posts.

- Your mechanical clutch will work fine if that's what you want. Nothing about the Coyote requires hydraulic. It's a choice.

- Wilwood pedal box no issue. You'll remove the RT gas pedal and replace with the Coyote DBW (Drive By Wire) accelerator module.

- Engine mounts and bell housing should bolt right up.

- Personally I'm not a fan of J pipes. But do what you have to do. Not sure any of us could predict how the body exhaust cut-outs will come out. They can be trimmed on a painted car if needed.

Hope that helps.

[Gordon Levy]

Sorry about the 4.6 wo's.
It's not really plug and play but pretty close with the control pack
Mechanical clutch will work fine
Run the stock exhaust manifolds with the J pipe cat pipes for emisions then swap out to real headers
Gasn pipes has the swivel engine and are made of stainless, might be a better option.
The control pack comes with the fly by wire gas pedal you will need. You will also want to get the coyote install kit from FFR.
Read the coyote install section of the current assembly manual. It will help. You will also want to find a tuner and have the gen 3 computer splashed for everything to work right.

[cfriedman67]

Yes, sorry forgot to mention I do know I need to purchase the Ford performance control pack.R egarding the clutch I was just trying to keep the changes to a minimum.

[cfriedman67]

Thanks Gordon. Something to consider.

[Alan_C]

I built a MK4 with a 2004 4.6L DOHC engine. I used the CAT/J-pipes from FF, not for emissions, but as a pre-muffler in front of my Gas-N side pipes. The CAT/J-pipes are designed to be used with the 4.6L manifolds turned around. I do not believe the shorty headers for the Coyote would have the same flange setup and in exactly the right place for the J-pipes to lineup with your side pipes. I have a 2nd Gen Coyote in my current project, so I have hands on experience with both engines. The Coyote manifold or headers and J-pipes would most likely be all new.
The Coyote is like a 4.6L on steroids, in the long run you will be happy with the switch. Yes you will have to redo some of your wiring, more of a remove the 4.6L PCM and replace with the Controls pack. Your fuel system will have to be changed to a return style with a new fuel pump and the bits an pieces to change over.
I bought my low mileage Coyote as part of a complete donor car, got lucky and got a great deal in 2017. There is documentation here the forum on the use of the truck sourced Coyote. The truck based engine is down on power a bit but will cost you less and can be converted to the Mustang configuration and work with the Controls Pack. Others have stated the controls pack for the Gen 1 engine are no longer available, so you would be looking for a Gen 2 2015-17 or Gen 3 2018 on newer engine.
Good luck, if you go the Coyote route please document for those considering a similar upgrade.

[cfriedman67]

Hi Alan, thanks for the heads up on the fuel pump as it’s not something I thought of. If I do make the switch I believe I’m going to buy new. I have had enough of someone else’s headaches and don’t want to make a mistake again. I will keep you posted if I make the switch.

Thanks

[phileas_fogg]

Aren't there some modifications to the foot box aluminum required? Or do you have the updated foot box side walls already?


John

[Al_C]

Aren't there some modifications to the foot box aluminum required? Or do you have the updated foot box side walls already?


John

The footbox aluminum for the 4.6 and coyote were the same. My 2015 kit was configured for a coyote, and it came with the 4.6 DS footbox. I later changed to the "new" footbox aluminum because there was just no room for feet or pedals with the 4.6 aluminum.

[cfriedman67]

Thanks. I thought that was the case but was not sure. Appreciate the info.

[cfriedman67]

I have a 3.73 rear gear. Will that work or do I need to go to a 3.55 as I have read others use? Second, does anything change with the power steering that came with my kit?

Thanks again

[CraigS]

The 373 will be fine. Perfect? Ideal? Maybe. But if not, it will be good enough. After all my wife's 2015 Mustang GT 6 speed has a 373 gear so how bad could it be in your FFR?

[Gordon Levy]

The coyote really like the 3:73 gear

[cfriedman67]

Thanks Gordon