Kit Order Question #1 - Coyote or BluePrint Engine

[rvanstory]

Here's the 1st of many questions generated simply by trying to fill out the MK4 order form....

It looks like the Coyote 5.0L Engine and the 347 EFI BluePrint engines are "roughly" the same price. Coyote has more HP (460 VS 401).

What say the experienced builders about which option to choose? My take is BluePrint engines are more "old school" with a traditional hot rod look, while the Coyote is more modern in looks and design.

What are the reasons to choose one over the other? (Looks... sound... maintenance... mileage... hidden costs.... compatible transmission options... etc....)

Randy

[Mike.Bray]

I'm making a big bowl of popcorn for this one!

[65 Cobra Dude]

Randy,

Although I’m sure you’ll get a bunch of opinions on this question and your exhaust questions, it would be faster for you to familiarize yourself with the search function. Many questions have been asked including these ones and will get you a faster response vice waiting for someone with knowledge to answer it.

BTW, welcome to the madness!

Henry

[cv2065]

You are talking about two totally different Cobra experiences. Can't really explain it but YouTube is your friend. Or find someone to ride with in your area.

[edwardb]

Here's a pretty recent thread asking the exact same thing. https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?46169-BluePrint-versus-Coyote

[Alan_C]

So what is it you want? Old school or new school pretty much what it boils down to. This is just like asking manual or auto and what rear end ratio? You can pose endless questions to the community, however it is your car and you need to decide what experience you want when it hits the road.

[KDubU]

Randy, either or is truly the answer. There have been a lot of Coyote builds over the last number of years so you can’t go wrong there. The 347 is a great engine and yes, period correct. Anything 400hp+ is more than plenty, hell 300hp is a lot in these cars. The things to consider:

- Coyote is a larger engine and will fit but you won’t have room to spare so some help during the install is recommended.
- Some will ask you what engine you have in it and some will be really fascinated and some will say, “it’s not a 427”…you will get this with the 347 as well so disregard these people and concern
- Coyote is fuel injected
- Coyote sound is not quite the same as old school thump (note the cam choice really brings this out in the old school engines)
- The Gen 3 does not have the prettiest intake cover and the Gen 1 was better looking (this is something that I think should be customized but not sure complexities)

- 347 is smaller and easy to install even on your own
- Can be carb or fuel injected and note there are more old school fuel injected looking options
- Small blocks were in short supply, assuming BP has this available immediately?
- Classic look and sound

Fuel mileage will not differ a great deal, it all depends on your right foot. I would think the Coyote may be better driving around town but highway not sure. I used to get 21mpg with my 351w cruising at 70 on the highway.

So, your choice! You can’t go wrong either way.

[rvanstory]

Coyote sound is not quite the same as old school thump (note the cam choice really brings this out in the old school engines)


Perfect detail that I was looking for! I know it's all personal choice. I was leaning "old school" just for it's nostalgic look, but sound is also a really important part of that old school nostalgia I'm hoping for. Thanks for that piece of insight!

[michael everson]

Coyote all the way. If we are all being honest, the aftermarket EFI systems still have a long way to go to be even remotely as reliable as the ford stuff. I have had trouble with about 50% of the aftermarket EFI systems. The other half run just fine. Every Coyote had been flawless. No leaks, no gas smell no erratic idle et.
Mike

[Mike.Bray]

Coyote all the way. If we are all being honest, the aftermarket EFI systems still have a long way to go to be even remotely as reliable as the ford stuff. I have had trouble with about 50% of the aftermarket EFI systems. The other half run just fine. Every Coyote had been flawless. No leaks, no gas smell no erratic idle et.
Mike

Is that before or after you pay to have the Coyote tuned?

For clarification, how many of the problem child aftermarket EFI systems were low end systems like the Sniper? I've always believed you truly get what you pay for and I would never compare a $1k Sniper to an OEM system.

[Mike.Bray]

Old school looks, old school sound.


https://youtu.be/Q_5fTdGFakQ

[michael everson]

Tuning isn't much of an issue anymore. Places like Lund have done so many that they can basically send you a tune that will work with no issues.
Mike

[nashuanuke]

Hey, you're in the same boat as me. I asked the same question a month ago.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?46169-BluePrint-versus-Coyote

FWIW, went with the coyote.

GL

[k-roy]

Have you watched the Factory Five live engine selection video yet?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpjwKZEgzj8

[edwardb]

Perfect detail that I was looking for! I know it's all personal choice. I was leaning "old school" just for it's nostalgic look, but sound is also a really important part of that old school nostalgia I'm hoping for. Thanks for that piece of insight!

This is now a somewhat dated video. Linked in my sig line and one I reference frequently. A local automotive interest site (Autoblog) contacted our local club and asked to do a Cobra video. The president of our club asked me to do it, and this was the result. Now with 291K views, which is crazy. But my point is there are a number of driving shots with my Coyote powered 20th Anniversary Roadster. While I agree the sound is different than an old school engine, it has a decent sound (especially when you get on the RH peddle) and doesn't sound anything like a Mustang. Which a lot of builders seem to think will be the case. Turn up the volume on the drive-bys.

https://youtu.be/gCBLH-mr7ME

Example #2, this is from last year's (2022) London Cobra Show. Did some charity ride passes with my Coyote powered Coupe. The videos are just from bystander phones and admittedly very marginal quality. But still gives an idea. Again, turn up the volume.

https://youtu.be/LQgJBgkF8OA

Good luck whatever you decide.

[nashuanuke]

Have you watched the Factory Five live engine selection video yet?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpjwKZEgzj8

Second this. This video is a must before selecting an engine. I have probably watched it so many times I've single handedly boosted its youtube stats.

[Rsnake]

Check out this video for some coyote sound.
https://youtu.be/kjNKNjG_4CA

[Rsnake]

After thinking about this a little longer I think this is the video to watch.
The darker blue type 65 has a 302 ford crate engine. The light blue a gen 3 coyote.
Some good sound comparison running down the track a full sing.
https://youtu.be/AzKiolMeXec

[Theshandman]

The 347 is a great engine and yes, period correct.
- Coyote sound is not quite the same as old school thump (note the cam choice really brings this out in the old school engines)
- 347 is smaller and easy to install even on your own
- Can be carb or fuel injected and note there are more old school fuel injected looking options


These were the primary rationale for my choice of the BPE 347FI. I love the sound (further promoted with GAS-N's Touring pipes), it installed (my build bud calls it "stabbing") fairly easily with lots of room, and the looks of the Holley Sniper does trend toward an old school carb look. Its 400HP is way more than necessary to support the notion that your first set of rear tires are sacrificial.

[Fman]

Here's the 1st of many questions generated simply by trying to fill out the MK4 order form....

It looks like the Coyote 5.0L Engine and the 347 EFI BluePrint engines are "roughly" the same price. Coyote has more HP (460 VS 401).

What say the experienced builders about which option to choose? My take is BluePrint engines are more "old school" with a traditional hot rod look, while the Coyote is more modern in looks and design.

What are the reasons to choose one over the other? (Looks... sound... maintenance... mileage... hidden costs.... compatible transmission options... etc....)

Randy

I was in the same decision making situation when ordering my car, there are pros and cons to each engine. I ended up going a SBF 427 stroker (Dart block), with Edelbrock PF4 EFI system. I have 5300 miles on the car now and no regrets. I have been pleased with the PF4 overall but my guess it is not near as flawless as the Coyote EFI system Ford engineered (never have driven a Coyote powered cobra). The Coyote is an excellent choice for reliability, power and turn key performance. I would ask yourself what you plan on doing with your car. Mine was built to do some short one hour cruises around town, hit some C&Cs and local shows. If I were building one that I was planning on driving long distances would have went with a Coyote. That being said a well built pushrod engine can also be reliable and low maintenance. Choose your engine builder wisely, a hand built engine is only as good the engine builder who puts them together. I avoided BPE for me they are a mass produced engine builder with limited options. I wanted a guy 45 mins from my house who builds one engine every couple months in his shop listening to Zeppelin and if I did have a problem he is not across the country.

Good luck with your decision :)

[rvanstory]

Have you watched the Factory Five live engine selection video yet?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpjwKZEgzj8

Not yet, but I will now!! Thx for sharing.

[Mike.Bray]

OP, just to muddy the water some don't overlook the LS3. Kind of the best of both worlds with pushrods but modern technology, all aluminum, 400+ HP, and high reliability of the Coyote. And affordable.

[Papa]

I wanted the old-school look with EFI. Here is a video of a dyno pull of my car - 347 with Inglese 8-stack EFI while getting the car tuned. Note that I also have Gas-N pipes, which cut out a lot of the harsh exhaust notes that you'll get with the FFR pipes.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOY7IQuik_c

[cv2065]

I wanted the old-school look with EFI. Here is a video of a dyno pull of my car - 347 with Inglese 8-stack EFI while getting the car tuned. Note that I also have Gas-N pipes, which cut out a lot of the harsh exhaust notes that you'll get with the FFR pipes.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOY7IQuik_c

8 Stacker looks and sounds great Dave. I'll be going this route on this next build. Plan on color matching the valve covers and throttle bodies to give it some flare. Nothing sounds like a pushrod engine!