What’s the biggest difference between Ford’s Coyote engines and GM’s LS engines? – Jalopnik

If you’re looking for an alternative to the boring Chevy LS engine swap, you might be wondering what the differences are between this and Ford’s Coyote engine. While you can still buy these V8s in naturally aspirated form or opt for supercharged versions, the biggest design difference between Ford Coyote and General Motors’ LS engines, besides their respective badging, is the valve train design.

The LS engine features the proven camshaft-in-block pushrod-activated overhead valve design common to other small Chevy engines for generations. On the other hand, the Ford Coyote engine uses a double overhead camshaft to open the intake and exhaust valves. The biggest difference between the two engines from a swap perspective is their size. The Ford Coyote engine, with its extended valve covers housing the DOHC valve train, is about six inches wider than a GM small block LS engine.

The LS engine encompasses much of GM’s third- and fourth-generation small-block family tree. It covers commonly recognized engine sizes including 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 6.2 and 7.0 liters, and they have simple names like LS1, LS2, LS3, LS4, LS6, LS7, LS9 and LSA. The Ford Coyote engine’s pedigree isn’t much simpler, despite being relatively younger. There are four Coyote generations and six different variants, with engine capacities ranging from 4.95 to 5.2 liters. Ford Coyote engine variants include names like Roadrunner, Voodoo, Aluminator, Predator and Dark Horse.

Of all Coyote engine generations eligible for an engine swap, one option from Ford Performance Parts is a fourth generation 5.0L Mustang crate engine with an included flywheel for a price of $12,650.00. This particular crate engine is modeled after the engine that came in the 2024 Mustang GT. Like other Coyote engines, this model features four valves per cylinder, dual overhead camshafts with independent variable camshaft timing, and direct fuel injection and port fuel injection with dual throttle bodies. Aluminum cylinder heads and a 12.0:1 compression ratio contribute to the crate engine’s 480 horsepower and torque.

By comparison, Chevrolet still makes the Gen4 6.2L LS3which sells it through GM Performance with an MSRP of $12,608.00. The cast aluminum block and heads house a nodular cast iron crankshaft, powder metal connecting rods and hypereutectic aluminum pistons designed to produce a 10.7:1 compression ratio. Ultimately, the 376 cubic-inch LS3 produces 430 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque.

The most powerful LS engine is the supercharged LS9 that powers the C6 Corvette. It produces 638 horsepower and 604 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the top-level Coyote engine is a supercharged version of the fourth-generation 5.2-liter Coyote found in the Mustang GTD. That engine can produce up to 815 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque.