Let's just assume that for arguments sake any swapped coyote will ditch the stock rev and shift points. I agree though I feel the new gt's almost feel antiseptic with how governed they are.
03 Cobra Vs Coyote
- Thread starter Pit Bos
- Start date
I know the coyote class fox bodies run 10's and shift around 8000rpms. Also the new cars weigh another few hundred lbs. Really it all costs about the same for certain power levels. Your turbo windsor is making gobs of torque/hp but you're also at the edge of when it's going to break and you're limited on making much more power with those heads. A coyote with a turbo...uh not even close....and I'm a pushrod motor guy! A properly built setup designed to make 700+ AND run a long time=$$ no matter what.
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Turbo 302*
But it's going to be dart blocked before too terrible long, and gain some cubes. When that happens, i dare a coyote.
Edit: I know i sound like I'm picking on them, I'll say this- i understand the dart costs way more and i get the bang for the buck thing. I'd like to have a new car, i just don't think I'm going to part with my pushrods. Sorry for the derail.
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smokin joe
Founding Member
When I'm ready to replace my worn out stock 302 I plan to go Coyote since I have nothing to transfer to a new pushrod build.
I would love to say I plan to go coyote and if it was a competition level car then it would be a no brainer. Something about a pushrod Fox still gets me excited. It would be tough for me to drop a dohc between the towers. Call it nostalgia, I dunno 
Love my FRPP crate coyote swapped 89 vert! 400 hp to the wheels outta the box, 7,000 plus rpm capable.
Runs like a new car and screams like a, well you just dont get any better
It aint cheap done correctly.
Runs like a new car and screams like a, well you just dont get any better
It aint cheap done correctly.
Jason 302
10 Year Member
I would love to say I plan to go coyote and if it was a competition level car then it would be a no brainer. Something about a pushrod Fox still gets me excited. It would be tough for me to drop a dohc between the towers. Call it nostalgia, I dunno
I'm with you. The old 302 may not be as smooth or as powerful as the new coyote, but it's simple, compact, and parts are readily available and dirt cheap. Plus, with so many cylinder heads, camshafts, and intakes available, it's rare to see two setups exactly the same. They're simple to build, which gives me the pride of pointing at my 306 and telling them I built it by hand.
I would love to see more new product though, but the Windsor is a dinosaur now.
A plug and play edis kit that would allow a 1pc intake and coil on plug applications would be tits. I don't see why new technology can't breathe more life into these engines.
A plug and play edis kit that would allow a 1pc intake and coil on plug applications would be tits. I don't see why new technology can't breathe more life into these engines.
mikestang63
SN Certified Technician
try getting 400 reliable rwhp and 25mpg out of a stock block windsor pushrod motor.
The old 302 OHV was a gem back in its day, but I've never seen one running around with any level of aftermarket support that churned out 435hp in N/A trim, started and and idled smooth as glass, could be lugged around at 1,000 RPM with perfect manners around town, could achieve near 30mpg and would do it it all without giving the smog police fits.
I would smash a 302 OHV to pieces with a hammer and nail it's dead carcass to the wall with its own pushrods if that meant I could replace it dollar for dollar with a Coyote.
And if I could do it all again, that's exactly what I might have done instead of building up a stock block stroker in my coupe.
I would smash a 302 OHV to pieces with a hammer and nail it's dead carcass to the wall with its own pushrods if that meant I could replace it dollar for dollar with a Coyote.
And if I could do it all again, that's exactly what I might have done instead of building up a stock block stroker in my coupe.
Well if engine reliability and comfort was what I was after I could source a newer gt and not worry about an archaic suspension, interior, or drive controls.
Exactly why I went coyote, and with full AC, PS and hydroboost and the brake and suspension upgrades we all do, its a cool fox body with a full drivetrain transplant. And you have a super nice ride Brian.
Jason 302
10 Year Member
Aftermarket means nothing in this case.
Both engines are more than capable and have plenty of available aftermarket parts.
In reality all anyone does is stuff them full of boost anyway. Heads and cams aren't cost effective for the power you get from them unless you are shooting for the stars.
While the coyote is cheaper out of the box, it has no factory SC.
The 03 cobra you slap a $75 pulley on it with a tune and you are making 485rwhp and 500ftlbs (literally).
The 03 cobra needs no headers, no standalone kit, no aftermarket SC ($5500 for a coyote) and no bracketry to make the accessories work.
The coyote is good for what, about 420rwhp high 300's in torque with bolts ons and tune without spending any SC or h/c money?
The 03 cobra setup comes in 60rwhp and 100ftlbs higher with just a pulley.
The $5500 SC is what kills the coyote idea for me, that's about a grand less than I spent on my entire engine.
If you bought a coyote crate to get the warranty, that's $6500+ the standalone, then the SC voids the warranty.
For the record it only took about 8 wires to make the 03 cobra engine run with the computer. You can also install a distributer (I think MMR sells it) in the drivers side valve cover connected to one of the cams and run the fox computer.
I like the coyote engine, I just don't see the value in swapping one into a fox.
Edit: Let me rephrase that, if its power you are after it's not a great value.
No matter how you slice it, a pullied terminator engine is cheaper and makes more power and torque.
Both engines are more than capable and have plenty of available aftermarket parts.
In reality all anyone does is stuff them full of boost anyway. Heads and cams aren't cost effective for the power you get from them unless you are shooting for the stars.
While the coyote is cheaper out of the box, it has no factory SC.
The 03 cobra you slap a $75 pulley on it with a tune and you are making 485rwhp and 500ftlbs (literally).
The 03 cobra needs no headers, no standalone kit, no aftermarket SC ($5500 for a coyote) and no bracketry to make the accessories work.
The coyote is good for what, about 420rwhp high 300's in torque with bolts ons and tune without spending any SC or h/c money?
The 03 cobra setup comes in 60rwhp and 100ftlbs higher with just a pulley.
The $5500 SC is what kills the coyote idea for me, that's about a grand less than I spent on my entire engine.
If you bought a coyote crate to get the warranty, that's $6500+ the standalone, then the SC voids the warranty.
For the record it only took about 8 wires to make the 03 cobra engine run with the computer. You can also install a distributer (I think MMR sells it) in the drivers side valve cover connected to one of the cams and run the fox computer.
I like the coyote engine, I just don't see the value in swapping one into a fox.
Edit: Let me rephrase that, if its power you are after it's not a great value.
No matter how you slice it, a pullied terminator engine is cheaper and makes more power and torque.
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So 302 builds with high quality components are cheap? I had 4500$ in my h/c/i with MAF/tb/inj. And still was 50 or so horsepower short of a coyote. It sure wouldn't idle like stock or pull 25mpg. Not saying a coyote swap is cheap. There is more to it than just the motor but compared to a stroker 302 build...id go coyote.
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Since when did we start building these cars with gas mileage in mind ? The Money spent on a coyote isn't cost effective yet for the regular guy. I've got a lot of money in my 331 build but its been over a few years. Since before people knew the limit was about 500hp on a boosted stock block. The only powerplant I'll be seeing is some form of dart block.
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