Engines are the heart and soul of any classic car, so when considering an engine swap or purchasing a classic car restomod, having the right engine under the hood is important for reliability and driving pleasure. Velocity exclusively uses the Coyote V8 on all Ford builds, and since we’re always being asked how this new-age engine stacks up against the classic 302 CID V8, we put together a great video showing the differences.
Ford’s small-block 302 debuted in the ‘60s on production nameplates such as the Mustang, Bronco, and F-100, and the engine was rebranded with its metric displacement, 5.0L, in 1978. These pushrod engines were being phased out in the early 1990s in favor of modular overhead cam engines, and the last pushrod 5.0L was used in 2001. Ford replaced its modular family of engines, moving away from the 5.0L displacement, but it brought back this popular engine label with its Coyote V8, starting with the 2011 Mustang GT.
Modern engine swaps are a defining element of a classic car restomod, and Velocity innovated the market when it became the first major shop to engine swap the 5.0L Coyote V8—now an industry standard for any company in this space. Let’s dive into why the Coyote V8 is such a popular crate engine option and why you want this engine under the hood of your modernized classic car.
Velocity classic Ford Bronco restomod with an advanced Coyote 5.0L V8 under the hood.
Classic Ford Bronco restoration featuring a carbureted 302 CID V8. Power and Performance
Raw performance is the most obvious area where the Coyote V8 outshines the 302. In stock form, the Gen 3 Coyote V8 is rated at 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, but this engine is easily tunable to well over 700 hp! In contrast, the classic 302 V8 generally produced outputs in the low 200-hp range, and while these are also easily tunable to higher outputs, it takes more work to squeeze that added power out.
Ford used modern engineering advancements, including dual overhead cams and variable valve timing, to make the Coyote V8, which gives the engine its high power output and efficiency. Not that anyone would own a classic car restomod for efficiency, but a Coyote has better fuel economy and fewer exhaust emissions than a carbureted 302.
Reliability/Maintenance
The classic 302 V8 was extremely reliable back in its day, but the downside of this engine today is that it’s getting hard to find shops and mechanics willing to work on older carbureted engines. Vintage engines tend to suffer more oil leaks, not to mention stability and driveability issues related to the carburetor, especially if the truck isn’t driven frequently enough.
Modern engines like the Gen 3 Coyote are designed with improved materials, tighter tolerances, and advanced engineering, making them more reliable and durable over time. They require less frequent maintenance than older engines and can handle a broader range of driving conditions, including high elevation and extreme temperatures, without issues. While the 302 is a robust engine, it requires frequent tuning and maintenance. Above all else, opting for a brand-new 5.0L Coyote crate engine is an easy choice since it comes from Ford Performance versus a restored or crate 302 from a third-party supplier.
Cost
Cost is always a significant factor when considering an engine swap or upgrade, and while the Coyote V8 may have a higher initial cost than a 302, the long-term value it provides more than justifies the investment, especially on a classic car restomod that can be driven daily. Offsetting the Coyote’s upfront cost, it will save money on the back end with increased reliability, less maintenance, and better fuel economy.
The biggest cost advantage of the Coyote over the 302 is that restomods appreciate more and hold their value better than a typical classic car restoration. Vehicles equipped with a modern Coyote V8 are often more appealing to buyers due to the engine’s performance and reliability. This results in a higher resale value, offsetting the initial investment and making the Coyote V8 a smart financial choice.
Suitability
The 302 might seem the best suited for this job since it was an original engine in almost all Ford products in the late ‘60s and ‘70s, and it’s an excellent engine upgrade for a restoration project. The Coyote isn’t a direct fit into classic engine compartments, so the DIYer might like the originality and ease of installation of the 302 better.
Alternatively, the Coyote is better suited for drivers who want a more turnkey classic car without having to worry about chokes, carbs, or waiting for the engine to warm up. Velocity’s use of the Coyote engine along with the brand-new Roadster Shop chassis (on most Bronco restomods and all Mustang and F-Series builds). This setup gives the classic car optimal performance and reliability, meaning this car is easier and more fun to drive.
Velocity Classic Ford Restomods
Velocity revolutionized the classic car restomod segment in 2017 by installing Ford’s Coyote V8 into the vintage Ford Bronco. That was the Gen 2 version of this engine, rated at 430 hp, and today we use the more powerful Gen 3 Coyote in all Ford-based builds, including the Bronco, Mustang, and F-Series trucks. Ford has engineered this engine to be reliable and easy to swap into classic cars, and Velocity tunes the engine for peak performance and sound.