Ford’s Latest Aluminator Gen 4 Crate Engine
The Aluminator line continues with Ford’s latest bulletproof versions.
Ford has been building its popular line of Aluminator small-block V-8 crate engines since before the Coyote was even a thing, and the newest one—the 480-hp Gen 4—is now available in two new 5.0-liter flavors. The flagship crate engine has always been derived from the top powerplant beneath the Mustang’s hood. Consequently, you would be right to assume that’s where most Aluminators will end up. Alternatively, Aluminator crates are popular with Ford diehards in the custom car and street rod world, as few enthusiasts desire to place a Chevy LS in a deuce coupe.
Moreover, like Chevy and Dodge, Ford’s crate engines are mainly derived from current production-line powerplants. Now that the Mustang is in its fourth iteration with the Coyote DOHC reactor core, that’s precisely where the latest pair of Aluminator crate engines also come from. While the Aluminator block, cylinder heads, oil pan, and intake manifold are factory pieces, Ford Performance enhances them by replacing the hypereutectic pistons and sintered-steel rods with Mahle forged slugs, ARP 2000 rod bolts, and Manley forged H-beam rods. This maintains the factory 12:1 compression ratio in naturally aspirated form and 9.5:1 on its boost-ready Aluminator crate.
Both naturally aspirated and boosted Gen 4 Aluminator crate engines carry the same $15,000 MSRP. However, they do not come with a vehicle harness, exhaust manifolds, PCM, or alternator (for alternator, use kit M-8600-M50BALT or M-8600-M50ALTA). Both engines are assembled with stock camshafts, which have proven effective in conjunction with the four-valve’s massive air-moving ports. Therefore, racers with naturally aspirated competition programs may want to consider an upgrade in that area. The Aluminator Coyote maintains a solid reputation as a durable performer due to its all-forged rotating assembly, and Ford Performance claims it’s a drop-in for all 2024-and-up Coyote Mustangs.
Ford Performance Gen 4 Coyote Aluminator Highlights
- Fits 2024+ Mustang GT
- 5.0-liters (302 cubic inches)
- Compression ratio: 12.0:1 (NA); 9.5:1 (boost-ready)
- 480 horsepower / 415 lb-ft torque (NA only)
- Mahle hard-anodized forged pistons with Grafal low-friction coating
- Manley H-beam connecting rods with ARP 2000 bolts
- Forged steel crankshaft
- Production 2024 Mustang GT aluminum block
- 2024-up production oil pan
- Tuned composite Mustang GT intake manifold with production dual drive-by-wire 80mm throttle bodies with variable runner control
- Four-valve-per-cylinder aluminum heads with roller-finger followers to reduce friction
- Mustang GT production camshafts
- Includes colder heat range spark plugs (M-12405-M50A)
- Includes Ford Performance oil filter (M-6731-FL820)
- Includes billet steel gerotor oil pump gears (M-6600-M50A)
