Mark Gearhart September 15, 2017 Photos By: MPR Engines

Sometimes you aren’t supposed to get something but you’re glad you did. That was the case for Tim Eichhorn of MPR Engines. A 2015 Mustang block order arrived as a strange variant. Was this a 6.2-liter Raptor block? Nope, it was a 2018, Gen 3 Coyote 5.0 block with direct injection. Not deterred by the mix up, Eichhorn was excited to begin development on the block. “It’s beefy, that’s for sure,” explained Eichhorn. “Ford went back to the long-style 2011-2012 12mm head bolts, which is the best design.”

Main cap design and overall bore length is similar to what’s found in the 2011-2015 engines. Ford opted to retain the oil squirters on the 2018.

The normal gray iron sleeve has been replaced with Ford’s plasma transfer wire arc process, which has been proven to be potent in the previous generation GT500. “The finished bore size is 93mm,” said Eichhorn. With the stock sleeves out of the way, the cooling around each cylinder has drastically changed, but plenty of reinforcement is there to keep the bores straight. It’s likely that these blocks will take a wet sleeve instead of a traditional dry sleeve if builders get well north of four-digit power numbers.

We are looking forward to seeing what engine builders can do with the new direct injected third generation Coyote engines!

A large, round whole now appears between the mains and water pump. Possibly to help with crankcase ventilation

A third hole for oil return was added on the 2015 blocks where the oil filter boss attaches. The location of the third hole on the 2018 blocks are in a different spot.

A look at the revised valley design on the 2018 block.