Ford Performance’s Aluminator Crate Engine

Ford Performance’s Aluminator engine is one of their latest naturally aspirated modular crate engines and is constructed on a Gen-3 5.0L Coyote block assembled by Performance Assembly Solutions in Livonia, Michigan.

Each 5.2L Aluminator short block features Mahle(r) 12.0:1 compression ratio forged pistons and premium Manley H-beam connecting rods from Manley. Designed to seamlessly integrate with 2015-2017 Mustang GT electronics (custom calibration may be necessary), each engine comes ready to install!

1. Forged Pistons & Rods

Forged pistons are more resilient than their cast counterparts, withstanding higher cylinder pressures and temperatures. Therefore, custom engine builders typically opt for forged pistons over traditional cast ones for performance purposes. Custom designed pistons may feature contact reduction grooves, dual pin oilers, lateral gas ports with multiple gas ports, accumulator grooves or internal milling which can extend longevity while helping prevent operational issues.

Ford’s Aluminator crate engine uses Mahle 11.0:1 compression ratio forged pistons and premium Manley H-beam connecting rods featuring Grafal low friction coating; these components make up a high performance Mustang GT short block short block engine.

This Aluminator 5.0L NA engine is specifically designed to work with both factory electronics and PCM; however, an additional wire harness and Ford Performance controller (sold separately) may be required (sold separately). This crate engine provides the ideal solution for those attempting to build their own Mustang GT street/strip or resto-mod vehicle.

The Aluminator crate engine uses a Ford Performance Gen-3 5.0L Coyote motor that is brand new from production line. Once assembled, this engine is sent to Performance Assembly Solutions in Livonia, Michigan where engineers and technicians highly familiar with Ford production standards assemble it using state-of-the-art computerized assembly sequence and torque tools to assemble everything to its precise specifications.

As well as streamlining the build process, this also improves quality control. Forged aluminum pistons offer better strength than cast ones due to hypereutectic alloy being produced during forging process.

Cast aluminum pistons manufactured using the right material can still be very strong; however, their strength becomes limited with higher output levels. Hypereutectic pistons incorporate more silicon into their casting process so as to withstand higher power demands while still permitting ease of manufacturing by this method.

JE pistons are ideal for this use as they can be customized to the precise specifications of any build. Furthermore, there are various configurations to meet different engine applications such as asymmetrical skirts that allow for increased pin boss strength while saving weight with smaller wrist pins – providing additional strength while saving on weight.

2. High Compression Ratio

Compression ratio (CR) measures the ratio between compressed output sequence and uncompressed input sequence sizes, or more specifically between compressed output sequence and uncompressed input sequence sizes, in other words less space is needed to store information with higher compression ratio. A compression ratio of 1:1 maximizes efficiency when compressing data – although higher CR does not guarantee better performance as there will always be an exchange-off between image quality and compression ratio performance.

Compression ratio is key in car engine performance; it determines how much power can be produced from given amount of fuel. By increasing compression ratio, more air can be compressed into smaller spaces to increase power production – hence why higher compression ratios are popularly employed by racing engines.

An excessively high compression ratio can create serious engine performance issues. It may lead to pre-ignition, detonation and decreased fuel economy due to burning more than necessary; and could necessitate using higher octane fuels which may prove costly in the long run.

One solution is to use high-quality spark plugs that can handle the extra heat generated by high compression ratios, while another solution involves installing a higher-pressure fuel pump able to tolerate increased pressure; Ford Performance’s Aluminator Crate Engines use such pumps.

Ford Performance now offers a powerful 5.2L Aluminator XS engine designed for Mustang Cobra Jet drag racing engines, using technology developed for them. Engineered to produce 580 horsepower, this Ford Performance-assembled unit uses premium aftermarket parts such as unique camshafts and GT350 cylinder heads to give any Mustang or hot rod standout from the crowd.

This crate engine utilizes a Ford Performance Gen-3 Coyote block with upgraded Darton Coyote sleeves, an upgraded Ford Boss forged crankshaft, Manley H-beam connecting rods, Mahle 12.0:1 hard anodized pistons with Grafal low friction coating as well as ARP hardware, stock Mustang GT cams and Ford Performance billet-steel oil pump gear set from Mustang GTs as well as ARP hardware to build either high or low compression versions (p/n M-6007-A50NAD or M-6007-A50SCB respectively). Additionally, Aluminator XS versions can also be ordered with either high compression (p/n M-6007-A50NAD), or low compression versions (p/n M-6007-A50SCB).

3. Four-Valve Per-Cylinder Heads

Four-valve heads not only increase torque and power, but they also help an engine breathe easier. Their large exhaust valves allow more air to exit the combustion chamber while their smaller intake valves deliver more fuel directly to each cylinder – leading to higher rpm and increased horsepower than two-valve heads with one larger exhaust valve but less fuel flow.

Ford Performance’s 5.0L Coyote Aluminator crate engine for 2024 and later Mustangs offers four-valve heads that produce over 800 horsepower with standard camshafts – and can handle even more if modified to produce aggressive cam profiles.

These forged heads feature roller-finger followers to reduce friction. Furthermore, their intake port is designed iden-tically instead of using the squarerish FR500-type ports found on factory 4.6L modular engines; thus enabling more coolant to reach hotter areas of the head to help prevent cracking due to excessive heat.

With its smaller bore and stroke dimensions, this engine was created to be more reliable than the stock 4.6L V8 of comparable displacement. Additionally, an upgraded oil pump gear helps the crank turn at lower rpms for smoother performance, and comes complete with forged crankshaft pistons and rods for increased strength when facing high boost and nitrous applications.

The Aluminator Short Block is an excellent foundation for those seeking to build their own Coyote motor. Crafted from AS7GU alloy with copper content for enhanced strength and durability, this block features billet steel oil pump gears as well as a factory 10-quart composite oil pan.

Aluminator crate engines come in both natural aspiration (NA) and forced induction (boosted) versions, both boasting a compression ratio of 9.5:1. Boosted models feature dual fuel injectors and a PCM to manage increased boost levels; these engines do not come as complete packages so additional parts such as vehicle harnesses, exhaust manifolds, PCMs and alternators must be purchased separately – plus larger airboxes for forced induction versions require to accommodate for the additional fuel needed by forced induction engines!

4. High-Flow Exhaust

Ford Performance has offered its Aluminator V-8 crate engines for many years prior to Coyote becoming popular, and this latest one stands up admirably. Rated at 580 horsepower at 7,800rpm, its output stands out as one of Ford Performance’s best offerings. Every Aluminator is hand assembled by the same technicians that build Mustang Cobra Jet drag racing engines, using premium aftermarket components to ensure durability. Ford Performance engineers utilized parts developed specifically for Cobra Jet racing such as Manley(r) connecting rods, ARP(r) forged steel crankshaft sprockets, Mahle(r) forged pistons, and billet oil pump gears developed specifically by Mahle. Furthermore, components from their high-flow intake manifold, dual 65mm Cobra Jet throttle bodys, and GT350 camshafts were utilized by Ford Performance engineers as part of this upgrade program.

The Aluminator XS shares much of its foundation with the Shelby GT350 Voodoo engine, such as its 94mm bores and Plasma Transfer Wire Arc cylinder liners. Furthermore, Ford Performance Parts engineers have reduced tolerances on this block to reduce friction and maximize horsepower production.

Both naturally aspirated and boosted Aluminator XS models employ factory-style Gen-3 Coyote heads made by production. While these heads work quite well, Ford flow modeling has been used to reduce dome volume and raise compression ratio from 10.5:1 (factory default) to an ideal 9.5:1, providing those using power adders more boost with lower compression levels.

Ford Performance has already begun taking orders for its new aluminator engine, scheduled to become available later this year at trade show season. Designed to fit 2015-2017 Mustang GT models and compatible with both manual and automatic transmission applications. A 5.3L Aluminator costs approximately $15,000 without including vehicle harness, PCM or exhaust manifolds; custom calibration is necessary.

Your budget-minded solution would be purchasing an Aluminator long block and adapting it with your front drive, ancillaries and computer/harness from another vehicle, then adding fuel system, intake and tune to complete your powerplant.