Best 5.0 V8 past or present?
Posted by King_in_a_castle_84@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 154 comments
I love my Coyote, but I also like Lexus' 5.0 and the rare Hyundai/Kia 5.0....
What do y'all think? Pick any 5.0 from any manufacturer from any year, what are you putting in your Monster Miata?
xXDiamondSoulXx@reddit
I still think the TAU V8 is great for what it is. Even though Korea isn't really known for V8's. The engine has more than enough power, but mainly made for a smooth and nice acceleration. You can take the restrictions off the ecu so that it doesnt "lag" when you press on the pedal.
It should last a good while, based of the specs I seen. The carbon build up from it being direct injection might be a reason so few people keep it long term. Constantly cleaning to maintain it maybe a turn off to the average person. I also heard the transmission fluid must be changed on high mileage examples to maintain the vehicle 150k+ 200k+ miles.
rzrbld7@reddit
Mercedes-Benz M113E50
fmjintervention@reddit
Holden 5 litre, the iron lion. Not the most powerful V8 out there, but wow they make a nice noise.
twopptouch@reddit
Came here just to say the Holden 5.0 Even better with an aftermarket camshaft. đ¤¤
Jvap35@reddit
stang' v8 5.0 will always be THE V8 5.0. when you hear v8 5.0 your mind jumps to mustang. It is iconic.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
For sure.
xlr8n@reddit
1968 Z28 302
5GCovidInjection@reddit
The old Mercedes M119 5.0 V8. Weâre talking 32 valves, variable intake valve timing, forged crank and rods, and a closed deck block. Theyâll run forever, sound amazing with just a slight exhaust upgrade, and make healthy torque from 1500-3000 rpm.
And this was all 1989 technology. Imagine what Mercedes could do if they tried that hard now
elugelab1@reddit
Jaguar AJV8, in 542hp trim from the F-Type. Sounds amazing, huge power and torque from the supercharger, great throttle response, pretty reliable and actually not bad on fuel on long runs.
The noise though, the noise. Sublime.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
Well god damn, it seems most people here agree with the Jaaaaaaagggggg nomination. Now I kinda wanna see a Coyote vs Jag 5.0 V8 Donut or Carwow comparison video.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
Interesting. I guess I didn't realize their V8 was a five oh.
elugelab1@reddit
Originally a 4.2 but they made a 5 litre as well which is in a ton of JLR cars. They also used it as the base for the 3 litre V6 too, the engines are essentially identical with just 2 cylinders removed from the back of the engine.
It had timing guide problems earlier in it's life but by the time it went in the F-Type it was pretty sorted, save for some dodgy plastic coolant pipes and the odd stuck injector.
Independent_Fan7957@reddit
It has nothing to do with 4.2 - totally different engines
desf15@reddit
Technically speaking they haven't even removed them, just blanked off, block is the same as V8 :p
tcruarceri@reddit
Ive never found photos. When they say blank are we just talking no throws on the crank and no rods/pistons or are there just two unbored cylinders...? Wouldnt that make the v6 heavier than the v8?
desf15@reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/WeirdWheels/comments/195lp8b/jaguars_v6_is_a_v8_with_two_cylinders_blocked_out/
tcruarceri@reddit
Interesting... I hope its the two most forward cylinders to at least help with weight distribution.
desf15@reddit
That I don't know.
Puppysmasher@reddit
This such British thing to do (yes I know Jag isnât entirely British anymore).
kuddlesworth9419@reddit
It was a 4.0 to start with but around the same time there was a 3.2, 3.5 and a 3.9 version. The 4.2 came after the those and then increased to 5.0 today.
elugelab1@reddit
I bow to your expert knowledge!
kuddlesworth9419@reddit
It's OK although I don't know what displacement it was originally designed to use.
Also before anyone says it because it is said a lot the AJV8 was designed by Jaguar not Ford. It was being designed before Ford even purchased Jaguar.
ShadyDrunks@reddit
Insanely unreliable compared to a coyote
leedle1234@reddit
The old 4.2 iteration of it is pretty damn reliable. The lr3s, range rovers, and jaguars ended up junked after expensive air suspension, transmission, electric issues but the engines keep going and going. Plenty of masochist Land Rover owners of those engines who eat the repair costs for everything will tell you the engine has never given them a problem.
Lasd18622@reddit
Cosworth coyote
tcruarceri@reddit
Great nickname but i dont think they had anything in common.
Lasd18622@reddit
Itâs a gen2
Vegetable_Yard_2948@reddit
Same engine on the Range Rover. Absolutely phenomenal power plant but 0 points in the aural department.
dmsas@reddit
Came here to say this. I have the supercharged version in my XKR-S
narwhal_breeder@reddit
A girl I went to school with had an Blue XKR-S with the plate "BADKITY".
Big crush.
Independent_Fan7957@reddit
Jaguar/Land Rover 5.0 Supercharged - hands down. Exhaust note, performance, potential and reliability. Only issue - smiles per gallon
Amish_EDM@reddit
BMW S62.
18124ea@reddit
Dz302 z28 engine
ohnosevyn@reddit
Nissan VK underrated, reliable and sound amazing. A Titan with the Nismo exhaust is best sounding out of all full size trucks.
gluten_heimer@reddit
Isnât that a 5.6?
ohnosevyn@reddit
Yes.
gluten_heimer@reddit
Thatâs what I remembered. Had one in my 06 Titan. Great engine, but for some reason we are restricted to 5.0s in this thread.
ohnosevyn@reddit
Oh yes you are right. We had two titans w over 300k both sold and are still driving around rn.
DetectiveNarrow@reddit
Nissan has a nice 5.0 too. A literal detuned race car engine. And they decided to only throw it in the FX platform for like 5 years. They sound great and despite being such a low produced engine they are stupidly reliable
downbadmilflover@reddit
Coyote end of story. Massive power with mods and very reliable, nice sounding, even in stock form.
Pattern_Is_Movement@reddit
E39 M5, can get 500hp with some mild tuning.... without a turbo.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
A BMW 5.0 V8? That's a new one to me.
Pattern_Is_Movement@reddit
4.9L technically, but yeah. The gen before the V10 was a great little V8.
gluten_heimer@reddit
My vote would be Coyote because itâs available in vehicles that meet my needs. You can buy a RCSB F150 with a supercharger and 3 year/36k mile factory warranty for about $50k.
If Lexus put their 5.0 in a GX thatâd be a different story.
Honorable mention to the M113.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
The kicker is that 5.0 RCSB F-150 will hang with all but the fastest 5.0 cars when equipped with 4WD.
RodRAEG@reddit
The Porsche 928 got a 32V V8 that was 5.0L and ~300hp in the mid-80s. I've always liked those cars since the first time I saw one back in the early 2000s, and they were so damned cheap used during that time, too. So many old cars you could find for cheap on eBay back then...
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
A 5.0L Porsche V8 does indeed sound pretty awesome.
justgoaway0801@reddit
Coyote, Gen 2, from 15-17. Engine can hold up to 1,000whp without opening the motor. 11:1 compression, great heads, great cams, and huge potential.
If you allow some flexibility, the 5.2 variants from the GT500 or GT350 are even better. The 5.2 from the GT500 can make 1,100-1,200whp stock motor.
This power can be made with stock camshafts, so idle, drivability, and "reliability" is all possible with proper tuning.
stoned-autistic-dude@reddit
Doesnât the Voodoo vibrate itself to death due to the firing order?
uberdosage@reddit
Apparently mostly fixed in the 2019 models
justgoaway0801@reddit
NVH can be an issue, but still a great motor
aaayyyuuussshhh@reddit
so gen 3 motors are worse? I thought those were the best. surprised the gen 2 are stronger
justgoaway0801@reddit
Gen 3 is great. But the lack of DI on gen 2 makes it a better candidate for swaps and less to mess with. Also the 1 point lower compression gives you a wiger margin for tuning.
pizza_green@reddit
Gen 3 has that weird dual injection thing going on iirc, I'd imagine the direct injection portion is a limiting factor
pzduniak@reddit
FWIW with that link this reads like a botted ad.
justgoaway0801@reddit
Can confirm I am not a bot lol
pzduniak@reddit
You're dropping SEO-style advertisements like one.
justgoaway0801@reddit
Just by including a link to the preferred coyote tuner?
saturnuranusmars@reddit
The best kindÂ
dannyphoto@reddit
2UR will always have my heart
AwesomeBantha@reddit
Seen lots of mentions of the M113 but the M119 is also great
Suspicious_Money4011@reddit
The 5.0 litre coyote is hands down up there as one of the best. It's powerful enough, it purrs. Works so well in the Mustang. Just makes people smile.
daver456@reddit
S62 from the e39 M5 was quite enjoyable when I had one. Deleted the rear mufflers (but keep the center box) and that thing screamed!
It had ITBs which is pretty rare for a mass production engine.
Plus it was in 2 of the coolest cars ever, the e39 M5 and the Z8.
Vodnik_The_Slav@reddit
My top 5:
Gen 2 Coyote (2015-2017) *Gen 3/4 Coyote (2018-2020 in F150, 2018-2023 in Mustang for gen 3, 2021+ in F150s, 2024+ in Mustangs for Gen 4) 2UR-FSE Koenigsegg Twin Turbo 5.0L Jag/LR Supercharged 5.0L
*The Gen 3 and 4 are very very similar outside of the Gen 4s in the trucks, they are almost entirely new engines compared to the Gen 3s, the Gen 4s in the mustangs are almost entirely the same as the Gen 3s aside from the dual throttle bodies and stronger con rods.
wishesmcgee@reddit
Whether it's the guttural and dirty sounding Agera engine or the flat-planed Jesko, there's just something intoxicating about that Swedish engineering.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
I should know this, but was 2018 the year that the F-150 5.0 got dual injection, or was it only direct in 2018?
Vodnik_The_Slav@reddit
It was dual starting in 2018.
Zestyclose_Fact_4429@reddit
I vote for the Coyote, as I have Gen 2 Stage 3 ( supercharged ) Roush Mustang that is wicked fast, reliable and easy to drive.
ThirteenMatt@reddit
I'm curious about the fixation on 5.0. Why do you think this specific displacement is important?
Hot_Improvement9221@reddit
Trans Am racing rules. Â Which were influenced by FIA Group 2 rules. Â Under 2 liter class, and an over 2 liter class limited to 5 liters.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
Personally? No idea, but maybe because Ford made "Five Oh" such a huge part of '90s culture?
__nullptr_t@reddit
Most of my favorite v8s are 6.2, weirdly most 6.2s are actually smaller than most 5.0s.
Pahlevun@reddit
Not weirdly. Very expectedly. OHV vs DOHC
probsdriving@reddit
Owned a Coyote and itâs great but not the best by a long shot imho. Just doesnât sound all that great.
Yes it makes big power but you can also do that with a V6. V8s for me are about the experience.
I think the flat plane V8 in the 458 will go down as one of the best V8s ever produced. Easily one of the best sounding cars of all time.
Lexus/Toyota V8s are also great but they refuse to put them in platforms I care all that much for. LC500 is great but I want that powertrain in something smaller and with a better transmission.
Trollygag@reddit
Could you explain this more? The ISF, RCF, and LC all have the same (more or less) motor. The ISF is the size of a 3 series. The RCF is a small 2 seater car about the same length as the C8 corvette.
probsdriving@reddit
You listed three very heavy, very dated, luxury cars with old ass torque converter autos.
There isn't much to explain that the general public hasn't already, nobody buys these things for a reason.
ISF and RCF both have interiors from the 2010s but a price tag from 2025. The LC500 is the closest to want, but it's just not what I need in my life.
I basically want an M240i size vehicle w/V8. Smaller platform, ZF8 speed (or manual), and an interior from this decade.
Or they could put it in a real sports car platform.
Trollygag@reddit
You are so sideways and confused on everything you sre saying.
The RCF is lighter than its BMW M4 counterpart nowadays.
The V8 F cars are all very limited production and bought on pre-order. You can't just pick one of a dozen off the lot like you can an M car.
The ISF, I think they make around 500-800/year, and about the same for the RCF, with some special editions having import numbers as low as 50.
10 year old used GSFs are as much as their original new MSRP.
The IS and RC non F cars are pretty popular.
Have you actually ever been in either of those????
The interior of a new M or Mperf sportscar is designed almost exactly the same to an IS or RC interior. A non-big-tablet screen, soft touch, physical buttons, no piano gloss.
This is one of the most bonkers takes I have ever seen. New sportcar interiors circled away from early 2020s styling trying to copy Tesla to more 2010s styling with smaller screens and physical buttons and layouts again.
So get an F-Type
TheArchist@reddit
small nitpick they havent made the isf in a while, you're thinking about the is500
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
Ya but I'm specifically asking about 5.0s...
probsdriving@reddit
Iâm stupid asf and canât read soâŚ.
SrgtMacfly@reddit
Definitely not the best pick or as powerful as other 5.0s but the Nissan VK50VE has an awesome story!
Not many people know Nissan ever made this, and from my research less than 3000 ever came to the US. Was only in use for 5 years between 2009-2014 in the Infiniti FX50 / 2014 QX70
390hp stock NA with a 6700, not the most efficient nor powerful but enough for a good time!
Extremely overbuilt and reliable as well.Â
handymanshandle@reddit
Nissan VKs are massively underrated as a whole. I love me a nice VK56DE or DD, plus they all sound heavenly. Never heard the VK50 but I can imagine those sound sweet and pull nicely.
SrgtMacfly@reddit
Absolutely agree, the 5.6 is especially overlooked. They handle big power extremely well, the Aussies do some nasty things to those engines! It's a shame they are killed off
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
Interesting, definitely didn't know they made one too.
Best-Emphasis5510@reddit
Why only 5.0 or only v8? but if it has to be a 5.0 v8 it would say the latest Coyote. reliable, sounds good, rev high for a large cpc v8 (7.5k). I like the jlr 5.0sc as well but it revs a bit low.
Waygonner@reddit
For a great rumble, high reliability, and plentiful cheap parts, Iâll take the 80âs/90âs roller 302.
pakpak786@reddit
Infiniti FX50 with a 5.0 was decent
ChuckoRuckus@reddit
The Coyote is great, but Iâm gonna bring up the DZ302 SBC.
Vantage_007@reddit
Lexus 5.0 (LC 500, IS 500, GS F, IS F)
graceparagonique2024@reddit
Chevy 305 is indestructible
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
I'm surprised this is the first I've heard of the 5.0, I thought there'd be more '80s Camaro guys in here.
Hrmerder@reddit
My 80s Camaro has a 350 but not factory
Smykster@reddit
I've got a camaro with a 305. It's 35 years old, hasn't been serviced at all by the prior owner from what I can tell, 200k miles, huge billow of smoke every time I start it up, but it always starts up.
DudeWhereIsMyDuduk@reddit
Didn't they wind up in a fair share of boats, too?
run_uz@reddit
As anchors
graceparagonique2024@reddit
My 84 Caprice dad bought new that was a hand me down still ran like a top at 200k miles for my 2nd car.
ahorrribledrummer@reddit
I managed to blow one up at 105k in an 84 k10.
RealSprooseMoose@reddit
Only because it doesn't make enough power to destruct.
newcarguy2019@reddit
Gotta go with the OG foxbody 5.0 that set off this huge mustang/aftermarket community. Yes I'm biased as I grew up in that community and currently own a fox. But that's what I'd choose for a swap. Small package, plenty parts and proven combos and sounds great. If ford did some tweaking this motor could've easily kept up with or outdone the LS.
Lordofwar13799731@reddit
I'll be the one weirdo who says I love the 6.2L LS3 in my camaro over the coyote lol.
virtualracer@reddit
Gen 3 Coyote owner here, have to vote for that one. I chose that car because of the motor. I'm not really even a "Mustang guy". I immediately loved the mixture of noise, DOHC, and redline so I got one. The reliability is just the icing on top.
2for1garlicknots@reddit
I'm the same, I don't really think of myself as a "Mustang guy" but I love this engine in this car.
Tony-cums@reddit
Coyotes can do 800 on stock internals.
I had an RCF with that 5.0. Sounds amazing. But torque is very low.
Pahlevun@reddit
Torque isnât low, itâs almost 400lb ft. It just doesnât exist before 4000 rpm. But itâs a DOHC NA V8, so thatâs how they usually go.
Tony-cums@reddit
Peak is 389. Thatâs low for a 5.0. Not complaining - just saying different torque curve than the coyote.
Pahlevun@reddit
Yeah because Toyota havenât really made a newer iteration of the 2UR, and the current one was meant to rev higher and make more peak power. The same gen Coyote thatâs as old as the current 2UR made like 430 HP and 400 lbs ft of torque â not exactly worlds more than 389 lbs ft, but a good chunk behind the 472 HP.
Even the most powerful 500 HP Coyote âonlyâ makes 410 lbs ft.
But yeah youâre right about the torque curve. Never specifically looked at the 2UR vs Coyote but I wouldnât be surprised to see a slightly flatter curve in the Coyote.
But these DOHC V8 just in general prefer to be at the second half of the RPM range. Theyâre not OHV/pushrods with big torque down low!
wtfandy@reddit
Man I remember the RCF and ISF sounding amazing.
Trollygag@reddit
And GSF, and LC. They out th 2URGSE in a few cool cars.
Tony-cums@reddit
I slapped an exhaust on mine. Rumble was crazy nice. I miss that car still.
bnace@reddit
Not to be an ass, but are you aware that they arenât the same engine. Coyote vs 2UR
Tony-cums@reddit
What? Yeah. Iâm aware. Thatâs why I divided the two thoughts.
bnace@reddit
You first said about the Coyote, and then said âRCF with that 5.0â.
It just read to me that you were calling the RCF 5.0 âthatâ engine that you mentioned above, the Coyote.
Tony-cums@reddit
Cool story.
Pahlevun@reddit
Does it have to be 5.0L? If so, I guess the UR, yeah
ZachtoseIntolerant@reddit
Honda marine 302.
TurboSalsa@reddit
Coyote.
Aside from the reasons already mentioned they're easily attainable and have by far the biggest aftermarket.
Educational_Age_1333@reddit
Bigger aftermarket than LS engines?
__nullptr_t@reddit
If you allow for 6.2s, then yeah. I don't know why you would rank based on displacement though, the 6.2 push rods are smaller than most 5.0 dohcs and are more useful as swaps because of thay.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
I'm pretty sure they meant "of all the 5.0s".
Slideways@reddit
As long as you don't count any domestic pushrod V8.
Lasd18622@reddit
Ls entered the chat
Haunting-Broccoli-95@reddit
The coyote engine is considered the best 5.0 probably ever made...
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
Hard to disagree after owning one for 9 trouble free and smile filled years
aaayyyuuussshhh@reddit
stock or modified? Honestly either way the only answer is the coyote. Lexus engine is basically almost identical sounding for the average car enthusiast. Especially when you go aftermarket exhaust. But the coyote is way better for tuning, etc.
I'd definitely drop the mach1 gen 3 coyote with the tremec 6 speed. Other option is the Jaguar's supercharged 5.0 but honestly that's too much power/torque in a car that will weigh less than 2500lbs.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
Mine is bone stock in my '15 F-150. I know it's like the 2nd least powerful version of the Coyote, but God damn it's fun in that truck.
aaayyyuuussshhh@reddit
19-20 is mad impressive still. I'd have to imagine you do lots of highway driving. Definitely a great engine
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
Between 17 and 19 city in winter, 18-20 in spring, then back to 17-19 in summer because of AC.
I was towing a 6x12 cube enclosed ~3,500# shed of a trailer from Florida to Arizona, and averaged around 13mpg down I-10.
stilhere@reddit
Iâll take an LS over any other V8.
HelghastBoi@reddit
LS is 6.0/6.2/7.0 though?
stilhere@reddit
4.8 and 5.3 as well.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
Crazy how many people forget about the Vortec 4800.
run_uz@reddit
And 5.7 in LS1 form
Plus-Hand9594@reddit
Love this question and the responses. Didn't know thier were so many 5.0 V8s!
Here's another one: 1987-91 Porsche 928 5.0 V8. Set a world land speed record in '87. All aluminum, 32v DOHC V8. Cylinder walls etched to expose crystal structure of the aluminum, making tough natural cylinder sleeves. Examples have run 100s of thousands of miles with no compression loss. Because of it's 90 degree kind of flat and wide engine, it set a record for longest timing belt when it came out.
PurpleSausage77@reddit
5.0L Cummins V8, the idea of it at least. Lots of bad I hear about it.
WetChickenLips@reddit
Putting a Cummins in a foxbody while keeping it as a 5.0 v8 would be a dream. Unfortunately, these engines don't seem to live up to the Cummins name at all.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
Didn't they also put that in tthe weird looking Titan truck for a short period?
Erdnalexa@reddit
Mercedesâ M113K
lique_madique@reddit
The N/A ones were 5.4âs too.
Erdnalexa@reddit
A friend of mine has a W211 E500 with a 5.0l M113. According to Wikipedia there is a 4.3l (M113 43), 5.0l (M113 50), 5.5l (M113 55), and supercharged 5.5l (M113K) version
ThirteenMatt@reddit
đ
Basically it started as a 4.3, AMG enlarged it to 5.4. Later Mercedes replaced the 4.3 with a 5.0, and AMG came up with a supercharged version of the 5.4.
They're all M113, because that's the code for the engine family.
Erdnalexa@reddit
đ
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
Good choice. But now that you mention MB, didn't they use to have a 5.0 in the old SLs?
Erdnalexa@reddit
Yes, the M113 existed in 5.0l N/A. But I wouldnât put it in a Miata
yeahnahyeahnahyeahye@reddit
As someone with a 2UR
It's the 5.0 Windsor.
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
I watched a YouTube video of a bone stock OBS F-150 on the dyno with that, and all I remember was it actually sounded kinda mean for a stock 30 year old exhaust.
cjdacka@reddit
The Holden 5 Litre V8
It wasn't very powerful but it made lots of great noises.
orangutanDOTorg@reddit
Tunnel port. I said what I said.
Barely_stupid@reddit
1967 Z28: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTXbX_gLfLw&t=342s
King_in_a_castle_84@reddit (OP)
But was that 5.0 from the factory?
Igota31chevy@reddit
Yes, General Motors specifically made the Chevy 302 to comply with SCCA rules in the Trans-Am series.
No-Seaweed7315@reddit
M113 from Mercedes. regular versions
furrynoy96@reddit
Coyote 5.0 is a monster when modified
Mysterious_Mon@reddit
Olds 307
Senior-Bake-592@reddit
The coyote motor is a hoot and sounds awesome. If an LS is not in the cards then 100% a ford coyote motor paired with a t56.