VMP Makes Swapping a Predator GT500 Supercharger on Gen 1& 2 Coyotes Simple
We all know that the easiest way to crank up the fun-factor of your ride is to throw a little boost at it. In the case of the Coyote platform, adding a few PSI to the mix can spice things up to the tune of a several hundred additional horsepower. If you happen to own one of the 1st or 2nd Generation Coyote V8s, the crew at VMP Performance has been working on a budget friendly way to strap a 2650 TVS blower to your 5.0.
It’s no secret that Predator powered GT500 owner enjoy making major modifications to their factory boosted 5.2L power plants. Many times those modifications include a blower upgrade, which means a lot of OEM Predator superchargers tend to find their way onto the secondary market. That’s were VMP saw an opportunity, and worked to put together the products and process necessary to install a Predator supercharger on a 1st or 2nd Gen Coyote. This is one of those rare circumstances where availability, price point, and relative ease of installation combine to create a perfect storm of performance potential.
To be sure, this isn’t necessarily a straight forward bolt-on ordeal. For example, the cylinder heads on '15-'17 engines must be cut for proper supercharger fitment. Several adaptations must be made to complete the install. VMP has developed products to make the upgrade fairly straightforward and simple, so let’s dive into it.
VMP started by optimizing is the belt drive system. The factory belt drive system on the Coyote does not support the Predator supercharger's front-end accessory drive (FEAD). The VMP Street FEAD kit takes care of that by enabling you to run the Predator supercharger on a Coyote while keeping your factory front cover and 6-rib balancer. This kit uses VMP’s revised street FEAD bracket for the optimal amount of belt wrap and supercharger pulley clearance. (When using a pulley bigger than factory (3.0+), call the VMP sales team and specify what pulley size, they will make sure the right bracket is sent.) For those looking to make big boy power, VMP offers a complete line of 8-rib and 10-rib components to allow you to ditch the Coyote's factory 6-rib system.
VMP also addresses accurate data collection by offer a VMP Predator Swap MAP Splitter Harness. This harness splits the intake air temperature (IAT) signal off of the IAT sensor built into the mass airflow (MAF) sensor and allows you to install a post-intercooler IAT sensor and a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor in the supercharger lid. This plug-and-play solution that does not require drilling or tapping, but does require you to use a Ford 4 pin 3-bar MAP sensor. The harness was designed specifically for Coyote-powered Mustangs, ensuring the right length and connectors.
Next up, VMP tackles some of the induction issues inherent with this swap. The Predator's factory throttle body does not work on the '11-'17 Coyotes, so VMP devised two options to solve this issue. They offer a Predator to Factory 80 mm Throttle Body Spacer to allow the use of the factory Coyote throttle body. Using the Coyote's smaller throttle body reduces the intake flow rate, which can be advantageous when limiting boost is necessary. The other option, available for '15-'17 Coyotes, is VMP's 105 mm Hellcat Throttle Body, coupled with their VMP PNP Hellcat throttle body jumper harness, and their throttle body adapter plate, if needed. If you decide to port your supercharger inlet you will not need a throttle body adapter plate. Also, '15-'17 Mustangs can use a VMP Hellcat jumper harness and a stock Hellcat throttle body.
(Editor’s Note – Using Dodge parts on your Ford may lead to second-hand electrical issues and your wiring letting all the smoke out.
)If you happen to feel like turning up the wick a bit, VMP offers a variety of pulley size options to allow for various boost levels to achieve your desired power level. The VMP Predator 6-Bolt Hub will allow you to run a wide range of supercharger pulleys. Given the Predator's stock 9.5:1 compression ratio, its very efficient cylinder head and camshaft package, and its factory premium fuel requirement, it is much more boost-tolerant than its Mustang and F150 counterparts. Normal Coyote engines' compression ratios are anywhere from 10.5:1 in the '11-'17 F150s, 11.0:1 in '11-'17 Mustangs, and 12.0:1 in the' 18+ F150 and Mustangs. With these higher compression ratios, the vehicles can tolerate less boost on standard premium fuel than the 2020-2023 GT500. A larger supercharger pulley is needed to run a Predator blower on the higher-compression Coyotes safely.
VMP offers 11 differently-sized pulleys, ranging from 2.4"-3.6". Therefore; you can safely use pump gas by running a larger pulley and making less boost, or switch to a smaller pulley to turn up the boost on race gas/E85. Speaking of fuel, VMP also science out the fueling needs associated with the Predator blower swap. Factory Coyote fuel rails will not work with the Predator blower. However; VMP billet Predator fuel rails fit the bill, as they integrate seamlessly with the Predator supercharger. All that increased airflow requires more fuel, and the factory Coyote fuel injectors are simply not up to the task. So plan on installing larger injectors such as 2020 GT500 injectors, ID 1050X, or DW 95 lb. The factory fuel pump will need a little help as well. Depending on the supercharger pulley size, VMP offers a fuel pump booster for the stock pump or a fuel system such as their "Plug and Play" return-style fuel system.
To keep the boost cool VMP has developed a heat exchanger system to maximize performance potential. The system includes the degas tank, heat exchanger, pump, and coolant hoses. They also offer single- and triple-pass heat exchangers for Mustangs and F-150s. VMP’s triple-pass heat exchangers will keep IATs colder, longer helping you avoid heat soaking. They also have reservoirs and intercooler pumps for both Mustangs and F-150s. Depending on your application; coolant hose routing will be different, so you’ll have to custom cut and run hose to suit your needs.
Bolting on the blower and supporting equipment is on part of the equation. To bring it all together you’re going to need a proper custom tune. VMP has extensive experience in tuning custom supercharged applications. Their tunes are developed on the dyno and tested on the track to maximize performance, while drivability is dialed in on the street. They offer both on-site and remote tuning. I have personally had Justin@VMP custom tune a home-brewed TVS supercharger setup I installed on a 3V 4.6L in a Ford Explorer. It ran great, and I really miss that truck.
After finishing up your Predator blower swap, if you happen to find yourself wanting to squeeze even more performance out of your ride VMP has a host of Predator GT500 upgrades that will now work for you. You have probably seen us feature the VMP Apex Predator Supercharger Lid Upgrade here on SVTP in the past. Its design improves high-RPM airflow and is compatible with various intercoolers, including the stock intercooler, VMP's 81 mm Race Intercooler, and VMP's Apex Race Intercooler Upgrade. When coupled with VMP's intercooler upgrades, it controls the inherently high intake air temperatures typical when modifying the stock supercharger. The lid is packed with additional features, including a boost reference port for the most accurate data collection. It also has eight 1/8th" NPT ports allowing the use of nitrous or water-methanol direct injection for ultimate horsepower gains. As if that wasn’t enough, it also weighs 1.5 pounds less than the physically smaller factory lid and has spots to install custom data plates if you wish. VMP’s high-flow water manifold is very nice upgrade that compatible with the factory lid and their aftermarket lid.
Now if this type of project seems a bit more than you’re up to tackling, as there are no step-by-step instructions to complete the install, VMP has a solution for that as well. Their supercharger systems for 2011-2020 F150s and 2011-2022 Mustang GTs are simple to install and make great power. The Loki kits start at $7,999 and can be installed at home or at their shop in Florida. If you want to step it up even more, the VMP Odin kit is capable of making power levels that would require a built motor to handle. Needless to say, VMP has a solution to help you reach your particular Coyote-derived horsepower goals.
