Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Ford F-150 Turbo V-6 vs 8 cylinder

They don’t “kick in” in the traditional sense.... There are two turbos one small and one large and that keeps the power band smooth and uniform.

Montana marine

I have a 3.5 ecoboost

It’s not like the twin turbo sports cars where it kicks in all the sudden unless you just stomp the gas.

If you do that on ice, I don’t think turbo or no turbo is goin to matter

+1 for the 3.5

Might be because 2018 truck is no longer a pickup per say, but this truck makes me happy, nicest ride I've had so far.

I would consider a 6 cylinder diesel truck, but V8 all the way for gas.

I have a 2020 5.0 4WD after trading my 18 5.0 4WD. In GA, the 5.0 qualifies as an AFV and I get free use of toll lanes in Gwinnett. It was a no brainer for me. I got 19 average from the 18, but only about 18mpg from the 20.

Regards,

Kris

I'm hoping for a small v8 Eco Boost.

A big one would be cool too.

The 3.5 is simply an awesome power plant though and with the 10 speed trans, it tows very well although the fuel economy goes in the crapper even with the lightest of trailers.

Something about a 6 cylinder in a truck I don't like. I know they run good, but I'd rather have the V8. I have 2011 f150 with 5.0, 155k miles and going strong. Maybe they should do a twin turbo 5.0 and throw it in a 1/2 ton

This...

I can't speak to the ford, but I've never had any trouble out of a turbocharger on any vehicle I've had. My highest mileage turbo vehicle has 400,000 miles. I'm sure some people have had turbochargers go bad but that's not the norm, for the most part they don't wear out.

My question is what about the rest of the engine? I have a f150 with the 5.0. 2012 king ranch bought used been very happy with it. Well except for blowing the motor.

Anyways prior to finding a low mile replacement engine I was hunting the used f150s. No way I can afford new right now. In my area it was almost impossible to find a 5.0. Most everything is 3.5 that is nearly new or has about 125000 on it. I have yet to see a 3.5 offered for sale with more than about 150000 on it. The 5.0 has a reputation of being an easy 250 to 300000 motor if you keep it that long.

The turbos should hold up x number of miles. But is the engine itself designed to handle working that hard. Kinda like a pistol in my mind. Yes it can shoot plus p loads. But what happens when you give it a steady diet of plus p loads??

https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/...ture-tested-ecoboost-v-6-looks-like.html

This article is what changed my mind on the v6.

The 3.5 was/is Ford's baby..

I have one with each. Love 'em both, but the EcoBoost's acceleration is quite something. And it gets better gas mileage too, what's not to like about it.

I here some year model 3.5L Twin Turbo. The turbos and oil lines leak oil. Very expensive to fix.

I really enjoy driving my F150 with the 5.0 Coyote engine. One of the best engines ford ever built. Same engine as in the GT Mustangs, Cobra's etc. Just a few different parts and tuning. The throaty sound of the V8 over the V6's can not be compared. Especially if you want to modify it a bit. Have you ever heard an Eco boost with an after market exhaust. Not much different than a modified Honda Civic driven by a millennial. Better have cash only level tint on your windows to keep from getting a red face of embarrassment. Ha!

Four cams and four valves per cylinder on the Coyote engine lends itself to a high power curve at RPM. A 3.55 rear end or lower is advised. A cold air intake will give you a woody on acceleration. But even without these mods the 5.0 Coyote has a feel and sound you can only get from a high performance V8. As stock, Ford uses straight through mufflers and resonators and a 3" exhaust for the Coyote engine. It is designed to breath.

View the various YouTube videos of the guys going though the Ford Dealerships asking the service writers and mechanics which engine they would get. It's a no contest. Like someone else said if you want to buy used, the 5.0 Liters are much harder to find. There is a reason for that.

If you pull heavy loads with your F150 the 3.5 Eco is better, but you are better off with a Super Duty anyway. If not, get the 5.0 and enjoy your truck.

Buddy in Colorado travels a lot for work and gets a new Ford F150 crew cab every 2 or 3 years and only buys the twin turbo EcoBoost.

I recent took a hunting trip with him and was surprised how smooth it towed a trailer loaded down with hunting gear. Traveling with no or little load he gets 22+ mpg.

2011 F-150
5.0
165000 miles
Not a single issue
Both are great motors
I would buy a 5.0 again vs the 3.5 Ecoboost

If I get one, it will be the wife's truck and she doesn't need a diesel.

V8 all the way. Think of it this way, the life span of a piece of machinery that spins at over 15,000 RPMs over one that goes around 2500-3500 for the most part.

good article...probably my next truck......bob

Good friend has a F150 with the 2.7 Ecoboost. Mostly a daily driver for him and he doesn't tow, hauls relatively light. Good motor from what I can see, it has some balls when you want to stomp on it.