Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Ford 3.5 eco boost vs 5.0

I don't think it was mentioned or I missed it, the eco boost would provide an advantage for high altitude driving situations due to the mechanics of the turbo. Not a requirement for the op but may be of interest for some.

For towing, the EB produces its max torque at something like 2600 rpm. The 5.0 torque numbers are similar, but occur over 5K rpm. For towing, the EB shines.

Bought a new 2011 F150 with the 3.5 eco, first year they offered it. Drove it 7.5 years, had 147K miles when I traded in. No problems of any kind. Driving a 2019 F150 with the 3.5 now, only 21K miles so far but it’s humming along no issues.

Put 8500mi on my 2020 3.5Eco 4x4 so far. Liking the smooth torque and it’s averaged 20.8mpg. Dad has a 14 model 5.0 and the engine/trans have been great at 260k miles. I’d go 2.7 Eco for a work truck.

I tried out a new 2017 with the 5.0 engine. When you floored it not much happened but it made a lot of noise. My bud has had a couple of the Eb and they are way stronger down low and for him good dependability. Ed

Just had a major repair on our 2017 Eco boost at 84k. Made an awful noise on cold start for 2-3 seconds that sounded like it was gonna come apart. Out of warranty and was looking at $3,500 repair. Dealership got Ford to kick down and it only cost $1,400.

Cam phasers, actuators and timing chain.

Runs like new again and I love the performance but cam phaser issues on cold starts is a thing. Mine showed up after the 60k warranty was up.

I know a few people who have or have had Fords with the ecoboost engine but don't know anybody who has put a lot of miles on one. I recently found out from watching this you tube video that the water pump is inside the timing chain cover and would require major disassembly to replace it. The worst part is when the water pump starts leaking you will quickly have water in your oil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN3cjU3o0G4&t=1397s

Video is from the YouTube channel "I Do Cars"
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgzJHvOhLert9g2yT-09RMQ

I hope they replaced the water pump while they had the timing chains off.

I called them just now and told them some guy on the internet said there is a video on water pumps that says they should have replaced it while they were in there.

Scheduled for Tuesday.

LMAO

Totaled my 2012 Tundra last spring. Loved the truck but the fuel economy sucked. Went looking for a used truck and ended up buying a 2020 5.0 with 13,000 miles. Has almost 30,000 miles on it now, I like it, glad I went that way. Fuel economy is much better than the Toyota. I like the 10 speed transmission too.

Fuggin aspergers man....

We have a 2014 3.5 4x4 crewcab 6.5 wheel base and love it. We pulled an 11,000lb trailer for 4 years and MPG was around 15. It would pull that trailer over Snoqualmie Pass at 60+ with passing to spare. We get 16+ MPG around town and 20+ back and forth from North Idaho to Oregon. I need a PU and this is best of all I've had in 50+ years of driving. Hauls all my stuff and goes anywhere reasonable. 65k miles with only oil changes before I added brakes, suspension, and wheels all of which I wanted but didn't absolutely need.

I had a 2011 with the 5.0. No issues. I now have a 2016 with the 3.5 ecoboost. No problems. I am getting 18 mpg on the highway and 16-17 around town.

Son has a 2012 ecoboost he bought new. Towed 9000 lbs across the states twice with no issues towing except fuel economy which is to be expected when towing. His truck is up there in milage. Only issue he ever had was major hail damage. Insurance company totaled it and paid him out. He turned around and bought is back from the insurance company for cheap. Paid for the necessary repairs and is still driving it.

Any info on 2.7l as opposed to the 3.5l ecoboost?

If pulling isn’t a major priority I’d go 2.7 and save the coin and future gas costs. And that’s coming from a guy who has a 3.5, and I do love it. But also pull 4K-5k regularly.

Depends on what year the 5.0 was made. Ford made a change to the cylinder liners I believe after 2017 and they are sprayed on instead of being a regular cast iron liner.

I know of someone that had a newer 2019 and the engine cylinders were scored after 19k. I don't know if he took care of it or not.

Jack I've got a 2016 5.0l v8 in my F-150 with 68k on it no problems so far
16's had the 6 spd auto newer ones have the 10 spd. One of the more over looked items is getting the right gear ratio
My truck was equipped with 3.73 ratio which is good for pulling my boats or travel trailer without beating the piss out of the tranny or engine. The other day I had it serviced and and one of their sales turds tried to get me to trade it in and I asked him why I'd do that? He said he'd damn near give me what I paid for it on trade. Right, I told him when he could come up with a new F-150 with all the options mine had in a XLT metallic green or copper colored with a dual turbo 5.0 liter v-8 I would trade. Well he says they don't make them like that and I replied no sh*t Sherlock get them straighten out and I' ll buy. Good luck. Mb

Never owned either, but drove a company truck with 2.7 and the MPG around town was 21+. It was a standard cab and 2WD, but I was impressed with the fuel economy. Never drove it on the highway though.

Small engines are small engine, boost or no boost; 5.0L w/o a 2nd thought.

MM