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

I bought a 2015 F-150 new with the 2.7 EcoBoost. I have 128,000 miles on it and the only thing I have done to it is brakes, tires and a purge valve that was a $60 part and self install. Last year I trailered my boat from SC to Islamarada which was a 24 hour round trip run. Boat is around 5000 lbs loaded and the truck had 103,000 miles on it when I left SC. The 2.7 has plenty of power as long as you are within the tow ratings.

The 3.5 power boost I ordered worried me a bit with all the new hybrid tech so I ordered it through a dealer that gives you a lifetime unlimited miles warranty with it. Even though it's the hybrid it's 430 horse and 570 pounds of torque with 24 mpg. If it all works out it should be a good truck.

I ordered a loaded lariat. I got pretty much everything I could and still get a bench front seat. I just hope it shows up soon. Build date was scheduled for August 2nd I just hope it isn't parked in a lot waiting for chips.

Bb

How bout in a mustang? any thoughts on which is the better option?

When it shows, I'd love to hear thoughts on it.

I have zero complaints with a 2014 3.5 EB. Only work I've done is brakes, oil, and tires. Hasn't been in the shop once

Tow a ~6k boat and a ~4k trailer ..zero issues and power to pass...even on the up hill

Nobody ever seems to talk gears, but it matters more than a little. I opted for the 3.73 which granted the highest tow rating for that year. Managed 14.5 average on a round trip rom CA to yellowstone, glacier, etc towing the travel trailer.

Lowest is 12 with the boat and hills, highest is 24.5 driving solo and going slow and easy.

As far as the eco boost engines go, is there an oil preference for these engines?

We run 5 ecoboosts and will buy a 6th this fall. 3 are delivery vehicles and 2 personal/work rigs. I drive a 2019 expedition and average 20-21 on multi state trips. No regrets.

I had a 2014, 5.0 F150 crew cab with 4x4 and tow package. It was a nice truck. Drove good and pulled ok. I got about 18mpg avg. mileage. I got a whole lot less when towing. You know there's something back there. I traded for a 2018 3.5 EB and it's been good. I get about 2mpg better or possibly a little more with it. Same configuration. It doesn't two any better but as yet I haven't towed as much with it as I did the other one. We moved to east Texas and I moved my entire shop. The 15' lathe and Shaper were the heaviest things and that's what I base my towing on.

Haven't had any trouble out of the 3.5 EB. When I decide to pass someone I don't fart around. Sorta head first. I go ahead and get around because I don't want to waste any more time in the other lane than necessary. They both were good trucks and I don't think you'd go wrong with either. I will say that for towing they are what they are. They aren't going to beat a diesel and weren't designed to. Going to go pick up a small horizontal mill next week but it doesn't weigh that much. Probably 1K lb. but the 16' trailer does have a lot of drag. I don't expect to get great gas mileage.

As usual results will vary with all trucks. Good luck. Oh I had the stupid kill/start Obama feature off. Nobody is going to convince me that it doesn't wear out starters.

2011 5.0l
3.55:1 gears
175000 miles
Oil, tires, brakes, shocks, spark plugs at 156000 because I guilted myself into doing it.
Flawless.
I tow a 6000lb+ travel trailer and a car hauler for my tractor and logs for my sawmill that can go 8000lbs. about 3500 miles a year.
It’s a double overhead cam w/variable cam timing , so it’s not a low end torque monster like the Ecoboost turbo motors, it’s a free revving V-8. Let it rev and the transmission does it’s thing.
Since retiring I have given up on maintaining my vehicles. A family friend does mine, he’s a mechanic at a good sized auto repair shop and has a two post lift in his pole barn. His observations about 3.5 Ecoboost vs 5.0 Coyote V-8 are that the 3.5 has/had a bad tendency to break timing chains. That and a few other issues make him recommend the 5.0l. What goes wrong with the 5.0l?
“I don’t rightly know, we don’t see them come in for motor issues”

That's my understanding and experience w/a couple of diesel pickups and just under 300K Mi between the 2 of them over 12yrs. I was taught to "let the bearings cool" on the turbo w/60-120sec of idling before shutdown by a buddy who owns a very busy heavy truck service shop and a 2nd friend who ran a Cummins shop for over a decade.

IMO, I could personally get either one to 200K Mi without issue assuming all was good-to-go from the factory. If I were buying for an employee who's not on the hook for any of the paint/repair $$, I'd go the non-turbo route.

Drove a 10spd EB 4cyl mustang not long ago. Was certainly capable enough for daily driving, stronger than your average sports sedan (Maxima, Accord, etc). The Coyote is something altogether different. Miss the one I had. The 4k to 7k rev-out and the sounds made that car.

Add labor and get back to me. My Mazda single turbo on 1999 was going to cost $5k.

Used to be turbos went out at 100k miles like clockwork. I understand they are much better now. Still no way I would put employee in a 3.5 eco boost unless it was job related heavy towing.

I read about that. Can't swear to it but I think it was newer than 17, more like last year or the one before.

This may be the article but if not the gist is the same. Sounds both crazy and amazing but I guess it works.

https://jalopnik.com/the-ford-engine-technology-good-enough-for-the-nissan-g-5467038

EDIT: IT was for the 2018 model year so you are close enough. Time flies.

https://www.wardsauto.com/engines/ford-finishes-f-150-powertrain-makeover

Get back to you? Ok, but you said “a turbo” will cost $7k or more. As stated, no part of a turbo or replacement will cost $7000. Not sure where you’re getting this information. Who was asking about a turbo replacement on a Mazda anyway? I’ve been running at least one set of the subject matter twin turbos for nearly a decade. Never had a single hiccup but was quoted under $2500 for parts and labor by the dealership for a replacement after I bought my first eco. I’d likely just do it myself should the need arise.

At 160k miles on one F150. I’ll get back to you when I have a turbo failure on any.

2019 5.0 has 50k with no problems more than enough hp at 20 mpg with a 10 speed.

5.0

Don't need my underhood running red hot for a milk run.

There's no replacement for displacement.

Never got close to a 7k turbo replacement when I was running a shop that was doing Acerts - that's a 15l CAT motor and it wasn't anywhere near 7k.

If you spend 7k on an eco boost turbski - you did it wrong. Hell, 7k in turbo/tune probably puts you closer to a drag car set up - Cletus McFarland style.

Someone posted this a while back.

This is obviously the first gen EB, since srticle is from 2011.

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