CDC5.0

The 5.0 is a great engine and in my mind superior to the 5.4.

Now I agree that the 5.0 has some work to do to meet the long term record of the 5.4 but I think its off to a good start. I also agree that the 5.4 was suited a little better for towing because of its lower torque curve but the 5.0 pulls hard and returns simillar if not better towing mileage .

From a driver's seat comparison I have driven two 5.4's. A 2007 crewcab xlt and a 2009 fx4. Although the six speed in the the 2009 really helps to wake the 5.4 up (cause the 4 speed in the 2007 felt like a slug when passing on the highway) it still cannot compete with my 5.0. If you drop the hammer on the highway the 5.0 will take off like a rocket no problem. From what I've read the 5.0 is getting 1-2 mpg better then the 5.4 and is a much more free reving engine.

I'd buy my 5.0 ten times over before I would buy a 5.4. But thats just my opinion.

If someone was looking for more of a deal there are a lot of 2009 - 2010 5.4's out there at a really great price and you'll still be getting a great engine, just not the most recent in terms of technology and power output.

gillysmi

coming from a 5.4 lariat (2009) crew to a 2011 Fx4 crew 5.0... for daily driving around town i liked to 5.4. little smoother stop and go. both tow very well up to their capability. both great motors. if the 5.0 didnt come out i dont think this would be a matter of discussion and the 5.4 would still be the best engine available in a half ton.

i have also driven a 3/4 ton crew with 5.4 and i tell you what it pulls pretty damn good!! so to say it is not as good is hard for me to say!

jcartertn

I meant in the f150

therealdash

As in....leave the 5.4 behind and forget about it.

I thought that's what you meant.

RRF150

If you've driven an 08 or earlier 5.4 with the 4sp and then drove an 09-10 with the 6sp you will be impressed. I have ownd both and the 5.4-6sp preforms way better than the older ones. Is it on par with the 5.0, don't know never drove one. But what I do know is it will pull my 7200lb TT anywhere I want and I have only once or twice wished I had more power. The 5.0 may have given me more power but at higher rpms. The EB would've passed both though. I get 14-15 in town, and a steady 18 @70 mph. Plus the 5.4 has been around forever and in IMO is rock solid. I feel the same to a degree about the 5.0, still waiting on the EB 3.5. I doubt you will be dissapointed with the 5.4 6sp. Now the tranny is another story all together. The 2011 6sp has the select shift feature which is needed when towing. But if your just towing some or not at all you won't miss it. All the 6spds from 09-12 are having some issues. Not everyone by any means but theres no discrimination in years for problems to pop up. Lots of TSB's to help, but it seems like a good dealers service department is just as important.

eye.surgeon

My 5.4 offered a high level of proven reliability with enough power for my needs. Fuel efficiency, as many are discovering, is not dramatically different from the current engine offerings. The new engines sound great but I prefer to buy towards the end of an engine life cycle rather than the first year.

Tussin_Wolf

Totally agree. At work I drive a 2010 GMC Sierra with a 4.8L, a 2011 Tahoe with 5.3L, a 2005 F150 with 4.6L and a 2006 F150 with 5.4L. The Fords have about 100,000 miles of HARD driving on them. While the Tahoe with the 5.3L seems to move a little faster, everyday of the week I take the "tired old Ford" (even the 4.6L) before I get into one of the new GM's. Our 4.8L had a catastophic engine failure at 27,000 miles and the 5.3L in the Tahoe trashed a tranny at 19,000 miles and again at 47,000 miles. Without getting started on the myriad of other problems that have plagued our new GM vehicles; pooched alternators, paper-thin body panels, rear drum brakes, burnt out power window/lock issues,, panel fit/finish...like one of the posts mentioned, the 5.4L/4.6L might be dinosaurs, but they can take a mean beating and thats worth something.

My personal ride has the new 5.0L; its a **** ton faster then the 4.6L and 5.4L; I just hope it can stand up to the abuse the old Modular V8's can handle.

BeerCan

The 5.4 is a very mature motor. I personally had no problems with mine, it towed well and got reasonably good gas mileage. Give the 5.0/EB 10 years of refinement and I think the comparison will be easy. The only thing that really kept me from getting the 5.0 in my new truck was the torque curve. When I tow I like the twist to come in a little earlier that it offered.
Bottom line is after a few years I think it is going to be clear that the 5.0 is a better motor than the 5.4. I think it has a lot to live up to ( I really liked the 5.4) but it has a strong pedigree.

bluefor3

Yes-I agree! The modular engines will outlast anything out there! The Crown Vic is a great example of this. It is not unheard of to see a average maintained Crown Vic have 500,000 miles on the engine. I didn't say it was common, however they are out there. 5.4 has same build quality and long-lasting traits. IF you want a dependable, long-lasting adequate engine...go with the 5.4

acadianbob

Not so. As pointed out in an earlier post, the 5.4 has better torque characteristics for towing. The curve is fatter and flatter. 'Nough said.