prorider17

Well, after a mysterious oil coming from my pedals last week, I dropped my 2013 STX RCSB F-150 5.0 off at the dealership. I waited a few days before dropping it off so I could get a loaner car. My loaner turned out to be a 2013 F-150 Lariat crew cab short box 4x4 with the EcoBoost engine.

EcoBoost Driving impressions - Down low power! As soon as I came out of the dealership, I got a little bit of tire chirp and was at 70mph before I knew it. Two more things: That engine's super quiet and it's really cool to hear the turbos. Very smooth running engine.

MPG - I've been driving the truck the exact same route as my 5.0, and it's getting about 1 mpg less in town. 17.3mpg average. I don't know the rearend ratio, buy my 5.0 F-150 has 3.31s.

Likes - TURBO NOISE , down low power, slightly better shift patterns than 5.0 equipped F-150s.

Dislikes - Not loud enough turbo noise. Let's be honest, this truck makes 365hp and 420ft lbs of torque, and I want to hear those turbos spooling up! It's still a V6.. My 5.0 sounds 100 times better in stock form. Lastly, same mpg, though it could get better with a 2wd model... as I would've bought that model.

In all, as fun as the ecoboost is to drive and I'm grateful I get to spend another day with it, I eagerly await climbing back in my F-150 5.0! The roar of that coyote engine is winning in my book. I love turbos... who doesn't? But, I'd take the 5.0 with a tune before I throw down my check book to buy an EcoBoost equipped F-150. Maybe time for a turbo coyote STX F-150 build?

Also, if you live in central Florida, Gary Yeomans is the cat's meow. They rock. Always had good experiences with them, and they take really good care of me.

13'TwinScrew

Good, honest review. The 5.0 with an exhaust is pretty sweet. That said I really like the sound of mine tuned with the mach-x. I am anxiously awaiting to see what FR is coming out with as far as an intake option...because that will certainly increase the spool noise.

Al Kohalic

Two things will make those turbos sing louder, an intake and a tuner. Certain tunes make the turbo spool more pronounced than others. My 5 Star tunes makes those snails sing nicely and sooner than my other tunes. Just barely touch the throttle at highways speeds and all you hear is "ssssSSSSSSSSSSS" as you gain speed. Post up the axle code on the door and we can tell you what rear ratio is in that thing.

Also, the problem is not now. Your real problem will be getting back into your old truck and expecting to be moving a lot faster at low rpms and slight throttle compression. You will notice that you have to give your truck more throttle to get the desired acceleration. It will take a few days for you to adjust from that as I had to with my old work truck. It will feel like your truck is slow at first, but it is not. It just takes more throttle and rpm than the EB does to get the same acceleration at part throttle. WOT, they are both screamers.

Truck owner

Exhaust sound? That is the only plus to owning a 5.0?

Phantom Bill

If I had to have exhaust sound, my brother's '68 GTO with a 400 cid would be a great choice...or the out-of-this-world bark of a Ferrari or Mercedes Formula 1 V-8.

mtxpert

I don't want a loud anything, I want quiet, quiet, quiet DESTRUCTION of my stop light opponent.

prorider17

Maybe it's time to start saving for the tremor then.haha I agree with you on the massive bump in power down low. Now I want to drive an ecoboost with the intake/tune combo. Overall though, I'm still super happy with my 5.0. I want exhaust, nothing crazy loud - I have a dirtbike and 1000cc street bike for that.

As for other benefits to owning the 5.0: no intercooler moisture problems, dependability, Mustang GT parts/accessories galore, sick exhaust note, plenty of power, still great gas mileage, more affordable..

As for the rear axle, I see that it says L9 on the inside drivers door, so that works out to a 3.55 rear axle ratio. With my 5.0 having 3.31s, I can see where that little extra power bump in the seat comes from

chadhargis

I think I've gone full throttle with my 5.0 maybe a half dozen times (when passing someone) and was more than happy with the power from the 5L. I'm sure the Ecoboost is a beast, but even the 3.7L V6 would be plenty for most folks. Ford has a great line of engines for the F-150. The only engine I'd be interested in having would be a V-6 turbo diesel that could ring up 28mpg or more.

Damn Dirty Ape

iTrader: (1)

What was the mystery oil? I've got it too. Needs to go in.

Al Kohalic

No doubt they both have their pros & cons. Not everyone pros and cons are the same either since most have to do with opinion and preference.

As far as the axle ratio, there are not really noticable unloaded differences in the EB that I have noticed between my 3.55 ratio personal truck and 3.15 ratio work truck. Both have about the same of the line get up and go. The only major difference I feel between the two is at highway speeds in 6th gear, but it is a slight difference. The rear gear ratio does not effect the EB like it does the 5.0 where there is a greater tow rating difference between the gear ratios.

For example, the tow rating for a 5.0 3.73 screw is is 9, 300 lbs and the 3.55 is 7, 900. That is a 1, 400 lb drop just going down one gear ratio. In contrast the difference between a EB 3.55 at 9, 700 lbs and going down 2 gear ratios to a 3.15 is only a 1, 300 lb difference in tow rating. I think the more weight you add might make the differences between the ratios on the EB more noticable, but not unloaded.