355 vs 373 Towing
04-13-2014, 02:55 PM
#51
Tow ratings are not based off of performance. They are based off overheating and chassis capability though.
With the 5.0L trucks, that engine is smaller creating more heat. If Ford would had just put a larger radiator or higher performing coolant in there, the tow rating could had been higher. But why would they, when they're trying to push their little turbo V6 that has an oversized radiator and intercooler to keep temps down.
Having a higher ratio axle will create more torque where the engine will have to work less, and not create as much heat. That's why tow ratings go up on most any engine with better gearing.
04-13-2014, 04:59 PM
#52
04-13-2014, 07:23 PM
#53
With the 5.0L trucks, that engine is smaller creating more heat. If Ford would had just put a larger radiator or higher performing coolant in there, the tow rating could had been higher. But why would they, when they're trying to push their little turbo V6 that has an oversized radiator and intercooler to keep temps down.
04-13-2014, 08:48 PM
#54
Senior Member
Not necessarily true. Test drove a 2014 F250 6.2L and it had less torque to weight ratio than the 5.0L. With the same torque to weight ratio as the F250 6.2L, put on my truck, the torque would only be 325 lbs at a higher 4500 rpm. YET that F250 had a towing capacity of 12,500 lbs.
Tow ratings are not based off of performance. They are based off overheating and chassis capability though.
With the 5.0L trucks, that engine is smaller creating more heat. If Ford would had just put a larger radiator or higher performing coolant in there, the tow rating could had been higher. But why would they, when they're trying to push their little turbo V6 that has an oversized radiator and intercooler to keep temps down.
Having a higher ratio axle will create more torque where the engine will have to work less, and not create as much heat. That's why tow ratings go up on most any engine with better gearing.
Tow ratings are not based off of performance. They are based off overheating and chassis capability though.
With the 5.0L trucks, that engine is smaller creating more heat. If Ford would had just put a larger radiator or higher performing coolant in there, the tow rating could had been higher. But why would they, when they're trying to push their little turbo V6 that has an oversized radiator and intercooler to keep temps down.
Having a higher ratio axle will create more torque where the engine will have to work less, and not create as much heat. That's why tow ratings go up on most any engine with better gearing.
04-14-2014, 11:20 PM
#55
Senior Member
With the 5.0L trucks, that engine is smaller creating more heat. If Ford would had just put a larger radiator or higher performing coolant in there, the tow rating could had been higher. But why would they, when they're trying to push their little turbo V6 that has an oversized radiator and intercooler to keep temps down.
04-15-2014, 10:04 AM
#56
Senior Member
04-15-2014, 11:27 AM
#57
I don't mean to be rude but I disagree with some of your statements...
I think to be fair here, we don't know what ford uses to to create their tow capacity ratings until they adopt the standardization in 2015; however, performance has to be somewhat on their mind... it may not be very high on their mind but still there
A larger block could and does to some extent dissipate heat better; however, with the larger displacement, they are using more fuel and creating more heat to displace so I think you likely have a wash here.
The intercooler with the eco is likely causing it to run hotter. colder denser air has more oxygen and therefore more energy. that increased energy is going to produce more heat during combustion. also, i'm not sure to what extent (because i don't own an eco) but i'd bet the intercooler partially blocks the radiator... so you are per-heating the air flowing over the radiator by pushing it through the intercooler first. So a bigger radiator is necessary but not because the engine is smaller.
gearing does not change the torque the engine produces but does change the feel of that torque. gas engines produce the most of their power at higher rpms, with lower gearing you are able to turn the motor more times per wheel revolution giving you a mechanical advantage at the cost of running the engine at higher rpms (which means more gas and likely MORE heat)
If i had to guess what goes into a tow capacity rating, I'd say all of it. suspension, the entire driveline, braking, gearing, cooling, frame, and maybe even length.
With the 5.0L trucks, that engine is smaller creating more heat. If Ford would had just put a larger radiator or higher performing coolant in there, the tow rating could had been higher. But why would they, when they're trying to push their little turbo V6 that has an oversized radiator and intercooler to keep temps down.
The intercooler with the eco is likely causing it to run hotter. colder denser air has more oxygen and therefore more energy. that increased energy is going to produce more heat during combustion. also, i'm not sure to what extent (because i don't own an eco) but i'd bet the intercooler partially blocks the radiator... so you are per-heating the air flowing over the radiator by pushing it through the intercooler first. So a bigger radiator is necessary but not because the engine is smaller.
If i had to guess what goes into a tow capacity rating, I'd say all of it. suspension, the entire driveline, braking, gearing, cooling, frame, and maybe even length.
04-15-2014, 02:00 PM
#58
Senior Member
Just to confirm, the intercooler sits in front of, but just below, the main radiator. I don't believe it restricts airflow through the main radiator in any significant way.