I was in the truck and do not see any way to change modes. How do you do that? He has the column shifter.

 

There is a button on the end of the column shifter on my 2018, but I do have the 3.5 EcoBoost. I only test drove the 3.3NA briefly so I cannot speak to it, but on my 3.5EB Normal Mode has poor throttle response, up-shifts too early, and doesn't down shift until the pedal is almost to the floor. But in sport mode it's a completely different animal, it's always in the right gear, doesn't short shift, and always seems ready to downshift quickly as road and throttle conditions change. before spending a ton of money try sport mode for a few days.

Again I have not spent any time behind the wheel of a 3.3NA but by the #'s it is no slouch, it has more horsepower and torque than a 302 or even a 351 from the 70's, 80's, and 90's. peak #'s only mean so much but If sport mode is noticeably better to him a tune is not terribly expensive and may be enough to put a smile on his face. A tune would probably require him running premium gas to get the full benefit.

 

Not true, the 3.3 may have peak horsepower at 7,000 rpm, but it doesn’t touch the old V8s torque and power curves.

 

Lariat with 501a will have a jump seat .. there is nothing he can do performance wise other than getting a custom turbo kit or nitrous with that engine .. he can blow money on a tune and supporting mods but it won't be close to the other engines

yes the mode button is at the end of the column shifter but i doubt it will make any difference

 

You can get a jumpseat (40/20/40 split front bench) in anything up to a Lariat 501A. Or you can go to something higher end and convert it, but it's not a trivial conversion.

Your "mutual acquaintance" is an idiot. Nothing he's suggested will do anything for your friend.

He could tune it... but it's still a N/A 3.3L engine. I wouldn't expect miracles.

 

This is why I called him an "acquaintance". Not sure why he is in our group at all since we are all of the same political leanings accept for him. He is a complete idiot. He also told him his XLT had "better" tires than my KR because when it comes time to replace them, his are a hundred and something and mine are two hundred and something. Yeah we worry about an extra $400 once every 5 years on a $50k vehicle! Doof.

He never has and never will use the jumpseat he just likes the look better. I have him basically convinced that this doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things and the giant console is better.

I told him about the mode change that might be there on the end of the shifter stalk. If so, that might help a bit. Problem is, my buddy is a cash buyer he hates financing and when you are cash at this level, spending an extra $5k-$10k is pretty major. I suggested he trade in his truck on a new one with a better engine and just finance the rest for 3 years. He's chewing on it he knows he is going to take a loss on the deal.

 

As I said, take it from someone who owns and drives the 3.5NA everyday. Sport mode makes a big difference just as "V9AUD" said in his post.

 

They all have this right? He thinks he doesn't have this.

 

they should .. its at the end of the stalk .. not on the stalk itself.. like the tip.. you press the button in .. if you're friend is performance orientated sport mode will help but it won't satisfy that need for performance

 

Yes there is a button on the stalk for the transmission that previously used to be TOW/Haul. In today's truck it's TOW/SPORT mode. and it does make a difference and it will need to be cycled with every start up.


Few other things - the truck will run a bit different once it gets past around 5000 miles. bearings loosen up a touch - transmission is more run it etc etc. but most don't notice this.

Biggest thing if he wants it to run harder would be a tune. anyone that tells him ot add parts to it like a CAI or pedal commander need to go away. He needs a real tune on it. and tune it for either 87 or 93. Regardless however it will not be the 2.7L or the 3.5L. but it will get some more grunt out there and might even increase his Fuel Economy - often a good tune will add a MPG or so - short of going for max power at the expense of engine life.

Finally aside from the drag of the 4wd system he could one day look at re-gearing it. Don't know what rear that has on it now - but you could go up stage and get more acceleration if that was his goal.

OH and this might start another debate but if the OAT is over 85F or so running 93 octane really does help performance. Even on the NA motor. it's not what I would call cost effective but wanting more acceleration and speed is never actually cost effective. put another way - right now my ford explorer with the 3.5L N/A motor is rolling on 93 octane. Why - I like it and it does get a touch more MPG. It also responds better.