redranger04g

Here we go again...

(Future) brother in law is buying a new or year old F-150. He loves mine and loves the 5.0 V8, but he lives in Denver. My dad has the 3.5 EB so I have driven both, and personally (preference only, not saying one is better) I like the way the 5.0 drives. However, I'm trying to convince him to go with the 3.5 EB due to altitude.

Rule of thumb is loss of 3% per every 1000 feet of altitude. Denver is at 5.2 feet so... 5,200 x .03 = 15.6% power loss. This doesn't even take into account the numerous ski trips. For example, Winter Park is located at 9,000 feet which would be a 27% power loss. I know forced induction minimizes this loss, so I'd lean towards the EB. For the record he does not tow anything.

Curious of your thoughts/advice. What would you do if you lived at altitude? Let's keep this based on altitude.

tsigwing

if he isn't towing anything or hauling much, any of the motors will get him there, they may just wind up a bit to do it.

SixShooter14

As a '16 5.0 owner, I agree with the 3.5EB advice. Or boost the 5.0.

If he doesn't mind the high revs and losing a little bit of power then maybe the 5.0 is fine. I had mine up to 9700ft back in October. I could still accelerate up to 90mph going up the mountains easily. So it's not like it turns it into a *****cat. The engine braking is also small help to keep from riding the brakes so hard on some of the downslopes.


My official advice....Test drive both in the trim AND GEAR RATIO closest to what he wants. Drive them up into the higher elev. and see which one tickles his fancy.....then buy it.

NotBlake

Whipple on the 5.0! But yeah. Boost is good in the mile-high city.

chimmike

well, 15% power loss from what, 390hp, brings it down to ~330hp or so, and that's at the crank.

I'd even suggest 2.7EB at altitude, if he's not towing.

kmac1036

I went thru Denver with my 2010 3v 4.6 scab, family vacation. Wasn't towing or camping but had coolers and suitcases - 2 adults and 2 kids. Did just fine.

redranger04g

Any engine will be "fine". If the 5.0 loses 30% power it will still be "fine". But if you had the option, would you want a 5.0 with power loss of 3.5 EB with less power loss?

SixShooter14

The better question is what would HE want...

does he drive like an old grandma on the way to the post office? Or does he like a little more "spirited" commute?

acdii

Listening to the video of the tow tests up to the Ike, the 5.0 would wear on me if I drove it daily at that altitude. When I drove my 14 with the EB towing a heavy trailer, the drone drove me nuts. My 16 with EB doesn't drone nearly as bad, and the test of the 18 up to the Ike you could barely hear the engine.

Just something else to think about. the 5.0 does sound nice, but do you really want to hear that all the time? Of course that is towing, so have no idea how loud it is when not towing.

WildernessLVR

I'm 100% with chimmike on the 2.7. If he doesn't tow any or even if he does it occasionally, WTH the 3.5? For altitude a TT is the way to go, given the option. Maybe the smaller engine will be in boost earlier than the 3.5 and therefore spend a bit more gas, but I doubt it will have less MPGs than the bigger twin brother and still saves money for not doing the engine "upgrade"

By the way, give the 2.7 3.73 gears if available!

The 5.0 would perform just as well as any other NA engine at the place. Or does all the population own turbo engines there?