5.0L owner drives a 3.5EB
10-02-2017, 07:56 AM
#31
I don't think you should be sorry...this is after all the internet
I have a
2015 Lariat SCREW with the 5.0 & 3.73 gears w/Gibson exhaust... sounds fabulous.
Im waiting for my second truck to arrive
2018 Lariat SCREW with the 3.5EB & 3.31 gears .... I love the torque of this thing.
I also test drove the 2.7EB (2017 6sp) model, XLT Sport... and it actually did nothing for me, I could not stand the engine note.
Therefore for me, I decided on the 3.5EB this time... here are my reasons:
1) I already have a Coyote for the wonderful V8 soundtrack
2) It would be nice to have the best of both in the F150
3) The Gen2 is supposedly much more reliable than the Gen1
4) I like to try something different
5) I can get it tuned
So in summary, get what you want and what suits you... all are excellent engines
10-02-2017, 09:31 AM
#32
No fart cans allowed
I am a diehard V8 person since that is what I grew up with. I test drove a 3.5 eco first, and that is what I purchased. It has exactly what a truck needs - lots of off the line torque. I traded in a 2002 Avalanche I owned for 14 years, which I modified into a fast torque monster over the first 5 years. The stock 5.3 had 285 hp; I stalled it, cammed it, dropped on a set of mid length headers, and pullied down an MP112 Magnacharger for 475 hp. It would hold its own against most muscle cars off the line due to the 4.10 factory gears and boosted 4X4 launches.
Why the lengthy description? To illustrate that a diehard V8 guy decided that a puny tt V6 has just what is needed for pickup truck duty and medium duty towing. The 5.0 is a good motor as well, but the 3.5 eco is a better choice for my truck needs, which does include towing up to 7000 pounds.
We truly live in wonderful times with so many great OEM power choices. I would love to have a Whippled 5.0 at 700 or more hp but I've been there and done that with the Avalanche, and I have a Corvette to satisfy my V8 needs.
Why the lengthy description? To illustrate that a diehard V8 guy decided that a puny tt V6 has just what is needed for pickup truck duty and medium duty towing. The 5.0 is a good motor as well, but the 3.5 eco is a better choice for my truck needs, which does include towing up to 7000 pounds.
We truly live in wonderful times with so many great OEM power choices. I would love to have a Whippled 5.0 at 700 or more hp but I've been there and done that with the Avalanche, and I have a Corvette to satisfy my V8 needs.
Last edited by BadAV; 10-02-2017 at 09:34 AM.
10-02-2017, 10:46 AM
#33
The 3.5 is quicker than my 5.0 and feels like a good engine. I didn't want one, because it's already boosted; whereas, I can put a whipple on the 5.0 if I want. Also, the 5.0 has less parts that can break, and I needed a tried and true engine/trans. The 10 spd skips a lot of gears in daily use, maybe it uses all of them when towing.
Personally, I think engine for engine the 3.5 is a better setup, but for me the 5.0 made more sense. The 5.0 also just sounds cool.
The only disappointing thing about the 3.5 is the gas mileage. If it got much better mileage, I could have been enticed to switch.
Personally, I think engine for engine the 3.5 is a better setup, but for me the 5.0 made more sense. The 5.0 also just sounds cool.
The only disappointing thing about the 3.5 is the gas mileage. If it got much better mileage, I could have been enticed to switch.
You say the 5.0 has less parts but then you add a whipple...
So it then has as many or more parts than an EB, especially when you take into consideration all the extra parts for 2 more cylinders...Again
lol
10-02-2017, 10:49 AM
#34
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well, in that case, you're going to end up with 600+ horsepower, so.... all bets for reliability are off.
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BlackBoost (10-02-2017)
10-02-2017, 10:50 AM
#35
Timely thread. I have a 3.5EB and swore up and down there's no reason to ever get a V8. Then I bought a 2016 Dodge Charger with the 5.7 V8 as a DD. Yep, it's a little less meaty in the very low RPM ranges but it's glorious above 3,000 RPMs. The sound is intoxicating. My point is I now know why people choose the 5.0 in our trucks even though on paper it doesn't match up as well as the 3.5. I thought the "feeling" and "sound" of the V8 were overblown and people just waxing poetic. That's just not the case.
I'd be happy with either engine for different reasons.
I'd be happy with either engine for different reasons.
For giggles I rented a 2016 Mercedes C63 AMG in LA while there last week. OMG the sound is amazing...
It's a twin-turbo V8 - the start up sound scared people, and in sport + mode the thing was just a beast. Fastest car I've ever driven, but the exhaust notes it made - amazing....
10-02-2017, 06:59 PM
#36
Senior Member
My decision making process
1) Would have loved a 2.7eco.....doesn't come in a SCREW 6.5box....pass
2) Would have loved a 3.5eco (test drove a pimped out lariat because that's what they had on the lot/waaay more than I could afford).......loved driving it......pain in the butt dealer went elsewhere
3) Different dealer.....didn't have a 3.5eco in the specs I wanted....test drove a 5.0 in the specs/price I wanted.....loved it (came from a 2013 5.0), bought it.
I do haul fairly heavy, relatively often (haul fresh water in a tank on the back) and tow (but only like 4500lbs) and I have never run out of power/torque so I don't really 'need' the extra torque the 3.5eco has.
Either way I would go with either as they both fit my true needs, both fun to drive.
1) Would have loved a 2.7eco.....doesn't come in a SCREW 6.5box....pass
2) Would have loved a 3.5eco (test drove a pimped out lariat because that's what they had on the lot/waaay more than I could afford).......loved driving it......pain in the butt dealer went elsewhere
3) Different dealer.....didn't have a 3.5eco in the specs I wanted....test drove a 5.0 in the specs/price I wanted.....loved it (came from a 2013 5.0), bought it.
I do haul fairly heavy, relatively often (haul fresh water in a tank on the back) and tow (but only like 4500lbs) and I have never run out of power/torque so I don't really 'need' the extra torque the 3.5eco has.
Either way I would go with either as they both fit my true needs, both fun to drive.
10-02-2017, 07:17 PM
#38
10-02-2017, 07:47 PM
#39
Senior Member
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Tufelhunden (10-02-2017)
10-02-2017, 10:37 PM
#40
Senior Member
I had both, a 2015 5.0 and now a 2016 3.5 EB. Gas mileage on the EB is just a tad bit better (not towing), the 5.0 is the smoother engine. 3.5 has a better torque curve.
I like them both, it's a toss up.
I like them both, it's a toss up.