ZeroTX

Okay, I will be the first to admit that I absolutely refused to even drive one of the EcoBoosts when I was shopping for my truck. I really wanted a V8. Today, I went with a friend who is looking at a 3.5EB with max tow for a travel trailer and had a nice test drive in the 3.5EB w/ 10-speed and 3.55 gears.

Well, as a 5.0L owner, I just want to say that the EB really impressed me. Great torque and with the 10-speed, it got moving without even seeming like it was fast. I guess in a good way. It was also really quiet, which my friend liked. I actually prefer the roar of my Coyote.

Anyway, just wanted to throw some respect in the direction of the 3.5L EB I bet it'll really move out w/ a tune, too!

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Okay

Tufelhunden

I drone both and bought the 3.5 as it was just quicker. The truck is deceptively fast and so quiet that before I know it I at 85 to 90 just merging. Really had to watch the Speedo more.

metroins

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.

excaliber

The 3.5 and the 5.0 get the same gas mileage. It's all in the way the vehicle is driven. The biggest difference is the torque advantage at lower RPM's that the EB has over the 5.0


It's diesel like and blows the 5.0 away.

tomasulo

I have to admit, I have lots of respect for the 3.5L Eco. I had my 2011 for three years and loved it! Just traded up for a 2015 5.0L a few months ago, as I wanted that V8 growl again, and the trusted coyote engine. Yes, gas mileage is about the same, slightly better with my 5.0L than the Eco, and the turbo engines do have more parts. I was dealing with blow off valve issues in mine before I traded it, and it was costly, root and fix the problem. Towing, the Eco had more grunt for sure. Overall...I respect both engines it was a tossup when I traded, but just wanted a V8 again.

KYBuckeye

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.

Stricnine

Now go test drive a 2.7 and prepare to be amazed!

zx12-iowa

very true. generally the 3.5 eco is the best engine in a truck that is used as a truck (hauling/towing). but these days most who buy these trucks use them as a commuter, etc so for those who dont use the truck as a truck and l like to rev it for sound/power, etc. (like a hemi or a mustang) the 5.0 may be a great choice. ive driven the v8s and there is power after it revs up (like a sport bike) but in a truck, i prefer the low rpm effortless power as I rarely ever need to go above 2500 rpm since so much power is on tap.

of course this is all relative bc todays v8s are better than those of previous generations so it depends what one is comparing it to.

ZeroTX

Would have if we were not looking for a tow rig, but my friend who is shopping wants to tow a 25-30ft travel trailer in the 7-8,000lb range. The 3.5EB can do it, the 2.7 not so much.