HardcoreOffroading

IMO it doesnt make sense to me that a smaller engine putting out more torque than the 5.0 would last as long as the 5.0. Which is small for a v8 barely doing any work which is good.

Watt-maker

IIRC, when you upgraded to the FR IC there was no oil or moisture in the stock IC correct? The IC on my truck would be flooded in no time if not for the cans. In fact, when I removed them just before trading, my EB did just that. Basically accumulated enough crap in there to get it to fall on it's face on a dry clear day. I wish I could've got a good one like you Geno. Was planning on taking it to FR for a bunch of goodies then the problems started. Can't blame all the issues on just the EB though. My truck started having some bad electrical issues as well.

Geno, you and Geoff amaze me with how much power your putting down AND still keeping them reliable. I still lurk in certain threads just to see the progress.

Seriously though, it would be a tough decision buying a truck today. 5.0 or 3.5EB? Projected reliability vs. altitude proof power? Hell, even though the GM twins are ugly, it looks like the 6.2L with the new 8-speed will be serious competition.

tanked_darren

Cool, did you buy it?

MadocHandyman

So are you comparing an Eco towing 7000 lbs for it's lifetime to a 5.0 just hauling groceries or are you saying that the 5.0 will not be worn out if it also towed 7000 lbs during it's lifetime?

MadocHandyman

Use the two engines equally with the same amount of load until they have 200k on them and then tell us which one is more worn. If you aren't able to do that then quit speculating! No one knows which engine will outlast the other because there isn't enough data out on either yet.
Once again, as I asked John up above, are you comparing an Eco that is working to a 5.0 that isn't?

geno51

I have had build up for sure. Heck I sure I'm the very first person to take off the cooler and expose the oil. Thing is we just never felt the need to address the issue. It just does not seem to affect the truck positive or negatively. Let me add I know a few guys with RX cans that still get just as much build up as I do with no can or holes

johndog82

iTrader: (3)

Chevy fans will buy a Taiwanese moped made of cardboard as long as it has a bowtie emblem on it.

11screw50

Both engines are great engines. Yeah, the 5.0 will need to rev a little higher while towing, big f'n deal, it will still tow the rated load just fine and it isn't using any more fuel doing it. There really is no wrong choice here.

justjimmy

You said it..."There really is no wrong choice here."

rmp213

Let me begin by addressing the OP... I too went 5.0 with 3.73's for a couple reasons

1) I have my trucks a long time, and call me old school, but I just flat out liked how the 5.0 sounded better than the 3.5 I drove
2) I don't tow, period. On occasion when I do, it's no more than 7,000 lbs, which either engine will do with ease
3) Payload is more important to me and the 5.0 is lighter than the Eco thus raising its GVWR (slightly)
4) I'm going to run 35's and I've driven Eco's with 3.55 gears and 35's as well as 5.0's with 3.73's. Both engine/gear combo's turn them no problem, but the 5.0 seemed to always average 1-2 mpg better, which over the 10 years I'll own the truck, that will really add up in fuel costs (not that I car about mpg's just saying, its in the back of everyone's minds)

Now moving on to the 5.0 haters... I'm not going to sit here and knock either engine. I freaking love the 3.5 Eco. That motor is a beast, and nothing makes me happier than seeing a 3.5 V6 Ford outperforming a Ram 5.7 Hemi or Chebby 6.2 lol. That being said, to say that the 5.0 that is in the F150 is a mustang engine is just flat out incorrect. Yes, they're both 5.0's, yes they share the same blocks, but the heads and tunes are completely different. Yes, the 5.0 has its power coming in at the higher rpm's, which is agreeably better for cars than trucks. However, the F150 power comes in at much lower rpm's on a F150 than it does a Mustang 5.0. A simple Wiki search will prove this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Modular_engine If you're going to bash people on their engine choices, at least get your facts straight before you start making biased comments that make you feel better about your own personal engine choice.

It is no secret that both engines have their quirks and issues, just like EVERY other manufacturer out there... Some issues are just more sever than others, so no point in dick measuring here. At the end of the day we all drive Fords and everyone is entitled to their opinion and what will best fit their needs. They're both awesome engines. I was surprised how far this thread got before the Eco vs 5.0 pissing contest began..so let's get it back on track

Moving on to the point of "Ford not building a reliable V8"... Ford absolutely builds reliable V8's. I've owned several "problem engines" including a 5.4 Triton. For years I racked up over 100,000 hard miles on that engine. I never had one single issue with it, period. Never had a cam phaser issue, spark plug problem, anything. You know why? I stuck to the owner's manual! 80% of the problems you read and hear about on forums are the user's fault. The other 20% are likely the unfortunate few that had a lemon or one that slipped out of tolerance, etc... **** happens. These trucks are made by man, not by God..

My point is, there is a damn good reason the engineers at Ford recommend the oils, filters and maintenance recommendations, etc. they put in the owner's manual. They're designed around these parameters and built for maximum longevity. Sure, you can waiver from this and modify your truck, tune it, use different fluids, etc. to 'get more out of your truck' but you have to realize this adds stress to drive train components and that's why they fail prematurely. Most buyer's out there don't know better than the engineers who spent years developing these engines (no offense people...) A real statistic I'd be more interested in are how many Ford truck owners are there out there that don't subscribe to forums, who left their trucks stock, and have zero problems?

You have to remember, most posts on here are to get answers to problems or advice. You're not going to hear people get on here to pat Ford's back about how great their products are as much as you're going to hear people get on here just to bitch (we're all guilty of it, myself included) That said, instead of bashing each other (or Ford) over who's got the bigger dick...er' I mean...who's engine is better (aka Eco vs. 5.0)... why don't we give the OP the advice and help he came here to seek out?

OP, if you feel more comfortable with a 5.0 and 3.73's good for you! You'll be happy I promise! Whether you tow or not, the 5.0 likes the higher rpm's and the 3.73's will help keep you in the higher rpm's. Enjoy your truck! I know I can't wait for my 5.0 and 3.73's to arrive