Hello,

I am currently driving a 2014 5.3 silverado, I am looking at ordering a 3.5 EB, only hesitation I have is ... well the hesitation. I didn't get round to fiddling with modes in the test drive but the delayed throttle response was a real killer, most of my driving is on winding country roads & the severe hesitation on partial throttle inputs would drive me mad.

I've read that this hesitation might not be turbo lag but throttle response from the software but I struggle to see why this would be programmed in to drive like ****. I can see that it shouldn't be turbo lag as I never experienced this with older turbo cars (Lancer evo, Toyota Celica, Fiat Coupe) but need to know it can definitely be fixed with a plug in option before pulling the pin on the order.

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I love the power of this 3.5 & it would be a big upgrade over my current ride.

 

Just switch to sport mode, it will really wake up the truck. Sounds like you should do another test drive to be sure.

 

There is really not that much delay at all---you are thinking too much!!!-----SPORT mode, game over!!

 

Thanks, will go for another drive & try sport mode as it definitely wasn't just me thinking about a one second delay.

 

I have the 3.5 eco and don’t really notice any hesitation but I’m normally easy on the gas peddle.

 

Other people have mentioned exactly what you describe.

What Ive read here about highway driving is that the Eco takes off immediately like a diesel and that the 5.0 lags.

 

Another thing to keep in mind is that these vehicles 'learn' your driving habits...throttle input, etc and adjust over time to 'be what you want them to be'. A brand new vehicle only has the base map to reference. My 5.0 is a friggin' rocketship in normal mode, and is even more impressive in Sport mode...and the 3.5 EB is NOT known for turbo lag...in fact few if any of the modern turbo engines have any discernible lag due to the design of the turbos.
So yes, as others have advised, do another drive in Sport mode, thrash the beast and see what it says.

 

I had a 2016 Ecoboost. Zero hesitation. Towed a 24' enclosed car trailer and it went up hills like a diesel. I then bought a 2019 Ram Limited 4X4 eTorque. It didn't pull the trailer nearly as good.
The 3.5l twin turbo is the only engine I want in my F150. This time I'm going with the Powerboost for economy and additional hp and torque.

 

you are coming from a 2014 with 6 speed...that powertrain combo felt damn torquey compared to the 10 speed. Go back for a test drive and select Sport mode to cure all the issues you described....nowadays manufacturers set the 'standard' drive to have a slower response to help them achieve high EPA numbers.

 

"Severe hesitation" isn't something you should be experiencing, even bone stock. When you say "on partial throttle inputs", how partial are we talking? Light and easy throttle input does get a blunted response these days because, well, EPA. If you want less or no hesitation, increase that partial throttle input a little bit. Sport Mode of course changes things for sure. And a tune really changes thing...oh boy