5.0 or Eco 3.5
03-06-2017, 07:57 AM
#21
I can't speak for the 15+ models, but I've had a 2014 3.5 screw fx4 for the last two years and it was great. Recently let it go and purchased a 2013 2wd RCSB 5.0 STX, primarily due to payment (wife got a Edge with all the bells and whistles, Ecoboost too). The towing capabilities of the eco are phenomenal but the MPGs are not at all. Mind you the 2wd is lighter and not turning near as much rotating mass but it does the same MPGs in a mix of city and highway what the eco would do strictly on highway. Off the line, say at a stop light the 5.0 has more off idle but once in the boost the eco had more. From 2000-3500 the eco will own the 5.0 all day. But past about 4k the eco fell on its face where the coyote excels.
For me the switch was easy. Do I miss the turbo whistle....Yes. Did I miss the V8 roar....Yes. But for what I do and what I want it for the V8 wins. The big crew cab just wasn't really needed. More or less overkill. We purchased a family car and I got a pickup I can build up with ease, thats the main reason I went with the coyote. The things I miss the most are the options, not the motor. Leather bucket seats, heated and cooled, reverse camera, all the little things but I can do without them personally. So really I'd stick with what others have said, get what one you can afford with as many of the options you would like to have. Don't concern yourself with the motors when you use it for a daily and don't haul a lot. But from my experience don't expect what the sticker says on MPGs for the eco.
For me the switch was easy. Do I miss the turbo whistle....Yes. Did I miss the V8 roar....Yes. But for what I do and what I want it for the V8 wins. The big crew cab just wasn't really needed. More or less overkill. We purchased a family car and I got a pickup I can build up with ease, thats the main reason I went with the coyote. The things I miss the most are the options, not the motor. Leather bucket seats, heated and cooled, reverse camera, all the little things but I can do without them personally. So really I'd stick with what others have said, get what one you can afford with as many of the options you would like to have. Don't concern yourself with the motors when you use it for a daily and don't haul a lot. But from my experience don't expect what the sticker says on MPGs for the eco.
Light on the throttle I get, mostly running around locally and short trips, 13.9 L/100KMS (roughly 17 mpg).
I can get 11.2 l/100 (approx 21) straight highway on cruise.
But as soon as you're into the boost on drop the travel trailer on the back, the L/100 increase (ie: mpg's drop) rather quickly.
I'm ok with it though. It gets better than my last diesel and has "diesel like drive" at the graze of the throttle. have a preference for diesels, but finding fuel could be a hassle sometimes so a gasser that has more of the diesel pluses without hunting for fuel sometimes is a bonus. Lower maintenance costs is also a plus, if you don't get the main package. The 3.5 TT Fits my particular uses perfectly. Of course, that does not mean it will fit anyone else's uses as perfectly.
Can't speak for the 5.0 though, haven't driven one. When I was shopping, it was a comparison of specs. They won't let you take a month long test drive for some reason....
Last edited by Great white; 03-06-2017 at 08:05 AM.
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Cammy (03-06-2017)
03-06-2017, 08:14 AM
#22
I would agree to a certain extent on the mpg's. If find my 2016 is either "eco" or "boost", but never "EcoBoost". They definitely put the capitals in the name in the right places!
Light on the throttle I get, mostly running around locally and short trips, 13.9 L/100KMS (roughly 17 mpg).
I can get 11.2 l/100 (approx 21) straight highway on cruise.
But as soon as you're into the boost on drop the travel trailer on the back, the L/100 increase (ie: mpg's drop) rather quickly.
I'm ok with it though. It gets better than my last diesel and has "diesel like drive" at the graze of the throttle. Fits my particular uses perfectly. Of course, that does not mean it will fit anyone else's uses as perfectly.
Can't speak for the 5.0 though, haven't driven one.
Light on the throttle I get, mostly running around locally and short trips, 13.9 L/100KMS (roughly 17 mpg).
I can get 11.2 l/100 (approx 21) straight highway on cruise.
But as soon as you're into the boost on drop the travel trailer on the back, the L/100 increase (ie: mpg's drop) rather quickly.
I'm ok with it though. It gets better than my last diesel and has "diesel like drive" at the graze of the throttle. Fits my particular uses perfectly. Of course, that does not mean it will fit anyone else's uses as perfectly.
Can't speak for the 5.0 though, haven't driven one.
I'll agree with you! I live in a hilly area and windy as well. Northwest Oklahoma. So mpg suffered, I was lucky ONE time and hovered around the 19 mark but never saw it again. And when you say "diesel like drive," I'll agree with you again. I grew up on a ranch where Cummins are king and they still are. When the EcoBoost (better? lol) would grab the next gear the tq will sit you back in each gear, its GREAT! I see so many F150s pulling travel trailers on the interstate anymore and it is AWESOME!
Like I said I loved the TT 3.5, but for my future plans of building a hotrod 2wd pickup the 3.5 just wasn't enough. They respond extremely well to tunes and downpipes which I never did do but wanted to, but once you are past boltons you are in the same boat as buying a V8 and adding a supercharger or turbo. Money wise that is. So to me making a lot of power with forced induction was a no brainer for me to go coyote.
03-06-2017, 09:19 AM
#23
Aspiring Banhammerator
The 5.0 is a simpler design with less moving parts than a twin turbo v6 setup, makes similar power and gets similar MPG's and should yield (on average) less issues over time than the ecoboost stuff due to the simpler design. I know there is logical reason behind this answer but many will disagree, especially on this forum.
Take a look into how the turbos on the ecoboost motors are tied into both the oiling system and the coolant system on these vehicles and tell me there isn't much more potential for leaks and failures etc compared to the 5.0.
Take a look into how the turbos on the ecoboost motors are tied into both the oiling system and the coolant system on these vehicles and tell me there isn't much more potential for leaks and failures etc compared to the 5.0.
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HubFord (03-06-2017)
03-06-2017, 09:21 AM
#24
Senior Member
So what truck did you end up getting?
03-06-2017, 09:28 AM
#25
Aspiring Banhammerator
03-06-2017, 11:52 AM
#26
I don't care that the exhaust on the 5.0 sounds better.
I don't care that the 5.0 may even get better fuel mileage.
I don't care that the 5.0 may be more "old school" (it's not, but whatever LOL)
For me the EB 3.5 TT is where it's at.
I started with a 2011. Then there was an explorer, and as of last Friday a new Lariat with the 3.5 EB and 10 speed.
And I have a 5500 pound pickup loaded like a Lexas that will flat-out kick the *** of any stock Muscle Car I owned in the 70's.
It thrills me, and I like it
I don't care that the 5.0 may even get better fuel mileage.
I don't care that the 5.0 may be more "old school" (it's not, but whatever LOL)
For me the EB 3.5 TT is where it's at.
I started with a 2011. Then there was an explorer, and as of last Friday a new Lariat with the 3.5 EB and 10 speed.
And I have a 5500 pound pickup loaded like a Lexas that will flat-out kick the *** of any stock Muscle Car I owned in the 70's.
It thrills me, and I like it
03-06-2017, 12:06 PM
#27
Whenever I worry about things like this I just go back and re-watch the whole Hero project, and what they put that engine through.
Then I have a beer and relax
Then I have a beer and relax
As you've noticed now, engine choice is a bit of a "hot topic" on the forum. I personally don't get the animosity over engine choice, but it is what it is.
I am in a similar boat as yourself. I'm retiring this year and bought my 2016 to be the last vehicle I ever buy. Whether or not it works out that way remains to be seen.
I decided on what options I wanted and went from there. My base list was SuperCrew, Lariat, 4x4 and 6.5 box. I tow a travel trailer from time to time so I wanted the Max Tow option. I wanted the 3.5 EB to start with and max tow kind of pushed me towards the 3.5 as well.
As an old hotrodder I have trouble wrapping my mind around a gas turbo engine lasting, but I know that modern engineering and metallurgy is doing some pretty amazing things these days. Every time I get on the gas I have to remind myself its "just" a 213 ci v6. Amazing that so much power rolls out of such small displacement. I'm also in a field that forces me to keep up to date on these sort of things so I have a very good grasp of what's actually going on, but that old hotrodder in the back of my head just won't settle down about forced induction and longevity. Even though I know better....
3.5 or 5.0 makes no real difference to me. They're so close everywhere I see it more as a personal choice. Performance is so close it doesn't really matter. MPG (rated) is within a few MPG and in day to day grind that's so close it doesn't really matter either. Longevity? Both are "new" designs so I don't see much difference there either other than the fact one is forced induction and one is naturally aspirated.
But I hedged my bets when I went with the 3.5 EB: I got a good price on a "Demo" and beat them up pretty good from there. I then took some of that savings and took out the 8 year/150,000 premium extended warranty. I chucked the maintenance plan on that as well.
So, even if the engine or transmission tanks, it's covered. Basically, I was looking to cover the drivetrain since that will stop you dead if it goes. The rest is basically "conveniences" and if they go and aren't under the warranty at least I still have a drive-able truck.
Maintenance items are just that: maintenance items. Brakes wear out, fluids need to be changed, tires wear, etc. The maintenance package covers a lot of it, but not all. For example: tires.
Find a truck you like, buy IAW your needs, cover your butt (ie: extended warranties) if you feel it necessary and enjoy your purchase.
I am in a similar boat as yourself. I'm retiring this year and bought my 2016 to be the last vehicle I ever buy. Whether or not it works out that way remains to be seen.
I decided on what options I wanted and went from there. My base list was SuperCrew, Lariat, 4x4 and 6.5 box. I tow a travel trailer from time to time so I wanted the Max Tow option. I wanted the 3.5 EB to start with and max tow kind of pushed me towards the 3.5 as well.
As an old hotrodder I have trouble wrapping my mind around a gas turbo engine lasting, but I know that modern engineering and metallurgy is doing some pretty amazing things these days. Every time I get on the gas I have to remind myself its "just" a 213 ci v6. Amazing that so much power rolls out of such small displacement. I'm also in a field that forces me to keep up to date on these sort of things so I have a very good grasp of what's actually going on, but that old hotrodder in the back of my head just won't settle down about forced induction and longevity. Even though I know better....
3.5 or 5.0 makes no real difference to me. They're so close everywhere I see it more as a personal choice. Performance is so close it doesn't really matter. MPG (rated) is within a few MPG and in day to day grind that's so close it doesn't really matter either. Longevity? Both are "new" designs so I don't see much difference there either other than the fact one is forced induction and one is naturally aspirated.
But I hedged my bets when I went with the 3.5 EB: I got a good price on a "Demo" and beat them up pretty good from there. I then took some of that savings and took out the 8 year/150,000 premium extended warranty. I chucked the maintenance plan on that as well.
So, even if the engine or transmission tanks, it's covered. Basically, I was looking to cover the drivetrain since that will stop you dead if it goes. The rest is basically "conveniences" and if they go and aren't under the warranty at least I still have a drive-able truck.
Maintenance items are just that: maintenance items. Brakes wear out, fluids need to be changed, tires wear, etc. The maintenance package covers a lot of it, but not all. For example: tires.
Find a truck you like, buy IAW your needs, cover your butt (ie: extended warranties) if you feel it necessary and enjoy your purchase.
03-06-2017, 03:03 PM
#30
The 5.0 is a simpler design with less moving parts than a twin turbo v6 setup, makes similar power and gets similar MPG's and should yield (on average) less issues over time than the ecoboost stuff due to the simpler design. I know there is logical reason behind this answer but many will disagree, especially on this forum.
Take a look into how the turbos on the ecoboost motors are tied into both the oiling system and the coolant system on these vehicles and tell me there isn't much more potential for leaks and failures etc compared to the 5.0.
Take a look into how the turbos on the ecoboost motors are tied into both the oiling system and the coolant system on these vehicles and tell me there isn't much more potential for leaks and failures etc compared to the 5.0.
Those two paragraphs are hard to argue.I don't care that the exhaust on the 5.0 sounds better.
I don't care that the 5.0 may even get better fuel mileage.
I don't care that the 5.0 may be more "old school" (it's not, but whatever LOL)
For me the EB 3.5 TT is where it's at.
I started with a 2011. Then there was an explorer, and as of last Friday a new Lariat with the 3.5 EB and 10 speed.
And I have a 5500 pound pickup loaded like a Lexas that will flat-out kick the *** of any stock Muscle Car I owned in the 70's.
It thrills me, and I like it
I don't care that the 5.0 may even get better fuel mileage.
I don't care that the 5.0 may be more "old school" (it's not, but whatever LOL)
For me the EB 3.5 TT is where it's at.
I started with a 2011. Then there was an explorer, and as of last Friday a new Lariat with the 3.5 EB and 10 speed.
And I have a 5500 pound pickup loaded like a Lexas that will flat-out kick the *** of any stock Muscle Car I owned in the 70's.
It thrills me, and I like it
EB supporting argument: "I have it, I like it." Or "I have 25,000 miles on mine, no problems" <--- No $h1t, it's a new truck, lol.