Wosby

I didn't drag race anyone in an F150. You can find dozens of vidoes on Youtube of Eco-boost owners racing Dodge, Chevy, Toyota, and other 5.0/6.2L Ford trucks from both standing and rolling starts.

If you understand simple physics it's easy to comprehend why Ecoboost equipped vehicles would be faster than those larger displacement V8's. I have several years experience driving a small twin-turbo car that whips the pants off V8's with similar HP and TQ numbers.

And here's why;

1. Forced induction engines reach their max torque ratings at much lower RPMs. For the Ecoboost that is about 2500rpm vs 5000 rpm for the 6.2L. In simple english...they get their power to the pavement faster.
2. A 3.5L all aluminum engine is "lighter" than the steel block 5.0 or 6.5L. This means the truck is lighter as well. Less weight = faster acceleration.

So put the two together and it should be easy to see why the Ecoboost wins out. It get's to it's max power sooner, and it's lighter!

jcain

5.0 is aluminum

Wosby

All aluminum? Head and block? Cause big V8 engines (except high performance cars) nowadays have an aluminum head, but still use a steel block.

dcfluid

All aluminium. And within 20 or so lbs of the eco

dcfluid

I could slightly feel something in hot towing. I would call it more like lack of power loss than a power gain. Regular fuel started feeling just a little flat and immediate fill up made it run crisp again.

Wosby

Bump!

bajaman

When the intercooler and associated plumbing is factored in for the EB...it is pretty much a wash, weight-wise to the Coyote engine.
It's all about the torque, as mentioned earlier.
My twin-turbo 2.8 liter in-line 6 in my Volvo S80 T6 makes its peak power at like..1800 rpm. It is a phenomenal 80 - 120 mph performer, literally takes your breath away. But still delivers around 26 mpg with even 'spirited' driving...lol!

Ttrot

1. Not all forced induction engines reach their max torque lower in RPM. Only those with appropriately-sized turbos that reach boost earlier in the RPM range. These same setups typically fall off more in the top-end vs. a similar N/A engine because the same turbine that helps spool-up in the lower RPM creates a restriction in higher RPM. It all comes down to air ingestion and VE. The reason the EB makes the power it does is that it boosts to nearly 1 Bar of pressure. 1 Bar of pressure above atmospheric is equivalent to doubling the displacement of the same-sized NA engine. It is ingesting nearly twice the amount of air of a 3.5L NA engine.

2. The weight difference between the two is not that big or relevant.

To be perfectly honest, I feel that with a clipped turbine wheel, and a small sacrifice of low-end spool, the Ecoboost could shine a LOT more in the upper RPM due to lower exhaust manifold pressure, and make considerably more power. Plus it would probably benefit from highway mileage due to being less sensitive to getting into boost. That, or VGT turbos.

The whole which truck is faster thing is kind of stupid, because it has more to do with vehicle weight, 4wd vs. 2wd, average horsepower throughout the powerband between shifts (which is where the EB really shines from the other two) and gearing then a difference of 20 peak HP.

This thread is really entertaining!