View Poll Results: Are V8 Half Tons On The Way Out?
Yes
66
24.54%
No
203
75.46%
Voters: 269. You may not vote on this poll
Are The V8's Days Numbered?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 823
Likes: 75
From: Canada
[QUOTE=ToddF150;1271263]I think V8's are here to stay for awhile yet...especially since Ford will debut the new 351 in 2013....[/QUOTE
I know they are bringing out a new 351 for the GT500, I wonder how they would tweak it for the F150 if at all? It would seem a little odd for them to bring a new engine into the F150 for 2013 when they released 4 new engines only 2 years prior. I also think that Ford has somewhat under rated the 5.0L and possibly the 6.2L so they have room to work with when the competition comes out with new engines. I could see Ford pushing the 5.0L to 400 hp and 420 ft-lb from the factory in a couple years.
I know they are bringing out a new 351 for the GT500, I wonder how they would tweak it for the F150 if at all? It would seem a little odd for them to bring a new engine into the F150 for 2013 when they released 4 new engines only 2 years prior. I also think that Ford has somewhat under rated the 5.0L and possibly the 6.2L so they have room to work with when the competition comes out with new engines. I could see Ford pushing the 5.0L to 400 hp and 420 ft-lb from the factory in a couple years.
AutoXer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Hastings, MN
[quote=CDC5.0;1272422]
I'd be surprised if the 5.0 isn't pushing 400hp /420tq in a few years.
I can also see it going the other way and the 5.0 getting DI and becoming the MPG champ among trucks with about the same performance it has now. We'll see.
Depending on how robust the 3.5 is, I can see a few tuners out there bolting on bigger turbo's and pushing 500-600 hp reliably. It will be fun to watch.
As far as the end of the V8. I don't think they will go away for a very long time. They might get smaller, but I don't see them going away.
I think V8's are here to stay for awhile yet...especially since Ford will debut the new 351 in 2013....[/QUOTE
I know they are bringing out a new 351 for the GT500, I wonder how they would tweak it for the F150 if at all? It would seem a little odd for them to bring a new engine into the F150 for 2013 when they released 4 new engines only 2 years prior. I also think that Ford has somewhat under rated the 5.0L and possibly the 6.2L so they have room to work with when the competition comes out with new engines. I could see Ford pushing the 5.0L to 400 hp and 420 ft-lb from the factory in a couple years.
I know they are bringing out a new 351 for the GT500, I wonder how they would tweak it for the F150 if at all? It would seem a little odd for them to bring a new engine into the F150 for 2013 when they released 4 new engines only 2 years prior. I also think that Ford has somewhat under rated the 5.0L and possibly the 6.2L so they have room to work with when the competition comes out with new engines. I could see Ford pushing the 5.0L to 400 hp and 420 ft-lb from the factory in a couple years.
I can also see it going the other way and the 5.0 getting DI and becoming the MPG champ among trucks with about the same performance it has now. We'll see.
Depending on how robust the 3.5 is, I can see a few tuners out there bolting on bigger turbo's and pushing 500-600 hp reliably. It will be fun to watch.
As far as the end of the V8. I don't think they will go away for a very long time. They might get smaller, but I don't see them going away.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 12
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ETTYOCEO ®
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 13
From: Nebraska
Originally Posted by BassAckwards
Not hardly IMO. With all the technology and greater amount of moving parts comes decreased reliability. If there is anything truck guys want more than anything out of their truck is to know that it is reliable! Especially pulling an 11k lbs trailer down the road.
If I needed a new motor in my truck today and the only Ford F150 V8 motor I could choose was the 5.0, I'd go buy a Chevy LS6 Crate motor. I'll probably get blasted for that.
It's not that I don't think that the 5.0 and similar engines (3.7 V6 and 3.5 EB) aren't reliable, but do I think they are as realiable as my 5.4 3v or a Ford 6.2 2v V8? Hell no!
For me, the simpilar the better. I pull a 7k lbs Enclosed Motorcycle Trailer with 3.73 and 33" tall tires. Even going up the hills of the panhandle the truck is not lacking for power. When my 5.4 can do everything like that just fine, then I don't see the point in making the engine more complicated just to have it make a little more power. You could do some headwork and cams and get the 5.4 to 5.0 numbers easy. That would have been a better option for Ford to take than a DOHC Ti-VCT 5.0 IMO. Thats why I like the 6.2 above all the other Ford engine options.
It's still to early in the new engine line up lifespan to see how reliable they are; but I would bet money that over the lifetime all the other engine options will cost you more in maintenance/repair or just flat out die before the 5.4 3v and the 6.2 2v. Just my opinion.
Edit: I'll also add, I think we will see a shrinkage in the cast iron "old technolgy" for a small time, but I think people will realize that the decreased reliability and increased maintenance costs isn't worth the extra power.
If I needed a new motor in my truck today and the only Ford F150 V8 motor I could choose was the 5.0, I'd go buy a Chevy LS6 Crate motor. I'll probably get blasted for that.
It's not that I don't think that the 5.0 and similar engines (3.7 V6 and 3.5 EB) aren't reliable, but do I think they are as realiable as my 5.4 3v or a Ford 6.2 2v V8? Hell no!
For me, the simpilar the better. I pull a 7k lbs Enclosed Motorcycle Trailer with 3.73 and 33" tall tires. Even going up the hills of the panhandle the truck is not lacking for power. When my 5.4 can do everything like that just fine, then I don't see the point in making the engine more complicated just to have it make a little more power. You could do some headwork and cams and get the 5.4 to 5.0 numbers easy. That would have been a better option for Ford to take than a DOHC Ti-VCT 5.0 IMO. Thats why I like the 6.2 above all the other Ford engine options.
It's still to early in the new engine line up lifespan to see how reliable they are; but I would bet money that over the lifetime all the other engine options will cost you more in maintenance/repair or just flat out die before the 5.4 3v and the 6.2 2v. Just my opinion.
Edit: I'll also add, I think we will see a shrinkage in the cast iron "old technolgy" for a small time, but I think people will realize that the decreased reliability and increased maintenance costs isn't worth the extra power.
Most of the posts in this thread are intelligent and well thought out. Thanks for sharing everybody.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 263
Likes: 12
From: Three Forks, MT
.Those engines sucked especially when they first came out.
1997 4.6 was 220 hp and 265 ft lbs
1997 5.4 was 235 hp and 335 ft lbs
The Ecoboost was what sold me on a Ford. Never even gave the Ford the slightest consideration until the Ecoboost came out.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 440
Likes: 6
From: South Ontario
Back from the dark side
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 556
Likes: 14
From: Jacksonville, FL
CAFE, ever increasing reliance on imported oil, long term rising gas prices, and the green crowd will eventually squeeze out the large displacement V-8's in light duty trucks like our F-150's. There will always be a niche market, though.