truckerdude

B.S. Go tow 10k lbs with both and tell me that you don't feel a difference. Now if you don't tow then you should have gotten the 3.7 anyway

straightaxle

Someone tested them both towing 9k lbs, and the EB was less than a 1/2 second quicker through the quarter mile, roughly 50 ft, and 3-4 mph faster, but BOTH were faster at that point than LEGAL highway towing speed limits. The excellent 6 speed transmission is the gap equalizer here. The EB will deffinately outshine the 5.0 in higher gear holding, but dropping one gear narrows the gap considerably.

smd5231

There is a reason why Class 7 trucks that pull 48,000 lb loads (80,000 lb gross) have TURBO diesel engines, and not large block GAS V8. They last longer and pull harder. I have a 5.0 L V8 in my F150 but if I was towing and/or hauling heavy loads, I'd go with a Ecoboost. You cannot beat all that torque at 2,000 RPM. It's a definite advantage when hauling/towing heavy. So, it all depends on how much you need to tow or haul. I took mine with a 5.0 L because I drive empty 99.9% of the time but I wanted to have the power of V8 for some performance feel (and maybe, better resale value).

straightaxle

If I was going to pull that heavy a lot, I would get an F250-F350, not an F150 with either motor. The low end torque is tough to beat for sure, but the transmission helps narrow the gap. At 2000 rpm in 6th (0.71) w/ the EB making 420 ft/lbs and 3.73 gears nets 1112 ft/lbs from torque multiplication. In the 5.0, by dropping a gear to 5th (1.00) at 2600 rpm making say 300 ft/lbs and 3.73 gears nets 1119 ft/lbs from torque multiplication. The penalty for having to run in a higher gear is having to listen to the 5.0 roar a little more.

The transmission and gears has more to do with it than just the motor output. With that being said, an EB with 3.55 or higher (lower numerically) will broaden that gap significantly vs. a 5.0 with similar gears, as the motor makes up the differance for the mechanical advantage.

11screw50

using a turbo diesel to justify a turbo gas engine is ridiculous. they are not the same and the longevity of one proves nothing about the other. if you're towing heavy, often, a diesel F250 is a better option.

11screw50

so it's EB if you tow, 3.7 if you dont. got it. the 5.0 has no place in the world and ford never should have put it in anything, let alone a truck.

of course, maybe the elitist attitude is what causes most of the EB vs 5.0 problems.

justjimmy

Agreed - we're scum I guess.

amascio

Some of the most reliable cars I've owned weren't recommended by CR; actually they recommended avoiding them!

amascio

This EB vs 5.0 is ridiculous! If I were given a company truck with either of those engines, I'd be thrilled to death! No regret with either......

smd5231

I think you got the gear ratios wrong. Here's mine for the 5.0 L and 6 speed auto:

6) 0.69
5) 0.86
4) 1.14
3) 1.52
2) 2.34
1) 4.17

I think Ecoboost trucks have the same 0.69 in the top gear.