The new 2.7L EcoBoost V6 in the 2015 Ford F150 is better than the base V6 in every way and it only adds $795 to the final price.

For our Question of the Week, we want to know whether the members here think that Ford should continue to offer the NA base model V6 or should they make the 2.7L EcoBoost the standard base model engine?

 

Keep the base V6 - the guys buying XL work trucks want a low tech engine with low maintenance and operating costs. It has plenty of guts for that use. In fact, offer a manual transmission with the base engine too.

 

I thought is was crappy that they ditched the 3.7L for the 3.5L - At least the 3.7L had one advantage over the 2.7tt - PROVEN reliability. The 3.5L might have more problems than the 2.7tt for what we know.

 

The arguments for the change for the 3.5L to the 3.7L was improvements in gas and cheaper to produce. I can't imagine that the 3.5L is really any cheaper for Ford to make than the 3.7L As for MPG, It's VERY doubtful that the 3.7L what have gotten worse mpg in the 700 # lighter trucks. They probably could have given a taller gear to the more powerful 3.7L and it would have gotten BETTER mpg than the 3.5L Stupid move by Ford.

 

Maybe it shares some parts with the 3.5 eco making it cheaper to produce?

The F150 needs a cheap, reliable engine for the standard engine. Like GLC says.

 

If it weren't for the crappy gas mileage, they should bring back the 4.2! Nothing simpler than a pushrod engine.

 

This. I've yet to read anything believable about why the 3.7 was replaced. But Ford generally follows the dollar, so I'd have to think they knew what they were doing.

But, I see no real need for 4 motors.

 

^^^^This right here....

 

Are you just speculating this - I am pretty sure they are all the same family of engines. The only difference is that the 3.7l had a longer stroke.
http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/engine/
http://www.fordf150.net/2014/2014-f150-tech-specs.pdf

So Ford is sacrificing a great engine to save a few bucks on a crankshaft. Not buying it. I think they just wanted more people to bump up to the 2.7tt

 

I think it's more like EPA gas mileage number driven.

 

OK. Lets set some things straight...... the 3.5L is the Original Cyclone v6.... the 3.7 is simply a larger BORE version of it..... same stroke...... same engine..... Ford says its a new 3.5l but it seems the only thing new is its placement in the F150.....as far as the "downsizing", the only logical thing i can figure is that the 3.7 to them is too close in power to their new 2.7........ still though, the 3.5 na will still be more than enough engine to do anything a 1/2 ton truck needs to do......

 

Except towing more than a light boat or utility trailer on the highway or driving at high altitudes.

 

Which is why you would then upgrade to the larger engine.

 

Exactly! Not everyone needs or wants anything more powerful than the NA 3.5. Betcha they sell quite a few of them.

 

Think about all the stuff everybody used to do with 6cyl trucks back in the day. Ford even offered the old 300ci I6 in 3/4 tons. 150hp and 260 ft lbs at its peak. All through a 3 or 4 speed tranny, and often not with a particularly deep rear end. And the work got done with them everyday. I bet the NA 3.5, with 6 speeds and a 3.73 axle probably still has a lot of snot to it. I have the 3.7L myself, and I have no complaints. If I was going to tow heavy on a regular basis, I'd have bought a 3/4 ton.