F-150 with the EcoBoost engine intended to be a fuel economy leader proves to be a great mud machine.
The 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 was introduced to the F-150 as the gasoline fuel economy leader, but it also offers excellent power, delivering 325 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. More importantly, like most other forced induction engines, the smaller of the EcoBoost V6 engines responds well to performance upgrades, so there is an ample aftermarket for an engine that was initially introduced to offer great fuel economy.
In the video above from the Boost Too YouTube channel, we get a fine example of a lightly modified Ford F-150 with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. We don’t know if it is making any extra power, but with a handful of exhaust upgrades, this half-ton pickup sounds great while creeping through the mud.
Roaring EcoBoost F-150
There aren’t any details included in the video details, other than the fact that this Ford F-150 is powered by the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. We can also see that it is an FX4 model, which is a light off-road package, but it has also been modified. In the comments, the owner answers some questions, explaining that the F-150 is riding on 33-inch Mickey Thompson mud tires and the stance is provided by a leveling kit.
As for the sound of the engine, the 2.7-liter EcoBoost has been upgraded with SPD Performance cat-less downpipes mated to an MBRP 4-inch exhaust and a BOOMBA racing blow off valve. There is no mention of an engine tune, so these exhaust upgrades aren’t likely to add a ton more power, but the added flow may help the twin turbo V6 breathe a little better and that should lead to a few more ponies.
More importantly, the exhaust sounds great, allowing us to hear the purr of the turbochargers and the growl of the exhaust process as the driver makes his or her way up the slippery, muddy hill.
Climbing the Muddy Hill
The video above is captured by someone standing in front of the Ford F-150 when the climb begins and at one point, the truck passes and the cameraman begins walking along behind the EcoBoost’d pickup. This rear-view gives us the best chance to hear the aftermarket exhaust setup, as the F-150 slips and slides its way up the hill in the slick mud.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
