I wonder how the manual shifting is set up on the console shift trucks. Too bad they didn't pan down to the shifter in that video.

 

You guys are missing the point. Even if they can get the EB to do similar torque and HP (or more) numbers than the 5.4, it will be insanely complicated and a maintenance nightmare. How many miles realistically do you think you will be able to get out of one without replacing parts? A stock 5.4 can go literally 250k+ before you have to do major work to it. Turbos or supers include "parts that are designed to wear out" relatively low miles like turbo clutches, intercoolers, impellers, etc

Just ask the SD guys

 

They used to have column shift manual trannys, remember the "three on the tree"?

 

No, you're missing the point. It's designed for longevity. I don't see 150k+ being an issue for the turbos. You're right...ask the SD guys how often they replace turbos.

Complicated? Yes, but look at a modern diesel. Hell, the 5.4 and new 5.0 are extremely complex engines now with VVT and computer control everywhere. Maintenance nightmare? I'm guessing due to the smaller size of the engine, routine oil changes will be easier than the 5.4, and really, that's about all the engine will need. Oh, and changing spark plugs at 100k...you'll have two less to change and you may be able to get to the back 2!

 

Turbo Clutches, intercoolers, impellers??? Do you have any idea what your talking about or are you just making stuff up? Problems with the new diesels lie in the dual EGR coolers and EGR valves, and all the other emissions junk they have thrown at them. Some also have head gasket issues and injector issues.

It is true that the turbos will eventually die on the new EB engines but a rebuild kit will be cheap, and you'll be able to find stock ones on ebay cheap once people start upgrading them on other vehicles. If you want to talk about parts that are "designed to wear out" then you need to throw in the rod bearings on the bottom end of the engine, and also the valve guides in the head, and tons of other hard parts and gaskets in the engine as well. Does that make it and every other engine with those parts junk?

 

Not that you mentioned anything about reliability or maintenance in your original post, but okay I'll play.

Insanely complicated and maintenance nightmare? I bet a lot of people said that when many technologies were implemented on the automobile and are now widely accepted. Fuel injection. Power windows and locks. OHC engines. Diesel-fueled engines. ECUs that are becoming more and more dominant in actual driving (I can't tell you how many times I've heard "I used to work on cars until they started adding all that computer crap"). Hell, you can't even check the transmission fluid on a new F150, it's "lubed for life". I know that just drives every maintenance DIY'er crazy. And parts that are designed to wear out are on EVERY vehicle.

The fact of the matter is that Ford is putting a lot of time, money, and reputation on EB technology. They will have EB technology on almost every vehicle in their line-up. I really don't think Ford would take such a huge risk without ensuring that these new EB engines will be just as reliable as the current engine choices. As someone else said, they have been designing this technology for the last few years. I'm not saying that they're not going to have any hiccups, they still have to clear the hurdle of mass producing these engines. But I have good faith that Ford will be right on top of it. They like the good publicity they are getting in light of GM's and Chrysler's bankruptcies and Toyota's safety recall woes.

Do yourself a favor and just look up articles about EB technology, reliability and durability testing, and the reviews they are getting. Like this one for example

I'm not knocking the 5.4L. Or the 4.6L for that matter. My dad's '99 F250 LD is at 230k miles on the original 5.4L engine and 4R100 transmission. And it's still reliable as ever.

 

I think they'll be just fine. My cousin has a Audi S4i with over 220,000 miles on the original turbos. Things aren't what they used to be but of course folks still can't get over that there isn't a dipstick on the tranny...

 

Your cousin's Audi is not a truck and doesn't haul things. You can't compare cars and trucks. In a Taurus, Fusion, Mustang application, etc., the EB will be fine. I don't think so in trucks. At least not trucks that are used for their intended purpose. I guess I don't understand why one would buy a truck if they are not going to use it for its purpose. Otherwise, buy a sedan or SUV and get good gas mileage.

We drive our 300C on trips and get very good mileage on the highway and my Mustang allows me to zip around. I bought a truck to use, well, as a truck. To haul and tow and it does both just fine and will likely continue to do so for the next 10 years.

 

Sure it's comparable. Turbos could be designed or made by the same company. Even the bearing could be made by the same company. It's just as a valid as your reasoning why it wouldn't last in a truck. How many miles do semi's put on their turbo charged engines? Many of them have six cylinders also. They haul stuff, right?

 

Why would it be any different in a truck? An engine is an engine regardless of what vehicle it's in. Lots of engines are used in both trucks and cars. I have a 05 F150 with the exact same 4.2L V6 that was in the Mustangs and it has 116k miles on it with zero problems. I've towed a auto transporter with a car on it as well as other things. It's an absolute turd when it comes to acceleration but it gets the job done. These engines will hold up just fine...

 

While I think the EB will be fine in a truck, your statement isn't entirely true because you leave out the issue of load on the engine. It's like saying that the wear on a 351W in my dad's F150 is the same as the load on the 351W in my ski boat. The load in the marine application is exponentially more. Think of it like trying to accelerate constantly in your truck, only to just maintain speed in a boat.

Well the same idea applies to load on the engine when moving the engine from a car to a truck. The increased weight/rotating mass/wind resistance is going to cause the EB (and any engine) to be under increased load as compared to its small car-counterpart. Again, my only point is that it isn't an apples-to-apples comparison between the EB in a car and a truck, but it likely won't be much of a factor in any case until you load up the EB-powered truck to pull max-towing weight all the time. (which actually would make an SD-truck the smarter purchase anyway.

 

Just because the Ford GT and the F150 both had 5.4's doesn't mean that they were the same engine. I don't think that the Ecoboost in the Taurus will be the exact same as in the F150. Each is engineered and purposely built for their respective application.

 

Yeah, the 5.4's in the Ford GT and the GT500 Mustang are 4V.

 

Sooner,

You are correct. It is not an apples to apples comaprison. I like your analogy, as I am very familiar with watercraft, especially personal watercraft. Many of them are now supercharged or turbo charged. They also have/had issues, given the constant load. That is why I bought a normally aspirated machine. It should last much longer.

 

How is my statement not entirely true? The 4.2L V6 in my F150 is the same as the 4.2L V6 in the Mustangs. The intake manifolds may be different but that's about it. It's a much better comparison than your 351 in a truck vs. a 351 in a boat. Especially since a boat has no transmission, it's a direct drive application so if you plan on moving fast your going to be turning a high rpm for an extended period of time. Automobiles have transmissions so when your cruising at speed your rpms are low and load on the engine is low. Your comparison makes no sense at all...

Bottom line is if the engine in my truck can handle the rigors of daily driving and towing with the 202HP engine and 4 speed transmission it has, it will be just fine with the 400HP and 6 speed transmission in the new one. The only reason someone hasn't put a turbo V6 into a truck or SUV sooner is because so many people are stuck in the past and if it doesn't have a V8 then it can't be fast. CAFE laws are forcing automobile makers to use new technology to reduce emissions and find ways to get better gas mileage and this is Fords first step towards doing that. This engine will be used across most of Fords vehicle lineup and a EB 4 cylinder will be quick to follow. Many other manufacturers will be following suite. Even BMW is making Turbocharged engines and they were dead set against it for many years. Everyone might as well embrace it with open arms...