Disadvantage to 3.5L turbo ecoboost?
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 22
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From: Va. Beach, VA
Had a 2011 EB and now have a 5.0. Both trucks are/were optioned the same, EB had 3.73 gears and 5.0 has 3.55. Drove EB for 34k miles and have about 2k miles on 5.0, so I'd say I know both trucks.
MY experience:
EB: due to more torque down low it is quicker off the line, tows better in town, got avg of 15.2 mpg over 34k miles. I was not a fan of the turbo lag. The lag was always noticable when you don't want lag, like you need to get out of the way of someone! You will not notice lag on test drive or about 65% of driving EB, but it is there! Also, the EB was quick, but doesn't "sound" good. It was the first Ford vehicle I had issues with. Although I couldn't feel it, a buddy who is a lead tech for 25 plus years told me every time he rode with me that it was missing. So every oil change (3000 miles) I mentioned it. Sure enough, Ford confirmed this and replaced plugs EVERY oil change. (Again I never could feel it) in Jan 2013, it started the shuddering, missing (I could now feel it) and took it in. Ford did TSB where they reprogram ECU and put new CAC on it. That repair made it worse! It would sound like it was running on 3 / 4 cylinders at morning only start ups and I could FEEL it missing driving. Plus the new computer program took what felt like about 1/4 of the power away. It felt like I was now driving a 6 cyl. I know these issues won't happen to everyone, but it did happen to me. I did like EB mostly until Ford did the TSB, but they were stumped as how to fix MY truck, so I traded for same truck but with 5.0.
Now the 5.0:
Down low, off the line the 5.0 feels more sluggish. But rev it to 3000 and it wakes right up. The sound of the motor is simply sweet. I am getting 15.2 mpg, and I "think" I may be driving it a bit harder just to hear the motor. City stop and go driving the 5.0 will drink more fuel than EB, highway it gets much much better mpg than EB. The throttle response is much better because A) it is a V8. B) no turbo lag. The 5.0 tows incredible on the highway and is fine in town, but EB is better towing in town cause of all that torque available so early in RPM. For ME - the day to day drive ability of 5.0 is better. The 5.0 is great in first gear, but in second, it feels like it is kinda bogged down until it hits third, then it picks back up. The EB doesn't feel bogged until 4th gear +. I bought a MPT tuning and am running thier 87 tune; this improves the down low performance drastically as well as overall drive ability of the 5.0. I hear a tuner on EB is pretty good too, but never tried one.
Bottom line - for ME, I prefer the 5.0. I think it is all around better driving than EB, and I sincerely believe some the the EB still have to have some bugs worked out.
Please don't turn this thread into a 5.0 or EB bash fest. The above are my personal experiences with both engines. It is what it is!
MY experience:
EB: due to more torque down low it is quicker off the line, tows better in town, got avg of 15.2 mpg over 34k miles. I was not a fan of the turbo lag. The lag was always noticable when you don't want lag, like you need to get out of the way of someone! You will not notice lag on test drive or about 65% of driving EB, but it is there! Also, the EB was quick, but doesn't "sound" good. It was the first Ford vehicle I had issues with. Although I couldn't feel it, a buddy who is a lead tech for 25 plus years told me every time he rode with me that it was missing. So every oil change (3000 miles) I mentioned it. Sure enough, Ford confirmed this and replaced plugs EVERY oil change. (Again I never could feel it) in Jan 2013, it started the shuddering, missing (I could now feel it) and took it in. Ford did TSB where they reprogram ECU and put new CAC on it. That repair made it worse! It would sound like it was running on 3 / 4 cylinders at morning only start ups and I could FEEL it missing driving. Plus the new computer program took what felt like about 1/4 of the power away. It felt like I was now driving a 6 cyl. I know these issues won't happen to everyone, but it did happen to me. I did like EB mostly until Ford did the TSB, but they were stumped as how to fix MY truck, so I traded for same truck but with 5.0.
Now the 5.0:
Down low, off the line the 5.0 feels more sluggish. But rev it to 3000 and it wakes right up. The sound of the motor is simply sweet. I am getting 15.2 mpg, and I "think" I may be driving it a bit harder just to hear the motor. City stop and go driving the 5.0 will drink more fuel than EB, highway it gets much much better mpg than EB. The throttle response is much better because A) it is a V8. B) no turbo lag. The 5.0 tows incredible on the highway and is fine in town, but EB is better towing in town cause of all that torque available so early in RPM. For ME - the day to day drive ability of 5.0 is better. The 5.0 is great in first gear, but in second, it feels like it is kinda bogged down until it hits third, then it picks back up. The EB doesn't feel bogged until 4th gear +. I bought a MPT tuning and am running thier 87 tune; this improves the down low performance drastically as well as overall drive ability of the 5.0. I hear a tuner on EB is pretty good too, but never tried one.
Bottom line - for ME, I prefer the 5.0. I think it is all around better driving than EB, and I sincerely believe some the the EB still have to have some bugs worked out.
Please don't turn this thread into a 5.0 or EB bash fest. The above are my personal experiences with both engines. It is what it is!
Last edited by BillR; Jul 13, 2013 at 08:31 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 176
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From: Tenneessee
Looked at all of them and was impressed even with the 3.7. But the 5.0 made me smile the most, so thats what I bought. I do not need the towing capabilities of the EB so that made my choice even easier. With any new engine line up you are going to have some issues, especially trying to get it right the first time. I know turbos have been around and were I think first used on war planes. But the challenge is to package all the parts and controls, management systems and come up with a blueprint that is trouble free for the masses. I think Ford has done a pretty good job with the EB and support technology to manage its performance. It should only get better as they produce more and address reported issues. Same as with any engine.
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Joined: Mar 2013
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Thanks for all the input now I have another question. Been looking around a bit So far the best deal for a 2013 F150 3.5L ecoboost black with 4x4 bucket seats and tow package is $33000 down from msrp $44,3470 after rebates and dealers discount. This is near sacrament California. Is that a good price? Do you think I could get it cheaper if i search more bay area or is that a good price
With the xlt 402a you get a lot of luxury features while still having cloth seats. Great combo!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,480
Likes: 6
From: San Angelo, TX
Had a 2011 EB and now have a 5.0. Both trucks are/were optioned the same, EB had 3.73 gears and 5.0 has 3.55. Drove EB for 34k miles and have about 2k miles on 5.0, so I'd say I know both trucks.
MY experience:
EB: due to more torque down low it is quicker off the line, tows better in town, got avg of 15.2 mpg over 34k miles. I was not a fan of the turbo lag. The lag was always noticable when you don't want lag, like you need to get out of the way of someone! You will not notice lag on test drive or about 65% of driving EB, but it is there! Also, the EB was quick, but doesn't "sound" good. It was the first Ford vehicle I had issues with. Although I couldn't feel it, a buddy who is a lead tech for 25 plus years told me every time he rode with me that it was missing. So every oil change (3000 miles) I mentioned it. Sure enough, Ford confirmed this and replaced plugs EVERY oil change. (Again I never could feel it) in Jan 2013, it started the shuddering, missing (I could now feel it) and took it in. Ford did TSB where they reprogram ECU and put new CAC on it. That repair made it worse! It would sound like it was running on 3 / 4 cylinders at morning only start ups and I could FEEL it missing driving. Plus the new computer program took what felt like about 1/4 of the power away. It felt like I was now driving a 6 cyl. I know these issues won't happen to everyone, but it did happen to me. I did like EB mostly until Ford did the TSB, but they were stumped as how to fix MY truck, so I traded for same truck but with 5.0.
Now the 5.0:
Down low, off the line the 5.0 feels more sluggish. But rev it to 3000 and it wakes right up. The sound of the motor is simply sweet. I am getting 15.2 mpg, and I "think" I may be driving it a bit harder just to hear the motor. City stop and go driving the 5.0 will drink more fuel than EB, highway it gets much much better mpg than EB. The throttle response is much better because A) it is a V8. B) no turbo lag. The 5.0 tows incredible on the highway and is fine in town, but EB is better towing in town cause of all that torque available so early in RPM. For ME - the day to day drive ability of 5.0 is better. The 5.0 is great in first gear, but in second, it feels like it is kinda bogged down until it hits third, then it picks back up. The EB doesn't feel bogged until 4th gear +. I bought a MPT tuning and am running thier 87 tune; this improves the down low performance drastically as well as overall drive ability of the 5.0. I hear a tuner on EB is pretty good too, but never tried one.
Bottom line - for ME, I prefer the 5.0. I think it is all around better driving than EB, and I sincerely believe some the the EB still have to have some bugs worked out.
Please don't turn this thread into a 5.0 or EB bash fest. The above are my personal experiences with both engines. It is what it is!
MY experience:
EB: due to more torque down low it is quicker off the line, tows better in town, got avg of 15.2 mpg over 34k miles. I was not a fan of the turbo lag. The lag was always noticable when you don't want lag, like you need to get out of the way of someone! You will not notice lag on test drive or about 65% of driving EB, but it is there! Also, the EB was quick, but doesn't "sound" good. It was the first Ford vehicle I had issues with. Although I couldn't feel it, a buddy who is a lead tech for 25 plus years told me every time he rode with me that it was missing. So every oil change (3000 miles) I mentioned it. Sure enough, Ford confirmed this and replaced plugs EVERY oil change. (Again I never could feel it) in Jan 2013, it started the shuddering, missing (I could now feel it) and took it in. Ford did TSB where they reprogram ECU and put new CAC on it. That repair made it worse! It would sound like it was running on 3 / 4 cylinders at morning only start ups and I could FEEL it missing driving. Plus the new computer program took what felt like about 1/4 of the power away. It felt like I was now driving a 6 cyl. I know these issues won't happen to everyone, but it did happen to me. I did like EB mostly until Ford did the TSB, but they were stumped as how to fix MY truck, so I traded for same truck but with 5.0.
Now the 5.0:
Down low, off the line the 5.0 feels more sluggish. But rev it to 3000 and it wakes right up. The sound of the motor is simply sweet. I am getting 15.2 mpg, and I "think" I may be driving it a bit harder just to hear the motor. City stop and go driving the 5.0 will drink more fuel than EB, highway it gets much much better mpg than EB. The throttle response is much better because A) it is a V8. B) no turbo lag. The 5.0 tows incredible on the highway and is fine in town, but EB is better towing in town cause of all that torque available so early in RPM. For ME - the day to day drive ability of 5.0 is better. The 5.0 is great in first gear, but in second, it feels like it is kinda bogged down until it hits third, then it picks back up. The EB doesn't feel bogged until 4th gear +. I bought a MPT tuning and am running thier 87 tune; this improves the down low performance drastically as well as overall drive ability of the 5.0. I hear a tuner on EB is pretty good too, but never tried one.
Bottom line - for ME, I prefer the 5.0. I think it is all around better driving than EB, and I sincerely believe some the the EB still have to have some bugs worked out.
Please don't turn this thread into a 5.0 or EB bash fest. The above are my personal experiences with both engines. It is what it is!
But on the 13's they have pretty much fixed most issues, plus the 13's have some more improvements
-pass side exhaust cam driven vacuum pump for brake booster (like a diesel)
-camshaft position sensors moved from behind the motor to above valve covers
-pcv nipples moved to better locations on the valve covers
-new intercooler
-electronic bov (if youre leaving the truck stock this is a slight improvement)
-slight update to turbos
a) these 2013 turbos do not have the integrated BOV on the compressor housing like the 2011-2012 does
b) the 2013 turbos compressor wheel is 51mm OD (larger than 2011-2012 @48mm OD)
c) one turbo is standard rotation (clockwise) -- the other is reverse rotation (counter clockwise)
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 2
From: ME
I've had my '11 almost 2.5 years and haven't had any issues at all with it.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,480
Likes: 6
From: San Angelo, TX
Very ture, the main thing i was meaning was being a first year engine is why i wouldnt own one.. Never seemed to have good luck with them, thats why i wait a few years. Glad yours is doing good! How many miles do you have on it?
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Joined: Jul 2013
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Update. So finally after being at the dealership for 8 hours we came to a price i was very happy with. Got a 2013 f150 v6 ecoboost in black. i even got them to pay for it to be rewrapped in leather. Only thing it did not have was the bucket seats which i can do without. Also got the lift through the dealer so it would be warrantied and wont void any other warranty also got a good deal on the lift. Now just have to get tires and wheels then i will go have them throw on the lift and set up appoint to get the leather added. Heres some pictures:
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 610
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From: Fairbanks, AK
With all that said, congratulations on your new truck! Looks awesome!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 6,677
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From: Houston and College Station, TX
I know that! Not sure if the OP does. But I think it's still worth the extra money to have it done through them. A good dealer will stand by you and their word, whether in this case or in others. I don't really know why they do it because a lift and big wheels and tires DO cause wear and stress the transmission. But that's a known and worthwhile risk IMO
Last edited by KMAC0694; Jul 13, 2013 at 07:05 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 991
Likes: 1
From: Sierra Vista, Az.
Only thing is you had a 11 eco.. That was the first year of the eco and they do have problems even the 12's do(there is no way id own a 11 ecoboost)
But on the 13's they have pretty much fixed most issues, plus the 13's have some more improvements
-pass side exhaust cam driven vacuum pump for brake booster (like a diesel)
-camshaft position sensors moved from behind the motor to above valve covers
-pcv nipples moved to better locations on the valve covers
-new intercooler
-electronic bov (if youre leaving the truck stock this is a slight improvement)
-slight update to turbos
a) these 2013 turbos do not have the integrated BOV on the compressor housing like the 2011-2012 does
b) the 2013 turbos compressor wheel is 51mm OD (larger than 2011-2012 @48mm OD)
c) one turbo is standard rotation (clockwise) -- the other is reverse rotation (counter clockwise)
But on the 13's they have pretty much fixed most issues, plus the 13's have some more improvements
-pass side exhaust cam driven vacuum pump for brake booster (like a diesel)
-camshaft position sensors moved from behind the motor to above valve covers
-pcv nipples moved to better locations on the valve covers
-new intercooler
-electronic bov (if youre leaving the truck stock this is a slight improvement)
-slight update to turbos
a) these 2013 turbos do not have the integrated BOV on the compressor housing like the 2011-2012 does
b) the 2013 turbos compressor wheel is 51mm OD (larger than 2011-2012 @48mm OD)
c) one turbo is standard rotation (clockwise) -- the other is reverse rotation (counter clockwise)
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,480
Likes: 6
From: San Angelo, TX
Update. So finally after being at the dealership for 8 hours we came to a price i was very happy with. Got a 2013 f150 v6 ecoboost in black. i even got them to pay for it to be rewrapped in leather. Only thing it did not have was the bucket seats which i can do without. Also got the lift through the dealer so it would be warrantied and wont void any other warranty also got a good deal on the lift. Now just have to get tires and wheels then i will go have them throw on the lift and set up appoint to get the leather added. Heres some pictures:
