To boost or not to boost (5.0)
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Cool. Thank you. Another reason for me to use the paper filter instead!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 3
From: Cabot, AR
I own both.
The V8 is mine. The EB is my wife's.
Mine is flawless to drive, but uses a touch more fuel.
Hers is slightly peaky to drive, so she drives easy as not to kick in the turbo.
We use the EB for trips. I use the V8 for around town and work.
Each has it's good/poor points.
I like the V8. It is predictable and what you are used to.
The EB is (for me) peaky and has some torque-steer when the power comes on. (Not unexpected)
You want mileage? go EB. (I can not speak for engine lifetime)
You want tried and true performance, the V8 is for you.
The late turbos are not like the old sleeve bearing units. They are truly a step up in class. Don't sweat the turbo's lifespan.
Miz
The V8 is mine. The EB is my wife's.
Mine is flawless to drive, but uses a touch more fuel.
Hers is slightly peaky to drive, so she drives easy as not to kick in the turbo.
We use the EB for trips. I use the V8 for around town and work.
Each has it's good/poor points.
I like the V8. It is predictable and what you are used to.
The EB is (for me) peaky and has some torque-steer when the power comes on. (Not unexpected)
You want mileage? go EB. (I can not speak for engine lifetime)
You want tried and true performance, the V8 is for you.
The late turbos are not like the old sleeve bearing units. They are truly a step up in class. Don't sweat the turbo's lifespan.
Miz
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 5
From: Florida
I also drive my truck alot upwards of 30k a year, which is why the E.B. seems appealing to me as well. The 5.0 was not bad at all, just lacks the wow factor the boosted motor gives, and I do favor the idea of towing with ease. I had lunch with a coworker who is a fellow auto enthusiasts, and he all but has me convinced to go for the E.B.
There's no way I would be driving a turbo'ed vehicle without warranty and the most you can extend it is 100k through Ford's extended warranties.
I just don't buy the longevity factor.
I keep my trucks a long time, I kept my 2005 for 10 years, I intend to keep this one just as long. I just dont see the EB's holding up for 10 years without some MAJOR expenses. New turbos, new main bearings or something, that's a lot of power to be putting through a v6 over time.
The platform was introduced in 2011, so the oldest engines are only about 4-5 years old, not sure how many 2011 EB's are still rolling around out there without having gone through some major $$$ in overhaul work
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
There are diesels running tons of miles with turbos and direct injection.
But I agree, simpler is better. I would be more worried at 200k miles though. Seems like these newer diesels run 200k without problems.
But I agree, simpler is better. I would be more worried at 200k miles though. Seems like these newer diesels run 200k without problems.
Last edited by joe t.; Nov 25, 2015 at 04:38 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 3
From: Cabot, AR
If you drive 30k miles a year, how long do you intend to keep the truck?
There's no way I would be driving a turbo'ed vehicle without warranty and the most you can extend it is 100k through Ford's extended warranties.
I just don't buy the longevity factor.
I keep my trucks a long time, I kept my 2005 for 10 years, I intend to keep this one just as long. I just dont see the EB's holding up for 10 years without some MAJOR expenses. New turbos, new main bearings or something, that's a lot of power to be putting through a v6 over time.
The platform was introduced in 2011, so the oldest engines are only about 4-5 years old, not sure how many 2011 EB's are still rolling around out there without having gone through some major $$$ in overhaul work
There's no way I would be driving a turbo'ed vehicle without warranty and the most you can extend it is 100k through Ford's extended warranties.
I just don't buy the longevity factor.
I keep my trucks a long time, I kept my 2005 for 10 years, I intend to keep this one just as long. I just dont see the EB's holding up for 10 years without some MAJOR expenses. New turbos, new main bearings or something, that's a lot of power to be putting through a v6 over time.
The platform was introduced in 2011, so the oldest engines are only about 4-5 years old, not sure how many 2011 EB's are still rolling around out there without having gone through some major $$$ in overhaul work
The 3.5EB debuted in 2009, modern turbos are nothing to be feared, 365Hp is not a huge number for a V6, lots of early model EB trucks have 100,000 miles and are still running just fine and have perfectly happy owners.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 5
From: Florida
You can call me names all you want, keep your truck 10 years and get back to me on how many thousands of dollars you throw into it for maintenance.
Plus the early (2011-2012) EB's had issues overheating in hot cliamates, issues with condensation in the intercooler causing problems, etc. They have a lot of these problems worked out by now, but a turbo is another moving part which will stop you dead in your tracks when it fails
What was it put in in 2009? Not the trucks... first year was 2011, along with the 5.0.
Only engines in 2009 and 2010 were the 4.6 and 5.4
Plus the early (2011-2012) EB's had issues overheating in hot cliamates, issues with condensation in the intercooler causing problems, etc. They have a lot of these problems worked out by now, but a turbo is another moving part which will stop you dead in your tracks when it fails
The 3.5EB debuted in 2009, modern turbos are nothing to be feared, 365Hp is not a huge number for a V6, lots of early model EB trucks have 100,000 miles and are still running just fine and have perfectly happy owners.
Only engines in 2009 and 2010 were the 4.6 and 5.4
Last edited by crazynip; Nov 25, 2015 at 05:16 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 3
From: Cabot, AR
You can call me names all you want, keep your truck 10 years and get back to me on how many thousands of dollars you throw into it for maintenance.
Plus the early (2011-2012) EB's had issues overheating in hot cliamates, issues with condensation in the intercooler causing problems, etc. They have a lot of these problems worked out by now, but a turbo is another moving part which will stop you dead in your tracks when it fails
What was it put in in 2009? Not the trucks... first year was 2011, along with the 5.0.
Only engines in 2009 and 2010 were the 4.6 and 5.4
Plus the early (2011-2012) EB's had issues overheating in hot cliamates, issues with condensation in the intercooler causing problems, etc. They have a lot of these problems worked out by now, but a turbo is another moving part which will stop you dead in your tracks when it fails
What was it put in in 2009? Not the trucks... first year was 2011, along with the 5.0.
Only engines in 2009 and 2010 were the 4.6 and 5.4
The intercooler issue was blown waaay out of proportion and can be fixed for $0 in 10 minutes.
In the first 100,000 miles my maintenance costs have been oil, filters and a set of spark plugs ($35/45 minutes to install). The oil changes would be the same on any truck and the plugs would be due to be changed too. So one extra set of spark plugs does not equal thousands of dollars in maintenance costs.
Look up the Taurus SHO, Flex and MkS. All were available with a 3.5EB in 2009...
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Some of the bad rap on turbos came from the Gen 1 Ford Probe. The turbo was placed in a cramped spot and received no air to help cooling and it was NOT water cooled. It too had a sleeve bearing. (Where I came from, a sleeve was called a bushing)
Most early automotive turbos died from hot shut downs, where the oil would cook and granulate, wearing the shaft and bearing. Better oil and water cooling the housing has pretty much stopped this.
The new generation turbos have ball bearings, water cooling and sometimes variable compressor fins. The alloys are much better too as is the oils used to lube them.
Turbos give excellent service in trucks world wide.
Most early automotive turbos died from hot shut downs, where the oil would cook and granulate, wearing the shaft and bearing. Better oil and water cooling the housing has pretty much stopped this.
The new generation turbos have ball bearings, water cooling and sometimes variable compressor fins. The alloys are much better too as is the oils used to lube them.
Turbos give excellent service in trucks world wide.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 5
From: Florida
The intercooler issue was blown waaay out of proportion and can be fixed for $0 in 10 minutes.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 3
From: Cabot, AR
Nope, the air will pass through in both directions and the engine will still run.
