Which engine should I order?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Which engine should I order?
My lease on my 2013 Ecoboost is coming to an end and I'm ready to order another truck. I was originally looking at an F250 but it was really a lot more than I need. I drag race and tow round trip about 35 miles 3X per month in the warm weather months. I also take the occasional 200-300 mile trip to further tracks or shows. In 2 years I've done roughly 5000 miles of towing my car trailer that's a hair under 6,000 lbs. I'm torn between the 5.0, another 3.5 and I'm very intrigued by the 2.7. The majority of my driving is going to work or just casual running around and fuel efficiency is always a perk, but the 5.0 is the simplest of the 3 and this is a truck I want to keep for a long time. The 3.5 has also been good to me for the last few years. What are your thoughts?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Your situation is similar to mine as your trailer weighs about the same as mine. But you tow more often. The 2.7L is adequate for your trailer's weight, but if you go that way you'll want to think about the 3.55 gears if not the 3.73's. However, I wanted overkill on towing as I don't like the tranny shifting all the time nor bogging on hills, so went with the Max Tow package, which requires the 3.5L EB.
Note that I didn't mention considering the 5.0L. I really never did as I see no advantage to that engine. It doesn't give as good MPG as the 3.5L EB and not even close to the 2.7L, and can't tow as much as the 3.5L EB.
Note that I didn't mention considering the 5.0L. I really never did as I see no advantage to that engine. It doesn't give as good MPG as the 3.5L EB and not even close to the 2.7L, and can't tow as much as the 3.5L EB.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
Agree on the 3.5L, it's proven reliable and is the best tow package for the F150, if you were towing less frequently, and the engine wasn't still in it's infancy, I'd say the 2.7L.
i don't think out of the 2.7L, 3.5L EB or 5.0L you could make a "bad" choice, I just wouldn't get the NA 3.5L. & I feel in your situation the 3.5L EB is the optimum choice
i don't think out of the 2.7L, 3.5L EB or 5.0L you could make a "bad" choice, I just wouldn't get the NA 3.5L. & I feel in your situation the 3.5L EB is the optimum choice
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 35
From: Utica, Nebraska
Can't go wrong with the 5.0L DOHC, 3.5EB or the 2.7L EB. Is 4x4 needed or 4 full doors? If so you can only get a 4x4 2.7L with the extended cab version unless you drop the 4x4 and go 2wd. Here's how the 2.7L 4x4 does in probably the most extreme challenge
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Can't go wrong with the 5.0L DOHC, 3.5EB or the 2.7L EB. Is 4x4 needed or 4 full doors? If so you can only get a 4x4 2.7L with the extended cab version unless you drop the 4x4 and go 2wd. Here's how the 2.7L 4x4 does in probably the most extreme challenge 2015 Ford F-150 2.7L EcoBoost takes on the Grueling IKE Guantlet Towing Test Review - YouTube
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 705
Likes: 1
From: Clay Country, GA, NE MS
I think we've really got great choices for '15 engines! Any one should fit ye needs real good. SuperCrew 2.7 - it does come with 4WD, right?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 35
From: Utica, Nebraska
I didn't think so cause when I tried it a few months ago with build & price on their page it would not let me build a 2.7 ecoboost 4x4 crewcab only 2wd or extended cab. Maybe I added an option that didn't allow it or its dealership only option. Course I was just doing XLT trim.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Just found this on another forum:
School had a fundraiser today where a local Ford dealership would donate $20 for taking a test drive. Figured it was a good opportunity to help out the school and test drive a new 2015 F150. To my surprise, they had 12 different new Fords for the taking including an SCrew Lariat 4x4 5.0 and an SCrew XLT 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost. Part of the route was pulling onto a stretch of 4-lane highway which gave me a chance to get into it a bit. First, I drove the 5.0. I was expecting similar acceleration to the Ecoboost. It was smooth, but didn't offer any wow factor and seemed to shift too early before getting into it's powerband. Acceleration was kind of almost like the e-brake was partially on and required a lot of throttle to get her moving. The Ecoboost throttle response was much better and did provide that wow factor I've come to enjoy. It felt stronger than my 2013 on stock tune and seemed to have better shift points. It felt like Ford has definitely made the stock feel much more crisp. Bottom line, I was amazed at the difference in feel between the 5.0 and 3.5 Ecoboost. I was really expecting them to be fairly close in acceleration. The low end torque of the Ecoboost really separates it apart. I can't imagine the difference there would be hooked up to an 8,000 lb. travel trailer.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 35
From: Utica, Nebraska
Had to be the short bed config, that's where it was going wrong. I was doing the 6 1/2' bed. Well that kind of sucks since the longer bed is more ideal.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Yes and no. You can do an XLT SCrew 6 1/2' bed with the 2.7L but not 4x4. If you click 4x4 it says:
Your Current Selection Involves The Following Changes:
- 2.7L V6 EcoBoost® Engine to 5.0L V8 FFV Engine
The Price Difference is $4,175
Do you want to continue? Yes No
So you have to decide if you want the 6 1/2' bed or 4x4 if you want to keep the 2.7L.
- 2.7L V6 EcoBoost® Engine to 5.0L V8 FFV Engine
The Price Difference is $4,175
Do you want to continue? Yes No
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 35
From: Utica, Nebraska
That's what I mean. Besides in the frozen north where I'm at you'd have to be insane not to have 4x4. I just wonder how many people would opt for that combination 5 1/2' bed crew cab 2.7L and 4x4? Cause there is no way could I afford a brand new truck right now even though my 99 just rolled 260K miles today. I'd have to buy a used truck in a few years.
New User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Well for those touting the gas mileage on the Ecoboosts (both 2.7 and 3.5) as a reason to get it over the 5.0L you REALLY REALLY need to look at where the person is going to live. If you are living in a mountainous area the gas mileage on those engines often turns out WORSE than the 5.0L because the engine is constantly in boost to go up the inclines and has to work harder.
Yes the torque numbers on the 3.5L Ecoboost is better and provided you don't care about the warranty you can get CRAZY with that thing. You can also put a tune on your 5.0L that puts it right at the level of the 3.5L Ecoboost without paying out the nose for the "optional engine".
Now if you live in a flat state without a lot of hills and do a majority of highway driving the 3.5L and 2.7L are good choices.
Yes the torque numbers on the 3.5L Ecoboost is better and provided you don't care about the warranty you can get CRAZY with that thing. You can also put a tune on your 5.0L that puts it right at the level of the 3.5L Ecoboost without paying out the nose for the "optional engine".
Now if you live in a flat state without a lot of hills and do a majority of highway driving the 3.5L and 2.7L are good choices.