2016 F150's
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I have driven the 2.7 already. From such a brief test drive, not to mention a salesman yackin' at me the whole time, it felt like a pretty solid little motor! I am impressed at the fuel economy, the power, and the fact that the block is made of compacted graphite iron, just like the 6.7PSD. It seems like it should respond well to modifications, like a cold-air intake and dual exhaust Although it was a short run at slow speeds, so I would like to give it a better work out, maybe up a steep hill. I also want to drive the 3.5 EB. I would like to look more at the 5.0, but half the reason for even looking is because I want better fuel economy. I am leary about the turbo's, and I am reluctant about the Auto-start/stop feature of the 2.7. I've heard that can be disabled, though. I had a very bad experience with an 80's turbo POS many years ago and barely survived, literally! Ever since then, I've had a bad taste in my mouth for turbos. (Da** Chrysler!) Although I have convinced myself now that the new ones are a lot better and that turbocharged engines really are the way of the future.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
The Turbo technology nowadays is head and shoulders above the era you're referring to. The U.S. manufacturers were really experimenting with different systems to try to eek performance and fuel economy, and back then, they were outsourcing so many different components in the same cars.......really a low point in the domestic auto industry.
The EB's have alot of R&D and actual miles under their belt, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase either one, if I were in the market.
The EB's have alot of R&D and actual miles under their belt, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase either one, if I were in the market.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks for the reassurance, RigTrash601. I have seen the video from about 2011 showing Ford really abusing a 3.5EB, which was then new to the market. It is impressive what they did to that engine, and the fact that it survived at all, let alone still within factory tolerances afterwards.
I do understand that the technology now is far above what it was in the 1980's, but the multiple near-death experiences I had with that stupid car, all inside of 6 months before the thing caught fire and burned to the ground, was something one does not forget easily. It's been nearly 20 years since that incident. Give me a few more decades I'll get there! LOL
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
I hear ya! 
Old habits, It took me awhile to be comfortable buying, owning a Turbo vehicle (other than a diesel), but, I've got 3 in the yard now. Reality is, in the near future, we'll all be driving smaller displacement, forced induction engines with lighter bodies. That's the new reality, I see the GM commercials about the "steel" bodies, I just have to laugh, all manufacturers will have to transition to the same recipe Ford is using to be compliant with all the new CAFE/ EPA regulations that are coming.
Old habits, It took me awhile to be comfortable buying, owning a Turbo vehicle (other than a diesel), but, I've got 3 in the yard now. Reality is, in the near future, we'll all be driving smaller displacement, forced induction engines with lighter bodies. That's the new reality, I see the GM commercials about the "steel" bodies, I just have to laugh, all manufacturers will have to transition to the same recipe Ford is using to be compliant with all the new CAFE/ EPA regulations that are coming.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Yeah I seem to recall about 30 years ago everyone sayin' that in the near future we'd all have flying cars, too, with Autopilot! Ain't seen those yet!
Seriously, though I think you are right on some level, but I don't think the V8's in pick-ups and performance cars are going anywhere anytime soon, though. Actually I think the aluminum bodies are a good thing and long overdue. All new cars are getting way too heavy nowadays just to keep up with all of the safety regs. All of the airbags and electronic gizmos all add a lot of unnecessary weight, which of course detracts from fuel economy and overall performance.
As for the EPA, CAFE regs, and NHTSA regs; don't get me started...
Seriously, though I think you are right on some level, but I don't think the V8's in pick-ups and performance cars are going anywhere anytime soon, though. Actually I think the aluminum bodies are a good thing and long overdue. All new cars are getting way too heavy nowadays just to keep up with all of the safety regs. All of the airbags and electronic gizmos all add a lot of unnecessary weight, which of course detracts from fuel economy and overall performance.
As for the EPA, CAFE regs, and NHTSA regs; don't get me started...
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,024
Likes: 1,519
From: Maine, Virginia
I think the ecoboost family is well on it's way to being a family of reliable high endurance engines. This is the first time that Ford has offered water cooled turbos and a water jacket at the oil filter block.
Ford needed to write a whole new sheet of music for this one and yes, it has needed some tweaking but it's only going to get better.
Ford needed to write a whole new sheet of music for this one and yes, it has needed some tweaking but it's only going to get better.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Those are my thoughts, too. I've been following another thread about some people having some issues with the 2015 2.7's so it sounds like Ford does need a year or two to get the bugs worked out. If I remember correctly there were some bugs with the 3.5 EB the first year or 2 that it was out; same with the 6.7 PSD. Those are both getting to be some really good engines now.
I have a semi-firm rule that if I can help it, I never buy the first model year for any vehicle. Even if I'm buying used, I always try to go for at least the second or third model year for a vehicle. That gives the engineers time to work out the new-car bugs that are bound to be in any clean-sheet design of any vehicle or engine series. That rule seems to have worked well for me so far.
I have a semi-firm rule that if I can help it, I never buy the first model year for any vehicle. Even if I'm buying used, I always try to go for at least the second or third model year for a vehicle. That gives the engineers time to work out the new-car bugs that are bound to be in any clean-sheet design of any vehicle or engine series. That rule seems to have worked well for me so far.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
Those are my thoughts, too. I've been following another thread about some people having some issues with the 2015 2.7's so it sounds like Ford does need a year or two to get the bugs worked out. If I remember correctly there were some bugs with the 3.5 EB the first year or 2 that it was out; same with the 6.7 PSD. Those are both getting to be some really good engines now.
I have a semi-firm rule that if I can help it, I never buy the first model year for any vehicle. Even if I'm buying used, I always try to go for at least the second or third model year for a vehicle. That gives the engineers time to work out the new-car bugs that are bound to be in any clean-sheet design of any vehicle or engine series. That rule seems to have worked well for me so far.
I have a semi-firm rule that if I can help it, I never buy the first model year for any vehicle. Even if I'm buying used, I always try to go for at least the second or third model year for a vehicle. That gives the engineers time to work out the new-car bugs that are bound to be in any clean-sheet design of any vehicle or engine series. That rule seems to have worked well for me so far.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: outback
You can't get the 2.7 in a crew 4x4...
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
Not sure about the 2015's, but you can configure it now.Ford Build & Price 3[|Ford|F-150|2016|1|1.|100A.F1C.....SS6.RCAB.RETAIL.998.RWD .446.XL.]
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: outback
Sorry, I meant you can't get it with a 6.5 bed and 4x4 crew.
Not sure about the 2015's, but you can configure it now.Ford Build & Price 3[|Ford|F-150|2016|1|1.|100A.F1C.....SS6.RCAB.RETAIL.998.RWD .446.XL.]
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I need to clarify, the only time I made an exception to that rule was last year. We needed a decent used car for my wife pretty quick and what we found that she really liked was a 2005 Mercury Montego. '05 was the first year for the Montego/Ford 500 series and it's coming back to bite me in the wallet now! Mechanically the car has been great. It rides and handles nice. And for a big car still gets decent gas mileage. Overall fit and finish of the body is pretty bad. And that's coming from a guy who's always liked Ford's and Mercury's!
And all the Lincoln/Mercury dealer can say is "Oh they all did that".
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Cool toy! Sounds like a nice truck! What color did you order? Did you get either the Chrome package or Sport package? I've driven one with a 2.7 EB, I'd like to drive the 3.5 EB also. They both still get better mileage than my old 4.2 and will still haul/tow more.
One of the department heads where I work just bought a '15 Screw XLT FX4 with the 5.0. Sharp looking truck!
I definitely want one but do I want the payment that goes with it? Not really. I've been payment free now for quite a while and I like it that way.
One of the department heads where I work just bought a '15 Screw XLT FX4 with the 5.0. Sharp looking truck!
I definitely want one but do I want the payment that goes with it? Not really. I've been payment free now for quite a while and I like it that way.