Ecoboost Build Weak Points?
#1
11-14-2018, 11:49 PM
Ecoboost Build Weak Points?
I currently drive a 6.0 powerstroke and am looking to trade for a 2011 or so f150 ecoboost. Im considering building it up a little bit (say roughly 600hp+). For what my trucks worth, the f150’s im looking at are around 100k-130k miles. Im expecting things to break as i add more power, but what are the weakpoints in the engine and drive train? What can I expect to be breaking on me?
#2
11-15-2018, 05:18 PM
I currently drive a 6.0 powerstroke and am looking to trade for a 2011 or so f150 ecoboost. Im considering building it up a little bit (say roughly 600hp+). For what my trucks worth, the f150’s im looking at are around 100k-130k miles. Im expecting things to break as i add more power, but what are the weakpoints in the engine and drive train? What can I expect to be breaking on me?
The ecoboost is an amazing little engine that CAN. She's a very stout and heavy engine but there seemed to be some flaws in the earlier models. Not everyone was affected.
Timing chain stretch seemed to be an issue in some models. Some issues could be traced back to poor maintenance and some was just bad luck.
Some cats got clogged along the way and some could be traced to ignoring symptoms and warnings and in the case of my neighbor, he let some hack do a walnut blast on his intake. Nothing but issues followed.
Some moisture ingesting from the intercooler across the intake system causing a misfire / limp type of symptom. This fix was made very difficult by Ford and ended up robbing some power. Many of us just drilled a 1/16th hole on the lower driver side corner of the intercooler so it would drain. Problem solved in about 3 minutes and no money.
Plugs and boots need changing in about 50K mile increments. Some get higher and some get lower mileage numbers. For me, it was about 60K miles.
A lot of people are afraid of the turbos and steer clear of the eco-engines altogether. The turbos have been a very reliable part of the truck.
I'm sure I've missed out on some things but there are guys here who really know their stuff and hopefully they'll chime and either correct or validate my post.
#4
11-24-2018, 11:02 AM
Fleet Mechanic
Everything I've read the bottom end is the weak point on the Ecoboost, namely the rods. That would need to be beefed up before making any serious power. There's a couple of engine builders over on F150Ecoboost.net who make some serious HP.
Coming from a 6.0 myself, the ecoboost is quite the upgrade. Gobs more power unloaded. Towing about the same power, if not more. Much nicer to drive every day. Downside is the noise. With exhaust they sound terrible. One thing I miss from the 6.0 is the wonderful diesel clatter.
Haven't heard much about the 6R80 breaking, so far it's seemed to be pretty well built. 9.75" rear end should be totally fine.
Coming from a 6.0 myself, the ecoboost is quite the upgrade. Gobs more power unloaded. Towing about the same power, if not more. Much nicer to drive every day. Downside is the noise. With exhaust they sound terrible. One thing I miss from the 6.0 is the wonderful diesel clatter.
Haven't heard much about the 6R80 breaking, so far it's seemed to be pretty well built. 9.75" rear end should be totally fine.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Country Bumpkin
1999 to 2016 Super Duty
16
12-07-2018 12:03 PM