Before Federal emissions forces Ford to drop the powerplant???

My goal is a new v10 F350 SRW but have to wait a few years before I'm financially able. Do I have time to plan or should I start sweating bullets and cutting back to save more dough faster?

 

Great question as I'm in a similar position.

I wish they would/could set it up like a multi-displacement engine, where it could run on the highways at a cruising speed on 6 cylinders and when you drop the hammer, 4 more cylinders wake up!

 

I don't see why they can't, they've got 10 cylinders, certainly 5 could be shut off. Such systems tend to require a more advanced control system, but it's really nothing particularly out of the ordinary. I was contemplating trying to make a similar setup for one of my cars, so if I could do it I know the factory can.

The answer as to how long Ford will keep it is how long it is a financially viable option. If emissions (and other) regulations cause the cost/benefit ratio of keeping it in production to be minimal, they will dump it. The big thing here is demand. The V10 is a pretty low demand engine, it seems. Most people go for the 4.6/5.4 or the diesel. This is doubly so in a climate where diesel popularity has increased so much in recent years.

The advantage is that any technology that applies to the 4.6/5.4 can easily be applied to the V10, so it is a relatively minimal cost to keep in production. The disadvantage is that not too many people seem particularly interested in V10. I think they figure that if they want the extra power and torque, they may as well go to the diesel.

I would figure if it's really important to you to own one of these trucks from brand new, you may want to penny pinch a bit, or get some good financing terms. As far as I'm aware, Dodge killed off the Magnum V10 a few years ago, and I'm not sure if the Chevys still have the Vortec 8100, but I had thought its production had ceased. Either way, when demand is low it can be pretty difficult to convince management to continue production of something.

 

It's not so important for me to own one from brand new but rather which options come with the truck.. I would like a truck optioned out for the most part and 99% of the time those trucks will automatically have the diesel engine. So it comes down to what creature comforts I want v/s which engine I want when looking at used...

And yes Dodge dropped the Mag V10 in 2003 and Chevy dropped the 8.1 in 2007 (last body style) so the Ford V10 is my only option left and I know it won't last forever....

 

I think the v10 will be around for quite some time - you have to remember that these engines are used for more that our trucks. For example - they are used in RVs, large generators, large water pumps... you'd be surprised how many applications there are for the v10. Also take in to account that, although the demand for smokers is hi, I believe that you'll see those numbers trim down. I could be wrong here, but if you look at how things have been going with the ULSD (decreased mileage, increased maintenance, emission requirements) and the fact that the price spread for gas vs diesel is growing (do to some of the same factors)... well, I think the v10 is looknig more appealing everyday. And like ForCrusherGT said - the 4.6 & 5.4 already have the new technologies that can very easily be adapted over to the v10.

The v10 won't last forever, but I thkn it will be around for more years to come.

As far a Dodge and Chevy dropping thier large engines... well, Ford corners the market in SD trucks so they just couldn't keep up.

 

The only setup that works for a V10 with variable displacement is 5 cylinders.

And for a 3-valver, getting the extra mechanics into one head to turn off the intake valves, that's a lot of stuff under one valve cover.

I think direct injection would be an interesting thing for the V10.

 

I'm hoping for many years to come.....

 

I've heard rumor that the V-10 will be dumped in favor of the 6.2L Boss when the Triton series is scrapped and a whole new "Boss" lineup is introduced. Before you say "yeah, right" think about what dodge has done in marketing the "Hemi" trademark.

I hope it's not true. I don't know if I will ever be happy with a V-8 again.

 

I love my V10, or should I say I love the torque, horsepower and idle qualities.

Look at it like this, if Ford replaces it with an engine that does everything better, I will learn to love it too. Maybe I have had a few too many sodas tonight, but I can't think of a new GAS engine that wasn't better than the one it replaced.

 

I can. The stock 390 still outpulled the stock 460 when it came out, and it used less gas. What phased out the FE engines? Emissions.

I see a pattern forming.

Just my $.02

Besides, even if that 6.2 V-8 showed more HP and/or torque on a dyno, I doubt it would truly transfer to a real world towing application. Just the same as you will never show me a gas V-6 that will outpull a gas V-8, unless you are talking about a ridiculous amount of displacement difference.

 

Same thing happened in the outboard motor industry for boats. The newer 2 strokes are light years ahead of what was leading edge just a few years ago. And you have the choice of 4 strokes now.

I am just trying not to worry about what will replace the mighty v10. I have hope that whatever does will be better.

 

Honestly I think the days of the V10 are limited, mainly because the engine has been used for over 10 years and the tree huggers don't help either. It also seems everything I like gets dicontinued. Ford will eventually just go with a smaller V8 just like the rest.

As far as emmisions goes an 8 cyl will pollute just as much a V10. Whats the difference between driving around a SD with a V10 and driving around an H2 hummer with the V8 that gets 9mpg?

Dropping cylinders is a dumb idea IMO and really doesn't save squat.


I would try and get ahold of a V10 asap, a used one will be even harder to find once production stops.

 

My guess is when the 5.4L is terminated so will the 6.8L. Ford used modular tech. to save costs. No reason Ford will have 3-4 engine programs going at the same time. If Toyota can get 400 pounds of torque out of a V8, maybe Ford can go better and give better tranny and gear options to help.

I love the V10 but it does seem like its days are numbered. MPG and emission guides will ultimately decide the V10's fate.

 

Remember Chevy and Dodge both dropped their large gas engine options in their trucks and now only have a smaller V8 or the diesel engine... Ford may be forced to do the same thing

And I think I read where the V10 can not be made to drop cylinders because of the way the engine is made. It is balanced in such a way that it will creat vibrations or something like that...

 

I also hope the V10 is around for years to come and we all know it will be a challenge for Ford to come up with a replacement engine that is better than the V10. For Ford's sake I hope the new gas engine that replaces the V10 will be even better. As a long time buyer of new Ford pickups, it has been my experience that Ford does improve the performance of it's gas engines in most cases.
I bought a new 75 F250 with the highly regarded 390. Even had to give up 4X4 to get the 390. In Canada, in 1975, the 4x4 was only available with the 360.
They said the 390 had too much torque for a 4x4 drive train..........yeah right!
Anyway my 75 390 was a mediocre truck and my 88 460 4x4 had a lot more power but it did use more fuel of course.
My 05 V10 is not just my favorite gas engine in a pickup, it is my favorite engine period. I also had 3 PSDs. I'll keep my V10 and if what I read is true in the RV forums, the new regen diesels only get a little better fuel mileage towing heavy RVs.
The V10 is a great choice in a heavy duty pickup, let's hope Ford keeps this fantastic option available.