Ford 3.5 Econoboost

[Robert F.]

Anybody familiar with the Ford 3.5 Econoboost engine. Have been new truck shopping and they are really pushing this engine. I have been driving a GM 5.3 and would like better economy but am not sure about the performance on the 3.5. I tow, although very rarely, a Hudson 18' tandem with a JD 2305 with loader and backhoe. Sometimes, front snow blower with weight box (800lbs). I am not really buying for towing since I so rarely do but want it to be able to do it the few times that I do. Am looking at the Lariat series since it is what we use all the time and looking for comfort primarily with the ability to do the rare towing. Currently driving GMC SLT with 5.3 and want at least as much truck.
Thanks

 

[v8only]

in my opinion that ford eco-boost is great in numbers but what happens when your out of warranty and need to start rebuilding turbos, that is going to be one high maintenance truck.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My father has one. It will stomp over your 5.3. His is a 2011 with 3.73 gears and the largest 7,700# GVWR. It did 20% better than my Nissan Titan pulling the same load over the same course of over 200 miles. Its rated to tow 11,300# and is no slouch. I have seen about 23 mpg at 60 mph and for its life, 13,500 miles or so, its gotten better than 18 mpg average.

Chris

 

[wsp617]

It's true that the new EcoBoost Ford will stomp the GM 5.3. But, I've talked to a number of guys that bought the new Ford engine and feel they've been duped as they don't get anywhere close to the 22-23 MPG they advertise. A couple guys I talked to were fighting with the Ford dealer beause they're getting 16-17 MPG when they're not towing and the dealer can't tell them why the MPG is so poor. One of the guys has an oil leak and they can't find that either. I've heard many guys like the power of the new EcoBoost and the ride is supposed to be great as well but look at the big picture when buying. I think the EcoBoost option is pretty expensive too.

 

[WilliamBos]

The 5.3L is a 350,000 mile engine. Time will tell uf the Ecoboost will equal that. If you trade when warranty expires, then go for it. I see a lot of folks up here taking the Ford 5.0 over the Ecoboost, as they drive their trucks until they fall apart.

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

Anybody familiar with the Ford 3.5 Econoboost engine. Have been new truck shopping and they are really pushing this engine. I have been driving a GM 5.3 and would like better economy but am not sure about the performance on the 3.5. I tow, although very rarely, a Hudson 18' tandem with a JD 2305 with loader and backhoe. Sometimes, front snow blower with weight box (800lbs). I am not really buying for towing since I so rarely do but want it to be able to do it the few times that I do. Am looking at the Lariat series since it is what we use all the time and looking for comfort primarily with the ability to do the rare towing. Currently driving GMC SLT with 5.3 and want at least as much truck.
Thanks

It's actually "Ecoboost", as in "Ecology", not Econoboost. A year ago, I traded an Avalanche with the 5.3 in on an F-150 with the 3.5 Eco engine, and I've been very impressed with it. The Chevy used to struggle to tow heavy loads in my opinion, including a sailboat that I tow every year for a friend. This Spring, the little twin-turbo six actually accelerated up hills that the Chevy couldn't gain any speed on. It's rated at 365 HP, but more importantly, 420 ft/lbs of torque. Compare that to the 5.3L at 315 HP and 335 ft/lbs. (Granted, my older Chevy was rated at 285 HP.)

My Ecoboost doesn't get the fuel mileage they advertise it at, but I drive fairly aggressive. On the highway, when I'm stuck in traffic doing 65-70 mph, it does indeed average over 21 MPG. At 85 MPH, it's around 17 MPG.

There are many that are freaked out by a truck with less than an 8-cylinder under the hood, but I like it - tons of power, and so quiet (relatively speaking) you think you're driving an electric car.

Jesse

 

[WilliamBos]

It's actually "Ecoboost", as in "Ecology", not Econoboost. A year ago, I traded an Avalanche with the 5.3 in on an F-150 with the 3.5 Eco engine, and I've been very impressed with it. The Chevy used to struggle to tow heavy loads in my opinion, including a sailboat that I tow every year for a friend. This Spring, the little twin-turbo six actually accelerated up hills that the Chevy couldn't gain any speed on. It's rated at 365 HP, but more importantly, 420 ft/lbs of torque. Compare that to the 5.3L at 315 HP and 335 ft/lbs. (Granted, my older Chevy was rated at 285 HP.)

My Ecoboost doesn't get the fuel mileage they advertise it at, but I drive fairly aggressive. On the highway, when I'm stuck in traffic doing 65-70 mph, it does indeed average over 21 MPG. At 85 MPH, it's around 17 MPG.

There are many that are freaked out by a truck with less than an 8-cylinder under the hood, but I like it - tons of power, and so quiet (relatively speaking) you think you're driving an electric car.

Jesse

Can you hear the turbo's whistle?

 

[KennyG]

My Ecoboost doesn't get the fuel mileage they advertise it at, but I drive fairly aggressive. On the highway, when I'm stuck in traffic doing 65-70 mph, it does indeed average over 21 MPG. At 85 MPH, it's around 17 MPG.

Jesse[/QUOTE]

Looks like you're doing OK to me. EPA ratings are done with "real" gasoline, not 10% ethanol. They claim the ethanol only hits the mpg for a few percent, but I think it's more like 5%+.

 

[WilliamBos]

Looks like you're doing OK to me. EPA ratings are done with "real" gasoline, not 10% ethanol. They claim the ethanol only hits the mpg for a few percent, but I think it's more like 5%+.

So they are misleading us (epa) Some places are hard to find ethanol free gas. So getting the claimed mileage will be difficult.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think the eco is like a diesel. You have so much power and torque on tap its hard not to hit the fun pedal. This leads to low mpg. If I drive my diesel like a little old lady I average 17 but stay on the fun pedal and its 14.

Chris