Ford F-150 | Ecoboost vs. 5.0 V8 (I've owned both)

SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEW CHANNEL FOR FUTURE F150 VIDEOS

I'm on my second F150, having traded in my 2015 with the 5.0 Coyote V8 for a 2017 with the 3.5 ecoboost. Why did I trade, and what do I like about each engine? I review pros and cons to each motor choice, understand the importance of how torque is delivered on each, how differently they drive, tow and haul, discuss fuel economy, reliability, and finally which would I buy again.

Index:
00:00 - 01:33 Intro
01:33 - 03:46 My Truck History
03:46 - 08:02 5.0 to 3.5 - Why?
08:02 - 14:03 F150 Engine Choices
14:03 - 16:35 Fuel Economy
16:35 - 22:54 Pros and Cons 5.0 vs Ecoboost
22:54 - 24:47 Reliability
24:47 - 28:29 Final Thoughts
-------------
Welcome to Big Rock Media. I am a 100% independent, non-sponsored, non-commercial channel devoted to car & truck reviews, motorcycles, RV’s, bicycles, honest product reviews, nutrition and diet, and outdoor and mountain living. There are 3 ways to help me create more content. Please subscribe if you haven't already. Please give videos a thumbs up. And consider supporting me on Patreon if you like my content.

Follow me on:

Support me on Patreon:

[collinator]

The answer is simple, put a turbo system on a 5.0!

[waltshepherd]

One thing that most people do not know and should be told about is when you are driving from a lower altitude to a much higher altitude the EFI does not know you did. After climbing a couple of thousand feet you should stop at a rest stop or somewhere safe to stop and shut off the engine. Wait 30 seconds then restart and go on. Now it knows you are at a higher altitude because it does a baro check when the ignition is switched on. You will find it will run better.

[Bacnow]

I’m a 2.7 EB kinda guy! That fortified engine block is built like a tank and it’s NANO too! I have watched a million engine tear down videos (thanks to “I Do Cars”) and the engineering that went into that engine is truly impressive and even had the host somewhat speechless!

[jamesd]

I had a 2016 Navigator I sold a few months ago, and I had 260, 000 miles with very minimal issues. My only repairs were the radiator fan and rear the AC blower fan. That 3.5 EcoBoost was so awesome! I upgraded for a 17 Navigator just for requirements for my limo license. Biggest key is keep clean oil in that motor!

[kurtdanielson]

For the money they want for these trucks, they should be just about perfect. Can't believe people put down $65, 000 on a new truck and then have a hard time keeping it out of the repair shop. For that much money it should be rock solid and dependable.

[nezezzr]

Great content from someone that has actually owned and experienced both rather than some forum posting person that has owned neither and just regurgitates what they hear from other people.

[caseymaplesxx]

I’ve owned all three engines in this order 2012 3.5 eco, 2019 5.0, 2022 2.7 eco, and now 2022 3.5 eco. The 3.5 is by far the best my first 3.5 180, 000 miles no issue other than the moisture build up in the intercooler a drill bit fixed that in a few seconds. The new 3.5 is leaps above the old one.

[dustingre]

The 5.0 10 speed f150 is the most sought after truck on the market. Put a supercharger or turbos on that v8 and you’ve got a monster. No way I’d ever go ecoboost.

[tracecronk]

I’ve had a 2011 f150 5.0 and now a 2017 f150 platinum 5.0. I just love that v8 motor it’s so awesome! Solid engine

[truckertoddllc]

My Ecoboost has 154, 000 mi on it and it's never had any problems. It's a very reliable truck

[teop]

So I used to think the same way about V8s vs ecoBoosts...

In '19 I was in the market for an F150, and I've driven both.
Loved the V8 growl, loved even more the twin turbos punch.

I researched both engines, and discovered that more ecoBoosts were running at over 100 and 200k miles on the odometer.

Also, the newer ecoBoosts had many of the flaws prior, resolved.
So I got a beautiful '19 King Ranch with the ecoBoost, and I just LOVE this engine.

I drive it 95% of the time in eco-Mode, and it makes a noticeable difference in acceleration, driving, and fuel consumption.

...in Sport Mode, it's INSANE.
I've since added an Oil Catch Can, an AFE cold air intake, and Magnaflow exhaust.
Amazing 👍

[dope_prolific]

Also with n/a engines, they struggle more at high elevation due to lack of air induction. Turbos are freaking awesome for smashing through high elevations! I love my ecoboost!

[joshuagagne]

I have had the 2.7 in 3 of my f 150s. The one I put 70, 000 miles on in in one year towed my 7, 500 pound boat to Florida 3 times. Love the moter plenty of power and has 190, 000 miles running strong.

[jeffgenchi]

Great video and very accurate. As a mechanic I work allot in the eco boost 3.5. I find most the issues come around 70k miles. Main issues to look for are coolant leaks at turbo fittings, oil leak from brake booster pump (rear driver side head at fire wall.) This will poor oil down the trans. The third main one because of the heat and pressure is the timing cover leak. The fourth which is a Ford favorite is stretching timing chains. Now, it is a great engine and he is right. If you tow heavy weight in high elevation the 3.5 is great. But I feel for the average driver the 5.0 will give better long term reliability. Maybe throw a catch can for the oil on the valves (do that for both 3.5 or 5.0 without the dual injection stem.)

[Matas]

I like the 5.0 V8. I had one in my 1995, 2013, and my 2017. I had the 300 six cylinder in my 1975 and 1983. The 1983 6 cylinder blew 2 exhaust manifolds pulling a fiberglass center console I bought. I went to the 5.0 after that and it pulled it with no problems. I will always buy the 5.0 in my trucks.

[timeonly]

I usually don't like purely talking videos... but there was so much information and useful 1st-hand experience related here, I hardly noticed the 1/2 hr going by. Thx!!

[albertlott]

I use to be a V8 guy all the time but was really impressed with the 3.5 EB.

[johnnyparker]

In a similar situation here as I drive a 5.0 at work and own a 3.5. While they're both great compared to trucks just 10 years ago I never regret having the 3.5, the full torque at low rpm can't be beat by other gas motors.

[bluemut]

I had a 2019 F150 with a 3.5 turbo. I bought it new and owned it for 43 days. It had a dead miss that they couldn't resolve. They took it back and I bought a RAM with a Hemi. When they took it back, the sales manager asked me to walk around behind the dealership. There were four Rams parked there. They all belonged to the technicians.

[tanman]

Dude, this is the best automotive video I’ve seen in a while. You made a lot of good points here. Thank you