F150 - 2.7L vs 3.5L vs 5.0L

[Martinjmpr]

I've been saying for years now, when the base engine is 280-300 HP in budget trim trucks, we are living in the golden era for ICE vehicles.
If you went back to when I was in highschool and told me the average sedan/compact of the 2020s has 150-180HP 4 cylinder and the average truck was 350-450HP V6, I doubt I'd have believed it.
Running around in my 130hp V6 with 3 speed automatic.

It wasn't even that long ago (1992) when I got a 1990 Montero and was impressed by the 150hp 3.0 motor.

Then in 1999 I sold the Monty and got a Ford Ranger 2wd with the 3.0 flex-fuel engine. Again, around 150hp and I never really felt like it was lacking in power. I even pulled a cargo trailer from Denver to Laramie, WY when I moved there for school in 2000.

Of course, I should add that both of those vehicles had manual transmissions instead of power-sucking slushboxes so that has to be taken into account as well. When manual transmissions were "standard" you could do just fine with 150hp.

 

[rruff]

Of course, I should add that both of those vehicles had manual transmissions instead of power-sucking slushboxes so that has to be taken into account as well. When manual transmissions were "standard" you could do just fine with 150hp.

The old 3 and 4 speed automatics did indeed suck, but since EPA ratings are better for automatics than manuals these days, I think they aren't too bad. This place anyway, gives 2.4% difference in output. https://www.mk5cortinaestate.co.uk/calculator4.php

I think the big benefit to a manual is better control of the gear and rpm, and control of clutch slippage.

 

[calicamper]

The modern Autos are definitely light years more slippery regarding efficiency. They are too slippery now engine braking has become far far less. Hell my 5spd manual 2.5L Subaru Legacy had better engine braking than my Expedition 10spd. But the brakes on the Expedition are massive so I’m hoping it all sort of balances out. ?

 

[Grassland]

It wasn't even that long ago (1992) when I got a 1990 Montero and was impressed by the 150hp 3.0 motor.

Then in 1999 I sold the Monty and got a Ford Ranger 2wd with the 3.0 flex-fuel engine. Again, around 150hp and I never really felt like it was lacking in power. I even pulled a cargo trailer from Denver to Laramie, WY when I moved there for school in 2000.

Of course, I should add that both of those vehicles had manual transmissions instead of power-sucking slushboxes so that has to be taken into account as well. When manual transmissions were "standard" you could do just fine with 150hp.

I have terrible news for you



1992 was 30 years ago

 

[Todd780]

I have terrible news for you



1992 was 30 years ago

That made me laugh......then cry ....

 

[D45]

Seems like used F150 prices are coming down

I found two recently, a 2017 and a 2018, both with under 40k miles and Lariat packages for under $37k

One was a 3.5L and the other was a 5.0L

 

[NoTraxx]

Talking about HP and torque the old vs the new.
I chose the 2019 3.5 EB Lariot SCREW with a Max tow and FX4. Good for 10k gooseneck or 12K with WDH. I wanted the 5.0 just because V-8 sound, but it just didn’t have the towing specs.
Since 01 to 19 there has been a huge advance.
Here is a 2001 tow chart.

Here is the 19 F150 tow chart

 

[NoTraxx]

Oh and yeah, I use the F150 to tow.

 

[SDDiver5]

Seems like used F150 prices are coming down

I found two recently, a 2017 and a 2018, both with under 40k miles and Lariat packages for under $37k

One was a 3.5L and the other was a 5.0L

Not too bad, actually.

I got mine at the beginning of Covid for 32k from Carmax with 24k on the odometer.

 

[D45]

The twin panel sunroof is so nice

The F150 trucks are a plenty with the 3.55 gears

Seems like a huge influx of used Canadian F150 trucks on the market

 

[Buddha.]

Talking about HP and torque the old vs the new.
I chose the 2019 3.5 EB Lariot SCREW with a Max tow and FX4. Good for 10k gooseneck or 12K with WDH. I wanted the 5.0 just because V-8 sound, but it just didn’t have the towing specs.
Since 01 to 19 there has been a huge advance.
Here is a 2001 tow chart.
View attachment 740249
Here is the 19 F150 tow chart
View attachment 740250

My ‘19 ranger is rated for more tow capacity than a similar equipped 5.4 super duty!?

 

[NoTraxx]

I know, crazy right?
I found that when I was looking at picking up a used truck just for Ranchito duty. But looking at the tow sheets, I noticed that my current truck is actally better for the job than the 95 F250 with a 7.5 big block. The only place the F250/350 really did better was payload. I can just use a trailer to make up for that.

 

[NoTraxx]

Good morning ya’ll.
I remember that there was some discussion that the torque on the 5.0 didn’t come on until 4Kish rpm. Yes and no, Peak torque doesn’t come on until then. But there is plenty of usable torque In the lower RPM range.
I was looking around for some tunes a while back and here you go.
5.0 stock and stock tune.

3.5 EB stock and stock tune Compared to the perf tow tune.

I you you look closely both are at almost 300 ft pounds at 2.5k RPM. So not really that big of a difference for low down torque.
At this point pick your poison.

 

[deserteagle56]

I you you look closely both are at almost 300 ft pounds at 2.5k RPM. So not really that big of a difference for low down torque.
At this point pick your poison.

I have the same problem with those HP/torque curves as with most others I've seen...they start at 2000 rpm and seem to show the vehicle has NO power below that. My truck spends 99.9% of its time below 2000 rpm even when towing, so show me what the engine is producing from idle to 2000 rpm. I could care less about anything above that range.

 

[NoTraxx]

Well I don’t know about the 99.9% below 2K. Ya’ll must have low speed limits there and towing lite.