School had a fundraiser today where a local Ford dealership would donate $20 for taking a test drive. Figured it was a good opportunity to help out the school and test drive a new 2015 F150. To my surprise, they had 12 different new Fords for the taking including an SCrew Lariat 4x4 5.0 and an SCrew XLT 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost. Part of the route was pulling onto a stretch of 4-lane highway which gave me a chance to get into it a bit. First, I drove the 5.0. I was expecting similar acceleration to the Ecoboost. It was smooth, but didn't offer any wow factor and seemed to shift too early before getting into it's powerband. Acceleration was kind of almost like the e-brake was partially on and required a lot of throttle to get her moving. The Ecoboost throttle response was much better and did provide that wow factor I've come to enjoy. It felt stronger than my 2013 on stock tune and seemed to have better shift points. It felt like Ford has definitely made the stock feel much more crisp. Bottom line, I was amazed at the difference in feel between the 5.0 and 3.5 Ecoboost. I was really expecting them to be fairly close in acceleration. The low end torque of the Ecoboost really separates it apart. I can't imagine the difference there would be hooked up to an 8,000 lb. travel trailer.
Test Drive - 2015 5.0 vs 2015 3.5 Ecoboost
phantomblackgto
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School had a fundraiser today where a local Ford dealership would donate $20 for taking a test drive. Figured it was a good opportunity to help out the school and test drive a new 2015 F150. To my surprise, they had 12 different new Fords for the taking including an SCrew Lariat 4x4 5.0 and an SCrew XLT 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost. Part of the route was pulling onto a stretch of 4-lane highway which gave me a chance to get into it a bit. First, I drove the 5.0. I was expecting similar acceleration to the Ecoboost. It was smooth, but didn't offer any wow factor and seemed to shift too early before getting into it's powerband. Acceleration was kind of almost like the e-brake was partially on and required a lot of throttle to get her moving. The Ecoboost throttle response was much better and did provide that wow factor I've come to enjoy. It felt stronger than my 2013 on stock tune and seemed to have better shift points. It felt like Ford has definitely made the stock feel much more crisp. Bottom line, I was amazed at the difference in feel between the 5.0 and 3.5 Ecoboost. I was really expecting them to be fairly close in acceleration. The low end torque of the Ecoboost really separates it apart. I can't imagine the difference there would be hooked up to an 8,000 lb. travel trailer.
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3,126 Posts
Driving around town in my friend's '14 5.0 SCREW vs my '14 3.5 SCREW, there is a notable difference in torque.
The EB is SO much easier to drive around, and this was when I was driving stock, add a tow tune (DS Canned) and it's just... better.
I bet it's fun driving the 2 back to back!
The EB is SO much easier to drive around, and this was when I was driving stock, add a tow tune (DS Canned) and it's just... better.
I bet it's fun driving the 2 back to back!
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It was fun driving them back to back. Made comparing the two really easy particularly since it was the exact same route. I don't know if it's the weight reduction or not, but the 2015 really felt strong and responsive, definitely better than my 2013 on the stock tune. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in the 5.0. I guess I was expecting more from it. If I was buying a 2015, there would be no decision which engine I would get. I'd actually like to drive a 2.7, but pulling a fairly heavy TT, the 3.5 Eco would be my engine of choice hands down.
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7,434 Posts
I'd have a **** fit until Ford turned of that v8 noise on my speakers!
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1,108 Posts
Ya that's pretty cheesy did they go into the PCM and deactivate it?
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1,029 Posts
Glad I didn't think about that. The younger girl in the 5.0 was listening to classic rock and the old guy in the Ecoboost was listening to NASCAR on Sirius. I can live with either of those.
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819 Posts
So can I deactivate the v8 noise. If I was ashamed of the sound of my v6 spool in I would buy a slow v8
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From what I've read, nope. Only way to defeat it is to open the door. I agree I loved the sound of those twin turbos spooling up when I'd get on it. Some people online have said its not noticeable unless you're looking for it. I did test drive a 2.7l ecoboost with the windows down and could hear the turbos spooling up nicely.
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I've got an xlt as a rental right now and it doesn't have the piped in v8 sound. The turbos are also noticeably louder then in my truck. I did test drive a lariat sport and it has the v8 sound. It sounds ok at first but after a bit I didn't like it. I wanna hear them turbos spool up![emoji106]
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I just ordered a 2015 Platinum EB and really was torn beween V8 an EB but, since I live about a mile high, several pointed out that the 5.0 loses about 18-20% power at that altitude it was easy to order another EB.....had 2011 and 2013s.....love the sound of V8 and sure BOTH are fine choices but nice to hear that the 2015 may be even BETTER .....thanks...Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Glad to hear that as I have a 3.5EB on order and i have always been a fan of the good old american V8. I know I'll miss the sound but I'm sure I'll enjoy the power, especially tuned power
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I took my dad for a ride in my 2015 yesterday and his quote "I've never heard a v6 sound like that!", I had to say well, that's the piped in sound that mimics the 5.0. It gets old having to explain that to people, I really hope there's a way to disable it.
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197 Posts
I had a 2011 with 5.0 then got a 2013 with ecoboost and now have the 15 with ecoboost. When my 15 was getting the bed liner spayed they let my take a 15 home with the 5.0. I will say I will never go back to the 5.0. I drove it pretty hard to see the difference and there is a big difference. It felt gutless.
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