My thoughts on the F-150 EcoBoost

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by star_deceiver

Search some of the various specific forums: Excess moisture in the intercooler causing it to bog down, clogged cats, minor transmission issue.

Ford's sold a lot of these engines and most probably will run perfectly fine for a long time. But that doesn't mean you don't do your due diligence in researching known or possible problems.

Same thing with the new Ram 8spd auto... wait until it's out for a year and see how it stands up to real-world abuse!

I just looked at the Ram trucks website, and it seems the TorqueFlite 8 is only available with the Pentastar V6. That combo is rated for 25 mpg hwy. The 4.7L and 5.7L still get the 65RFE (and 20mpg). If they put the 8sp behind the Hemi, I'd be concerned. [edit] But hey, with the 5yr 100K warranty, give it a whirl...

[slowmover]

Nice report on the pickup-mounted Ecoboost. On the RV forums it has a generally positive set of reports (given also the concerns above), but one is also aware that there is a large set of folks who never adapt themselves to what they are driving. There are those who are seeing an improvement to the average (solo & towing) and those for whom it may be that a 6.2L V8 would do no worse.

One point brought up by a contributor therein is that the computer envelope "protection" is paramount to the point that -- as the drivetrain ages -- that power will be cut back more and more as time goes on. At whatever point, in other words, where engine wear begins to accelerate. One wonders on behalf of those who intend to actually work the truck what this may mean. Or, how early? 100K? 150K. I think it worth thinking on as to how to specify the trailer in re aero qualities.

While all tow vehicles would benefit in this aspect, the EB motor [type] may be find it most beneficial of all.

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[mechman600]

I saw a show (maybe sponsored by Ford, but I heard it wasn't rigged too much) where they beat the snot out of an EcoBoost F-150 for 160K miles. Then they pulled a very heavy trailer around a race track oval at full throttle, max speed, for 24 hours. Then they installed the engine into a race truck and ran the Baja 1000. Then at some auto show they tore the engine down to measure each and every piece and everything was within manufacturing (new) tolerances.

[ksa8907]

Originally Posted by ECONORAM

I just looked at the Ram trucks website, and it seems the TorqueFlite 8 is only available with the Pentastar V6. That combo is rated for 25 mpg hwy. The 4.7L and 5.7L still get the 65RFE (and 20mpg). If they put the 8sp behind the Hemi, I'd be concerned. [edit] But hey, with the 5yr 100K warranty, give it a whirl...

They are working on it, but so far the hemi keeps tearing the 8speed apart. But honestly, a 300hp/tq motor with an 8speed auto. Why would you need a hemi? If you need more power than that id just go for the cummins.

[user removed]

Good points by everyone. Ford has come a very long way with their whole product line. My experience with some of the worst of Ford products comes from working at a Ford dealership in the early 1970s when quality was very poor. I was the person who was called upon to cure quality defects which in the extreme examples actually were sabotage of produced vehicles by union workers on the assemble line. Intentional destruction of the product without question when you read the note from the worker who drilled a hole into the main oil gallery in a brand new vehicle before it left the assembly line, days before a UAW strike.

When you see this you know quality of that product will always fall short of a competitor that works with a team philosophy to provide the purchaser with real value for their hard earned money. Customers burned by poor quality will not be repeat customers for decades if they ever become repeat customers.

I like the ecoboost engines. Will they pass the test of time? That depends on what you consider the test to be. Sure you can put a huge displacement IH diesel in a F series truck and it will last a very long time if decently maintained. Replacing it with a more efficient, much smaller displacement engine, places a much more strenuous requiremnent for proper maintenance. The ecoboost designs would have never lasted with the oil quality available 40 years ago, possibly not even 20 years ago.

It would be great to see the combination of the ecoboost engine with the 8 speed transmission. Might even push 30 MPG if the gearing was right. You also need to limit maximum loads in order to maintain durability as well as prevent destructive abuse.

Today I see Fords products as competitive with anything produced anywhere on the planet. Considering the history I have with their product that is quite an endorsement and my garage reflects that belief.

regards
Mech

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by ECONORAM

You might be right, but I'm not holding my breath. A fellow Dodge RAM owner with a Hemi dumped his 545RFE for a RAM SRT10 (Viper truck) 6 speed and now gets 2mpg more per gallon. -->The 545RFE locks the TC in 4th and 5th. Well, okay, it actually unlocks it for the 4-5 shift, then relocks.

I used to have a Ram SRT-10 6-speed, too. That low sixth gear returns decent economy, considering, if you can keep your foot out of it (18mpg at 65mph).

[radioranger]

somewhere on you tube i watched a Ford vid showing the bottom end design of the eco boost motor, incredibly strong looking, and obviously must be to push a 4X4 truck down the highway at 1200 rpm!! ever see how big those trucks are ,,makes a 70's 4X4 look small, and about 2 times the MPG Bravo I say , course i'm a Ford guy ,