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5.0 more efficient at 75-80 mph than the Ecoboost engines? Edit: while not towing.

Yason84

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Can anyone confirm or deny this? I’ve been hypothesizing this for a while now seeing how at 75mph or higher, the Ecoboosts are deep into the boost. I’ve also seen claims that it’s more efficient at towing than the Ecoboosts, which boosts (pun intended) my hypothesis even more. With the NA V8, you are only getting the power that those 8 cylinders are capable of providing, while the turbo engines pump air and more fuel to make more power to overcome the increased resistance.

Edit: I guess my question wasn’t too clear. Is the 5.0 more efficient at 75-80 mph than the Ecoboosts when NOT towing?
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dhrandy

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At least with campers I think the towing efficiency is bout the same with the 10 speed transmission. It may change slightly with gearing. The camper that acts like a brick behind the truck is the issue since it's not very aerodynamic. I get 10-11 mpgs when towing and my camper is only 5000 lbs.
 

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It is not quite that simple, it is more that the 5.0L has larger displacement and can run a leaner mixture under load. Especially when you aren’t into the pedal too hard.
 
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kevdog0710

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Next time I'm on the highway I check the boost Guage. I typically have the trans temp Guage, so I haven't noticed how often I go into boost will cruising at that speed.
 

hammerhead2411

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To be honest the turbos on the 3.5eco don't kick in as much as you would think. Especially at low speeds. While towing at highway speeds, I only see them come into play under moderate-hard acceleration and when going up uphill to maintain MPH.
I'm just thinking out loud here-I assume that turbo induced power while towing, and higher rpm's on a v8 (higher rpm's to match the power of an eco under boost) while towing are at the same level of efficiency?
 

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Samson16

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The PB uses boost and the electric motor to accelerate but once cruising speed is reached the boost gauge drops to zero. My mpg falls off above 75mph for sure though. Increased RPM and wind resistance take their toll. If I drive for 10 miles or so above 90mph in sport mode with boost coming on during acceleration events I can drop my mpg down to 17. OMG lol!
 

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At least with campers I think the towing efficiency is bout the same with the 10 speed transmission. It may change slightly with gearing. The camper that acts like a brick behind the truck is the issue since it's not very aerodynamic. I get 10-11 mpgs when towing and my camper is only 5000 lbs.
As a Powerboost owner, this is a case in point. I’d hazard a pretty big bet that a Powerboost or normal 3.5 would be in single digit mpg with this setup.

I have a slightly different hypothesis - the 3.5 is more efficient towing than the Powerboost is. The Powerboost seems to be the worst of all at towing efficiency
 
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Yason84

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Next time I'm on the highway I check the boost Guage. I typically have the trans temp Guage, so I haven't noticed how often I go into boost will cruising at that speed.
That would be great! I’ve read many comments saying a trick to stay out of the boost is lock out 10th and even 9th gear and just rely on the higher rpm of engine. I’d check myself but my truck is a 2012 with a 6 speed and the gap between 5th and 6th is too great, plus I don’t have a boost gauge. I’m very split between getting another 3.5 or try out the 5.0L. I’m not towing anything now, but since I keep vehicles for at least 10 years, I may be towing something in the future.
 

JExpedition07

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I get the advertised 22 mpg on the highway with my 5.0L and I am not a slow driver. Usually up around 70-75 MPH. Here is my average MPG to date on my 2023. I will state for the record I fill it with premium. It sees a lot of hard acceleration too, because it’s so fun! Not driven like a grandpa in the least.
Ford F-150 5.0 more efficient at 75-80 mph than the Ecoboost engines? Edit: while not towing. IMG_4196
 

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I have always heard the same comment on truck towing comparison videos... that the 5.0L is more efficient. No concrete explanation in to why, perhaps as mentioned, the larger displacement, linear power curves, better cooling, etc..... somebody knows... I just know if "feels" happy at speed on the highway.
 
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I have 21' 5.0 SCREW 3.73 rearend, 46k miles, 4x4 all stock and all time average is 19.7mpg, On a straight highway trip and cruise set at 73mph I get 23+mpg. Mixed city and highway I average 20mpg week to week pretty consistent. All city driving I will drop to 17mpg.
 

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Just from the less cooling the 5.0 requires (see the diff in front ends around license plate), the 5.0 must emit less heat under extreme conditions, ie probably has better thermal efficiency.

Also if you watch the ike gauntlet tests by TFL, the 5.0 always seems to get better gas mileage and never overheats like their powerboost did (they were slightly overload in that case though).
 

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Maybe it's just anecdotal evidence, but my 2015 5.0 SCREW 157" 4x2 reliably got 23 mpg on the highway. I had the cruise set to between 78-80 all the time. And that was with the 6 speed. The only time i got lower mpg is when I was in "hill country" with lots of ups and downs and if I kept the cruise on, that meant lots of shifting. If I drove these hills without cruise and let the speed dip a little, I would maintain MPG.

I'm anxious to see how my 2023 5.0 SCREW 157" 4x4 does.

After my 2015 got totalled, I drove my dad's 2018 5.0 SCAB 4x4 and brother's 2018 5.0 SCREW 4x4 145" and was surprised how much worse mpg they got under identical driving conditions.
 

JExpedition07

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Maybe it's just anecdotal evidence, but my 2015 5.0 SCREW 157" 4x2 reliably got 23 mpg on the highway. I had the cruise set to between 78-80 all the time. And that was with the 6 speed. The only time i got lower mpg is when I was in "hill country" with lots of ups and downs and if I kept the cruise on, that meant lots of shifting. If I drove these hills without cruise and let the speed dip a little, I would maintain MPG.

I'm anxious to see how my 2023 5.0 SCREW 157" 4x4 does.

After my 2015 got totalled, I drove my dad's 2018 5.0 SCAB 4x4 and brother's 2018 5.0 SCREW 4x4 145" and was surprised how much worse mpg they got under identical driving conditions.
Thats 4x4, nothing to do with the engine. 4x4
Adds axles, driveshaft, pumpkin, heavy transfer case, and lifts the truck in the air another 2 inches decreasing aero
 
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HammaMan

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Maybe it's just anecdotal evidence, but my 2015 5.0 SCREW 157" 4x2 reliably got 23 mpg on the highway. I had the cruise set to between 78-80 all the time. And that was with the 6 speed. The only time i got lower mpg is when I was in "hill country" with lots of ups and downs and if I kept the cruise on, that meant lots of shifting. If I drove these hills without cruise and let the speed dip a little, I would maintain MPG.

I'm anxious to see how my 2023 5.0 SCREW 157" 4x4 does.

After my 2015 got totalled, I drove my dad's 2018 5.0 SCAB 4x4 and brother's 2018 5.0 SCREW 4x4 145" and was surprised how much worse mpg they got under identical driving conditions.
What trim? The XLTs are able to disengage the front axle while the 4A (lariat and above) have permanently engaged / fixed front axles and always turn (2022 and up). For the years you mention there shouldn't be any real difference between them unless run in 4 auto which keeps the front axle engaged.
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