5.0 vs 3.5 - more reliable when driven hard?

[22CCSBF150]

Hi there,

I’m generally happy with my ‘22 XLT 2.7, but I’d like some more toys, so I’m upgrading to a ‘23 Lariat. I drive pretty hard, having my foot to the floor at least a couple of times per day and hope to keep the next truck to around 200,000 miles (I drive 30k/yr).
Which motor is more likely to put up to the abuse of being driven hard and put away wet? I love a good V8, but have heard mixed reviews about reliability of newer generation models.

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[nvabill]

5.0 all day and everyday!

 

[tony72cutlass's']

My vote is for the 5.0, I change my oil religiously at 6K miles and beat the snot out of it daily. I actually find the 5.0 runs better the harder you push the pedal. It starts to really sing above 4K.

3.5 has a lot of go juice though if you want more ponies under the hood.

The weak link in my opinion is the 10R80 transmission in any configuration.

 

[Eskram]

The 5.0 sounds better for sure, but I do love me some boost. And honestly, as I become older aged, I kinda like not making a lot of noise. ??‍

20 years ago, I would have not known who just typed that... Lol

 

[Murrk847]

Coming from a 5.0 owner, I would say its a toss up. 5.0 seems like the easy choice for "reliability" but the jury is still out of cylinder deactivation. I had a 3.5 w/ 100k miles and not so much as a check engine light.

 

[JExpedition07]

Neither, both suck. Be a man and get a 5.4 3V.

 

[JExpedition07]

If only.

That 5.4 torque curve was amazing. Fuggin stupid cheap ass timing BS... Grrrrr.

The 4th gen 5.0L eats the 5.4L 3V torque curve alive in all seriousness. Back in gen 1 motors yes the 5.4 likely had a low end advantage, but those days are long gone with the advancements the 5.0 has gone through.

 

[Samson16]

The 4th gen 5.0L eats the 5.4L 3V torque curve alive in all seriousness. Back in gen 1 motors yes the 5.4 likely had a low end advantage, but those days are long gone with the advancements the 5.0 has gone through.

Can you overlay the Powerboost torque curve on that? I realize it will go way above the scale, but how cool is that?!

 

[Jmet8]

Get a F250 7.3 Godzilla gas pushrod one cam. V8 for the win. Just food for thought.

 

[nvabill]

The 5.0 sounds better for sure, but I do love me some boost. And honestly, as I become older aged, I kinda like not making a lot of noise. ??‍

20 years ago, I would have not known who just typed that... Lol

You know in Forscan you can also turn the Eco Boost artificial sound that is pumped in through the speakers. ?

 

[JRonchetto]

I have loved my 3.5 EBs. The power is amazing, and runs like a sports car, but the phazers and turbo problems are always milling around in the back of my mind. I traded in my 2016 3.5 Platinum for the 2021 XLT (302A) that I have now, and a week later I talked to the dealer and they said someone took it for a weekend test drive and it came back with the turbos out. I had never had a check engine light or any indication of trouble in the 110,000 miles I owned it. I barely missed that problem. I think if I were to buy a new one, I would go for the Coyote. I love a V8 and the exhaust sound is/can be amazing. I also hear they are more dependable.

 

[WalterMitty]

I'm a biased V8 owner. I have no desire for a turbo gasoline motor in a truck.

 

[Samson16]

Stop safely now.

?

 

[Samson16]

I'm a biased V8 owner. I have no desire for a turbo gasoline motor in a truck.

I understand that. Does the cylinder deactivation bother you? Driving around with a 2.5L 4 cylinder until you get on the throttle? Sounds complicated but there’s no denying the mpg numbers that result.

 

[WalterMitty]

I understand that. Does the cylinder deactivation bother you? Driving around with a 2.5L 4 cylinder until you get on the throttle? Sounds complicated but there’s no denying the mpg numbers that result.

I don't notice it at all. That said, if I could turn that feature off, I would. Even with it, I think it's the lessor of two evils in my book (versus getting a turbo gas truck).

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