5.0 revs for daily driving

[TacoJon]

Hey all,

Considering an STX. I got a choice between the 5.0 and 2.7. I've driven both for work trucks but its been a couple of years. Leaning towards the Coyote though. I do keep hearing that it needs a lot of revs to get going. Out of curiosity, for around town conservative driving, what RPM' range are you sitting at? Do you need to really ring it out that much?

Another thing for me is I live at 7200 ft and sometime venture to around 10,000 ft of elevation. I won't be towing that often but when I do it will probably never be more than 6,000 lbs. I would go for the 3.73 gears probably.

I currently have a 2013 Tacoma with the 4.0 V6. Around town I rarely go over 2200 RPM unless I need to scoot. Has good low-end but that runs out quick on the highway.

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[Eskram]

The 5.0 loves revs - I preferred the 2.7 in my limited experience with both engines, for what it's worth.

If you're at elevation, I think the 2.7 would be a better fit overall. You don't need to ring it out to make all the power, and it's not affected as much by thinner air as a NA motor is.

 

[adyaro77]

My last two trucks had the 3.5 Ecoboost. My 24' XLT has the 5.0. the first thing I noticed is the gas pedal is not as responsive. Feels like to get going you really have to push down on the pedal. I've had it for a couple weeks now and I'm still getting used to it. Overall I love the motor. I love the sound and it pulls just as well is my 3.5 did. I know 3.5 has more torque but it made no difference as my boat only weighs at most 6,200 lb. I've only driven the 2.7 in rental trucks. Honestly I wasn't that impressed. Nothing against the 2.7, but the 3.5 and 5.0 are a lot of fun to drive. I would definitely purchase the 3.5 over the 2.7. with that being said I would purchase the 5.0 over the 2.7.

I wanted to add that the 2.7 has good pedal response as well. The 2.7 reminded me of an old four banger. Seem to be quick and responsive but not like the 3.5 or the 5.0. and lastly, turbo lag is a thing. It didn't happen to me often but when it did it was a problem.

 

[TacoJon]

Unfortunately limited to either the 2.7 or 5.0 in the STX. I have heard the 2.7 runs out of steam when passing at interstate speeds and the extra 75 HP the Coyote helps in that department.

 

[jakearb]

I live at about 8600' elevation and I have the 2.7. I personally haven't driven the 5.0, but I swapped to my current F-150 from a Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi and I really like the small turbo engine better. Like most people will say, the power definitely falls off a bit at the 4,500+ rpm range in the 2.7, but 98% of you're driving will be in that 1,500-3,500 rpm range. All 400lb/ft of torque comes in at 3,000 rpm. Plus the 2.7 is super quiet for highway cruising and I'm getting 23 mpg.

 

[EL5_Zero]

If I were in your shoes, 5.0 DONE. You don't "need" to rev it out, just let it do its thing. Under normal driving conditions, it should be shifting at approx. 1800 RPM. Now, if you want to get into "spirited driving", then yes, the 5.0 will naturally rev higher to maybe 4000 RPM. The main selling point on a 2.7 is how quick it feels in the mid-range as well as quicker throttle response due to the small turbos. After that, it does not accelerate as fast in the higher RPM. However, being at higher elevations, the 2.7 might be better all-around due to the turbos than a N/A 5.0. Now boost the 5.0 and it's a win-win over 2.7 and maybe the 3.5.

 

[jakearb]

Unfortunately limited to either the 2.7 or 5.0 in the STX. I have heard the 2.7 runs out of steam when passing at interstate speeds and the extra 75 HP the Coyote helps in that department.

If it helps, I've never had a single issue overtaking with the 2.7. It'll go from 75 to 100mph easily. The average vehicle on the road has under 180hp. Unless you are trying to race someone else in a truck at a stoplight, you'll be fine with either engine. If that's the main concern of yours, you should be looking at the Ford F150 raptor or a sports car, haha.

 

[JExpedition07]

Mine usually shifts at 2,200-2,300 rpm but I’m a bit aggressive of a driver. The 5.0 makes more torque than the 2.7 low in the revs and high in the revs, but that mid range they are close with a slight nod to the EB. The 5.0 has a nicer broader power curve overall. For merging and passing the 5.0 felt much stronger with some semi serious throttle application. The 5.0 also carry’s its torque all the way to redline, so naturally makes a boat load more horsepower.

I did not love the powerband of the 2.7 or 3.5 when I drove them. The 5.0 felt the most natural to me. That’s not to say they aren’t fine and dandy, and at 7,200 ft the 2.7 will probably retain more of that factory rated power. Air is getting thinner up there.

 

[SeanV313]

If it helps, I've never had a single issue overtaking with the 2.7. It'll go from 75 to 100mph easily. The average vehicle on the road has under 180hp. Unless you are trying to race someone else in a truck at a stoplight, you'll be fine with either engine. If that's the main concern of yours, you should be looking at the Ford F150 raptor or a sports car, haha.

I mean... I have been known to put my PB into Sport mode and try and launch it at a stop light.. ? It's fun but definitely not a race car!

 

[jakearb]

I mean... I have been known to put my PB into Sport mode and try and launch it at a stop light.. ? It's fun but definitely not a race car!

I've definitely done the same thing a few times! It's crazy how quick trucks are now. There isn't such thing as a slow F-150 anymore.

 

[jakearb]

Mine usually shifts at 2,200-2,300 rpm but I’m a bit aggressive of a driver. The 5.0 makes more torque than the 2.7 low in the revs to around 2,400 rpm then again after 3,300 rpm. Unless you are squeezing the gas pedal on the 2.7 to near 3 grand you have a bit less torque than the V8. The 5.0 torque curve is pretty flat and broad coming out of the gate near 300 lb ft, the 2.7 flies up mid 2000’s and falls off a cliff after that.

For power there really isn’t much contest, I drove both extensively. The 5.0 makes more power just about everywhere beside that spot near 3 grand. For merging and passing it was the 5.0 felt much stronger with some semi serious throttle application. The 5.0 also carry’s its torque all the way to redline, so naturally makes a boat load more horsepower.

I did not love the powerband of the 2.7 or 3.5 when I drove them. The 5.0 felt the most natural to me. That’s not to say they aren’t fine and dandy, and at 7,200 ft the 2.7 will probably retain more of that factory rated power. Air is getting thinner up there.

I think the key there is definitely the elevation for us. I'd take the 5.0 over the 2.7 any day if I were at sea level. At my 8,600', NA engines lose about 30% of their rated power.

 

[jmelgin83]

I think the key there is definitely the elevation for us. I'd take the 5.0 over the 2.7 any day if I were at sea level. At my 8,600', NA engines lose about 30% of their rated power.

I'll second this. I'm at 8200' and drive Mountain roads all of the time. I came from a Jeep Wrangler that I swapped a 5.7L Hemi V8 into and then traded for a newer model with the 2.0L 4 cyl turbo. The little turbo kicks the V8's butt at altitude. Now, at sea level, it is a completely different story. With all of this in mind, my '24 (which is being built "soon") will have the 3.5L turbo.

 

[MJG44]

The Pedal Commander is a must have modification for the 5.0, in my opinion.

 

[jhelrey]

Passing with the 5.0 is fine and dandy until you look down at the speedo and you're doing 105MPH.

 

[md2000]

Lots of good insight above, but guess I’d add that, as a guy coming off a 2015 with 3.5L EB and having just bought the STX with 5.0 w/3.73s, the EBs are fun off the line with all their torque. But man, the 5.0 makes me smile when it gets it on (esp in Sport). Like…instant boner, LOL! That said, you’re at elevation and the low-end boost could be best for you….good luck. STX trim is super high value for what you pay. Couldn’t be happier…

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