5.0 vs Powerboost Engine

[BigJim]

Ordered my PB in April 2024 and took delivery in mid July. Started to read all I could on the forums about the F150 since it was my first. Of course, engine type came up repeatedly and I thought I made a mistake buying the Powerboost over the 5.0- the 5.0 fans ranted about it being ‘legendary’, of course better sound, better range with rpm’s, longer longevity, better highway mpgs, etc

A buddy of mine came to visit with a rental - a 2023 5.0 with 33K miles. He let me drive it and I could not believe how bad the engine performed vs the Powerboost. It was literally night and day. Just was wondering if any of the guys who espouse the 5.0 have ever driven the Powerboost?

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[FaaWrenchBndr]

So I did end up buying a 24 power boost. I was kind of torn and really liked the reliability in little more simplistic design of the 5.0. However, the power boost head so many more attractive attributes.

Ray, long story short before I signed all the paperwork, I told the salesman Steve that I just had to drive a 5.0 to be sure. That thing was a damn dog. It had super sluggish throttle response. Once you got up around 4250-4500, It woke up, below that it was very very docile.

For me, the power boost was the better decision. I have high hopes that it will remain reliable and serve me well.

 

[SilverPigeon]

I haven't driven a PB, but I know they have more torque down low where it's needed for towing, it can be driven more economically (why anyone cares about economy with trucks this size is beyond me). You have made a fine decision.

I have wanted a V8 for 40 years, so nothing was going to stop me getting a 5.0 while I could. At my age, it is all the power I need, tows up to 4.5 metric tonnes, and has already gotten me 2 speeding tickets from overtaking people. It's a fine decision for me. I'm sure you'll get many opinions, but that, including mine, is what suits the person stating that opinion. ?‍

 

[dmac]

Owned both. Recently drove a 2024 PB. I think they've finally figured out the transmission programming. My 21 was fine but not wonderfully smooth.

My main beef is the powerboost is 500lbs heavier vs a similarly optioned 5.0/3.5/2.7. From a stop and at partial throttle the PB is wayyy faster than the 5.0 with 87 in the tank. The other trucks drive lighter on their feet though.

I get similar if not better mpgs on the freeway with the 5.0. And passing power feels similar. If I want to drive fast I put in the corn juice and I get an extra 60 lb ft vs 87. PB is still way faster from a dig though.

If I were buying a 24 I'd probably go powerboost since e85 is gone on the 5.0 and the trans tuning is better than it used to be on the hybrid.

Just please dont give me stupid heavy options like 20" wheels, giant loud mud tires I'll never use properly, power running boards, power tailgate, sunroof, and butt violating seats.. That will make even a powerboost slow.

 

[redline]

Not again

 

[Kanuck]

I haven't driven a PB, but I know they have more torque down low where it's needed for towing, it can be drive more economically (why anyone cares about economy with trucks this size is beyond me). You have made a fine decision.

I have wanted a V8 for 40 years, so nothing was going to stop me getting a 5.0 while I could. At my age, it is all the power I need, tows up to 4.5 metric tonnes, and has already gotten me 2 speeding tickets from overtaking people. It's a fine decision for me. I'm sure you'll get many opinions, but that, including mine, is what suits the person stating that opinion. ?‍

@SilverPigeon
Chris....Just when the need for speed is there you need the cloaking device option... stolen from the Klingons.

 

[HammaMan]

5.0 needs the 3.73. PB doesn't need it but comes with it standard. The PB is best described as effortless power. 5.0 needs its hamsters screaming with their little wheel at full tilt. The PB 'cheats' using its 220ftlb electric motor to fill in the gaps of the 3.5 which itself isn''t a slouch. Granted by 5k RPM it's out of breath. The PB launching from a standstill can spin all 4 tires at 6400lbs. Trans won't hold up to that kind of fun though. 2WD in the rain will effortlessly bring the rear end around. Highly suggest the TOD transfer case for those that don't have it.

My sister was following me driving my truck in the rain and kicked out the rear end a little in a turn not expecting the power ramp to be like it is vs her expedition w/ 3.5 and 3.73. Expedition's throttle isn't nearly as sharp as the PB's. It really brings in the electric motor with a little bit of throttle vs the expedition. That really changes the driving characteristics of it.

 

[Pedaldude]

The 5.0 naturally aspirated is better compared with the 2.7 Ecoboost. I think the modern turbo displacement multiplier for competition is 1.7 but whatever it is, there’s no comparison because you can always add boost. Because even a 6.0 Coyote isn’t going to reach parity with a 3.5 Ecoboost. Add to that performance deficit an electric motor that even at 35KW puts out staggering low RPM torque and it’s not even close.

Where the 5.0 V8 shines compared with the EB/PB is that it doesn’t have mass production turbochargers spinning around at a quarter million RPM that cost thousands of dollars for replacement after the warranty wears out.

What Ford really needs to do is expand the Powerboost line to include V8 options so that we can argue about that!

 

[dochawk]

What Ford really needs to do is expand the Powerboost line to include V8 options so that we can argue about that!

No it doesn't!

?

 

[Samson16]

The quiet smooth effortless power of the PB. I gently put my foot in it.

 

[JExpedition07]

I drove the 2.7 EB, 3.5 EB, and 5.0 V8 and the 5.0 was by far and away my favorite. The 2.7 falls short big time on off-idle grunt as well as top end torque but the mid range is similar. To the boards and at very low rpm the 5.0 has a lot more power. The 3.5 felt good to me, but the 5.0 has a lot more cool advanced features and engineering at this point than the 3.5 EB and was a cooler engine with more potential to me.

The 5.0 makes 300 lb ft by 1,500 rpm. That more torque than several old small block Chevys at their peak through the entire rev range…..idk how you call that a dog. Probably the same way a 6.7 PowerStroke owner would call your PowerBoost a gutless dog….now THERE is some spread. 1,250 lb ft @ 1,800 rpm vs 570 lb ft @ 3,100 rpm. A 6.7 will make the PowerBoost feel like a dog much more than the PowerBoost will make a 5.0 feel like a dog. Depends what you drive regularly.

I love my 5.0, has plenty of power for docile daily driving and has plenty of power to be a race car when I want it to. I never need over 2,500 rpm in daily driving, if I’m over that it’s just speeding and having fun at that point.

 

[Samson16]

Probably the same way a 6.7 PowerStroke owner would call your PowerBoost a gutless dog….now THERE is some spread. 1,250 lb ft @ 1,800 rpm vs 570 lb ft @ 3,100 rpm. A 6.7 will make the PowerBoost feel like a dog much more than the PowerBoost will make a 5.0 feel like a dog

?
This is why the dead horse still gets a beating at the drop of a hat.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I drove the 2.7 EB, 3.5 EB, and 5.0 V8 and the 5.0 was by far and away my favorite. The 2.7 falls short big time on off-idle grunt as well as top end torque but the mid range is similar. To the boards and at very low rpm the 5.0 has a lot more power. The 3.5 felt good to me, but the 5.0 has a lot more cool advanced features and engineering at this point than the 3.5 EB and was a cooler engine with more potential to me.

The 5.0 makes 300 lb ft by 1,500 rpm. That more torque than several old small block Chevys at their peak through the entire rev range…..idk how you call that a dog. Probably the same way a 6.7 PowerStroke owner would call your PowerBoost a gutless dog….now THERE is some spread. 1,250 lb ft @ 1,800 rpm vs 570 lb ft @ 3,100 rpm. A 6.7 will make the PowerBoost feel like a dog much more than the PowerBoost will make a 5.0 feel like a dog. Depends what you drive regularly.

I love my 5.0, has plenty of power for docile daily driving and has plenty of power to be a race car when I want it to. I never need over 2,500 rpm in daily driving, if I’m over that it’s just speeding and having fun at that point.

I assume you are referring to my comment about the 5.0 being a dog.

I wasn’t comparing the 5.0 to a POS Chevy, nor was I to the 6.7. But I agree.

As long as you are happy with the 5.0, that’s all that matters.

 

[BMCGC]

Very unscientific data here. Most 5.0's I have seen on the lots have 3.31's. The PB has 3.73's.

My 2020 5.0 had 3.31's. Performance was great on flat ground. Towing or in the mountains it was definitely lacking in drivability.

Not everyone wants maximum power. My 87 year old neighbor had a 2020 XLT with the 2.7. He loved it but wanted a 4x4 so he could drive on the beach, he is getting a bit too old to haul chairs, coolers and an umbrella from the parking lot. Now he has a 2023 XLT 3.5 FX4. other than the FX4, he liked the 2020 better.

 

[JExpedition07]

Also wanted to throw out there….a rental with 33k miles probably has base 3.15 gearing and horrid learned transmission tables. Rentals are typically beat on, the 10R80 learns the strategy of the driver on average. The last Subruban rental I drove shifted and drove like shit, but I know they typically don’t drive that bad. My aunts Yukon drives wonderfully. Food for thought.

 

[starcommtrey1]

Ok, Ill throw my .02 in. for those who call the 5.0 a 'dog' or underperforming. You are spoiled. Its not a bad thing, but you are. In 2006 the strongest engine in a 150 was 300 herspers. Thats it. Today trucks are stronger.(Your Powerboost is still a dog next to my 350, but that comparing Oranges and Tangerines, Similar but not quite the same). Ford has gone the way of the US military as far as half tons go. It has to compete with itself. The 5.3 GM or 5.7(now going extinct) Hemi are no competition for the venerable Coyote engine. Your PB benefits from a better factory tune and instant power from the electric motors. Great setup if its not your last truck. If it is your last truck, the 5.0 boasts some fantastic advantages that the PB just cannot offer. The 5.0 has 0 turbos to wear out. The 5.0 has a singular battery thats only 200 bucks to replace.(All batteries wear out, including the HVB batteries in all Hybrids and they are not cheap.) For the most part the 5.0 is a traditional engine which means when the time come will be cheaper to replace. Even with the 3.31 gears, I am not disappointed in the towing capabilities of my 150. Bikes, boats, even a dump trailer handles just fine. Not my powerstroke fine, but great for a half ton pickup. Throughout my history with 150s(only 6 or 7 of them from a base xl to a fully loaded 06) I have never had one that towed bad. They all did what they were meant to do right up to the max load. The 5.0 is no different. The PB is a fun truck to drive for sure, but its the hot one night stand you have fun with for a while. The 5.0 is the one you grow old and die with.

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