For the 3.31 haters

[ttnuagmada]

Another gripe I hear but I don't think applies to the 2021-present 5.0 is that it lacks low end torque. Maybe it did with the earlier generation with 10.5 compression and port fuel injection but I feel like the current generation with 12-1 compression with DI and MPI has decent low end torque.

I mean the 5.0 is fine, but it doesn't take much time in a 3.5 to realize what's missing. I was only in one for about a month 4 years ago, but I still miss the effortless low rpm speed changes.

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[Ortho318]

I had a 5.0 3.31 2016 with the 6 speed and that thing HATED towing with a passion. Towing 3000 lbs of trailer and side by side was all it wanted. At 70-75, it rarely got into 5th gear, and was often in 3rd gear with the “hills” of north Louisiana screaming at 4000 RPM. I vowed to get the best powered 1/2 ton truck I could get when I replaced it. 2024 3.73 powerboost is current truck. Tows way better than my 2016 5.0. Maybe 10-speed would’ve helped.

 

[JExpedition07]

I had a 5.0 3.31 2016 with the 6 speed and that thing HATED towing with a passion. Towing 3000 lbs of trailer and side by side was all it wanted. At 70-75, it rarely got into 5th gear, and was often in 3rd gear with the “hills” of north Louisiana screaming at 4000 RPM. I vowed to get the best powered 1/2 ton truck I could get when I replaced it. 2024 3.73 powerboost is current truck. Tows way better than my 2016 5.0. Maybe 10-speed would’ve helped.

I have never driven a 2016 but those were a lower 10.5:1 compression motor compared to today’s 12:1 compression motor, and not the same cubic inches. I try not to compare 1st and 2nd to 3rd/4th gens as after 2018 the 5.0 is fundamentally a new engine.

 

[Chili]

I had a 5.0 3.31 2016 with the 6 speed and that thing HATED towing with a passion. Towing 3000 lbs of trailer and side by side was all it wanted. At 70-75, it rarely got into 5th gear, and was often in 3rd gear with the “hills” of north Louisiana screaming at 4000 RPM. I vowed to get the best powered 1/2 ton truck I could get when I replaced it. 2024 3.73 powerboost is current truck. Tows way better than my 2016 5.0. Maybe 10-speed would’ve helped.

With the 10 speed. 3.31 gears would be more aggressive than 3.73 gears in your truck. Still, the 5.0 is going to like more gear than 3.31s though. I had a 2020 5.0 w/ 3.55 and 32" tires and wished for more gear.

 

[kopper499b]

Go drive a 5.4 with the four speed and 3.55 or 3.73 gears and you quickly realize how slow and lethargic they are because of the archaic four speed and wide ratios. Love my 2004 5.4, but it is a slug.

How about my old Bullnose F250 460 w/ C6 and 4.10 rearend... talk about slow... 0-60 sometime tomorrow!

 

[JCsTruck]

I mean the 5.0 is fine, but it doesn't take much time in a 3.5 to realize what's missing. I was only in one for about a month 4 years ago, but I still miss the effortless low rpm speed changes.

That‘s because the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 peak torque of 500 lb ft comes in at a lower 3100 RPM thanks to the twin turbochargers, so that engine with the same 10-speed transmission is going to feel livelier at low speeds, especially when under load at the same given RPM. the 5.0 makes more low end torque than the 2.7 ecoboost but less than the 3.5 ecoboost, slotting itself right between the two in terms of low end power. Because the 5.0 is naturally aspirated, its power comes on in a more linear fashion and continues to build to nearly 7000 PRM, whereas the 3.5 comes on rapidly and peaks early which is the nature of most all turbocharged engines. By comparison the 3.5 in conjunction with the instant torque of an electric motor comes on like a sledgehammer so obviously if you drive a 5.0 equipped tuck vs a powerboost back to back you will notice this difference and slight less so for 3.5 only.

I am personally happy with the low end power, and especially the top end power of my 2024 5.0. It feels effortless to me in everyday driving and gets impressive fuel economy considering its a V8. I just towed my 2000+ lb bass boat with it today and while merging onto the highway someone in a Chevy Malibu sedan was barely passing me accelerating from a stop up the hill and I could hear their engine working pretty hard to do so and my engine was puring along and easily pulled that boat up to 50 MPH with a passenger up a decent grade. My truck can accelerate really well in 10th gear without needing to downshift on the highway at 70 MPH which is a good indicator of decent low end torque.

A fun part for me is the sound of sonic heaven that only a V8 can do when that DOHC 32 valve deep breathing V8 is asked to rev to 6800 RPM and it will do that with surprising authority and click off shifts with impressive speed. I like how every time it shifts it lurches forward like a manual transmission would years ago.

They are all great engines that achieve 325-400 HP (430 HP PB) in different ways but they are not without compromises with the way they achieve their numbers and it is great that Ford offers its customers such a wide range of great engines.

I remember when I test drove a 2024 ecoboost 2.7 4wd right after driving a much lighter RCSB 2WD with 3.73 gears and I thought to myself that the 2.7 did not feel lacking in power in any way and it was a very quiet and civilized engine. It probably would win a fuel economy challenge especially if you factor in overall purchase price in overall ownership costs.

Lastly, people shouldn‘t use anecdotal stories from pre 2021 5-liter V8 engines equipped with a 6-speed transmission and use it in such a way as if it applies to the current generation truck which has a 10-speed transmission, 12-1 compression, and direct injection, and slightly more displacement. Its just not the same engine, and I believe the current generation 5.0-liter V8 makes much better low end torque compared to the last generation 5-liter V8 did. ?

 

[BPnLV]

Love this thread! I just picked a new 2025 5.0 STX SuperCab with the 3.31 E-Locker. I plan on doing a blower and wasn’t thrilled about the 3.31 at first, thinking I’d need to switch to a 3.73(past-living mentality lol). Now I feel reassured, thanks all for the good info!

 

[Hans Moleman]

Don’t fear the gear

 

[Fuelin_Around]

I agree, the 3.31 gears in conjunction with the 10-speed automatic transmission make a good match and offer both good acceleration and fuel efficiency even while towing. Also, my 0-60 run of 5.41 seconds says there is plenty of mechanical advantage too. ?

Yeah. 3.31 gears are trash. I was only able to get a 3.01 second 0-60 out of mine ??

 

[sporkfed]

Since even a 3.31 can break traction at the rear, I think the 3.73 gears are for two things: easier heavy towing take off and reverse and better off-road crawl ratio in 4L.

 

[missileboy]

With the 10 speed. 3.31 gears would be more aggressive than 3.73 gears in your truck. Still, the 5.0 is going to like more gear than 3.31s though. I had a 2020 5.0 w/ 3.55 and 32" tires and wished for more gear.

That's the thing, what are you using the truck for? If you start putting big tires and rims on them, yeah, you will notice but one could argue that would be true for any motor/gear ratio that is typically standard on trucks. with the 3.31 there is no lack of torque down low and if you do add a blower it becomes a need to learn light foot habits on take off in wet or slippery conditions.

The average truck user will love the 5.0 with 3.31 gears. This truck does it all, it tows, it daily's and hauls crap and you can take it to the track and run 11's (with some supporting mods anyway). My only negative experience with my 24 is the stupid SYNC crap. My APIM was inop from day 1 and after 3-4 months of reading all of the stories about OTA and SW bugs etc., when the dealer called me to bring it back, I never got it replaced and am happy I didn't. If some SW update comes out that is safety related, I can always load it via a USB.

3.31's with a good motor and trans, awesome-

 

[powerboatr]

3 31 worked excellent in my 22 f150
When I had the trailer loaded,
I would just lock out 9 or 10
To keep rpms in comfy zone for engine and drive
In my 24 superduty
Gobs of tq.
The ease of locking out one 3 of the top gears is awesome and then empty
Getting solid 20 at 75 yes sir

 

[Jerome10]

I have a Powerboost so I didn't get an axle choice.

But I have no idea how anyone comes to this decision. I figured that 3.31 vs 3.73 you'd just drive around in 1 lower gear on the 3.31 if towing. And then at the same time I'm not sure how much the 3.73 would hurt fuel economy unloaded since the 10 speed has a zillion gears already anyway.

If you made me pick, I'd probably have gone 3.31. Get better MPG when not towing and I can't imagine much difference towing other than getting the load started, and even then either of those 2 benefits are probably minuscule.

You almost wonder if Ford still offers a choice just because of traditionalists still insisting they need axle ratio options....

 

[Spidergears]

I have 3:31 with the 3.5 eco non-PB. I hardly ever tow, figured the 10 speed would make up the any difference I needed, so I went for fuel economy.

Now that I have it, I‘m not sure it is the most economical. At highway speeds, any load on the engine, even small inclines or touches of the accelerator, Im in the boost. Boost is fun, but obviously burns more fuel. I wonder if 3:55 or 3:73 might actually use enough less boost to be more economical.

 

[JCsTruck]

I have 3:31 with the 3.5 eco non-PB. I hardly ever tow, figured the 10 speed would make up the any difference I needed, so I went for fuel economy.

Now that I have it, I‘m not sure it is the most economical. At highway speeds, any load on the engine, even small inclines or touches of the accelerator, Im in the boost. Boost is fun, but obviously burns more fuel. I wonder if 3:55 or 3:73 might actually use enough less boost to be more economical.

What happens if you put it in eco mode?

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