When you’re shopping for a great truck, you should know what makes it tick. It’s not necessarily something you need to know to operate the vehicle successfully. However, if you appreciate automobiles beyond the travel convenience they provide, learning the ins and outs of the engine is crucial. In doing so, you can learn to appreciate the vehicle and utilize its full potential during your years of owning it.
One of the top engines on the market is the F-150 EcoBoost V6. If you’re in need of a truck with an engine that’s capable of strong towing capabilities and provides exceptional overall horsepower and fuel efficiency, you’ll appreciate most trucks that carry EcoBoost engines. Below, you can discover what to know about the Ford F-150 EcoBoost engine before using it on the road. First, we’ll breakdown the history of this iconic truck component.
History of EcoBoost Engines
In 2009, The Ford Motor Company cleverly saw the opportunity to make an engine that successfully merged incredible horsepower, torque, hauling skills, and fuel economy into one beautiful package. In other words, the aim was to provide more power and versatility without hindering the vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
After years of production, Ford finally unveiled their first EcoBoost engine in 2011. Specifically, their first EcoBoost engine was surprisingly the 3.5L variant, which we’ll delve deeper into later. Today, more models of the EcoBoost exist, but the 3.5L version is the original.
This new addition to Ford’s line-up immediately won the hearts of drivers across the United States. Over the years, the EcoBoost has gone far and is now a major component of most Ford vehicles on the market. As you’ll learn below, whichever version of this engine you have, you can experience an impressive performance.
Types of EcoBoost Engines
The two most common types of F-150 V6 EcoBoost engines you’ll find are 2.7-liters and 3.5-liters. The 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost engines both deliver fuel via direct injection and offer a 6-quart oil capacity. However, the 2.7L variation does fall behind the 3.5L in a few areas. For example, whereas the latter variation provides between 365 and 375 horsepower, the former only offers 325 hp. While 325 hp isn’t bad, it certainly showcases the clear distinction between the two models.
Likewise, the 3.5L can deliver upward of 420 lb.-ft of torque, while the 2.7L won’t surpass 400 lb.-ft of torque. Both EcoBoost variations also differ in terms of towing and payload rating. If you’re buying a Ford for hauling loads on the road, understanding the towing capacity and payload rating is crucial. With a payload rating of around 3,200 lbs. and a towing capacity of 13,200 lbs., the 3.5L surpasses the 2.7L once again.
That said, the latter variation can still deliver 8,500 lbs. towing capacity and a payload rating between 2,200 and 2,300 lbs., which is nothing to scoff at. In some cases, the 2.7L can even have a payload rating beyond 2,400 lbs.
For an extra power boost, you can also find EcoBoost options that go by the name “high-output” 3.5L V6. When an EcoBoost reads “high-output,” it isn’t fooling around. This engine can deliver 450 hp and 510 lb.-ft of torque. As you can see, each EcoBoost has its differences and similarities, but each one is a fuel-efficient powerhouse.
Powerhouse Performance
Thanks to the fact that EcoBoost engines are direct-injection and turbocharged, they can deliver a special level of horsepower and torque. The torque capabilities of EcoBoost engines especially help with towing trailers up steep roads, which is pretty tough for lesser engines.
Turbochargers
The purpose of turbochargers in vehicles is to help them provide a larger quantity of air to the engine. So, why is this useful? By pumping in more air than other engines, the EcoBoost can turn that extra air into more power while using less fuel.
Turbochargers can do this through a process called “forced induction.” This process involves the use of compressors within the internal combustion chamber, which give it that extra boost of pressure. This differs greatly from naturally aspirated engines, which only rely on atmospheric pressure to provide air to the internal combustion chamber.
Direct Injection
Direct injection is a term explaining how the truck’s fuel enters the engine. You’ll commonly hear the phrase “petrol direct injection” to reference this process as well. This process uses a set of devices by the name of “fuel injectors.” These devices look like something you might see in a medical bay in a sci-fi movie—bulky, mechanical syringe-like tools that sit above the internal combustion chamber. In the EcoBoost, you’ll find two fuel injectors that periodically spray the fuel into the combustion chamber while it’s running. PDI is an old-school process that still remains as successful and fuel-efficient as ever.
Fuel Economy
The defining quality of the Ford F-150 EcoBoost engine is its ability to provide immense horsepower without causing excessive fuel consumption. As mentioned above, EcoBoost engines use turbochargers and direct fuel injection, which gives them quite a bit of power on the road. However, both factors also make the engine more fuel-efficient.
The fuel economy that an EcoBoost engine provides typically ranges between 20 and 30 percent more than what trucks with naturally aspirated engines can achieve. Not everyone cares about fuel efficiency as much as they should, but if you do, then a 20 to 30 percent fuel economy improvement isn’t too shabby. Don’t feel as though you have to sacrifice fuel efficiency for horsepower (or vice versa) when shopping for a good pickup truck. Thanks to tools like the EcoBoost, you can take advantage of both benefits simultaneously.
Thanks to this guide on what to know about the Ford F-150 EcoBoost, you should have a better understanding of what sets it apart from other engines on the market. Not everyone appreciates and understands the inner workings of vehicles, specifically trucks. Those who do take the time to understand these vehicles will soon see the value that an EcoBoost provides.
Even with the right vehicle by your side, you have to be mindful of finding the right attachments for it. Finding the right Ford and outfitting it with the right tech, such as a Raptor LED light bar, will help you utilize these vehicles to their fullest potential.
