My '23 5.0 Tremor is back at the dealer with an A/C malfunction so I was given a loaner, which is a brand new, '23 2wd XLT Sport with the 2.7 EB. Therefore, I have an interesting perspective on the 2 engines, back to back. The 2.7 is actually fairly impressive, in a 2wd truck on small street tires. I would think the heavier Tremor, on 33" tires would blunt it a bit. Very quiet and smooth engine with a nice torque shove at about 2,500 RPM. I don't find the transmission is as smooth as the 5.0 Tremor...seems a lot "jerkier" at low speed, throttle on/off transitions. Other than the lack of V8 sound, the 2.7 EB is very competent so I can imagine the 3.5 being even better. One shocking thing was found on the window sticker in the glove box....2wd XLT Sport MSRP = $55,XXX....a staggering number. I fully expected, based on the level of finish and options that the truck would have stickered mid-$40's and could buy it in the upper $30's.....no way in hades I would buy that truck anywhere close to the sticker price.
. The 5.0 does a lot better than most old fashioned N/A engines on a tune, about 440 horsepower in the F-150 on an E-85 tune and 500 horsepower on the Mustang, so 500 hp is a set of cams and a intake manifold away. I think that’s the way to go if the truck is a DD run-around, but I tow my boat. So I’ll either leave it stock, buy a flex-fuel tune for it, or Whipple it. Totally happy with my 5.0, and would not trade it for the EcoBoost. As long as you like the truck you spent your money on no harm no foul in my book
