5.0 or 3.5?

[Steve5472]

So I'm going to be putting in my order today or tomorrow and I'm torn between the 5L and 3.5L engine. I don't tow anything so I'm not concerned about that. I understand the 3.5 is a bit quicker but I really like the sound of the 5L V8. Any insight to sway me one way or the other would be appreciated!

 

[GKTremor]

If you really care about sound the 5.0 is the only way to go. Personally I wanted the power to be top notch. The 3.5 is crazy powerful and has all the tq you could ever use in a ½ ton truck. That said the 5.0 will do everything you need and sound great doing it.

IMO there is no wrong choice here.

 

[ghostbit]

I’d vote the 5.0 for the Tremor since it is more unique (I’d go for it if I could have found one)

 

[TremorLucky]

I'd say 5.0 if you plan on supercharging, otherwise I go with the 3.5 for the better performance (and you could always tune).

 

[Steve5472]

Thanks guys...I'm leaning towards the 5.0 so this is helping push me in that direction! I

 

[CAMDENN]

Less things to go wrong / break on a NA engine.

 

[CrankCase]

I currently have a 5.0 in my tremor and has the 3.5 in my last truck (2018 Police responder with a raptor suspension swap) and in all honestly they are both great engines. The 3.5 would move, and move quickly, going up hills was effortless and barley downshifted, towing was equally as easy. But even with a decent muffler, it still sounded…..off…..not bad, just off. i put 130,000 hard miles on it and my only major issues were a water pump at 100,000, fuel injectors and CAT at 124,000. It was in need of cam phasers and since it would’ve been an out of pocket expense plus the transmission was shifting very weird and I knew it would be another expensive repair I decided to sell it.

my new 2023 with the 5.0 has been great so far (6700 miles) and has even returned about 18.5 mpg with 80% interstate at 75-80 mph in hilly east TN. The 5.0 just sounds good no matter if it’s idle or stepping on it.

Either engine is a solid choice if taken care of and maintenance done at or before scheduled intervals.

 

[Escape Hatch]

I test drove a 5.0 F150 prior to ordering my 22 and it seemed to have plenty of power. I have no complaints with the 3.5 and actually enjoy it quite a bit. Though it is currently stock it is always fun digging into the peddle a little bit next to another vehicle and letting off the gas. Most people don't expect to hear turbos blow off on a truck and cracks me up.

 

[zx12-iowa]

Less things to go wrong / break on a NA engine.

This is a fallacy.

 

[zimm]

Less things to go wrong / break on a NA engine.

There's actually more moving parts in the 5.0 and it has cylinder deactivation.

I had a 2018 3.5. My buddy had the 5.0. 3.5 is more powerful and the 5.0 just sounds good. I was going to buy a 5.0 but found a 3.5 2023 exactly how I'd build it (minus the V8) for a good deal so I bought it. 400hp/500ft lbs of torque is a rocket ship when you get onto it. It does seem to take a few moments to despool when you left off the gas after tapping full boost, say merging into traffic or passing someone but man is it fun to have diesel levels of low end torque, V8 power up top, and it's just quiet and does it's job when driving around town. I'd say you can't go wrong with either pick.

 

[DEEPDOWN]

So I'm going to be putting in my order today or tomorrow and I'm torn between the 5L and 3.5L engine. I don't tow anything so I'm not concerned about that. I understand the 3.5 is a bit quicker but I really like the sound of the 5L V8. Any insight to sway me one way or the other would be appreciated!

Both are great. I have 22 so 3.5EB was only option which was a shame as 5.0 Coyote is built in my city (Essex Engine Plant-Windsor, ON). One caveat: the 3.5 is way superior in high altitudes (thin air). If that’s not your locale then no worries. 3.5 is more easily tuned with LMS adding 100 to each HP and torque. Then if you have the dough then Ford Performance offers the Whipple SC for the Coyote. Either way you can’t go wrong!

 

[claviska]

Before the Tremor, I'd never had a V6 in any of my trucks and I was really nervous about it. Now that I've had the 3.5 for almost a year, I'm convinced it's better at just about everything. The sound isn't as deep, if you care about that, but performance-wise the 3.5 has been by far the best engine I've had in a truck.

 

[sean80]

If you care about the sound, get 5.0. If you don’t get the 3.5. I will say I kick a kick out of hemis screaming away trying to keep up with the 3.5. Put it in sport mode and go!

 

[CAinCA]

One caveat: the 3.5 is way superior in high altitudes (thin air).

^This. The EB is great even at 8900'.

Personally, I have a sports car for when I want Vrrroooommm noises. The EB is great for a truck. It really reduced my driving workload coming from a 5.3 Triton/4spd auto. The power is just instant/effortless. It's almost like driving an electric car.

 

[pittman]

The 5.0L sounds great I'll give it that.

I prefer the low torque a turbo motor has to offer, the ease of tuning for more power and the low RPMS. Plus it's nice to have a truck that smokes the big V8s out there.

 

[TremorLucky]

^This. The EB is great even at 8900'

Agreed. I live at 7,000 ft and the EcoBoost does well.

 

[zimm]

Also, with the '23+ 3.5, don't count on a tune. They don't make one yet that can withstand Ford's over the air updates. I think it's plenty powerful enough though- throw it in sport mode and it's Ford's performance tune with warranty intact. If I wanted more power, I'd run 93 octane, but 87 gives me enough oomph and plenty of fuel savings.

 

[pittman]

I think there are a lot of individuals motivated to tune the '23+ trucks. In any case, HP tuners figures they'll be good go go in the new year so a custom tune is looking like an option as well.

 

[Gump1376]

My Supercharged 5.0L is getting 16-17 mpg going up and down hills here in NM at 5-8000 ft elevation. I'm not romping on it, but got the supercharger as the elevation sucks the N/A power and I'll be towing a small off-road trailer with it and like the extra torque. Another thing... I refuse to have a V6 in a truck. They sound whispy... If you enjoy Forced Induction, the supercharger in my opinion has a better power delivery. My twin turbo 3.3L V6 Kia Stinger is tuned and just doesn't have the linear power delivery as compared to the supercharger.

edit: If you add the supercharger it gets rid of the annoying cylinder deactivation and the auto start/stop. Another bonus for the Supercharger.

 

[Deere_Farmer]

Thanks guys...I'm leaning towards the 5.0 so this is helping push me in that direction! I

I have the 5 liter in my 2023 F150 Tremor and love it. Very noticeable rumble and as another fella mentioned, less to go wrong.