F-150 Eco Boost Towing Vs Nissan Titan

[jejeosborne]

Yeah, still not impressed.
Although, that HEMI still looks great making more power with a tried and true simple engine running over 9 years now of proven reliability yet only given up 2 mpg average. Considering there's no turbos or direct injectors to worry about is the icing on the cake. With the new 8 speed auto, that HEMI will match or beat that 16/22 mpg, then I will be even more unimpressed. :laughing:

Also, you should show the Ford V8 5.0l to really make the Ecoboost look unimpressive...
Ford 5.0 liter 15/21 360 hp / 380 lb.ft.
Now that 5.0l from Ford DOES impress me.

Sorry but the total power output from the ecoboost is greater by a pretty good margin over the hemi. Where are you getting your information? I am also giving the benefit of only discussing peak numbers. I will tell you this for about the 4th time, look at the area under the torque curves. Would you agree that is the important information?

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/assets/Ecoboost-vs-Ram.jpg
Dyno-Tested: 2011 Ford F-150 Ecoboost
Impressive?

The ecoboost gets 10% better mileage and 3% better torque. As far as other comparisons:
5.0 liter Ford gets 4% worse gas mileage and 10% less torque
6.2 liter Ford gets 22% worse mileage but only 3% better torque
3.7 liter Ford gets 9% better mileage but 51% less torque.

The ecoboost makes 420 lbs-ft at 2500 rpms. Yeah, enjoy your 407 lbs-ft at 4000 rpms. In addition the hemi doesn't pass the ecoboost in HP either until it hits around 5200 rpms. Who operates their trucks in these rpm ranges? I guess anyone without a diesel or ecoboost. Impressive?

The Hemi required 89 octane fuel to achieve rated numbers vs the ecoboost on 87 octane. In fact most Hemi owners use 89 octane in every tank to prevent engine damage. Do you?
Impressive?

I am with you in that the 2013 model looks promising and if it proves as successful as the ecoboost, I will support it as well. I am definately not brand loyal, just appreciate good products from anyone.

Hopefully they keep making the Ram truck and engines in Mexico and not by these clowns. Chrysler Workers in Trenton Caught Smoking and Drinking During Lunch Breaks
Entertaining video. This is the second plant they have busted in recent history.
NOT IMPRESSIVE!!

 

[jeffsw6]

The 5.3 GM, the weakest of the 5 1/2 liter range engines, has come a long long way from its introduction about 15 years ago to get to where it is today.

I think it's good to keep in mind that the GM 5.3 is usually applied as a V8 that is not too expensive to drive. They market the 6.0 as a workhorse and it is almost always found in the trucks with taller gears, etc. That said, the MPGs from the 5.3 were impressive until recently, but now there is better competition.

The 6.0 is what it is, I could have got one instead of the 5.3 and I didn't, and I'm not really sorry about that because in a 1/2 ton I feel the 5.3 is good enough for anything it can tow/carry anyway. In bigger trucks I feel like the 6.0 is not good enough but they of course offer the Duramax.

Those old big block motors were pigs. I had a 454 3500 Dually GMC and it was about equal to today's 5L gas motors. I also had one in a boat and it drank gas but was better than the other motor available for that boat, a 5.7L 2 barrel.

Both mine were throttle body injected.

The more I think about your recent post about your 95-ish 454, the more I think GM maybe came out with the 8.1 just because they had trouble marketing the 96-00 454/7.4. Every 8.1 owner I know is happy EXCEPT that the early ones all seem to use a lot of oil.

With the new 8 speed auto, that HEMI will match or beat that 16/22 mpg, then I will be even more unimpressed.

I don't think it will so much improve MPGs at any one task, but will make the same truck, with the same axle gears, perform better and more efficiently at a broader range of tasks. In other words, you won't wish it had 4.10 gears when towing and 2.83 on the way to Wal-Mart because the fancy transmission gives it the best of both worlds.

 

[jejeosborne]

A couple of things: The Eco cannot come close to matching the feel and sound of that Hemi. Ram has the best ride of any 1/2 ton out there by far with the coil setup, that is something I appreciate every time I drive it.

I can live with the silence of the ford. That was a deciding factor for me. Reminds me of a recent story that happened to me. There was a teenager at a stop light driving a GMC with a bumper sticker that read "loud pipes save lives" a few weeks ago. I pulled up to him and smiled at him as it was a Friday night and they were a couple good kids out cruising and it reminded me of myself 25 years ago. He rolled down his window so I did as well. I jokingly said "you don't want to run a V6 do you?" He replied, "You wouldn't want to do that, this has a big block V8 in it." I said, "that sounds fair, this has two turbos." He knew what to look for and instantly looked at the ecoboost badge on the door and said that he rode in one of those a couple weeks ago and said he respected that setup. The light turned green and we left at a normal pace. I turned off and they gave a couple of courtesy honks as they went by.

I am with you on the ride on the Rams. Dodge in general has some pretty innovative ideas and I like anyone who steps out and tries something new and better. Their styling is also nice, the Hemi is a good motor, and I like the Rambox. Too bad someone doesn't offer everything I like.

 

[Storm56]

I can live with the silence of the ford. That was a deciding factor for me. Reminds me of a recent story that happened to me. There was a teenager at a stop light driving a GMC with a bumper sticker that read "loud pipes save lives" a few weeks ago. I pulled up to him and smiled at him as it was a Friday night and they were a couple good kids out cruising and it reminded me of myself 25 years ago. He rolled down his window so I did as well. I jokingly said "you don't want to run a V6 do you?" He replied, "You wouldn't want to do that, this has a big block V8 in it." I said, "that sounds fair, this has two turbos." He knew what to look for and instantly looked at the ecoboost badge on the door and said that he rode in one of those a couple weeks ago and said he respected that setup. The light turned green and we left at a normal pace. I turned off and they gave a couple of courtesy honks as they went by.

I am with you on the ride on the Rams. Dodge in general has some pretty innovative ideas and I like anyone who steps out and tries something new and better. Their styling is also nice, the Hemi is a good motor, and I like the Rambox. Too bad someone doesn't offer everything I like.

Yes far too often we are forced to compromise on a purchase. I guess if one manufacturer offered everything the others woud go out of business! Competition is a good thing.

Good luck with your eco. I applaude any manufacturer that offers new ideas and fresh thinking.

 

[jejeosborne]

Yes far too often we are forced to compromise on a purchase. I guess if one manufacturer offered everything the others woud go out of business! Competition is a good thing.

Good luck with your eco. I applaude any manufacturer that offers new ideas and fresh thinking.

Amen to that and right back at you. I know many people who are so brand loyal, including family members, that they will just go down to the same old dealer and buy the current model of car or truck. No research, no competition test drives, no price comparisons, nothing. Back 20 years ago when the only options were power steering, brakes, windows, locks, and air across all manufacturers maybe. Now too many variables to consider.

I guess maybe that is why I don't get into sports because I can't pick a team to root for. Who wants to stick it out rooting for a team during their losing years. But some people will defend their brand/team no matter what even if the current lineup doesn't measure up. Me, I'll just change my hat or jersey and be a traitor.

 

[Bird]

Amen to that and right back at you. I know many people who are so brand loyal, including family members, that they will just go down to the same old dealer and buy the current model of car or truck. No research, no competition test drives, no price comparisons, nothing. Back 20 years ago when the only options were power steering, brakes, windows, locks, and air across all manufacturers maybe. Now too many variables to consider.

But even for those who claim to have done all the research, aren't the majority of vehicle purchases based more on emotion than logic? And even if the purchase is based, more or less anyway, on some logic, the features that you consider important might not be the same ones I consider important. In other words, for one of us fuel mileage may be a major consideration while the other one is much more concerned with the comfort of the seats. Many years ago, appearance was important to many (emotion), but now they all look alike anyway.:laughing:

For one example: Twenty or more years ago, Saturn had the only car with an automatic transmission that claimed you could put a tow bar on it and tow it behind a motorhome at any speed and any distance by just putting the gear selector in neutral. Since we were living in a motorhome, and since a trusted friend had bought 2 Saturns and thought they were great, I thought I wanted a Saturn (logical choice), until I took one for a test drive. I do believe it had the most uncomfortable seat of any car I ever drove. And that eliminated Saturn from consideration.

 

[jejeosborne]

But even for those who claim to have done all the research, aren't the majority of vehicle purchases based more on emotion than logic? And even if the purchase is based, more or less anyway, on some logic, the features that you consider important might not be the same ones I consider important. In other words, for one of us fuel mileage may be a major consideration while the other one is much more concerned with the comfort of the seats. Many years ago, appearance was important to many (emotion), but now they all look alike anyway.:laughing:

For one example: Twenty or more years ago, Saturn had the only car with an automatic transmission that claimed you could put a tow bar on it and tow it behind a motorhome at any speed and any distance by just putting the gear selector in neutral. Since we were living in a motorhome, and since a trusted friend had bought 2 Saturns and thought they were great, I thought I wanted a Saturn (logical choice), until I took one for a test drive. I do believe it had the most uncomfortable seat of any car I ever drove. And that eliminated Saturn from consideration.

You are absolutely correct. That is my point. Too many variables to just stick to just one make. Some people only buy gm others dodge no matter what and even if the seat is uncomfortable just because they are so loyal to the brand. This year Ford may make the best truck to fit my needs but dodge makes my favorite minivan. I will buy anything that satisfies my need but others I guess would be embarrassed in front of their NASCAR friends to drive something different.

My daughter and wife wanted a Jeep wrangler just because. Well, I finally shut them up and bought them one. Talk about unrefined. We will see how long this desire lasts. If only someone else would make a comparable vehicle to compete.

 

[Bird]

My daughter and wife wanted a Jeep wrangler just because. Well, I finally shut them up and bought them one. Talk about unrefined.

And I bought a Suzuki Samurai after my wife took one for a test drive and wanted it. I later learned that one of our teenage daughters was with her when she took it for a test drive.:laughing:

 

[slowzuki]

Hey I love those little Samurai's! I've got a few off them. Ride just like my 1 ton in a little package.

 

[Bird]

Hey I love those little Samurai's! I've got a few off them. Ride just like my 1 ton in a little package.

They'd probably still be around if Consumer Reports hadn't killed them. I ran into one really odd problem. I had the dealer install an aftermarket cruise control, since Suzuki didn't offer one. It only worked about a week and quit; had gasoline in the servo. Of course they had spliced into a vacuum line. So they put a new servo on it and neither they nor I could figure out how gasoline got into the servo. But the second unit went the same way as the first one. So they then installed an entirely different, all electric cruise and it worked just fine.

I also ordered a hardtop from J.C. Whitney and put on it.

I had originally intended to tow it behind a motorhome when I retired, but in the meantime my wife was driving it to work, and then we decided on a fifth-wheel instead of motorhome. So she drove that Samurai back and forth to work 3 years, 45k miles, and then when we became full time RVers, I sold the Samurai back to the dealer I'd bought it from. And other than oil & filter changes every 3k miles, the only service or repair was a new battery the week before I sold it.

People used to ask me what I thought of it and I'd tell them it was sorry excuse for a car, but a great toy and lots of fun.:laughing: