When asked to compare Ford 3.5L EcoBoost vs 5.0L Coyote, most people may face a dilemmaFord has made several high-quality engines. One of these is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 gasoline engine.
Another extremely popular engine the company has made is the 5.0L Coyote engine. To understand each engine type before buying, we have created a detailed guide for you.
Table of Contents
What is the 3.5 ecoboost engine?
Ford’s 3.5L EcoBoost is a direct-injected, turbocharged engine. When 3.5L emerged, Ford called it TwinForce. Ford’s EcoBoost replaced the larger displacement engine known as the V8.
We can equate the 3.5L EcoBoost power and torque to the aspirated 6.0L V8 engine. However, it is better than the latter because it generates higher power and torque.
What is the 5.0 coyote engine of ford?
Ford’s Modular family of engines is so famous. One of the best engines in the block is the 5.0-liter V8 Coyote gasoline engine.
After the release, it immediately replaced the Ford 4.6-liter and the 5.4-liter Modular engine versions in Ford Mustang GT and 2011 F-150.
Ford also created an engine that could rival General Motors’ 6.2-liter V8 engine for Chevrolet Camaro.
Ford 3.5L EcoBoost vs 5.0L Coyote: Main Comparison
Features of Ford 3.5 Ecoboostengine
- V Configuration
- Six cylinders
- Orientation is Transverse or longitudinal
- Uses Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve configuration
- Aspiration is Twin Turbo
- Made in Brook Park Ohio.
- Came after Ford Duratec 35 v6
- Durable cast iron exhaust manifold
Features of ford 5.0 coyote engine?
- Modular Engine family
- Aspiration is atmospheric
- V configuration
- Eight cylinders
- Longitudinal engine orientation
- Dual Overhead Cam(DOHC)
- Variable camshaft timing
- Made in Windsor, Ontario
- Came after 4.L, V8
Pros and cons of 3.5 ecoboost and 5.0 coyote engine
Ford’s 3.5L EcoBoost V6 gas engine is an advanced motor with the latest technology suitable for pick-ups. Ford’s eco-friendly and turbocharged 3.5L engine offers the following pros and cons:
Pros
- Produces twin-turbo sound
- Offers excellent mileage for normal driving conditions.
- Whether you purchase a new or used 3.5 EcoBoost engine, the price is affordable
- Due to being a V6 engine, the 3.5L EcoBoost is a quiet engine
- When towing 11,300 pounds, the lower-torque-curve engine offers better performance
- Ford’s 3.5L EcoBoost has more horsepower and torque than its 5.0L engine.
Cons
- When comparing the engine sounds from 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and V8, most people would choose the latter.
- Users experience terrible towing mileage
- The 3.5L engine MPG is not as huge as Ford claimed it would be.
- You will pay a hefty price when purchasing it for the first time.
Ford’s 5.0L Coyote gas engine has its pros and cons. We will reveal these next.
Pros
- Coyote engine has more power and torque
- Most people consider it an affordable engine
- Many users love its simple engine block design with multiple features
- Coyote engine makes a reliable and good purchase
- Many vehicles can use the 5.0L engine.
Cons
- Coyote engine has an oil leakage problem
- Spark plugs are not of good quality
- Most people complain about ignition coil failure
- Its electronic throttle is not that reliable.
By comparing the pros and cons of each engine, you can choose between Ford 3.5 ecoboost vs 5.0.
Ford 3.5L EcoBoost vs 5.0L Coyote: Differences
- Power and torque
- Fuel System
Other than these two differences, you can find slight disparities in the specifications of each engine.
3.5L Ecoboost vs 5.0 Fuel economy
Potential customers of Ford vehicles want to choose the best engine based on fuel economy.
Some variables affect the amount of fuel a car consumes, including your driving style, transmission, and towing capacity. When considering the 3.5-L EcoBoost engine in this context, most people rate it as the best.
However, they base this rating on gentle driving conditions only. Someone with a rough driving style might notice that their turbocharged 3.5L truck consumes more fuel.
Overall, it offers better fuel economy than the 5.0L Coyote engine.
3.5 Ecoboost vs 5.0 Towing mpg
A truck’s towing capacity partly depends on its overall configuration. Is it a 2-wheel-drive or a 4-wheel-drive?
Ford’s 5.0L Coyote gas engine offers 360 to 460hp at 5,500 to 6,500rpm and a torque of 380 to 420 ft-lb at 3,850 to 4,500rpm.
Its 3.5L EcoBoost offers a horsepower of 320 to 647hp at 5000 to 6,250rpm and a torque of 350-550ft-lb at 2,250 to 5,900rpm.
If we must pick the best engine for towing, the 3.5 EcoBoost wins. In general, the 3.5L makes the best towing engine no matter how much it weighs.
Besides, its turbocharged design gives it an advantage over the 5.0L Coyote. We are not saying that the 5.0L engine cannot tow.
While its configuration enables it to tow, it cannot do it with the same vigor as the 3.5L engine. Unfortunately, you will spend more to maintain the powerful Ecoboost engine.
All in all, they are not for extreme towing. If you need an engine that can tow powerfully, these two are not the best choices.
3.5 ecoboost vs 5.0 reliability
Before purchasing either the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 gasoline engine or the 5.0L Coyote gasoline engine, you should know which of the two is more reliable.
Determining the most dependable is not easy as you must consider several variables.
We can advise you to explore the problems of each engine version before making the right choice for you.
Ford’s first-generation 5.0L Coyote engine fuel system is a sequential multiport fuel injection and combined direct injection and port injection for 2018 and the latter ones.
EcoBoost’s fuel system for the first-generation engine is direct injection. Ford’s second-generation engine offers direct injection and port injection.
In all, we can say that second generation engine models are more dependable than first generation engines. So, when deciding on buying any of them, you should consider the newer models first.
Common Problems of the 3.5-liter Ecoboost engine
As it is a turbocharged engine, people believe that the 3.5L engine is harder to maintain. Some believe that turbocharged engines have many problems that are a pain to correct.
Now that is the people’s opinion. Turbocharging technology has improved a great deal. If you examine the 3.5L EcoBoost engine, you will effortlessly notice how far this technology has come.
Besides being super powerful, the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 gas engine has fewer mechanical problems.
According to most users, the key issues entail carbon build-up on intake valves and problems with the timing chain.
These two problems are more common in the first generation 3.5L EcoBoost engine found in the 2011 to 2016 models.
Anyone owning the second-generation vehicle model does not note these issues. Those who have first generation autos are the ones who notice engine problems.
According to users, the timing chain can fail prematurely or keep on developing issues. Secondly, the carbon build-up is not a severe problem as most fuel injection engines have it.
However, the build-up of oil over the intake valves can restrict airflow. Ford’s second generation of the 3.5L EcoBoost engine in 2017 models does not have these issues.
In addition to direct fuel injection, the engine receives port fuel injection to prevent carbon deposits over the intake valves.
In the 3.5-L EcoBoost gasoline engine, the intake valves have a diameter of 37mm, and the exhaust valves have a diameter of 31mm.
Ford also used two parallel mounted Borg-Warner KO3 turbochargers. Even if these are tinier, variable-vane turbochargers, they produce high pressure that allows the auto to reach its peak torque faster at about 2,500 rpm.
So, if we compare Ford 3.5 ecoboost vs 5.0 in the context of problems and features, Ecoboost is better off. Even the first-generation engine issues are more manageable that Coyote’s issues.
Problems with 5.0L Coyote Engine
Like the 3.5L EcoBoost engine, people have a problem with the original Coyote Engine models. They had several issues, including oil leakage, ignition coil failure, poor-quality spark plugs, and malfunctioning electronic throttle.
Also, these engines displayed transmission problems and poor functioning exhaust gas recirculation valve.
Despite having all these issues, people consider the 5.0L Coyote engine one of the most reliable motors. First, the problems with this engine are not overly unique since they appear in other Ford engines.
Regardless, the 5.0L engine can still hit 200,000 miles. After that mark, it is okay to start seeing issues that occur due to aging.
There is not much you can do about the aging process other than maintaining your car.
So, car owners may have to change belts, hose pipes, and gaskets more often. While it might get expensive to maintain an aging auto in the long run, you will keep it running.
We cannot categorize these as issues only in the 5.0 Coyote engine. Many other engines have this nature once they start aging, although we can minimize their odds of happening by maintaining the engine regularly.
So, based on that, we can conclude that 5.0 Coyote is a great engine if you maintain it regularly.
Summary: Which engine version is more reliable?
When comparing the 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.0L Coyote reliability, none is an unrivaled winner. Ford’s second-generation 3.5L and 5.0L engines in 2017+ models are nearly the same in many ways.
In most cases, issues arise due to poor maintenance and not a flaw in their design. However, the first-generation engines were not reliable in terms of design.
Transmission issues are common in most Ford engines, so we cannot assign them to just these two.
One thing that makes the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 gas engine so reliable is its durable features. First, the engine block design copies the Ford Cyclone V6 engine or Duratec 35.
Thus, it has similar stroke dimensions and bore spacing. Featuring an open-deck aluminum block, the 3.5 EcoBoost boasts hardwearing steel sleeves.
Ford chose forged steel for the I-beam connecting rods and crankshaft with six-bolt main bearing caps.
We also love the durable CNC machined pistons consisting of premium-quality aluminum. Their skirt and top design feature a low friction coating that boosts combustion.
Also, the cylinder block has oil jets for splashing oil onto the lower side of the pistons. Ford used aluminum also to make the oil pan and the cylinder heads.
So, if you need a long-lasting engine, you might have to choose Ecoboost. It will require more expensive repairs but will recover the cost by performing so well.
[FAQs] of Ford 3.5L EcoBoost vs 5.0L Coyote
What vehicle can use the 5.0 Coyote engine?
Being a versatile engine, Ford’s 5.0L Coyote engine fits many different vehicles. However, Ford placed it on Ford Mustang and Ford F-150.
Ford F-10 and Ford Falcon can use the Coyote engine too. Before you purchase it, make sure it is a great fit for your Ford truck. If possible, ask your mechanic or Ford dealer for their opinion.
Which engine between 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.0L Coyote lasts more miles?
Research shows that both engines can last well over 200,000miles. After covering these miles, the engines begin to have issues.
Thus, Ford owners must play their role, and that is to maintain their engines regularly. Note that the 3.5L EcoBoost is a turbocharged engine that is relatively harder to maintain than the aspirated 5.0L Coyote engine.
Regardless, you must maintain it often and use the recommended oil to boost its life expectancy.
Ford 3.5 ecoboost vs 5.0, which engine is great for your ford?
We can only say that none of these engines is a bad pick. However, if you need extra towing mpg and better fuel economy, you should consider the 3.5L EcoBoost engine.
Most people were happy with its performance when towing as it offered more power.
Conclusion
Ford is a renowned manufacturer of auto engines. So, you can pick the 3.5L EcoBoost engine or the 5.0L Coyote engine with confidence.
As earlier noted, the Coyote engine has more problems, but these are the same ones you find in other Ford engines. These are not enough reasons to avoid the 5.0L Coyote engine.