I wonder about the cost of the engine and MPG. I cant see the 6.2L getting better mpg probably would get worse, but your right it would tow like a SOB. I think a better option would be to turbo the small blocks that way you would maintain the mpg.

I really think if diesel keeps going up and they cant find a way to up the MPGs on them I could really see a large cube engine being turbod and being the standard engine in the 3/4 ton truck with the diesel as an option. Again you wont get 2-300k miles out of it, but again who keep a truck for that long anyways.

the only issue about the 6.2 or big cubes for that matter and not dogging our choice. But for one they cost 3-5k more for the engine they get worse MPG and really have no more towing capaibility then the ECO or even the 5.0 for that matter. I think you'll eventually see these engines cut from the 1/2 ton lines in all makers in the future due mainly to the advancement of small blocks and the new turbod small engines that are out there.

$3K-$5K? Ford.com shows the retail price of the Eco is $1095 more than the 5.0 and the 6.2 is only $1045 more than that. That is retail, not real life. I'd be willing to bet engine choice is less than 1-2% of MSRP in real life.

Using your logic, why go from the 5.0 to the Eco at all?

MPG? 5.0 rated for 14/19, Eco rated for 15/21. A 2MPG difference at $4/gallon fuel minus the retail Eco up charge is less than $1K over 100K miles. 5.0 can run E85 which is much cheaper than E10 so the clear cost per mile driven winner would be the 5.0.

Towing? Using your words, "really have no more towing capability then the ECO or even the 5.0 for that matter".

MPG while towing? Only what I've read but the 5.0 and Eco seems to be fairly close. Toss in the E85 thing and seems like the 5.0 would be the cost per mile driven winner here as well.

Replacement cost? I'd guess and it is only a guess but I'd guess the Eco cost a pretty penny more than the 5.0 (or 6.2). My 6.2 2011 6.2 has 15K miles and is for sale already so I'll never find that out but am sure some will at some point and am interested in how the numbers will play out then.

I think the 5.0/6.2's will be dropped from all but the limited (not "Limited") run trucks, more so because of CAFE than any thing else.

As I said before, its nice we all have this many choices and we all can pick what works for each of us!

One more thing about the Eco- I wish my wifes '13 Explorer Limited had one in it!!

The 5.0 is $1000 more then the standard V6, the Eco is 2095 more and the 6.2l is 5470 more. You pay over 4 grand more fo the 6.2l then a 5.0 and 3 more than a EB. Thats straight from Ford. Then you factor in 12/16MPG for the 6.2l thats a costly proposition over the life time of the truck or even how long you have it.

I wasnt comparing the ECO to the 5.0 I was comparing it to the 6.2l. And yes the 6.2 has no more capability than the ECO and only a little better than the 5.0. So really for the cost I dont find it worth it.

Really I think the idea of big cube engines are done as you even admitted. I think the idea goes back a decade when the standard V8 was pushing 250-275hp and they needed something with some more nuts.

I have to agree with you on the 5.0 its a good engine and if you dont need the extra towing power its probably the better option, but remember with the ECO at higher altitudes it will tow better and with the ECO you get all of the 420lbs Torque at 2500 rpm not on curve up to 3500-4k rpm like you do other engines.

As far as replacement and cost effective well you got a warranty for 5 years and who keeps stuff past 5 years anyways. Really with the ECO as long as you didnt fry the turbos I would think the engine would be cheaper to replace then a 5.0. Also in modern vehicles whens the last time youve see a car blow an engine thats fairly newer? As far as cost the ECO your about 1500 bucks more than the 5.0 and 3 grand less the 6.2l.

As far as E85 http://ask.cars.com/2008/07/e85-gas-mileage.html you may want to check that out. As most people know E85 gives you worst MPG and performance. EVerything I have ever seen E85 gets 25% less mpg and performance and the problem is its not more than 25% cheaper so really its worthless.


But you are right there are options for all and everybody has an opinion. I just think overall the ECO is the best option when you factor in price, towing, performance, and MPG, not another option does it all. Below are some specs and prices on all engines on the same model, everybody can make their own conclusion

Below are options for all the engines I chose an XLT trim level, with 4x4 and max towing for all options Super cab

5.0
Cost- $37,265
HP/Torque- 360HP, 380 Torque at 4250RPM
Max Towing- 9700
MPG- 14/19HWY

ECO
Cost- 39,675
HP/Torque- 365HP, 420 Torque at 2500rpm
Max Towing- 11,300
MPG- 15/21HWY

6.2L
Cost- 41,510
HP/Torque- 411HP , 434 Torque at 4500
Max Towing- 11,200
MPG- 11/16HWY

of course this is retail, but is base for all. But again depends on what you want and your wallet size. I would actually like to see the 5.0 and the chevy 5.3 Turbod problem is MPG on them would probably get worse.


One update for those that have been following mine now gets 22mpg on the highway going 74mph. Also I get 12mpg towing 10k. now. The oil change on its a *****, better off taking it in.

I didn't start from the 3.7 V6 as it isn't even close in tow ratings of the 5.0, Eco or 6.2.

From Ford, from the 5.0:
Eco invoice is $934 upcharge
6.2 invoice is $1,824 upcharge

I think big cube engines are history but it has nothing to do with power and all to do with CAFE ratings. Standard V8 pushing 250-275HP and need more nuts? Ummm...big cube boat engines put out much more power than that and are working much harder than most car/trunk engines ever do. Yes, forged this and that, roller this and that come in to play but big cubes are far from dead or maxed out at a few hundred horsepower. The Eco is a great engine but its not the end of the world for every thing else by any means. I loved the one I had for 800 miles, just happened to love the 6.2 I've had for 15K miles better.

Can you provide a link to this " As far as cost the ECO your about 1500 bucks more than the 5.0 and 3 grand less the 6.2l."? I couldn't find that information?

the pricing comes from ford. And thats coming from the base of bases which is the 3.7l. So it does seem that once you build the truck the price does get washed down some. So I guess it depends on what you build and how you look at.

I wasnt saying current V8s or big cube engines get 250hp. What I said was rewind 10 years and the chevy 5.7 was at like what 275HP? So the need was there to provide the bigger cube engines. But now days the smaller V8s have tremendous gains in the mid to high 300s for hp. But really Hp doesnt matter when it coems to towing. But you right big cube in boat motors can put out tons of HP, but like you said have different internals, and dont have Cats, and bunch of garbage on them.

Big cubes mainly will go away due to CAFE but I also beleive its due to performance. And Im not just talking ECO, i mean look at the hemi, the numbers are only a little less then chevys and ford big engine and gets much better mpg.

I guess im just trying to see the allure or pros of a big cube engine in a 1/2 ton truck application because it gets 15% less mpg or worse, cost more and its power rating is only marginally better and can only tow the same or marginally more than other options out there. Ive never owned a big cube in a truck and just wondering what the draw is, Ive had diesel, the 5.3 chevy and now the ECO. But i guess with advances in power, I dont know what the draw is for diesel unles your looking at getting 200k miles out of out or towin mega weight long distances, IMVHO if your using a diesel to tow anything less 8k your severly wasting your money and anything under 10ish you may want to relook what you exactly do and do you need it.

Took delivery of her yesterday afternoon. Need to put some miles on it before I found out if this thing is going to meet my towing needs like everyone seems to think it will.

So far it's a great truck to drive. LOTS of options. More than I would have thought a truck could ever have.

I have talked to several that own them...none get the mileage they claim....

Fortunately for me I don't by trucks for mileage. I buy them to tow. This choice was made mainly for its torque. If I wanted mileage I would have bought a Yugo.

I think the naysayers seem to forget the reasons behind the engineering of this engine.

Buck