2.7 EcoBoost VS 3.5 EcoBoost – Which F-150 Turbo Engine is Better?

If you're looking to purchase a Ford F-150 or you're just a curious automotive enthusiast in general who wants to find out what's the best powertrain offered by the pickup truck, then you've most likely encountered in your search Ford's EcoBoost turbocharged engines, which eventually brought you here.

The EcoBoost has been around for more than a decade from now, and there are different versions of the EcoBoost engines available in different Ford models. Among the widely-acclaimed choices are its turbocharged versions, namely the 2.7 EcoBoost and the 3.5 EcoBoost, which have gained a huge following over the years, and for good reason - they offer great performance and fuel economy.

But which engine is better? Is it the 2.7 EcoBoost or the 3.5 Ecoboost?

Key features and my opinion about the 2.7L V6 EcoBoost engine

• Production years:2015-now
• Average lifespan of 2.7L V6 EcoBoost:190,000-240,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:direct injection (later combined direct + port injection)
• Power range:315-330 hp
• Fuel efficiency:average
• Engine block material:cast-iron
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:valvetrain problems, issues with electronics, oil consumption, power loss.

Key features and my opinion about the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine

• Production years:2010-now
• Average lifespan of 3.5L EcoBoost:190,000-220,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:direct injection
• Power range:310-660 hp
• Fuel efficiency:average
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:intercooler problems, timing chain stretching, carbon buildup on intake valves, coolant and oil leaks.

2.7 EcoBoost

The 2.7 EcoBoost engine was introduced into the market in 2015 and is still in production up to the present in its second-generation series. Also known as the 2.7L Nano engine, it quickly became popular upon its launch thanks to its great specs, including frugal fuel consumption.

• Engine Specs

The 2.7 EcoBoost has 2,694cc displacement and uses a twin-turbocharger. It is made of compact graphite iron block with a bore of 83 mm and a stroke of the same size. The unit has a compression ratio of 10.3:1. It is designed to run on regular unleaded gas with at least an 87-octane rating.

The 2.7 EcoBoost is a smaller engine than the 3.5 EcoBoost, but it still offers plenty of power and torque. This engine is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions of the Ford F-150.

The 2.7 EcoBoost is capable of producing 315 to 335 horsepower and 350 to 400 lb-ft of torque. For the F-150, the power is kept at 325 hp and 400 lb-ft. All that is distributed via a 10-speed transmission.

The 2.7 EcoBoost allows a max towing capacity of 10,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 2,480 pounds for the F-150. It also has very good fuel consumption figures, with an EPA-estimated consumption of 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Even with the F-150's large frame, the power offered by the 2.7L engine can push it from 0 to 62 mph in just 13.7 seconds and it can gun up to speeds of 120 mph.

• Reliability

The 2.7 EcoBoost engine offers great performance and fuel economy making it ideal for everyday driving, recreation, and work. Owners are expected to get a bang for their buck in this product, too, as it is known for its longevity. Based on reviews and research, this is capable of lasting over 230,000 miles.

Due to generally positive feedback about the engine, it is also used in a number of other Ford vehicles, including the Ford Edge, the Ford Explorer, and the Ford Flex. It's also available in the Lincoln MKX and the Lincoln MKT. All of these vehicles were praised for their top-notch mechanical specs, design, and fuel efficiency.

• Issues

The 2.7 EcoBoost engine has not been without its share of issues though. Some owners have reported problems with the engine stalling, particularly when idling. Others claimed that the engine can hesitate and stumble when accelerating from a stop. These issues are most likely due to the turbocharger system, and they can be resolved with either a software update from Ford or turbo replacement if the hardware itself is already defective.

The 2.7 EcoBoost engine is also known for its high oil consumption after years of constant use. Some owners have reported going through a quart of oil every 1,000 miles or so. This is normally blamed on the 2.7 EcoBoost's high-pressure fuel system.

Several owners also reported fuel seeping into the engine oil. When fuel leaks into the engine oil, it can cause several problems. The most obvious is that the oil level will rise, and it can also lose its viscosity potentially causing damage to the engine. This can lead to decreased performance, a dramatic increase in fuel consumption, and overheating.

There are a few things that can cause fuel to leak into the engine oil. One is a faulty injector pump. Another is a leaking gasket or seal. If you suspect either of these, it's best to take your car to a mechanic for repair.

If you want to try fixing the problem yourself, there are a few things you can do. First, flush the engine with fresh oil to get rid of any fuel that has leaked into the oil. Then, replace the gaskets and change the oil filters.

3.5 EcoBoost

The 3.5 EcoBoost engine was first introduced in 2010 making it five years older than the 2.7L version. It's been a popular choice for Ford F-150 owners ever since its release due to mainly positive reviews from customers and automotive journals alike.

• Engine Specs

The 3.5 EcoBoost is such a powerhouse, especially when partnered with the F-150's superb engineering. The 3.5 EcoBoost is a larger and more superior engine than the 2.7 EcoBoost. Nonetheless, both use the same fuel type, which is regular unleaded gasoline with at least an 87-octane rating.

The 3.5 EcoBoost features a displacement of 3,496 cc with a dual-turbo setup. It uses an aluminum block giving it almost the same weight as the 2.7 EcoBoost at 449 pounds despite its larger size. Moreover, the bore and stroke sizes of the 3.5 EcoBoost are bigger in diameter than its sibling at 92.5 mm and 86.6 mm, respectively. The power unit has a better compression ratio as well at 10.5:1 and with another version that has a ratio of 10.0:1.

Similarly, the engine is available in both the rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions of the Ford F-150. The 3.5 EcoBoost is capable of delivering a whopping 320 to 647 horsepower and 350 to 550 lb-ft of torque. However, it should be noted that the F-150 limits those numbers at 400 hp and 500 lb-ft to preserve the integrity of its engine and all the other important components. Likewise, a 10-speed automatic transmission manages the power distribution of the vehicle.

Due to its massive power, the 3.5 EcoBoost version of the F-150 can tow up to 13,200 pounds of equipment and haul up to 3,250 pounds of cargo. The 3.5 EcoBoost is a very fuel-efficient engine albeit having a slightly lower fuel economy than the 2.7 EcoBoost. The EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of the engine is 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

• Reliability

The 3.5 EcoBoost is ideally made for those who are looking to get the most out of the F-150. It is more than able in providing the power that you need for recreation and has the towing and hauling capacity that will let you get a lot of work done. As mentioned, this engine can handle up to 647 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque leaving a lot of allowance for those who are looking to unleash more output from the engine using tuning kits.

The 3.5 EcoBoost engine is also available in a number of other Ford vehicles that use the 2.7 EcoBoost like the Ford Edge, the Ford Explorer, the Ford Flex, the Lincoln MKX, and the Lincoln MKT. But then again, it is older than the 2.7L by five years giving it more bragging rights when it comes to longevity in the industry.

With proper maintenance and care, the 3.5 engine can last over 250,000 miles. That's 20,000 more than the durability of its 2.7L variant.

• Issues

Ford F-150 owners with the 3.5 EcoBoost engine have reported several issues similar to the ones experienced by its 2.7L version. Among them is the turbo lag, particularly during hot ambient temperatures, and the blowby on the engine.

An addition though is the timing chain problem stemming from worn chain guides, tensioners, and cam phasers. It's better to replace the whole timing chain assembly if you end up encountering this specific issue.

Which One is the Right Engine for Your Ford F-150?

The 2.7 EcoBoost and 3.5 EcoBoost are undoubtedly a perfect match for the Ford F-150 given their high-performance ratings, mostly positive customer reviews, and frugal fuel consumption figures. However, if you are to choose only one of them, we strongly recommend going for the 3.7 EcoBoost-powered F-150.

The 3.7L version of the F-150 produces 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque with a towing capacity of 13,200 pounds and a hauling capability of up to 3,250 pounds. The numbers make it great for everyday drives as well as for the more demanding recreational and work-related activities.

In addition, the 3.7L engine has a versatile construction capable of withstanding up to 647 horsepower and up to 550 lb-ft of torque. That only means, there's plenty of room to tune the engine to squeeze out more power should you require more.

On the other hand, if you are into a more casual ride with a slightly better fuel efficiency rating, the 2.7 EcoBoost-powered F-150 might be the right one for you.