Official: Ford retuning EcoBoost

[LocDoc]

Most of you know already the facelifted third-generation Expedition is getting the 3.5 EcoBoost V-6 for 2015, and the power ratings were "around" 370 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque.

Ford has been fine-tuning and re-tweaking the engine for the Expedition and Navigator and has now released updated power figures. The engine now outputs a grand total of 380 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A full 10 more horses, and 30 more pound-foot of twist. That's also 26 lb-ft more torque than the 6.2 Boss V-8 (which is 434 lb-ft).



Its not clear yet if the Expedition will stay at the 370/430 rating or be bumped up to 380/460, but the Navigator will definitely get the special tuning with the 380/460 figures.


The same engine makes 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque in the F-150, but its not known if the F-150 will get this special tuning with uprated power figures.


3.5 EcoBoost V-6 torque output vs. others (in greatest to least):

2015 Ford Expedition .............. 3.5 EcoBoost V-6 ........... 380 horsepower, 460 lb-ft of torque
2015 Mercedes-Benz GL 450 .... 4.6 BiTurbo V-8 .............. 362 horsepower, 406 lb-ft of torque
2015 Toyota Sequoia .............. 5.7 i-FORCE V-8 ............. 381 horsepower, 401 lb-ft of torque
2015 Dodge Durango ............... 5.7 HEMI V-8 ................. 360 horsepower, 390 lb-ft of torque
2015 Nissan Armada ................ 5.6 VK56DE V-8 ............. 317 horsepower, 385 lb-ft of torque
2015 Chevrolet Tahoe .............. 5.3 EcoTec3 V-8 ........... 355 horsepower, 383 lb-ft of torque
2014 Ford Expedition ............... 5.4 Triton V-8 ............... 310 horsepower, 365 lb-ft of torque

 

[GAINMOB]

good...im getting a navigator in 2016...

 

[toms89]

My thoughts after purchasing and driving my Taurus Sho for around 6 weeks now I can tell you I am a fan of the 3.5 ecoboost. I have always been a fan of V8's because I am a drag racer at heart and love to have plenty of reserve power under the foot but I can tell you, you give up nothing with the ecoboost. In fact full torque comes in right off of idle vs a N.A. v8 which needs some rpms. My biggest complaint would be the "Eco" portion of the name. To me the mpg's are not that much improved over a V8. But then I am not one to be light on the throttle. Have not had a chance to test my hwy miles yet but feel there is more to be gained there.

It is a very smooth, quiet engine which many fans of V8's can complain there if they enjoy the rumble. It does sound healthy at w.o.t. but don't expect it to sound like a V8, more like a Hi Po V6. Under the hood I have found it sounds a bit like a diesel at idle because of the direct injection and high pressure fuel pump. It varies but capable of something on the line of 2600 psi.

Tuners such as livernois have been getting some big numbers out of these motors with nothing more than the tune itself. So the potential is and has been there.

 

[Goats]

I guess I know what I'm getting the wife

 

[GaryH2]

As a fellow SHO and Expy owner, I agree with Tom above.

Boost is addictive and its amazing the power you can get out of it with a tune.

The way Ford is dribbling out the details on the 15 Expy and Mustang is like torture!

 

[ezeq]

Now wifey wants an Expy of her own too. lol

 

[AlbertaOilPatch]

I'm still kind of surprised that they didn't make the Coyote the base engine for Expedition and the 3.5 EB the premium engine. I cant help wondering when the 2.7L EB will make its way into the Expedition, maybe when they do the next MAJOR redesign and swap out all the sheet metal for aluminum.

 

[LocDoc]

Although I’m not privy to this particular information, (this is just speculation on my part…) I would wager that there is an ulterior reason for the retuning, which has to do with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

Ford will start using the SAE J2807 towing methods for its light trucks and SUVs beginning with the 2015 model year. GM and Fiat Chrysler will also adopt the SAE’s J2807 towing evaluation, testing, and rating standards.

J2807 is hands-off; meaning the vehicles are tested and evaluated under the requirements set by the SAE (not Ford) and the tow rating is assigned based on how well it passes the standardized testing and evaluations.

The most strenuous phase of the test is the Davis Dam evaluation. It forces the vehicle to work extra hard, testing acceleration, climbing speed, and load stress. The vehicle must maintain highway speed and not drop below 40 mph over the 3,500 ft climb.



The SAE evaluated the Toyota Sequoia, and down-rated its tow rating to a maximum of 7,400 lbs depending on its trim level (which affects vehicle weight) and drivetrain configuration. Toyota claimed it could tow 10,000 lbs prior to the SAE rating. That was a 2,600 lb cut.

So Ford is not taking chances, as that 460 ft lbs of torque at 2,500 to 5,000 RPM will come in handy, and this would also help explain why the 4.10:1 (final drive) gearing will be available on the 2015 Expedition. Ford wants the Expedition to remain best-in-class when it comes to towing.

 

[GaryH2]

You could be on to something LocDoc. I heard that there was quite a "discussion" about tow ratings from the manufacturers vs. SAE.

As it is now, the tow ratings aren't necessarily comparable unless to read the fine print and take into account the extras. SAE methods should allow a more direct comparison.

Do you know if this also applies to payload or just the tow rating?

 

[LocDoc]

Its more for towing, but it will have an affect. Typically payload is calculated with an empty bed (or in the case of the Expedition – an empty cargo bay) with a 150 lb driver (no other passengers).

The Expedition’s current payload rating is around 1,700 lbs (0.85 tons). It may drop or it may actually go up, depending on how well it scores in its SAE evaluations.

With more muscle under the hood, a 4.10:1 differential, reworked chassis, I’m sure the updated 2015 Expedition will be a star-student and pass all its tests with flying colors.

 

[AlbertaOilPatch]

WOW!!! With 460 lb-ft of torque and 4.10:1 gears that thing will be a towing/ hauling MONSTER!!! I wonder if the Ford/GM developed (for F150/Silverado & Sierra 1500's) 10 speed tranny will find its way in there too? You'll almost be able to move a mountain, over a mountain...

 

[GAINMOB]

It will pull my expedition with ease...I was thinking of getting a F250 in the future used just to tow the truck

Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club (HRC3)

 

[LocDoc]

I wonder if the Ford/GM developed (for F150/Silverado & Sierra 1500's) 10 speed tranny will find its way in there too? You'll almost be able to move a mountain, over a mountain...

The 10-speed 10R80 manumatic may not arrive until the all-new fourth generation aluminium Expedition shows up for 2017 (2018 model year). It depends on if Ford wants to save that technology for the new aluminium Expedition.

Ford is doing the lead engineering on the 10-speed transmission, which is for rear-wheel drive applications (but will let GM use it later on). Ford’s rear-drive cars (Mustang), trucks (F-150, possibly F-250) and truck-based SUV (Expedition), will get the 10R80.

GM is doing the lead engineering for the 9-speed transmission, which is for front-wheel drive applications (but will let Ford use it later on). Front-drive cars, crossovers, and vans will get this gearbox.

That’s part of their agreement concerning their gearbox joint-venture.

 

[JUST4FUN]

Well I did it I went and bought a 2012 F150 crewcab 3.5 ecoboost 4x4 pearl white.
its very quick off the line if you boost launch it. I can't shift it fast enough before red line. even I 4x2 it will not spin the tires with advance track/ control track stuff on

 

[DetroitDarin]

without a dyno, peak numbers are practically useless. Let's see the curve!