Tflong24
Well-Known Member
Just my irrelevant opinion, but maybe Ford has pushed the envelope with power for the 5.0. Unless you start using some exotic materials and engineering, pushing a relatively small displacement engine into 450+ HP can result in unreliability. It seems they are cost cutting in areas (OPG, small but significant apparently) while simultaneously pushing for more power. All the other American car makers are making their power with larger displacement (6.2 GM, 6.4 Dodge) and or adding boost. Ford is not Ferrari and even went cheap with flat plane crank in our 350s by not using a lightweight crank, thus all the vibration and slow revving (for a flat plain crank) motor. Pushing 460hp, 475 in the Bullitt out of the 5.0 and 526 out of a 5.2 may be the breaking point without significant material and engineering upgrades. Who knows. I know European car makers can get high HP numbers from very small displacement NA engines, but there is a reason they cost twice as much and they even still have reliability issues.This is a bit odd to be honest.
There were tune-related issues on the launch of the 5.0L in cylinder 8 in 2011 but apart from that, it was fine.
The Roadrunner was a very stout engine in the 2012-2013 Boss 302.
The Gen 2 Coyote is a very stout engine as well in the 15-17 GT, just a little neutered stock for some reason.
All have had what's referred to as the BBQ tick, not an engine failure mode but annoying. OPG can let go once boost is added in.
However lately Ford has had it rough; he Focus RS was a disaster of a launch, the GT350 is questionable for sure (but I don't think it's as bad as the RS was), and this new 5.0L has me questioning it. I think the new 5.0L will become great, but right now it is not and I wouldn't buy one.