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bagman
Explorer
Jan 07, 2018

FORD's New V-6 3.0L TD 250HP/440 Torque?

Ok, so in a few months one can order this new Ford Diesel in the F-150 and it offers towing ratings of over 11,000 lbs. So please tell me why FORD cannot offer this new diesel engine in the E-350 E-450 Cutaway RV chassis? I remember in 1996, our Tioga 31N 14,500 GVWR on a Chevy GP-30 chassis used by class C manufacturers and the Chevy 454 had 290 HP & 440 ft.lbs. of torque. This new diesel would solve two FORD issues: 1. Fuel Economy & 2. Interior leg room as the 3.0L TD would require a much smaller dog house! I just read about the Sprinter Chassis issues, with respect to Unibody Constructions and availability of parts and using only specific lubricants. Quite frankly, if I was to purchase a B+ motor home, I think the FORD Transit with the inline 5 cycl. would be a better option than the Sprinter, because it gets better fuel economy, puts out more Torque, and FORD dealerships are a dime a dozen, meaning they are everywhere. I just wish someone would come up with a class B+ of C that has sufficient room, a queen walk around queen bed, and a min of 15 MPG. Another issue I have with the Sprinter, RAM ProMaster, & FORD Transit is the approx. 25 Gal. fuel tank. Our 1996 Tioga Class C had a 60 Gal fuel tank vs 55 Gal offered by FORD. What say you?
  • Ok, so in a few months one can order this new Ford Diesel in the F-150 and it offers towing ratings of over 11,000 lbs. So please tell me why FORD cannot offer this new diesel engine in the E-350 E-450 Cutaway RV chassis?


    Duty Cycle. This motor was tested under the light-truck test cycle, vs the the 3.2L which is in the Transit, which is tested under the Medium-vehicle test cycle. The 3.0 V6 would likely end up being severely detuned to meet the requirements of the more stringent medium-duty test cycle, at which point it probably wouldn't be any more powerful than the 3.2L.

    Thats also the same reason why the 3.5L EcoBoost isn't offered in F250s. To meet the medium-duty test cycle to put it in the Transit, it was detuned to the point it no longer matches the 6.2L V8 for power, and once you add a lot of frontal area, the fuel economy benefit goes away.

    On that note: The 6.2L V8 is now available in the E-series, although the V10 maintains superior tow ratings.

    If you really want a diesel, and the Transit won't cut it, there is a company called ExpoVans which has a drop-in Cummins 6.7L package for the E-series.

    E350 6.7L short vid
  • I would guess the Ecoboost wouldn't get that great of mileage in a B+ or C since it would be relying on the turbos much of the time to keep the thing moving. The Ecoboosts are great in the pick ups because most of the time they are not spooling the turbos as much to move around a relatively light pick up. Look at the MPGs of an Ecoboost towing a TT to get an idea of the MPGs you would get in a B+ or C.

    I'm sure an Ecoboost would power one well just not get much better mileage than the V-10.
  • Two thoughts here, one, I don't think Ford will invest in any significant engineering for the Econoline, like a new diesel engine. Putting that V6 in a more HD version of the Transit cutaway would have the same effect though. Two, the Ecoboost V6 in its current form doesn't have the duty cycle rating to survive in a commercial application like a cutaway chassis. The Eco V6 in the Transit is derated significantly from the F150 version, and not even available in the Transit cutaway.
  • Ron, anything to make the FORD E series Doghouse smaller! But, your idea of replacing the 6.8 V-10 with a smaller V-6 Eco-Boost is an excellent idea. Personally I have bad knees and I need to be able to stretch out my legs! And we all want to be able to move from the cab to the main box of the class C or B+. Chuck.
  • My son has a 2018 ECOBOOST F150 crew cab. He is very happy with it. Good fuel mileage and power. 10 speed with the high tow package. He tows a tandem trailer with his 2016 Shelby Mustang on it to shows.
    He says it runs circles around his 2012 Chevy crew cab pickup.
    Will the diesel be as good. Will have to wait and see. You would think the ECOBOOST package would work in a E450.