Ford Ecoboost Problems

BeerCan wrote:

nitrohorse wrote:

BeerCan wrote:

mlts22 wrote:


I might stand corrected on this, but in a lot of engine applications, there is no substitute for cubes.

Yes, because where would we be without the Fiat 4cyl 28.3 liter 300hp behemoth or the Bugatti 12.7 liter 275hp etc etc? :) Time moves on and smaller engines become more efficient reliable and powerful. Although nothing sounds as good as a big block :)

Using your analogy, then the heavy class trucks should no longer be using 2700lb., 14.8 liter 455 hp diesel engines. I've been in the transportation/logistics field for over 30 years. "If" there was a viable, smaller, lighter, alternative to the behemoth diesels in today's class 8 trucks, it would be in production now. You cannot expect a smaller displacement engine to maintain the same consistency or durability as a larger displacement engine. Currently, the rice burner crowd is pushing roughly 400hp and 330lb of torque out of the 4 cyl. Honda engines. It's not reaching that HP or torque that's the issue, it's the durability and sustainability that's at stake. You spread the torque demands and stress out over more area (cylinders, crankshaft, cam) in a larger engine than a smaller version. I think the Ecoboost is great for a mild "weekend hot rod" and to haul mulch, etc, but I would not want it for sustained towing duties and I believe it will not have longevity in that environment.
Time will tell....

So HP, torque and mpg numbers for class 8 engines have not gone up in 30 years? If the 14.8L does make more power than it did 30 years ago and is more fuel efficient, where is the error in what I said?

Sure, all the engine performance specifications went up over the last 30 years. The point is made which I think was lost is that there's no substitution for cubic inches. Limited race applications aside, durability is still tied to the displacement of the engine. Weight is a major consideration in a class 8 truck as payload is profit. If the big three (Detroit, Cummins, or Cat) could be the first to market a smaller, lighter, diesel, they would own the market. So far, it hasn't happened, and I doubt it will.