Top 6 Modifications For 3.5L Ecoboost and 5.0L Coyote Engines in the Ford F-150

Contrary to popular belief, modifying a truck isn’t necessarily all about performance and speed. While many owners would like to improve the overall performance, some highly functional upgrades will increase the efficiency of the engine significantly.

Other enthusiasts flat-out want more power, but we don’t blame them. Performance and efficiency are vital with anything regarding an engine which is why it is always important to upgrade essential components to improve longevity as well as provide additional power gains.

1) JLT Black Anodized Air/Oil Separator

Increasing longevity of the 3.5L Ecoboost engine, along with the 5.0L Coyote V8, can simply be achieved with the installation of a JLT air/oil separator. Typically heightened in turbocharged vehicles, oil can seep into the PCV system which routes positive crankcase pressure back through the intake to reduce emission output. Being that it comes straight off the crankcase, oil gets routed back through the intake tract along with the additional air.

Due to oil buildup, it can gum up valves, piston tops, intake runners, injectors, and other vital components. Over time, the engine starts to run poorly since these components aren’t functioning properly. Installing a JTL air/oil separator can combat this issue completely. Simply installed in between the PCV and Intake, the unit allows air and oil to enter the chamber, but only allows clean, filtered, air back through the intake.

Installing an air/oil separator on a naturally aspirated are equally as beneficial due to the PCV system being the same design. Oil seeping into the intake is a major weak-spot for the PCV system and depending on the engine design and characteristics can catastrophically damage an engine over some time.

Buy Yours Here!

2) Cold Air Intake

Agency Power developed a roto-molded cold-air intake for the 3.5L Ecoboost that provides increased airflow to the turbochargers. Offering improved flow to the turbocharges is important for many reasons. Being that the factory intake system seems to restrict airflow, it makes it difficult to increase power.

Turning up the boost pressure can be inefficient due to the intake diameter being too small. Without allowing enough air to the turbochargers, they are in turn working harder to produce more power. By upgrading the intake, it is allowing the turbines to spin more efficiently which reduces stress on the turbos. The Agency Power cold-air intake system offers an additional 10HP and 20 lbs/ft power gains.

Learn More and Purchase Your Agency Power Cold-Air Intake Here!

K&N also offers a high-quality intake system for the 5.0L V8 that features the same benefits as stated before. Both intakes will provide an aggressive induction growl along with increased throttle response.

Buy Your K&N Intake Here For 5.0L Coyote V8

3) Cooling

Any aspect of cooling should be improved whether it be an oil cooler, trans cooler, radiator, and even the intercooler. All these components maintain the longevity of the engine in every way. Upgrading the radiator is an easy way of keeping the temperatures low during all types of driving. Mishimoto offers an all-aluminum radiator to replace the junky plastic tank factory radiators.

Compatible with any engine option in the 2015+ F-150 trucks, the Mishimoto upgraded radiator is a direct drop-in option. The increased coolant capacity provides exponential cooling benefits along with the 55% increase in surface area and 65% core expansion compared to the factory.

Buy Your Mishimoto Radiator Here!

Specifically for the 3.5L Ecoboost owners, Full Race provides a full intercooler kit to keep the intake air temperatures down. Being as the turbos are compressing air which heats up in the process, charge temps can significantly increase under higher boost pressures. The Full Race intercooler features precision welds all around to extend superior strength with an enlarged core.

Purchase Full Race Intercooler Kit

4) Forced Induction

Full Race also offers upgraded turbochargers for the 3.5L Ecoboost to maximize the performance output of the F-150. Instantly turning your truck into a sleeper is achievable with the bolt-on turbo upgrades offered from Full Race. Being that the 3.5L V6 is a few upgrades short of being the same as the engine offered in the new Ford GT, the Full Race improved turbos bring it closer to the same performance level.

Buy Yours Here

5.0L Coyote owners can enjoy sweet forced induction with the Roush Performance Phase-2 Supercharger kit. Easily obtaining 650HP, the Roush supercharger is the ultimate bolt-on performance solution. The roots style with a four-lobe construction provides exponential benefits in cooling efficiency, power output, and airflow. This complete kit offers immense power gains through a simple bolt-on solution that takes less than a day to install.

Buy Your Roush Supercharger Kit Here

5) Power Packages For 3.5L Ecoboost

Completely transform your truck with the installation of a Full Race or Roush power package. Both kits can be combined for ultimate power gains. The Full Race power package features an upgraded intercooler with piping, an option of different turbochargers, braided steel oil lines, wastegates, turbo manifolds, and downpipes. Everything offered in the kit significantly increases performance while maintaining efficiency and safety.

Purchase Your Full Race Power Kit

Roush Performance also developed a power pack which includes a cold air intake and cat-back exhaust system. The three-inch mandrel-bent tubing in the exhaust provides immense airflow when paired with the cold-air intake system. Eliminating restriction is easily achieved with the Roush Performance power package.

The Roush package combined with the Full Race power additive kit completely turns the 3.5L Ecoboost into a speed demon. Being that the Roush kit practically completes the Full Race package, it is most beneficial to purchase both at the same time for ultimate gains and less headache later down the road.

Buy Your Roush Performance Package Here

6) Tuning

The importance of tuning after any of these upgrades is essential to the longevity of your engine. A high-quality tuning solution should highly be considered when increasing the power of any vehicle. Whether it is a simple exhaust and intake install involving ECU flashes or a full-on race builds which require standalone ECU support, we have you covered here at Vivid Racing.

Take a Look At Our Various Tuning Options!

Overview

Increasing the performance of the 3.5L Ecoboost or 5.0L Coyote engines requires supporting modifications to efficiently produce power. Each of the components listed is vastly essential to the efficiency of the engine along with the overall longevity. Installing an air/oil separator prevents damage to the engine while upgrading the radiator can eliminate heat soak. Intercoolers and heat exchangers can significantly reduce intake air temperatures which can increase power on its own.

Power packages are the best solution that takes all the guesswork out of building your F-150. Each engine has a purpose being in the F-series trucks that have proved a great success over the years which makes them perfect modifying platforms. Both engines have taken to modification well in every way and each component covered immensely increases the potential of each engine.