First post in a long time so hear me out. Had a 2013 Screw 6.2 decked out. Have a build thread still up here. So I'd like to think I have a BIT of credibility. Recent got a 3.5 EB 2016. Now. Back to the Raptor. When I got my Gen 1, exhaust sound had NOTHING to do with it. We all like a nice exhaust. But it didn't sell me. Ultimately what got me OUT of my Raptor was the MPGs. I upgraded to 37s, dumped exhaust, and loaded my bed with a full chase rack with 2 full size spares. Going downhill, wind assisted, I would get 15mpg. But that was rare. Living in Los Angeles we are the land of "STOP and go traffic". My day to day MPG was about 8-9. The MAJORITY of Raptor owners have to daily their truck. And 8-9mpg on a daily just isn't practical. Look at ALL THE MODS that are out for Gen 1s. Exhaust mods, tunes, upgraded suspension, fiberglass this and that, million different bed accessiories, VHFs, GPS, etc etc. when for released the Gen 1 they thought it was the be all end all, then they saw shortly after that crazy folks like us would be modding the trucks. Raptors are right up there with Jeeps as far as mods go. So let's not get our ******* in a twist. In 6 months we will have tunes, exhausts, engine mods, etc.
For those of you who HAVE NOT driven the 3.5EB, take it from someone who's owner both(6.2 Raptor and 3.5 EB) that the EB engine is NO JOKE. My grand father is an old hot rod mechanic. And he always taught me that the V8 won't be king for long. Times change. Technology changes. My moms old Honda from 92 had a V6 and was absolute garbage. Does that mean my V6 is garbage? No. I would say that 5% of my miles on my gen1 Raptor was off-roading. Which left 95% of 30,000 miles was on the road. Can I live with a V6 turbo changed engine off-roading 5% of the time to gain more then double the MPG for the other 95% of the time ON ROAD? Yes. Yes I can.
Does someone who has a 1962 Porsche have less speed, HP, Torque then a 2016? Yes. Does that diminish it? Nope still a Porsche. Same thing with the Raptor. Weather or not YOU like it, it's still a Raptor. And if getting a big V8 is your priority then who the **** are we to tell you other wise? If I want a V6 turbo, who ******* cares. And I have owned both...the V6 EB is the best engine FOR MY NEEDS. And last I checked, none of you pay my bills for me. If sound is important for you, get a V8. If MPG is important get a V6. If short wheelbase is important for you, get a SCAB. If you need the functionality of a 4 door, get a Screw.
When I found out ford was only releasing it in a V6 turbo right away, I got an xlt EB. Price difference compared to a Raptor? $30k. Price to upgrade my stock suspension to BETTER then a Raptor? $10k. Such is life. Old Raptors are good. New Raptors are good. Just do what makes you happy and middle finger everyone else.