If you are looking for a clean, reliable heavy-duty truck and you live within 4 hours from 4126 Oregon Pike Ephrata, PA 17522, you know how important it is to find the exact right fit for your daily needs. Here at Mark Martin Motors, your trusted local truck dealership in Ephrata, PA, we hear this question all the time from guys looking at the Ford Super Duty lineup: which engine is actually better, the 7.3 Godzilla V8 or the 6.7 Power Stroke diesel?
It is a tough question because it really boils down to choosing between simple versus complex. Let's dive right into the details of these two powerhouse engines to help you make the best choice for your next truck purchase.
Engine Design: Old School Simplicity vs High-Tech Power
When you pop the hood on these F250 trucks, you are looking at two completely different philosophies in engine design.
The 7.3 Godzilla V8
The 7.3 liter Godzilla is the big boy of the gas engine world. It is a massive, naturally aspirated V8 that goes back to a tried and true old school design. You get a pushrod V8 with a cast iron block, forged crank, and port fuel injection. There are no turbos, no DEF fluid, and no crazy complex emission systems to worry about. It puts out a solid 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque. The power curve is constant, meaning it hits right away without having to wait for a turbo to spool up. It wins in pure simplicity. You can jump in, run it hard for five minutes, park it, and not worry about hurting the engine, plus you get to just run regular gasoline.
The 6.7 Power Stroke Diesel
On the other side, you have the 6.7 Power Stroke diesel. This engine uses a CGI block with aluminum heads and a turbo nestled in the valley between the heads. It features a very high-pressure fuel system designed to optimize every single ounce of horsepower and torque. In the standard output, it delivers 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque, and the high output version cranks it up to an incredible 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque. However, it is a much more complex system. You have to run DEF fluid, manage a ton of different sensors, and you still have a slight bit of turbo lag to account for. But all that being said, there is nothing quite like the raw pulling power of a diesel engine.
Towing Capacity and Driving Experience
If you are buying a 3/4 ton truck in the Ephrata or Lancaster County area, there is a good chance you plan on hitching a trailer to it. This is where the differences between these two engines really start to show up.
How They Handle the Weight
The Godzilla V8 can absolutely tow. It is rated for around 17,000 pounds conventional and 18,000 pounds fifth wheel, depending on how your specific truck is equipped. But when you have a heavy trailer behind it, you are going to feel that weight. The engine will need to run at higher RPMs, around 4,000 to 5,000, just to maintain 60 or 70 miles per hour on the highway.
The Power Stroke, on the other hand, is rated higher, coming in around 20,000 pounds conventional and up to 22,000 pounds fifth wheel. When towing with the diesel, you are barely going to feel the trailer behind you. It pulls effortlessly and smoothly.
Transmission and Braking Differences
Even though both trucks use a 10-speed transmission, they are going to act completely differently. The Godzilla will constantly drop a gear or two to find the power it needs when you try to speed up, and it relies heavily on the transmission and your brakes to slow you down. The Power Stroke utilizes its massive low-end torque to hold gears longer and shifts much smoother. Plus, the diesel features an exhaust brake, which is a huge advantage when towing heavy loads downhill, saving wear and tear on your braking system.
Cost of Ownership and Trim Availability
One big misconception is that the big gas engine is only meant for stripped-down work trucks. That is definitely not the case with the 7.3 Godzilla.
Premium Trims for Both Engines
You can get the 7.3 Godzilla in almost every single trim level, from the base XL and XLT up to the Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum. The only trim it is not available in is the very top-tier Limited. This means you do not have to sacrifice a premium interior just because you prefer a gas engine over a diesel.
Fuel Economy and Maintenance Expenses
Cost of ownership is where the gas engine really shines for the average driver. The diesel engine is going to be much more expensive to buy upfront, and the maintenance costs are higher. Plus, you have to buy diesel fuel, which is often more expensive than regular gasoline, and keep the DEF tank full. Also, modern diesels need to be driven hard to keep their emission systems happy, so they are not ideal for short trips where they sit parked for long periods.
MPG Breakdown
The EPA estimated fuel economy tells an interesting story about how these trucks perform at the pump:
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7.3 Godzilla V8: Expect around 13 to 16 MPG on the highway and 11 to 14 combined. When towing, that drops to about 6 to 10 MPG.
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6.7 Power Stroke: You will see better numbers here, around 18 to 22 MPG highway and 15 to 18 combined. When towing, you can expect a much more manageable 10 to 14 MPG.
While the diesel gets better fuel mileage and only cuts your efficiency in half when towing compared to the gas engine, you have to weigh those MPG savings against the overall higher cost of fuel and maintenance.
Which Ford F250 is Right for You?
So, which one should you choose? It really depends on how you plan to use your truck. If you are towing heavy equipment for work consistently or traveling the country with a massive fifth wheel camper, the 6.7 Power Stroke is hands down the better option. It is built to work, provides that exhaust brake, and drives beautifully under a heavy load.
But for the average person who might only pull a camper a few times a year or doesn't tow heavy every single day, the 7.3 Godzilla makes perfect sense. It gives you incredible simplicity, lower maintenance costs, and a reliable V8 that can withstand a ton of abuse without breaking a sweat.
If you are looking for your next clean, fully-serviced Ford truck, make the drive to Mark Martin Motors. We are conveniently located for anyone within a 4 hour drive from 4126 Oregon Pike Ephrata, PA 17522. We would love to help you find the perfect truck that fits your lifestyle.
Check out the full breakdown in our video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHbmiNoZDc0