7.3L Godzilla Gas V8 vs 6.7L PowerStroke Diesel V8 | Ford Super Duty Pickup Engines

Today we're looking at the differences between Ford's 7.3L Godzilla V8 gas engine and their tried-and-true 6.7L PowerStroke turbo diesel V8 engine in two different 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duties.



Ford announced a mild update for the 2020 Super Duty lineup, including an update to the 6.7L Power Stroke turbo diesel V8 engine, and an all-new 7.3L V8 gas engine nicknamed Godzilla. We wanted to see what the difference is for these two optional engines and why you might consider one over the other. We go over the power numbers and the overall curb weight with either engine when equipped in the same truck.

We take both F-250 Super Duty's on the road to see how both engines perform and handle, and what you should be looking at getting based on the type of work you expect to be doing with either engine, as we go over the towing numbers between both engines. We also include some engine sound clips.


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[robmetzel]

7.3 is a huge upgrade from the 6.2 I traded in. Zero need for a diesel for what I use it for. (Towing landscaping trailer and plowing snow). Payload on the 7.3 was about 800lbs more than the similar spec’d 6.7 I looked at as well. (Both XLT trim levels) My 250 7.3 is rated at 14, 700lbs towing with the 3.55 and 3050lbs payload. Perfect truck for my particular needs.

[keithcrandall]

Recently towed 32, 000 lb trailer from Phoenix to SLC with 2018 F-350 SRW 6.2L gasser. Two weeks later towed same load of 32, 000 lbs with 2018 F-350 SRW 6.7 Diesel from Vermont to SLC. The diesel pulls amazingly. Though never underestimate the capability of the 6.2L. It gets up to speed a bit slower but gets the job done. The majority of 6.7’s on the road will never have the opportunity to tow this much weight. Very happy with both.

[JohnSmith-djgf]

I keep my trucks for 250K+ miles and the thought of out-of-warranty repair costs on these modern diesels sends shivers down my spine. I’ll stick with a big simple gasser.

[fiveowaf]

I need to test drive a 7.3, but where I see the real benefit of this newer generation "gasser" is the 10 speed auto. Traditionally gas engines have always suffered when towing from the big gaps in the gearing, meaning you can't pull one gear and then have the shift down, "screaming" the engine in the lower gear. If you have enough gears to keep the gas engine revving mildly to produce power in the "sweet spot" under all conditions, it should be a much more refined and effective towing rig and give better fuel mileage too. It will never match a turbo diesel, but can still be refined and effective for those who don't tow massive loads.

[KubanKevin]

I’m a diesel fan but Diesel engines have gotten very complicated especially since the introduction of EGR and DEF and I’ve heard they’re not quite as trouble free and durable as they used to be. 7.3 all day for me

[superstreet]

I got the 7.3 and love it. My trailer only weighs 1000 pounds and it pulls it like it’s not even back there. I wish I got better gas mileage but that’s the trade-off. I love that it will tow 15, 000 pounds and I can upgrade to a fifth wheel next time.

[mitchellatchley]

I just recently picked up a 19 Lariat with 6.7 diesel and I absolutely love it. I'm averaging 17.5 mpg with a mix of city/highway driving. When I give it the fuel it launches! I towed my old 2010 F250 XLT 800 miles on a flatbed and got over 15 mpg. I wouldn't buy anything else!

[richardladroga]

I just replaced my 6.7 L Powerstroke at just under 40K miles for $16, 000!! Thank goodness for the warranty. I decided to unload the diesel and bought a new 2022 F-350 King Ranch and went with the Godzilla. The new diesels are getting killed because of the emissions constraints.

[Seveneleven]

We have a small family business and have always used Ford heavy duty trucks. Have a 10’ f550 with the 6.4 which didn’t make it to 100, 000 miles before having a brand new motor...and the replacement motor was worse than the original. Had a number of 250’s, two with the v10(gutless, DRANK fuel like crazy). Two 6.0’s which were pretty reliable to be honest. Then we got a 2011 6.7 and that was my favorite truck I ever owned. Never let me down, had an EGR valve go bad around 100k miles, other than that no major problems...that motor is fantastic for efficiency, but has the guts when you need it. Ended up trading that truck for a 2015 6.7 and again, never had any issues with the truck, still driving it today, has been 173k and change on it. We also have two work truck trim 250’s with the 6.2 and they are great, but are bad on fuel, so my point is, the 7.3 looks great but for what we do, it more tha. Likely would get the same fuel mileage as the old v10’s. No sense in getting rid of the 6.2 and upgrading to a motor that’s worse on fuel. We pull recycling trailers, and the diesel is king for several reasons, mainly the stop and go abuse they can take, and still remain somewhat efficient for what they’re doing. I can average 8.5-10 mpg pulling a trailer around town for recycling day pickup, and still have plenty of fuel left at the end of the day. When we used to do the same job with the previous trucks, especially the gassers, we would fuel right after lunchtime, like clockwork. The gas option looks great but the diesel is still king when it comes to serious towing.

[fiveowaf]

I'm thinking of going for the 7.3 Godzilla, after years of running diesels with the high running costs of fuel filters and the threat of out of warranty repairs along with the higher cost of fuel I'm starting to wonder if the relaxed towing of the diesel is really worth all the other negatives that the expensive emission systems brings for the long term owner.

[heavy]

Another awesome review the 7.3 is a great option for people who need the extra kick but don’t wanna pay 10s of 1000s more

[kentp.]

Always fun to see the same arguments on youtube as on ford forums. The same conclusion is almost always reached, if you need to tow some heavy loads, and do so regularly, you're going to want the diesel. It WILL cost more over the life of the vehicle, but realistically if you own a diesel you're probably using it to make money. Anyone who owns a diesel and doesn't use that truck to do any real work is wasting money. Countless discussions, almost always the same outcome.

[scottwitkowski]

Not a peep about maintenance cost. Look at cost of fuel in conjunction with maintenance cost. Even with an mpg defecit in the gas motor and taking into account higher resale value, the gas makes more sense for me.

If you're always hooked to a gooseneck/5th wheel or pintle trailer most of the time, buy the diesel. If you recreationally tow RV/boats and dont really tow too heavy, the gas wins.

[rickitysplitz]

I am a v8 sports car guy, but it's nice to see these videos.

[jamesfrench]

Ordered a 2022 f250 tremor with the 7.3 a few days ago. Hopefully I made the right decision. I've only owned half tons before this.

[catherinenielsen]

I love my husband's old 7.3 diesel I asked him if he would like a new 7.3 if they made it diesel again and he said no because it was good way back but now there's all the computers on it and all new things. 6.7 diesel is what we have now too and we love it, its our baby we do alot with it

[rg]

I owned a 20 F350 crew cab Lariat long bed with the 7.3. By far the best gas engine I have ever had. Going from an 18 F250 with a 6.2, it was easy to compare the two. Well, there is no comparison. The 7.3 outperforms the 6.2 in every way, especially with the 10 speed transmission. I bought a 21 F350 Dually 6.7 because I bought a heavy 5th wheel. What a monster of a motor and the side to side stability is fantastic. I think the 7.3 would be fine up to a maximum payload of 13-14K. Anything over that and you’ll need the diesel. The amazing thing about the Powerstroke is how quickly it accelerates with all that torque. There is no hesitation while the turbo spools up like my 13 6.7, and that was a great motor too. Instant launch and it’s always in the right gear. The exhaust brake is really nice too.

[nicolathonathan]

This 7.3L gas has more hp and torque than the 1st gen 7.3L diesel, I don’t remember people complain the 7.3L diesel is underpowered, even nowadays.

[lazerbeam]

In the US diesel generally cost about $.20 to $.40 more per gallon. It will take a while to make up the cost differential of the diesel engine option over the 7.3L gas version. I've talked to several 6.7L diesel engine Ford owners and while they do get "good" mpg, its not as significant as you portend it to be. What was not addressed in you video is the maintenance cost of a diesel versus a gas engine truck. Routine oil changes for both are a normal procedure but the cost of oil filters for the diesel are significantly higher than the gas engine. There other "hidden" cost for a 6.7L diesel like fuel filters and the labor cost to remove it from the fuel tank, etc. If hauling a trailer with heavy equipment or loads frequently is your thing, then by all means go diesel. If you are hauling a camping trailer twice or three times a year and it falls within the towing limits of the 7.3L gas engine, it makes no sense economically to buy the diesel engine. You will unlikely ever recoup the cost differential between the diesel and gas engines.

[vicerichter]

difference between a 7.3 and 6.7 is cost. Nevermind price for upgrading diesel. Nope. The maintenance and added built-in cost of operating these dieselbois is higher, parts are more expensive.
The plugs cost more, more complex internals like a water-fuel separator, governors, the jets, and emissions. The injectors cost more, the trans cost more, and if it breaks down. Unless you know someone who knows diesels or you are certified. You gonna have to take it to a specialist for repairs. And those repairs cost money!!!!$$$$

Then you gotta pay to fill up DEF, anything DEF-related is not cheap, oh and if it breaks, it bricks your whole truck! Not to mention fuel. Fuel prices does vary alot more than gas. And usually costs more. Also diesel doesnt always get the best quality-control. And neither do gas stations. Very easy to get a bad batch of diesel.

With You get none of those Gasoline is the larger domestic product in the petrol market. You are more than likely to find gasoline than diesel.

But. Most important. Less problems, less issues with warranty. Also less problems in the cold. It takes up to -50 below 0 in order for gasoline to get "slushy", diesel becomes jello at 0 degrees. And syrupy at 30.

Of course. Diesel still has alot of benefits. But for the average schmuck like me. It would be more hassle than it is worth.