For those of you who are Ford fans who need something hauled, moved, or towed today, you couldn’t get much better than the Ford Super Duty (also called the F-250, F-350, etc.). Similar to its smaller brother, the F-150, the Super Duty is also available in several body styles and powertrain options. Diesel and gasoline engines are available in the Super Duty. The gasoline engine is 7.3 liters, and the diesel is 6.7 liters.
There are different kinds of work that your Super Duty is better at depending on what engine is inside it. When it comes to a choice between a V8 gasoline engine and a diesel turbocharged engine, what are the most significant differences?
A major difference between the engines is their fuel requirements. It is powered by a 7.3-liter V8 engine and is diesel-powered by a PowerStroke engine. If you want the biggest and best Super Duty engine, you’ll have to accept the 7.3-liter engine if diesel is more expensive in your area.
Power differences
Second, the displacement is obviously different. Despite the fact that both engines fit within the truck’s engine bay and that there is little practical difference between the two engines, the 7.3-liter engine has a substantially higher displacement than the 6.7-liter PowerStroke.
Now we come to the all-important difference in power. There is simply no comparison between the gas engine and the PowerStroke option in every way that matters. Ford claims that the turbodiesel produces 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque from its 6.7-liter PowerStroke engine. The 7.3-liter gas engine produces 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque compared to the 6.3-liter gas engine. Even more illustrating the divide is the “High-Output” PowerStroke, which generates 500 horsepower and 1,200 pounds-feet of torque.
In order to gain more power, a water jacket is added around the turbocharger, allowing it to cool down better. Despite its larger size, the 7.3 liter gasoline engine can’t match the torque of the turbodiesel.
The price divide
Furthermore, there is no comparison between the use cases of the two power plants. There are some situations in which a gas-powered 7.3-liter V8 might be preferable to a diesel engine (even if it’s a big one like the Super Duty). The PowerStroke diesel, however, might be the best towing machine to choose if you need something big and bad.
The last point to consider is the price. A 7.3-liter gas engine comes as standard equipment on Super Duty trucks in the XLT trim level and above. The PowerStroke diesel model is priced at $9,995, making it incredibly expensive as of June 2024. You’ll have to pay $12,495 extra for “High-Output” versions of the PowerStroke. There is a price premium associated with diesel power, but if you need it for your work, the price difference might be worth it.
The gas-powered 7.3 doesn’t necessarily have less power than the PowerStroke, despite having less power. Simply put, it’s another option. In order to determine the feasibility of an engine, one should take a closer look at how it is used.
Efficiency
In terms of fuel efficiency, the new 6.7 Powerstroke gets between 12 and 18 MPG, winning by a slim margin. Some drivers are achieving up to 17 MPG on the highway with the Ford 7.3 gas engine, which gets 8-14 miles out of every gallon. Since diesel fuel is slightly more expensive than gas, the difference may not be all that significant. The fuel efficiency ratings of a vehicle are also affected by factors such as the condition and speed of its engine, as well as its overall weight.
Durability
Diesel engines are well known for lasting longer than gas-powered engines, and this is no different with the 6.7 Powerstroke. Both engines feature a modern, ultra-durable construction. A variety of modifications have been made over the years, bringing the F-Series to new heights. The 6.7 Powerstroke features graphite iron (CGI) engine blocks and aluminum cylinder heads that are expected to last up to a million miles or more.
Additionally, it features high-pressure common-rail fuel injectors and dual water jackets for better cooling. Several thousand miles may be required for Ford Powerstroke engines to receive a new EGR cooler. An air pollution reduction system is integrated into the vehicle’s emissions reduction system. In order to prevent overheating, the EGR cooler for the 6.7 must be replaced.
In terms of how long the 7.3 gas engine will last, the jury is still out. Materials used in it are similar to those found in the diesel F-Series line, making it capable of lasting 300,000 or more miles.
Read: What Is A Drive Belt And What Does It Do?
Read: Rattling Noise When Accelerating
Read: What To Do When Your Key Is Stuck in the Ignition?
Read: What Does an Oil Catch Can Do for Your Performance?
Read: How to Bleed a Car’s Cooling System
Conclusion
Compared to diesel engines, the Ford 7.3 gas engine is close to diesel in terms of power and durability. The 6.7 Powerstroke is more powerful, efficient, and performs better than the other engines, but they have a lot more in common than they do apart. When it comes to gas engines, the Ford 7.3 is a fine alternative.
