6.2 vs 7.3 — Which Super Duty Gas Engine is Best for You?

Ford F-250 offers similar conventional towing capacity with both V8s, but the 7.3 V8 offers more punch.

Ford made big news in the truck world when the Motor Company introduced the new 7.3-liter V8 as the premium gasoline engine in the Super Duty lineup. This is the most powerful gasoline-fueled engine in a modern Super Duty, offering 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. The standard engine in the 2021 F-250 Super Duty is still the 6.2-liter V8 for those who want to save a little money at the point of purchase.

Ford-Trucks member “Hillcountryflt” recently posted in the 2017+ Super Duty section, asking members of the community for input on which of the two gas engines owners would recommend. As you might expect, most people lean in favor of the new 7.3, but some point out the fact that the 6.2 will do the work and has a solid reputation as a reliable engine.

F-250 Gas Choice: 6.2 or 7.3

When the OP first posed his question to the community, he started with the following information.

I am still considering trading my 2020 4×4 lariat f150 with v8, long bed for an f250 gasser (just don’t want diesel). I have been setting the 7.3 as a requirement. But in reviewing the towing guide a little better, the 7.3 only gains me about 2,500 pounds of capacity over the 6.2 (unless I am running the 4.3 rear end)..

One thing I know for sure is the 7.3 gets the 10 speed transmission, which I like. The 6.2 gets the 6 speed which I am guessing is not as fuel efficient (I know MPGs should not be a concern when buying superduty, but if I can, I like to save fuel costs).

I won’t be going fifth wheel and expect stick with a travel trailer when towing. I might go a little bigger than my 7495 GVWR up to a 9400 pound gvwr trailer, which it appears the 6.2 will handle easily.

So the question is really worth the difference to specify Godzilla over the 6.2?

Later on in the thread, the OP provides some of the requirements that he and his wife have for their next Ford truck.

We are specific on our trim/color/ – stone grey, tan leather, sync, crew, tailgate step, built in internet, shorter bed. Not specific about 2wd or 4wd as the f250 4wd does not offer a full time awd option like my 2020 lariat f150 4×4.

So in short, the OP is looking at a 2021 F-250 with the Crew Cab with the 6 ¾-foot bed. Four-wheel-drive is optional and they only plan to tow a conventional trailer.

Head-to-Head Super Duty Gas Comparison

We looked up the specifications for each of these gasoline engines on the Ford website. We focused on F-250 Crew Cab trucks with the short bed, the standard gearing and the two different gasoline V8 engines. The 6.2-liter V8 with the standard 3.73 gears will pull up to 12,900 pounds in rear-drive form while 4×4 models can pull 12,500 with the bumper hitch setup. The 7.3-liter V8 with the standard 3.55 gears will pull up to 15,000 with two-wheel-drive and 14,700 with four-wheel-drive, giving the bigger V8 an advantage of just over 2,000 pounds with both drive configurations. In either case, if the OP plans to pull a trailer that weighs less than 10,000 pounds, either engine will pull it with ease.

In addition to towing more, the 7.3-liter V8 offers quite a bit more horsepower and torque, leading to a distinct advantage in drivability. The 7.3 packs 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque to the 6.2’s output of 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, but the bigger engine also has the advantage of the newer 10-speed automatic transmission. When coupled with the added horsepower and torque, the 7.3-liter V8 provides considering stronger acceleration in every condition, while putting in less effort to accelerate or cruise.

Members Provide Input

Lots of members shared their input, but we have included some quotes from people who have experience with one or both of the engines in question – particularly the new 7.3-liter V8. The first was “Grass Lake Ron“, who is glad that he got the big V8.

In a word, the 7.3 is the best money I ever spent. $1700 worth of sexy, old school power.

The next was “GNR22”.

I have never used a 6.2L with a 10 speed, so I cannot speak to that combination, but every 6.2 and 6 speed that I have used was more fuel efficient than my 7.3L and 10 speed. By 2 to 3 MPGs unloaded.

If you’re only towing a 10k lb trailer or less, or just towing very rarely in general, the 6.2L with a 4.30 gear ratio will be more than adequate. If you have an extra $1700 burning a hole in your pocket, don’t let me stop you from going the 7.3L route.

“GM in a Ford” picked the 6.2.

I agonized over this same decision and decided to go with the 6.2 and 6 sp tranny. I expect the 7.3 to be a good motor as Ford has a pretty good record with non-turbo motors. I am unsure of the 10 speed auto as I have read reports and seen videos on YouTube of people having problems with those. I thought the 6 sp would be a more proven transmission. But ford390gashog above said there are two versions of the 6 sp transmission and the current one may not be as good. Hope that isn’t true as I am wanting to get 200k problem free miles out of it. I did go with the 4:30 gears for two reasons. One is I watched a video review on this combo and the guy said that with the 4:30 the truck really got the load moving very easily. Two I hope to go to 35″ tires someday and the 4:30 will help offset the larger tire.

Finally, “Mike Ski” has first-person experience with both engines.

I have had both, a 2011 F350 6.2L w/ 4.30s and now a 2020 F350 7.3 w/ 4.30s. I pull a 5th wheel weighing in at about 11,000 lbs. The 6.2 was a fantastic truck and always did a great job. I almost felt bad trading it in but I got over it pretty fast. The nice thing about the 7.3L / 10 speed is it just doesn’t seem to ever have to work as hard. The 7.3L makes much more power on the low end so when I’m towing the truck isn’t down shifting every time there’s a slight incline and if it does the 10 speed has much smaller steps between gears so its not nearly as noticeable. I also used a 2015 F250 6.2 with 3.73s for work, another great truck, but I am a fan of the lower gears and the extra capacity of the F350 especially when towing.
You are not wrong with whatever truck you decide to get. As far as the MPG between the trucks goes I don’t think its that much of a difference, in fact I think is about the same. Hard for me to tell.
Good luck with whatever you get.

If you have experience with the 7.3-liter V8, click here to share your input on this topic.

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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