What’s Normal Fuel Economy for a 7.3L Godzilla Ford Super Duty?
Hearing some real-world fuel economy results from Godzilla Ford Super Duty owners reveals that one option can make a big difference.
The relatively new, gas-powered 7.3-liter Godzilla V8 has quickly become a fan favorite since arriving in the Ford Super Duty just a few years ago, not to mention a popular entity among hot rodders looking to stuff an old-fashioned pushrod V8 into just about anything. Regardless, the Godzilla was designed to provide copious amounts of torque at lower rpms for more effortless towing, making it quite suitable for those that don’t want or need the extreme (and pricier) capability of a Power Stroke diesel. However, it’s also fair to say that fuel economy plays a role in that decision, too.
Fuel costs can eat into a Ford Super Duty owner’s expenses in a big way, and as such, many prospective owners will likely want to know just how efficient – or inefficient – the Godzilla really is, in real-world scenarios. Luckily for them, that information is readily available in the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums. In fact, this recent thread already contains quite a few responses from Ford Super Duty Godzilla owners in regard to what sort of miles per gallon they’re getting from their pickups these days.
This topic came up as GoldWingnut was curious to see if his own truck’s efficiency is an outlier or the norm, it seems. “I’ve had my ’26 F-250 Platinum Tremor 7.3L for a month now. Around town/mixed driving I’m getting about 11.4 mpg, and pure highway 14.5 mpg. I didn’t expect great mileage, especially with the Tremor package, but I had hoped for better than this. I keep the truck in Eco mode most of the time, without Eco mode it gets about 10.3 mpg. Is this similar to what others are getting?”
Turns out, that’s quite normal. “That’s about what it is,” Dozzer noted. “You can probably squeeze out 15 or 16 on the highway if you keep it at 60 to 65 mph max in perfect conditions. Also I have found that eco mode does nothing but tone down response and make it irritating to drive (my opinion of course) but trying it on a 300 mile trip on the interstate to my destination then back the same route without it I had zero difference in fuel economy. Look at the bright side, gas is 50 cents cheaper per gallon on average than diesel and you will never be stranded from a DEF fault lol.”
However, it does seem as if those that didn’t opt for the Tremor package are seeing slightly better numbers, at least. “I have a 2022 CCLB DRW with 4.30s and the worst I get in town is 12.6 mpg,” said OBS460. “Driving 60-65mph I can get almost 15 mpg. 70 mph+ 13.2-13.4 mpg. I don’t have a lead foot.” For those that didn’t go with those steeper gears, it seems like results are even better.
“I averaged about 70 mph with the A/C on the entire time,” 5MeanFords said of a recent road trip in their 3.73-geared Ford Super Duty. “My hand calculated mileage was 16.9 mpg. On the way back, in normal mode, I averaged closer to 80 mph with the A/C on the entire time and my hand calculated mileage was 16.1 mpg. Around town I drive in normal mode and hand calculate my mileage at 14.7-15.1 mpg. My last two Super Duties I ordered with the 4.30 gears. This time I wanted to try the 3.73 gears. Of course my other two were the V-10’s with the four speed automatic so my 7.3 with the 10 speed and 3.73 gears gets way better mileage.”
Others point out that with the taller gears, one can achieve more than 17 mpg on the highway pretty easily, if they don’t get too heavy with the right foot. “My truck is a 7.3, 3.73, stock tire size, with 4,000 miles on it.,” said F250 Platzilla. “Last weekend we drove 320 freeway miles on a route that is mostly country, with lots of 5% hills. With the cruise set on 80 75% of the time, and 70 the rest, I got 17.6 mpg. Towing my 5,000 lb travel trailer on the flat at 70 mph I get 10 to 11 mpg depending on wind. If I could have gotten even taller gears I would have, and compensated with 8th or 9th gear when needed.”
Thus, it certainly seems like gearing makes a pretty notable difference in regard to the kind of fuel economy one can expect from their Godzilla-powered Ford Super Duty, which is true of any vehicle out there – though perhaps more so with a large, heavy truck like this. Regardless, we’re curious to hear from more owners of this particular vehicle – so be sure and head over here to tell us what kind of fuel economy you’re seeing, and check out what your fellow owners have to say while you’re there!
Photos: Ford
Join the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums now!
You must be logged in to post a comment.