Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Best Powerstroke

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 8, 2012 | 08:03 PM
  #1  
wastingas's Avatar
wastingas
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Best Powerstroke

I've been searching for the best MPG's for a tuned Stroke. I've seen 6.0's to be piles when not given major TLC (resale says a lot on it) I'm a fan of the 7.3 and worked with a dude who got close to 30mpgs out of his (tuned and summer hwy run)
How about the 6.4 and 6.7 whats tops?

(please spare me the 'if you want mpgs get a ranger' plenty sharp diesel guys are getting some good runs out of superdutys)
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2012 | 08:57 PM
  #2  
redford's Avatar
redford
FTE Leadership Emeritus
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Club FTE Gold Member
Hello wastingas and welcome to FTE.

I would fly the BS flag for anyone who claimed to get close to 30 MPG out of one of these trucks. They are HEAVY and the aerodynamics suck.

But, if your goal is MPGs, then start with a 7.3L. A 6.0L or even a 6.4L can give you good fuel mileage, with the right modifications, but anything approaching 20 MPG should be considered a miracle.
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 09:24 AM
  #3  
Firekite's Avatar
Firekite
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 4
From: Lakehills, TX
Originally Posted by redford
A 6.0L or even a 6.4L can give you good fuel mileage, with the right modifications, but anything approaching 20 MPG should be considered a miracle.
For reference, I averaged about 19mpg cruising on the flat highway and empty in my '07 6.0L, though driving through traffic to work and back would get 10 to 12. All stock. My current '11 6.7L gets about 15.5mpg consistently or on the highway hits 20, again all stock. When I drove it back from the dealership in Austin I got about 21.5mpg but that was really being gentle. Now that the engine has started to break in, it's starting to get a little better mileage, but I think it's going to be hard to top a 6.7L stock for the combo of power and mileage. Both these trucks were F250 crew cab short bed FX4 Lariats. The 6.0L chipped for "economy" can do fairly well, but I'd be willing to bet the 7.3L is probably going to be closest assuming the engine and systems are still in good shape.
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 10:06 AM
  #4  
Shake-N-Bake's Avatar
Shake-N-Bake
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 26
From: Mesa AZ
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by wastingas
I've been searching for the best MPG's for a tuned Stroke. I've seen 6.0's to be piles when not given major TLC (resale says a lot on it) I'm a fan of the 7.3 and worked with a dude who got close to 30mpgs out of his (tuned and summer hwy run)
How about the 6.4 and 6.7 whats tops?

(please spare me the 'if you want mpgs get a ranger' plenty sharp diesel guys are getting some good runs out of superdutys)
There is no possible way for a 7.3 liter super duty truck to get 30 mpg or anywhere close to that figure unless perhaps the truck was stripped down to a bare chassis and seat. My lifetime average for my DD 7.3 is 15.679 mpg over 300k miles which includes towing stuff from time to time. My unloaded average is 16.7 mpg which is about 50% highway driving.

The most fuel efficient Power Stroke in our fleet is the 4.5 liter V6. I don't have the actual figures handy but those things go forever on a tank of fuel. Kinda amazing actually since they aren't the most aerodynamic things on the road...
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 05:56 PM
  #5  
galaxie641's Avatar
galaxie641
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
Mileage gets worse with every subsequent PSD generation from 7.3L on until the 6.7L, haven't seen many tuned mpg numbers out of them but stock they are as good if not better than the 7.3L.
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 08:59 PM
  #6  
phillips91's Avatar
phillips91
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 4
From: Rogersville, TN
Originally Posted by Shake-N-Bake
There is no possible way for a 7.3 liter super duty truck to get 30 mpg or anywhere close to that figure unless perhaps the truck was stripped down to a bare chassis and seat.
The 97 OBS listed in my sig is a bare bones, xl, no upgrades at all, etc, and the best mpg's I have gotten out of it was 23 mpg's running at 55 mph for 500 miles straight on flat ground. I usually get about 19 mpg's though. I don't see getting 30 out of one either.
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 10:19 PM
  #7  
Tom's Avatar
Tom
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by galaxie641
Mileage gets worse with every subsequent PSD generation from 7.3L on until the 6.7L, haven't seen many tuned mpg numbers out of them but stock they are as good if not better than the 7.3L.
I disagree. My 6.7L truck was capable of 20 MPGs on paper, and there are lots of folks down in the 6.7L forum with 3.31 gears doing even better than that.
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 10:58 PM
  #8  
wastingas's Avatar
wastingas
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Lots of input, as far as BS on the play i suppose its possable. I'm new to the super duty world but i've played if 1/4mile cars a lot. One thing I've accomplised through fine tuned turbos and stand alone fuel managment systems is outstanding mpgs when you want them and super fast et times when you want it.
I dont understand. Is it not possable to put a boost controler on the SD? possably free up the intake and exhaust?
Never say never folks!
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 11:12 PM
  #9  
Powerstrokin_350's Avatar
Powerstrokin_350
Tuned
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 253
Likes: 4
I had a lifted dually 6L, one tank, and only one tank, with an sct on extreme i got 18.9 mpg. best I ever saw. My grandpa has a 97 and 02 7.3 and sees consistent 12-14. My cousin has a 6.4 and gets 10 +/- based on his need for speed. His and my grandpas trucks are all stock, all f250 ccsb 4x4. mine was a sclb drw 4x4. I think they all are capable of the 16-18 consistently when built properly. Dont expect over 20. Thats my opinion. But the mpg debate is endless and theres more bs than truth out there... I think it comes down to whether you want loud or quiet motor, old or new style, and how much you want to pay to fix it or work on it yourself. get whatever suits your needs, and reasonable mpgs will follow in time
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 11:40 PM
  #10  
FI460's Avatar
FI460
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 0
From: Yreka, CA
My 6.0l almost religiously got 16.5 mpg mixed, and almost 19 mpg on the freeway. My 7.3l gets slightly worse.
 
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2012 | 01:13 AM
  #11  
wastingas's Avatar
wastingas
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Powerstrokin_350
I had a lifted dually 6L, one tank, and only one tank, with an sct on extreme i got 18.9 mpg. best I ever saw. My grandpa has a 97 and 02 7.3 and sees consistent 12-14. My cousin has a 6.4 and gets 10 +/- based on his need for speed. His and my grandpas trucks are all stock, all f250 ccsb 4x4. mine was a sclb drw 4x4. I think they all are capable of the 16-18 consistently when built properly. Dont expect over 20. Thats my opinion. But the mpg debate is endless and theres more bs than truth out there... I think it comes down to whether you want loud or quiet motor, old or new style, and how much you want to pay to fix it or work on it yourself. get whatever suits your needs, and reasonable mpgs will follow in time
I agree, just testing the waters. I really beleive with a proper fuel management system these can get better mpg's and power.
 
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2012 | 07:36 AM
  #12  
shadowboxin20's Avatar
shadowboxin20
4wd Low
10 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I get 15.2 with a mix of city and highway on my 03' 6.0L I just got

I was so happy I nearly busted when I calculated that number last week. I have not yet taken a full road trip but I am expecting 18-19mpg which seems to be about as good as it will ever get for any 1 ton diesel.
 
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2012 | 09:46 AM
  #13  
NightMares's Avatar
NightMares
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Boise
Originally Posted by wastingas
I agree, just testing the waters. I really beleive with a proper fuel management system these can get better mpg's and power.
A SD isn't a 1/4 mile car. I just picked my truck up a few days ago, so far within a mix of city and highway I've gone about 200 miles and still have about a quarter tank left. Not sure what the mileage is, but it's not 20+ that's for sure. I'm all stock, motor is well broken in.

Modifications can improve both power and mpg's, but don't expect to see much. I did a ton of research as mpg's were a huge concern when buying my truck. I've heard of some Cummins getting mid 20's, but that's after a TON of work and a lot of money put into them.
 
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2012 | 10:50 AM
  #14  
galaxie641's Avatar
galaxie641
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
Originally Posted by Crazy001
I disagree. My 6.7L truck was capable of 20 MPGs on paper, and there are lots of folks down in the 6.7L forum with 3.31 gears doing even better than that.

Actually you totally agree, must have missed the word UNTIL the 6.7L.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2012 | 12:31 AM
  #15  
tazaxx's Avatar
tazaxx
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 306
Likes: 5
I just got the 04 F350 SCLB 6.0/6spd 4x4 SRW 3.73 rear. Not sure yet if I'm going to keep it, but my first drive in it was 200 miles home. On stock tires with avg 60mph it got a solid 18 MPG.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:46 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE