Ford 7.3L V8 vs Ford 6.8L V8: Which Engine Is Best?

[@alexsmba]

A couple of things to note. 1. 7.3 runs slightly lower compression, so you’re probably feeling the response difference in the throttle (not torque). 2. The 6.8 runs the 10R100, so less parasitic loss than the 10R140, which probably gives you better performance. 3. The longer stroke in the 7.3 means the pistons are moving faster at the same crank rpm. So it probably sounds like it’s revving harder.

[@erikswensen425]

Also to note, the 6.8 he tested has 4.30 gears and is a standard bed, while the 7.3 has 3.73 gears with a long bed. More weight and taller gears would probably make the 7.3 feel not much better than the 6.8 which is lighter and has lower gearing

[@johnfertsch6839]

6.8L - then again I'm biased because i have one. i'll get about 12 mpg city and 16.6 highway, but towing my 7600 LB RV trailer, 9.5 MPG at 68-70 mph, 10 mpg or more at 65 mpg, 11+ 55 MPH, and that's with 3:73 gears stock 18 inch tires. Hadn't head of any engine issues with these 6.8L and hope it remains that way!

[@joeyjordan1209]

@@johnfertsch6839 18” tires!

[@tszymk77]

@@joeyjordan1209 I run on 8" casters.

[@joeyjordan1209]

@@tszymk77 heck yea. Bet you can spin those pretty easy in any gear

[@puppydog47]

Sounds great what year do you have

[@aarons307]

I test drove both of these engines also over the holiday weekend. Just driving around town the 6.8l felt more responsive and just as smooth on the on ramp up to 70 mph getting up to speed. Now when I stopped both trucks on an 8% uphill grade street and took off from a stop the 7.3L did have a little more pull especially when it hit 3000 rpm. Both trucks had 3.73 gearing. You can get a 6.8L with 4.30 gearing which I've found at some dealers but I think mpg wise you might as well get the 7.3L if you need the extra grunt. The 6.8L will take the fleet sales volume as those uses don't need to idle a 7.3l all day long, might as well have an engine that's a little more efficient for those uses.

[@erickisel8668]

@Ben Hardy: what gears did each truck have? That might explain things…

[@paulwraa8401]

6.8L for my needs. Ford seems to be encouraging more buyers to select the 6.8L engine. Order books are closed for 2024, I'm in the market for a F250 gas and 6.8L is now base engine up to the Lariat trim. We're towing a 8K lb. camper so the difference in towing and payload between 6.8/7.3 isn't an issue for me. Thanks for this helpful comparison, I'm glad to hear that there were only subtle differences in the performance of the two engines. More torque on the low end is a bonus!

[@JohnDiMartino]

You confirmed my suspicions, thank you. The 6.8 feels spicy.The smaller transmission has less parasitic drag and the actual power difference is probably more like 15-20 hp. Need them on a chassis dyno to know for sure. I think they rate the 7.3 optimistically and the 6.8 spot on.

[@winstonrocco1981]

Got a brand new 2024 6.8 xlt 373 I have 900 miles on it . Went on 400 mile trip got 16 mpg highway and a little round town . I hand calculated it. This truck drives like a dream shifts smooth and plenty power.

[@marcochavanne]

How are the XLT seats on the longer trips? Thinking about getting one instead of the TRD Pro Sequoia.

[@winstonrocco1981]

@@marcochavanne Seats are great

[@theingobeck4772]

​@@marcochavanneIf you are used to the way a half-ton rides, you're going to be pretty shocked with how bad an F250 rides.

[@jaimestone3835]

Do you hear a slight whine noise almost like a belt or pulley like sound from the transmission in yours? I have 100 miles on mine and it started after delivery. Dealer says it’s normal and I’ve read the same online but figured I’d ask

[@theingobeck4772]

@@jaimestone3835 It's from the transmission pump. They all sound that way some louder than others.

[@D_gas_bob]

The 6.8 is a 7.3 with a shorter stroke. Probably why it has a better seat of the pants feel. Like the 460 and the 429 of old. I was a 429 fan, I'm glad Ford is offering the 6.8 engine in other trim levels.

[@briancavanaugh7604]

Why does the 6.8 exist? Well, the first two years of the 7.3 it was an UPGRADE over the still available 6.2 BOSS. I am sure plenty of fleet buyers and some folks who prefer tried and true proven engines bought plenty of them during that time frame. Ford observed this and said: Well it seems some folks still prefer a lower cost option and they made one that can be as close to the 7.3 as possible but cost less to make as opposed to offering the 6.2 which shares very little with the 7.3. For a fleet buyer that say buys for the power company they will take that 1700 savings as the darn thing just sits at stops most of the day towing absolutely nothing ever. For a large fleet that is HUGE savings.

[@BigDaddyAddyMS]

6.8 had 4.30s, 7.3 had 3.73s. Look at the highway RPM.

[@tomchepey2999]

Need to know axle ratio in each truck. Different transmissions for each also

[@RimRig_AZ]

The 6.8 provides a less expensive option for fleet sales; if a your a business and need 10 of these the savings adds up pretty fast.

[@fattie2550]

6.8 because im cheap.

[@paulfeasal6024]

60 something thousand is outrageously expensive.

[@fattie2550]

@@paulfeasal6024 they should be around 39K OTD

[@paulfeasal6024]

Xlt is probably the trim I would go if I bought any Ford truck. Maybe an XL. Depends on when I get lumbar support and the telescoping steering wheel. Don't want to over due it onnthe technology because it's expensive when it breaks and Ford's are known to break pretty quickly. However they also usually have a good amount of parts too if you need to fix something.

[@joeyjordan1209]

@@paulfeasal6024fords are know to break quickly??? Only according to the internet where is everyone that has had a problem that comes to complain or investigate.. percentage wise they are very good trucks..majority of fleets running any truck of the big 3 have low failure rates..

[@marcg.3830]

@@joeyjordan1209exactly, if they broke and were pieces of junk like people on the internet claim, they wouldn’t be the best selling truck for the last 47 years.

[@dfwvtxman]

How do u tell which is a better engine with a 5 minute drive?

[@M_dot202]

💯 You would have to tow with the trucks to actually evaluate their performance.

[@jrhunt414]

As we saw, you don’t

[@Moondoggy1941]

By reading the comments from people who actually own them and use them for work and RV's.

[@htwheelz67]

If you look at the axle ratios of both trucks on the sticker the 6.8 has the 4.30 and the 7.3 has the 3.73 that is why the 6.8 had more low end torque the 4.30 ratio will get better city MPG's.

[@motorhead_jt21]

Purpose of the 6.8L…I would imagine higher payload capacity for a simple work truck with a long bed. Just a guess though.

[@M_dot202]

It's a standard, no cost (or credit) engine.

[@jabroni6199]

Purpose is lower cost. Nothing more nothing less.

[@mikebutler8043]

I suspect there is more hp/tq the Trans is robbing from 7.3 vs 6.8. Since there done what difference. Maybe it’s in the trans torque converter

[@theingobeck4772]

This video has new relevance now that the 6.8L is the standard engine up to Lariat. Kinda answers the question everyone had of why the 6.8/10R100 exists.

[@burnedagain6187]

Ben did you check the rear end ratios?

[@erickisel8668]

@Ben Hardy: Do most Super Duty owners who pay the $12,500 extra for the high output PSD actually use it for what it’s built for?

[@armytruth6860]

I live in Texas and I can tell you most people who get the diesel never tow anything they just want to get a diesel because it looks good to them and others around them

[@paulfeasal6024]

Probably feels slower becauae its pulling more weight..

[@jaysson1151]

Wait til the 2025 models. Ford swapped out the 10R140 transmission from the 7.3 F250s (not the 350s) with the lighter duty 10R100. You might feel a difference in torque and drivability this time.

[@alltherezechaj]

I mean - one costs a few bucks more and gets worse mpg but can tow more. Ones cheaper and gets better mpg. That’s about glaring comparison - so if mpg is better and you don’t need the power or fuel cost - 6.8. Crazy

[@HAUSS81]

This was 4.30 vs 3.73

[@steveschein6935]

I just got a 6.8 2003 e450 Ford 45,000 MI R.V. summer cruiser, run Mobil 1 synthetic hope it lasts a lifetime.

[@erickisel8668]

@Ben Hardy: Why did Ford bother with the 6.8 after getting rid of the 6.2L Boss engine? The 6.2 was a champ while the 7.3 has had issues and since the 6.8 is related to the 7.3, I would be wary…

[@aarons307]

The 6.2L while proven to be a durable engine is a dual overhead cam engine and more costly to construct while the 6.8L is just a shortened stroke 7.3L push rod engine and much simpler to build

[@jabroni6199]

There’s no issues with the 7.3. There were lifter issues early on with a small number of engines but that hasn’t been an issue for almost 2 years. The 6.2 is a dog while towing. It’s not even close.

[@Steviethegr8]

The 6.2 is a complete dog....

[@Cloud30000]

Easier to add a turbo to the 6.8l

[@mauriceracicot6010]

If the 6.8 replaced the 6.2, why isn't the 6.8 in all that same trucks in both the f250 and f350?

[@georgerafa5041]

They got two gas engines, and they had two for the last few years of the 6.2L as the 7.3L isn't exactly new.

[@wdbldr67]

These motors are $18,000 to $19,000 on Ford's website.

[@kirkdunn1379]

Going around the block isnt gonna tell you much....

[@KenMcCune-wb3jp]

Like both trucks are cool

[@M_dot202]

14R100 behind the 6.8...hard pass. Also, the 6.8 uses a cast crank vs the forged crank of the 7.3. cost cutting... The 6.8 is a fleet engine.

[@motormossvlogs1450]

How? It hasnt been out long to prove reliability

[@jabroni6199]

@@motormossvlogs1450because forged and cast aren’t a new technology and we know forged is stronger than cast.

[@motormossvlogs1450]

@@jabroni6199 i meant the transmission. The 10r140 is junk. My buddy lemon lawed his 7.3 because of it. 3 transmissions in 63k miles. Ford bought it back.

[@4-LOW]

The 6.8 exists for one reason and one reason only: marketing. It allows them to upcharge for the 7.3. The two engines are essentially identical with minor changes, and the 6.8 trucks get a weaker transmission. Fuel economy, driveability, etc. is going to be identical between the two. There is NO WAY I'd buy a 6.8 truck new.

[@rooster-zg4oo]

The 7.3 has forged crank etc…the 6.8 is cast internals..but the transmission is probably the best reason to get the 7.3. It’s the same that comes on the diesels.

[@jacksturgell8756]

It’s crazy how a 3.5 ecoboost has technically more torque the these two engines but for the half ton segment

[@BigDaddyAddyMS]

@@jacksturgell8756 yeah, but you can use the Super Duty’s torque all day long, for years, without taxing the engine.

[@jdirt1982]

I can't wait for the new 7.3 Ecoboost

[@Dowhatyoucandonow]

They detuned the 7.3

[@marksman4004]

From what I hear, the 6.8 feels faster than the 7.3.

[@slaytanic921]

I’m more concerned about towing.

[@marksman4004]

@@slaytanic921 I still haven't seen any videos on it towing. Have you?

[@jabroni6199]

@@marksman4004I’ve been looking for 6.8 towing reviews for 9 months haven’t seen one. TFL had one but all they did was a useless walk around video like this one.

[@marksman4004]

@jabroni6199 🤣🤣🤣 yeah I seen that one

[@christopherd9290]

​@@marksman4004 The channel Truck King did some towing and light work with a 2023 f250 STX trim. That's the only one I've seen.

[@Danzilly]

I would take the 6.8l the 7.3l has had valve train issues

[@M_dot202]

It's the same engine, just a de-stroked 7.3.🙄

[@alexsmba]

@@M_dot202yep, I think the 6.8 runs a marginally higher compression ratio (probably just a byproduct of the different stroke length). That’s it.

[@bobbyharriman7075]

Bud, you seem like a nice dude, but you’re killing me. The motors use the same block, displacement is internal. Negligible weight difference. And they only offer the 7.3 to charge a few bucks more, use the “7.3” moniker (a la OG Powerstroke). There’s no good reason to buy the 7.3 while the 6.8 exists. It’s just marketing, as it costs them zero additional dollars to build the “larger” motor. Aside from an insane amount of dead time, your review effectively shows that the butt dyno agrees. Snake oil.

[@TCSwizz2]

I think the 7.3 exists to make buyers think they need it to for maximum towing capacity. Ford literature says the 6.8 is only rated for 14,000lbs vs 18,000 for the 7.3 with the biggest difference that each engine has a different transmission

[@sealevel1919]

@@TCSwizz2one has forged sleeves and one has cast sleeves. 6.8 is a fleet engine

[@TCSwizz2]

@@sealevel1919 that’s not inherently a bad thing

[@rockie307]

Better at what? Either one will do what you need. Contrary to popular belief, capability depends on the truck itself. Any modern engine is plenty powerful enough to do what needs to be done, which is why the f550/650 with the 7.3 godzilla and 6.7 are detuned and have less power than the f250. Power is not a problem with modern trucks. Just got to decide if you want more power, more mpg or the emissions reliability and maintenance disaster of a modern diesel.

[@toddjohnson7787]

Give me the 7.3L Godzilla 😎

[@deal492]

BUTT DYNO HAS NOT BEEN CALIBRATED.....

[@DaleKalk]

Get a haircut and a shave!!!

[@crazedxfighter]

100k trucks that don't sell. Many cooler options for 60k

[@michaellarson2506]

No one wants to drive a minivan, so they try to arrive as quick as possible… at least that is why I drive like a maniac in my wife’s minivan

[@mitchellshareratleast100su7]

I’d personally get the 6.8 because it’s not any slower and has more tech than the 7.3

[@mcwendel8066]

Great video but Nissan Altimas are the worst drivers 😂

[@bruh4255]

Nah 6.7L Diesel is better

[@JohnDiMartino]

Unless your talking dual rear wheels and heavy towing over 18k regularly it certainly is not. I purchase for our fleet ,most fleet managers will not go near the 6.7 until there in the 450/550. The cost is too high as well as cost per mile . Gas wins by a long shot w srw trucks .

[@slaytanic921]

@@JohnDiMartinoI’m still thinking a 7.3 in a 350 drw, pulling a 5th wheel though, not fleet.

[@InuranusBrokoff]

Not trying to deal with all the problems of a modern diesel. Not even half of the people who buy them utilize them in a manner that would necessitate owning one over a gasser. Why pay more up front and more in the long run with exponentially more hassle?

[@hpkntnw]

Do you real is the 7.3 Godzilla makes the same torque and DOUBLE the horsepower of the famed 7.3 diesel that could “tow” anything!! Mos heavy duty truck buyers don’t need 1,200 ft lbs.

[@ckryegrass11]

Until you replace egr cooler, scr and dpf or anything with the fuel system. Ill never own another diesel.

[@haider._.Alameer]

Failed engines as usual from the American industry

[@AH-ve9iz]

Your mom's mouth never fails

[@haider._.Alameer]

@@AH-ve9iz 🦴🦴🖕

[@jdirt1982]

I'm need a white 7.3 stx

[@theingobeck4772]

Make sure you drive both the 7.3L and 6.8L. I did and chose the 6.8L because the transmission was clearly much smoother and the 6.8L felt quicker. Very happy with my STX 6.8L with the 22K miles I've put on it so far (about half towing 5k-8klbs).

[@jdirt1982]

I also need a crown burger or Maddox chicken sandwich.....