2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty Engine Breakdown
Choosing the right engine for your Ford Super Duty F-250 isn’t just about towing numbers — it’s about selecting a tool built for the type of work you do. Whether you're managing a job site, towing 5th wheels across Texas, or outfitting a fleet of trucks for commercial use, each engine in the 2025 Super Duty lineup offers a distinct power profile, mechanical layout, and long-term advantage.
This guide explains every available engine — not just by the numbers, but also by what’s under the surface and what kind of buyer it’s built for.
6.8L V8 Gasoline (SOHC)
Horsepower: 405 hp
Torque: 445 lb-ft
Architecture: Cast iron block, aluminum heads
Valvetrain: Single Overhead Cam, 2 valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
Transmission: 10-speed TorqShift automatic
The 6.8L V8 is the standard engine on XL and XLT F-250 models. It replaces the old 6.2L V8 with a focus on broader torque curves, simplified maintenance, and a better match to modern 10-speed gearing.
Using a cam-in-block SOHC layout with two valves per cylinder, this engine is optimized for low-end torque at lower RPMs, ideal for stop-and-go work, city delivery, or vocational chassis upfits. The cast iron block offers rigidity and thermal mass for extended duty cycles.
Strengths:
Smooth throttle response and linear torque
Ideal for upfitters: utility beds, dump conversions, service bodies
Proven simplicity — fewer moving parts than multi-cam V8s
Runs at lower RPMs than older 6.2L, reducing engine strain under load
Use Case: Best for light commercial duty, municipal fleets, and trades that require reliable torque with minimal maintenance cost or complexity.
7.3L V8 Gasoline (Godzilla)
Horsepower: 430 hp
Torque: 485 lb-ft
Architecture: Cast iron block, aluminum heads
Valvetrain: Pushrod (OHV), 2 valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke: 107.2 mm x 101 mm
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Transmission: 10-speed TorqShift automatic
This engine isn’t just bigger — it’s built differently. The 7.3L “Godzilla” V8 uses a traditional overhead valve pushrod layout, a rare design in modern gas engines. Why? Because it offers greater strength, fewer moving parts, and better packaging in heavy-duty applications.
The 7.3L delivers peak torque at lower RPM than the 6.8L and maintains it through the mid-range. With a 107.2mm bore and relatively long stroke, this engine was designed for sustained torque under heavy load, especially under wide-open throttle or hilly towing situations.
Strengths:
Exceptional thermal stability under load
Pushrod simplicity = lower service complexity
High displacement = torque without forced induction
Designed for oil field, ag, trailer towing, snow plows
Use Case: Ideal for owners who want gas over diesel but need strong performance, durability, and a mechanical powerband that can handle near-commercial-level hauling. Great for hotshot operations avoiding diesel or high-idle scenarios.
6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel
Horsepower: 475 hp
Torque: 1,050 lb-ft
Architecture: Compacted graphite iron block, aluminum heads
Valvetrain: OHV with four valves per cylinder
Induction: Single variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT)
Compression Ratio: 16.2:1
Transmission: 10-speed TorqShift heavy-duty automatic
This engine is the foundation of Ford’s diesel dominance. The 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel is engineered for sustained heavy loads, long-range trailering, and engine longevity under stress. Its compacted graphite iron block offers high strength-to-weight ratio, and the aluminum heads are water-cooled around the exhaust valve seats for added thermal control.
The VGT turbo delivers power quickly off-idle and eliminates lag often associated with older diesels. Paired with the heavy-duty 10-speed, it maintains low RPM under towing load, which means more torque, less wear, and better engine cooling over time.
Strengths:
Broad, flat torque curve starting under 2,000 RPM
10-speed tuning keeps engine at peak torque longer
Designed for repeated full-GVWR use
Trusted by fleets for reliability at 300,000+ miles
Use Case: Built for towing campers, 5th wheels, equipment trailers, or agricultural implements long distances and repeatedly. Preferred by buyers who demand torque but value predictable power delivery and low-maintenance intervals.
6.7L High Output Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel
Horsepower: 500 hp
Torque: 1,200 lb-ft
Architecture: Same CG iron block, aluminum heads, upgraded internals
Induction: Enhanced VGT turbo with upgraded compressor
Valvetrain: 4 valves per cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed TorqShift heavy-duty automatic (HO calibration)
This isn’t a different engine — it’s a more aggressive version of the same 6.7L diesel block, designed with enhanced turbo hardware, unique calibration, and mechanical improvements that enable it to hit class-leading output.
With 1,200 lb-ft of torque, this engine delivers a sharper rise in boost and significantly more pulling power in the low-mid RPM band. It’s built for applications where traditional diesels hit their limit — extreme towing, high-elevation hauling, and commercial trailer loads over long mileage.
The turbo response is tighter, the fuel mapping is more aggressive, and the driveline has been recalibrated to hold peak torque longer. This is the highest-output diesel engine ever offered in a full-size Ford pickup.
Strengths:
Max towing potential for both conventional and 5th wheel setups
Sharper mid-range acceleration under load
Maintains torque at elevation and under heat
Great for mountain passes, oil field logistics, heavy trailers with full beds
Use Case: High-output diesels are designed for commercial-grade duty cycles, hotshot drivers, and operators running at or near GCWR for hours at a time. Ideal if you tow over 20,000 lbs regularly or climb grades with heavy trailers.
Need help selecting the right powertrain for your build?
Gustavo Ramos
Sales Consultant – Hablo Español
(817) 876-3390
gramos@planetforddallas.com
