Ford Powerstrokes and 0-60mph: From 1994 to 2024
One of the longest standing metrics of acceleration has been a vehicle's 0-60mph time. In terms of real-World use, it's hard to get much better, as traction, weight, shifting, horsepower, and a number of other factors come into play. Since it's roughly the speed limit on most two-lane roads, it's also useful for things like merging out of a driveway from a dead stop so can you keep ahead of that car that's barreling down behind you. Of course weight, cab configuration, and 2wd vs 4x4 all matter, so we gave a range instead of an exact number. So how do these times compare from the first 215-hp OBS trucks to the latest 500hp Fords? Let's find out! Note: it's pretty interesting to see the difference between each engine change stay so consistent after the diesel horsepower wars started around 2001.
Ford Powerstroke 0-60mph by the numbers (with Original Equipment):
1994-1997 Ford F250/350 7.3L Diesel 0-60mph 13-14 seconds
1998-2002 Ford F250/350 7.3L Diesel 0-60mph 10-11 seconds
2003-2006 Ford F250/350 6.0L Diesel 0-60mph 9-10 seconds
2008-2010 Ford F250/350 6.4L Diesel 0-60mph 8-9 seconds
2011-2019 Ford F250/350 6.7L Diesel 0-60mph 7-8 seconds
2020-2024 Ford F250/350 6.7L Diesel 0-60mph 6-7 seconds
Used Pickup Market in Decline?
Unless you've been living under a rock, you're probably aware that prices of used diesel trucks have gone way up in recent years, thanks to the demand, lack of new vehicles, and inflation. However it looks like it's finally settling down a little bit, and now might be the right time to upgrade your old ride, or buy your first diesel. As we've covered in the past, the "new" 6.7L Powerstroke is probably one of the best engines out there, and a quick scouring of the Internet revealed 6.7L-powered trucks for under $20k with less than 200k miles on them. Later versions with better turbos and under 100k miles come in at 35k-40k, and that's for a truck with plenty of miles left on the clock.
Lifts and Tires vs MPG
The old adage of "nothing is free," applies to lifts and leveling kits, as well as wheel and tire changes. Sure a huge custom 20-inch lift and 26s may be seductive for the hard-parking crowd, but we're also here to tell you to say goodbye to your fuel economy. Larger wheel and tire packages come with the punishment of added weight and rolling resistance, which are two things that can really tank your mileage. A big lift also makes the truck less aerodynamic, which means more meat on the truck to move through the wind. It's not all bad however, as mild wheel and tire upgrades with slight lift or leveling kits can be installed while still getting 18-20mpg on the freeway! Diesels will of course will have an advantage here, but keeping it mild height-wise will be beneficial to your gas rig too.
Snot Rocket Gets Sold
Perhaps one of the most famous Coyote-powered vehicles in the World, the Snot Rocket 2.0 has been sold for the bargain basement price of $65k less motor and transmission. If that sounds like a lot, consider the amount of chassis-work and carbon on the lightweight car, as well as the fact it's run low 6s in the quarter, high 3s in the eighth mile, and his withstood nearly 3,000rwhp for a few years. Why did owner Brent LaSala sell it? Because he wants to go faster of course!
Scheid Diesel Wraps Up
Miss the Scheid Diesel Extravaganza at Wager Motorsports Park?? That's OK, they'll be plenty of media monitoring at one of the biggest events in diesel to see who came out on top in the Drags and Pulls, as well as all the action in the Show N Shine and on the Chassis Dyno. SDX, as it's affectionately known, started in 1997 with a few friends from the Turbo Diesel Registry, and it's been going strong ever since. It's now affiliated with dozens of sponsors, the Pro Pulling League, as well as the Outlaw Diesel Super Series. More info and results can be found at Scheiddiesel.com, Outlawdieselss.com, and Propulling.com.
And don't forget!! The Outlaw Diesel Super Series finals will be our own event, held in New Alexandria Pennsylvania this September 20th and 21st! Come watch the action.
GT500 and GT350 Mustangs: The Best Mustangs you Can't Buy
Ok well technically you can still buy both of these cars, you just can't buy them new from Ford direct. We don't know if it was COVID, market share, or the recent push towards "electrification," but as of 2024 if you're going to go shopping for a big-horsepower GT500 or killer handling GT350, it's going to be in the used car market or from Shelby. There is some good news here is that if you buy one of these rare cars, they probably will hold their value very well compared to a "normal" Mustang. That doesn't mean a GT350 or GT500 will come cheap however, we saw prices on 500 to 2,500-mile versions range from 60k to 90k on Bring a Trailer, so start saving your nickels and dimes.
