Duramax vs. Powerstroke

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Duramax, Powerstroke, and Cummins are the three best-known names in American diesel trucks. These are the respective engines in General Motors, Ford, and Dodge. These engines (and the truck brands they’re attached to) have plenty of die-hard fans.

As the most in-demand names on the market, you can’t help but compare the three. Is one better than the other? All three have their advantages and disadvantages. Here is a close look at Duramax versus Powerstroke and how they stack up.

A Brief History of Duramax vs. Powerstroke

GMC first sold diesel engines in 1982, and Ford shortly followed. These early engines were not referred to as Powerstroke or Duramax, though. The first Powerstroke branded engine didn’t debut until 1994, and the first Duramax until 2001.

The first Ford diesel engine was not the Powerstroke but the 6.9-liter IDI, manufactured by International Harvester and featuring a direct injection system. When Ford finally added the Powerstroke moniker, it was for the 7.3-liter engine. Decades after its debut, the Powerstroke engine has remained an industry leader.

Subsequent Ford diesel engines were designed for stricter emissions guidelines and had mixed initial results. Following the 7.3-liter was the 6.0-liter Powerstroke, which was more powerful but also plagued with issues. Head gasket failure and clogged EGR valves were among the most common. Despite a rough start, later generations of Ford diesel engines saw vast improvements.

The current Powerstroke is the 6.7-liter Powerstroke turbodiesel, with these features:

Compact graphite iron engine block designed to be both strong and lightweight
One large turbocharger
Compatible with B20 diesel

The first Duramax diesel was a 6.6-liter LB7 engine built in 2001. Then came its next-generation successor, the LLY, in 2004. Both engines were known for their reliability. In 2006, the LBZ came out with greater power and efficiency. The Duramax has seen several more iterations since then, including the LMM and the LML, the latter of which was the first engine to use B20 diesel fuel, a mixture of 80% standard diesel and 20% biodiesel.

The most current version, the 6.6-liter Duramax L5P, has the following features:

B20 compatibility
Cast-iron cylinder block
Higher boost pressure
Lower exhaust emissions
Cold-start system

Duramax vs. Powerstroke: Which is Better at Towing?

Many diesel truck owners love these trucks for their towing capabilities. Torque is vital to a truck’s towing ability, and diesel engines create plenty more torque than gas engines. So which makes more torque, GM or Ford?

A Ford Super Duty with a 6.7-liter Ford diesel engine will make 1,200 pound-feet of torque. Compare this to the 6.6-liter L5P GM diesel engine on the Chevy Silverado HD, which creates 975 pound-feet of torque. Here are some other torque ratings for Powerstrokes engines over the past several years:

The first Powerstroke was the 7.3-liter, which made 425 pound-feet of torque
The second-generation 6.0-liter Powerstroke made 570 pound-feet of torque
The third-generation 6.4-liter made 650 pound-feet of torque

The earliest GM Chevy truck diesel engine was a 5.7-liter capable of 220 pound-feet torque. The next engine model, a 6.2-liter diesel made in collaboration between GM and Detroit Diesel, made 240 pound-feet of torque. After these engines, GM partnered with Isuzu to make the Duramax diesel engine. Here are historical torque ratings for Duramax engines:

First-generation LB7 6.6-liter made 520 pound-feet of torque
Second-generation LLY and LBZ made 650 pound-feet of torque
Third-generation LMM and LML made 765 pound-feet of torque

Ford and GM engines have often remained comparable in how much torque they produce. Ford diesel engines have recently made more significant gains in torque. In 2023, the V8 High-Output Powerstroke diesel engine was capable of 1050 pound-feet. In 2024, that number rose to 1,200 pound-feet.

Chevrolet / GMC Duramax Towing Specs (begins on page 17)
Ford Super Duty Powerstroke Towing Specs

Advantage: Powerstroke for new models, Duramax for older models

Duramax vs. Powerstroke: Which Has More Horsepower?

Although torque is the king of towing, you also need plenty of horsepower. More horsepower lets you accelerate faster, even if you aren’t towing. The most recent GM Duramax can manage up to 470 horsepower, while the most recent Ford Powerstroke 6.7L diesel creates up to 500 horsepower. Ultimately, the difference in horsepower between these two engines is minor.

Advantage: Equal

Duramax vs. Powerstroke: Which Has Greater Towing Capacity?

Torque and horsepower help determine towing capacity, but more goes into it. A truck with 2WD, for example, will have greater towing capacity than a 4WD truck.

The current towing capacity for diesel GMC and Chevy trucks is 23,300 pounds. Ford trucks with the latest Powerstroke engine can tow up to 34,000 pounds. However, for most drivers, the 23,300 number is plenty. It covers most types of boats, campers, and horse trailers.

The United States requires a commercial driver’s license to operate anything over 26,000 pounds. That makes it unlikely you will ever need to tow anything over their current maximum capacity.

Advantage: Powerstroke

Duramax vs. Powerstroke: Fuel Economy

Diesel trucks are designed as work trucks, so these heavy-duty trucks prioritize performance over fuel economy. Despite not prioritizing fuel economy, diesel engines are often more fuel-efficient than gas engines. Here are some fuel economy figures for recent Ford and GM diesel trucks, courtesy of Car and Driver:

2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 3.0-liter Duramax diesel gets up to 33 MPG highway and 23 MPG city
2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD with AT4X off-road trim AEV edition gets 19 MPG with a 6.6-liter V8 diesel engine
2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty Platinum 4X4 with a 6.7-liter V8 gets 20 MPG
2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty Platinum 4X4 with a turbocharged diesel V8 also gets 20 MPG

Pickup trucks over 8,500 pounds are exempt from EPA testing, so these fuel economy numbers come from real-world testing, not EPA estimates.

Advantage: Duramax for 3.0 diesel, equal for larger engines

Duramax vs. Powerstroke: Reliability

These engines can last a while, but the key to longevity is maintaining the truck built around the engine. On average, Ford trucks have higher reliability ratings than GM trucks. Ford diesel engines are known for lasting between 300,000 and 500,000 miles. Still, proper maintenance is key. Your GM diesel engine might also last up to 500,000 miles –but only if you take care of it.

Advantage: Powerstroke

Duramax vs. Powerstroke: Warranty

GM truck diesel engines have a five-year/100,000-mile warranty. Every GM diesel truck, light-duty or heavy-duty, includes this warranty. Ford also includes a five-year/100,000-mile warranty on Powerstroke diesel engines. Class 6 or class 7 Ford commercial trucks, like the F-650 or F-750, have a Diesel Powertrain Limited Warranty of 5 years or 250,000 miles.

Advantage: Equal for class 2B to class 5, Powerstroke for class 6 and above

Duramax vs. Powerstroke: Popularity

It is tough to deny the enduring popularity of Ford pickups. F-series trucks are the most popular and best-selling truck brand in America. The most popular General Motors model is the Chevrolet Silverado, whose popularity is right behind the F-series.

Advantage: Powerstroke

The Final Verdict

These trucks have different strengths. The 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 3.0-liter Duramax has much greater fuel economy than any Ford diesel options. Buyers who want the highest towing power may look at Ford over GM.

The best way to make a decision is to look at the factors most important to your needs. Check which truck has the advantage in those areas and that will make your decision easier.

Whether you choose a Ford or GM diesel, you can rely on ProSource Diesel for all your diesel truck parts needs. ProSource is where repair shops shop. You can find diesel parts for Chevy, Dodge, Ford and more.

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Powerstroke Parts
Duramax Parts

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