Powerstroke owners...please enter

auto_x5.0 · Nov 3, 2011

I've been needing to buy something for the winter, I also help out on a farm from time to time. So I was looking into getting a powerstroke(to stick with Fords). Now, I have my mind set on the 7.3, I know a little bit about diesels, but Im sure some of you out there know a little bit more. So Im asking, whats good aftermarket, whats some things I can do to help out with mpg's, what should I do to make it run better, etc?

framda · Nov 3, 2011

The DI is a good engine but it isn't made by Ford

auto_x5.0 · Nov 3, 2011

Its an international motor, came in Fords, so I call it Ford lol

1997gtRioRed · Nov 3, 2011

get a tuner and dont hot rod it. put it on economy mode, and youll get close to 20 mpg if not more. DO NOT get a 6.0. junk. they are problem ridden motors. the 7.3 is indestructible. the 6.4s put out great power but horrible mpg's.

auto_x5.0 · Nov 3, 2011

My plan was tuner, air intake, exhaust, done until I can get a bigger turbo or compounds

mygreengt · Nov 3, 2011

PSD FTW. good choice my friend.

got5.0 · Nov 4, 2011

my grandfather has a powerstroke. It has the usual, like exhaust, tune, more boost, intake, and tranny cooler. Cool truck, sounds fast but its like a million pounds lol.

g36 monkey · Nov 4, 2011

my friend in highschool had a massive lifted chevy duramax that ran 12's. Don't doubt the power of diesel.

I love powerstrokes

Raffaelli · Nov 4, 2011

I work on 7.3's, 6.0's and 6.4 every day.

The 7.3 is a great engine. Only problem now is most have 200K plus miles on them. AND they generally cost more to buy than a newer 6.0. Only thing that wears out on them are high pressure oil pumps and cam sensors. They have weak transmissions though.

Feel free to put a tune in your diesel. It wont hurt anything. Stage 4 is usually safe for a stock truck. Dont put an aftermarket intake on it. Diesels need clean air, and a K&N will wear the engine out fast.

I make the shop ALOT of money working on 6.0's. EGR coolers, injectors, FICMs, oil pumps, EGR valves, head gaskets. But a chipped 6.0 is like nothing else ive ever driven.

You cannot afford to drive a 6.4. They are beast to work on. Need to pull the cab to do anything.

auto_x5.0 · Nov 4, 2011

So 7.3 is good if maintainence has been kept up on it? And dont do a cai?

JStang98 · Nov 5, 2011

Cummins FTW. Just thought id share that.

1997gtRioRed · Nov 5, 2011

JStang98 said:
Cummins FTW. Just thought id share that.

replacing front suspension parts every 6 months ftw....

mygreengt · Nov 5, 2011

Raffaelli said:
I work on 7.3's, 6.0's and 6.4 every day.

The 7.3 is a great engine. Only problem now is most have 200K plus miles on them. AND they generally cost more to buy than a newer 6.0. Only thing that wears out on them are high pressure oil pumps and cam sensors. They have weak transmissions though.

Feel free to put a tune in your diesel. It wont hurt anything. Stage 4 is usually safe for a stock truck. Dont put an aftermarket intake on it. Diesels need clean air, and a K&N will wear the engine out fast.

I make the shop ALOT of money working on 6.0's. EGR coolers, injectors, FICMs, oil pumps, EGR valves, head gaskets. But a chipped 6.0 is like nothing else ive ever driven.

You cannot afford to drive a 6.4. They are beast to work on. Need to pull the cab to do anything.

a lot of good info in here. my buddy has a chipped 6.0 f350, it would spin the tires from a stop.

auto_x5.0 · Nov 5, 2011

JStang98 said:
Cummins FTW. Just thought id share that.

I have my eye on one of those too

Raffaelli · Nov 5, 2011

A cummins is a great motor.

Crying shame they put it in the POS dodge. Touch the dashboard once and it caves in. Tisk Tisk.

And yea dont do a Cold air intake. Seen many engines smooth wore out with a K&N type filter in it. Not worth the risk.

auto_x5.0 · Nov 5, 2011

Yeah, the Cummins Im looking at has a lot of aftermarket done to the engine and exhaust and what-not. The interior has been completely redone with 24v interior(03+) so the interior looks good.

Musturd · Nov 5, 2011

I love the 7.3 powerstrokes mines been good to me since new it has 100k on it now it's got predator tuner mbrp 4" turbo back and cai gets awesome milage when on level3 compared to stock on the highway atleast

D3VST8R96GT · Nov 6, 2011

ganzey said:
get a tuner and dont hot rod it. put it on economy mode, and youll get close to 20 mpg if not more. DO NOT get a 6.0. junk. they are problem ridden motors. the 7.3 is indestructible. the 6.4s put out great power but horrible mpg's.

alot of people think 6.0's are junk ...its really hit or miss with them and now days all the problems are know and you can delete them right away ........trust me the aftermarket support for them is crazy .... though i dont own one yet, i personally wouldnt shy away but for someone knew i wont recommend it unless u want to get into diesel

I have a 6.4 now .....with a CAIexhaust and a tuner i can run low 13's in a 8200lbs truck (empty weight), part for part one of the fastest trucks out there

Raffaelli said:
And yea dont do a Cold air intake. Seen many engines smooth wore out with a K&N type filter in it. Not worth the risk.

thats because K&N suck ......YES GET A CAI just not a K&N .....i have an airaid on my 7.3 but AFE is nice too.....my 7.3 gets about 16 in the city and 18-20 on the freeway with 35's, a lil height added on, and a chip. the 4r100 is a great tranny on stock power levels .....

i can guide you on anything diesel ...i have had my fair share of 7.3's. i can tell you the flaws with each motor/tranny combo

with that being said ....if you get a manual you wont break it

itsblue95 · Nov 6, 2011

the 6.0s are very good trucks as long as you know what your doing. they are known for lifting the heads but when you fix that and the egr delete the will run good and hold for along time