Question...if I am not mistaken the stock 6 liter was rated at higher hp/tq than the 7.3 liter it replaced, but what happens when you start running a programmer, or bigger injectors, or aftermarket turbo, or intake, or exhaust, or, or, or...etc?

Long story short, I am hoping to trade off my F150 and move up to a used diesel in the next couple of years. Since I am looking at the used market, I am curious just how strong the 7.3 liter is compared to the 6.0. Obviously the 7.3 is a larger displacement, but of course the 6.0 has newer technology.

Any thoughts?

Mike

 

I have a 01 7.3L 250. I love it. Only 89K on it.

It is still all stock except for a BIGGER tranny coooler.

 

The 7.3L does not respond as well to chips/programmers/modules as the 6.0L will. However you need to be a little more careful when modifying a 6.0L engine as they can react very badly. Now don't think that you can't blow up a 7.3L either however.


I can't speak for rwhp numbers after throwing chips on the 6.0L so I won't, but heres about what you can make with a 7.3L.


If you're looking at 99-03 trucks then a good chip can get you close to the 300 rwhp mark. However this will also depend on the condition of the truck before hand. A good intake and exhaust won't net you much in the hp department, but it'll make the truck that much more driveable. After that a regulated return and the prepump/intake mods will help with the seat of the pants, and might add around 20-30hp. This gets rid of the air in the fuel system, but how much it'll help depends on how bad the stock system on the truck is. Beyond air intakes, exhaust, fuel system, and chips you're looking to get more into the engine. This includes bottom end girdles, billet rods, low compression pistons, high rev kits, dual hpop, larger turbo, larger injectors, head studs, machining the heads for fire rings, and so on. Keep in mind this stuff isn't cheap by a long shot. For all the work you're looking in the neighborhood of around $30k.


To make a reliable 400rwhp you're looking at doing the following. Dual hpop, good injectors (mini-mes are a good choice, or a set of single shots), head studs, turbonetics turbo, exhaust, intake, and custom tuned chip. Thats going to run you in the $8-10k neighborhood depending on exact choices and deals. That also doesn't include the transmission or clutch work needed to hold up behind an engine like that.


If you want a 7.3L but don't want to dive into the internals of the engine too much and have max hp with the stock equipment then find a 99-00 truck. They have forged rods whereas the 01-03 trucks have whats called PMRs (powdered metal rods) which are more stiff and brittle than the forged rods and tend to break at anything beyond 400 rwhp. The forged can handle 500-600hp before they let go.

 

Plain and simple, buy a 7.3. Unless you enjoy replacing injectors, turbos, HPOPs, and head gaskets (especially if you plan on chipping it).

 

Thanks very much Powerstroke73 for the details. That's what I was hoping to learn. I think 300rwhp would be plenty adequate...especially considering I currently drive a 4.6 with 220 hp at the flywheel per factory specs...I might see 170 hp to the rear wheels on a good day. It is also good to hear the 7.3 is a solid engine.

Dennisfranz,

Thanks to you as well, I can appreciate the notion of protecting the tranny, and it is good to hear you are happy with the stock performance...perhaps I will be as well.

Zaairman,

Point well taken. I know the 6.0 has had it's issues, which is weighing on my conscience.

So far that is three votes for the 7.3...0 for the 6.0. I think that says something in and of itself.

Thanks again to all,

Mike

 

Driving my truck with just an intake, exhaust, and chip (rest of the performance stuff was taken off) is still a HUGE step up from stock. The big downfall of the 7.3L is its older technology and doesn't respond as well to electronic mods than the newer 6.0L, Duramax, and 24V+ Cummins. Its a good workhorse of an engine and responds reasonably to mods, but its far from the top dog in the hp category. I wanted more hp from mine and it was to the point where I'd have to start tearing deep into the internals of the engine to get there and spend $10k+ to start making my way there. Thats why after I penciled everything out I can swap in a 12V Cummins and make quite a bit more hp for less money. Its nothing to have a 400rwhp 12V, and even 600 isn't all THAT uncommon. The kicker is to get to those numbers you're talking $2k ball park. Granted if you want to start surpassing 600hp the cost to build any diesel to that level is gonna be about the same. The highest hp PSD in the country hasn't broken 800rwhp, Maddog currently has an 1100rwhp 12V. I like the Cummins engine, but wasn't a big fan of the wrapper, so I bought the wrapper I wanted and ended up deciding to do the power plant I wanted. Just something else to think about

 

Id agree with those who are steering you towards a 7.3L. It seems like the 7.3s had a lot fewer problems with them than the 6.0s.

 

7.3!