Older 7.3 Deisel vs. Newer Ford Engines

Passin Thru wrote:
sure, go buy a $50,000.00 pickup and pay the 6% tax and liscense on it and it will pass every 7.3 out there. Or here's one better. Buy airbags, paint it, put a different differential and transmission like a 6 speed, put new leather seats and better insulatiion in the floors and firewall, new carpet, and keep it. You'll have a slow $25,000 pickup. Everything is about getting to the campground first these days. My 7.3 just wore out and i had to sell it. We haul trailers and the diffeential was howling so I decided it was time for newer eqp.
Washed and treated properly, by letting the oil dry, a K&N will be fine. Have used them for 15 years and lived in AZ, CA and NM.

Yes its def a luxury at these prices but so are the 50000 dollar fifth wheels.

Well, my old '96 Ford diesel is still providing me 21 mpg at 70 mph on the highway solo and 14 mpg towing a 27 foot travel trailer.

The only problem I've had so far was a leaking water pump, changed at a cost of $150 a few months ago.

I've got no chips to increase the power. The original factory supplied horsepower is enough for me. In fact, the only time I ever use all the power I have is when merging in heavy traffic from a rest area on the Interstate, and that is usually for five or ten seconds at a time. When mountain climbing I usually can be found amongst the 18 wheelers because I never felt it smart to go 70 mph up or down a steep grade anyway. I can't remember ever having the throttle on the floor in the mountains, east or west.

Yep, I've been happy with my F250 since I bought it new in 1996 to haul around my trailers. I hope to be happy with it for another 20 years, when I'll be far too old to drive anyway.

arkansasrunner wrote:
So, no matter what I do to the engine, The 5 speed trany is the problem ?

Just a thought about now.......

Since you are a Ford guy, thinking about keeping or upgrading......
Suggest you spend some time on one of the *FORD* FORUMS..

Ex: - "The Diesel Stop"

"Brand Specific" cuts through a lot of folks "blowing smoke" (no pun intended)..:W
The same applies to Chevy/GMC & Dodge.

See what is going on with your current truck - mods, engine, tranny, etc.
Check what owners are saying about their new (or newer) trucks.

~

There was a major change mid year 1994. The early and late engine are totaly different engines sharing only displacment. Your mention of installing Banks leads me to believe you have the early indirect injection engine. If I owned a clean,one owner,low milage(200k or less) 7.3 of any vintage and could do most my own wrenching,I would maintaine it and drive it until the wheels fell off. The banks doesn't help enough to justify cost on the idi. For that matter swapping turbos on later direct injections isn't imo,cost effective either. If you need more power,going from idi to 94.5 through 97 di turbo is an option for about the same money as installing after market accessories. If yours is di turbo,trading up to 99 to 03.5 will do the same. The 6.0L has even more power than the late 7.3 but you must be dedicated to making a few minor modifications and monitoring the engine or it can potentialy drain your wallet. If the 6.0L doesn't meet your power needs,skip the 6.4 and go for a 6.7. Right out of the box,a 6.7 is a powerhouse. A late release software that increases 6.7 power and fuel milage is available free from any Ford dealer. As far as tuners or chips (same thing)you are tradeing longivity for power,ON ANY ENGINE.

arkansasrunner wrote:
So, no matter what I do to the engine, The 5 speed trany is the problem ?

The automatic was the weak link not the manual.

n7bsn wrote:

mustangglp wrote:
I would pass on the K&N if you drive on dusty roads.

Unless he wants to replace the engine...

Honestly the K&N is about the worst idea there is.

I agree, You can get a Ford AIS system a lot better option.

jus2shy wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:
Wow 20MPG towing / 30MPG unloaded...

Does that require magic fairy dust?

Those are Imperial MPG's versus US MPG's. Imperial Gallon is bigger than US gallon, but I don't recall off hand the size difference. I'm feeling lazy today.

1US gal lqd = 0.83267UK gal

mustangglp wrote:
I would pass on the K&N if you drive on dusty roads.

Unless he wants to replace the engine...

Honestly the K&N is about the worst idea there is.

sure, go buy a $50,000.00 pickup and pay the 6% tax and liscense on it and it will pass every 7.3 out there. Or here's one better. Buy airbags, paint it, put a different differential and transmission like a 6 speed, put new leather seats and better insulatiion in the floors and firewall, new carpet, and keep it. You'll have a slow $25,000 pickup. Everything is about getting to the campground first these days. My 7.3 just wore out and i had to sell it. We haul trailers and the diffeential was howling so I decided it was time for newer eqp.
Washed and treated properly, by letting the oil dry, a K&N will be fine. Have used them for 15 years and lived in AZ, CA and NM.

So, no matter what I do to the engine, The 5 speed trany is the problem ?