7.3 Powerstroke Question

cekkk wrote:
This is a respected engine, but compared to today's diesels it's a dog pulling a load. I have heard that it was tuned down below its potential between International and its getting into the Fords. Is there any truth to this and, if so, is there any harm in a tuner that adds a few hp and some more torque if you don't start driving it harder just because you can? I don't want to shorten the life substantially but would enjoy climbing grades at say 45 mph.

A stock 7.3l engine puts about 200 rwhp to the road. With stock injectors you can tune them up so that you can get an extra 80 or 90 to the rear wheels. The problem will be exhaust gas temp. In order to make more reliable horsepower you need to free the exhaust by changing out the restrictive stock down pipe from the turbo. THen you need to consider increasing the boost by modifying the function of the waste gate. Stock 7.3 gets about 16 lbs of boost you will get a check engine light if you run more than about 24 lbs. Serious power mods also require an upgraded charge air cooler. Thats about it for the stock motor, if you want more than that you get into bigger injectors, dual high pressure oil pumps upgraded turbocharger. The banks powerpak gets you the stuff I mentioned for the stock motor but it is quite expensive. I have that kit on my 99 f-250 and for pure pulling power it is only slightly weaker than my 2011 f-450 pickup. Also with that kit I can run it firewalled without exceeding exhaust gas temperatures. If you modify your fueling you MUST get exhaust gas temp guage and monitor it, with a tuner and no other modifications I do not think you could safely increase power by more than about 40 hp. I have had no problem with my transmission and I have 350,000 km on my truck. To be honest, if the info you will base your decision on what to do is limited to the info you are getting here you really need to do a lot more research otherwise you are likely to hurt your truck.