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.

first do a 4" exhaust upgrade. that will improve fuel mileage and let the engine breath better.

I have a 2002 7.3 - F350 Dually pulling 15K - 42' 5er

I pull through the Berkshires, upstate NY, NH, VT on the interstates at 60 MPH with no problem what so ever. I can let the speed burn off until I hit 50 and then drop the hammer and accelerate back to 60+ no problem.

Stock engine and tranny - with >150K miles

midnightsadie wrote:
why ruin a good thing, best diesel there ever was. be happy and take them hills at 45. have a cup a coffee on the way.

I love this engine, and the whole truck. I don't want a 6.7 and the expense that would involve. I'm in no hurry, but it's working like mad in 2nd gear to get to the top. Pushing it to 45 would raise the transmission temp too high.

Maybe I'm completely wrong with my thinking, but my reasoning is an extra 45 hp and ten or 15% increase in torque, and then NOT using all of it, makes less work for the engine. I'm prepared to just go ahead and take the transmission to John Woods before I have a failure.But I need to get all the information that I can before doing that.

why ruin a good thing, best diesel there ever was. be happy and take them hills at 45. have a cup a coffee on the way.

I had a '96 F-250 w/7.3. A mechanic that I trust told me what others have said. I could get a lot more power out of it but I wouldn't like what it did to my transmission.

A 7.3 can certainly be awaken with a tuner. It's one of the few engines that I feel it is actually beneficial to tune.
The downside is that the tranny is the weak link in the drive train.
If you choose to tune don't be surprised if you need a trans rebuild sometime later.
Once rebuilt the tranny can be beefed up to accommodate the more powerful engine.
I owned 2 7.3's both had mild tunes both required rebuilt transmissions.

In hindsight I may have been better off avoiding the tunes and the rebuilds and put the money towards a newer more powerful truck.
Nevertheless tuning a 7.3 PSD is a worthwhile investment.

I have 3 friends all with 99 f350 drw 7.3psd trucks. the all haul 36' 5ers. they all have superchips set on tow/safe mode I believe its about a 50hp tune and they all have between 200 and 300K on them with almost all of those miles with a tuner (or chip). none have hade any engine falures but all are on their 2nd or 3rd transmission. you can get a beefed up tranny for them.if you have the straight drive you will be fine.

My cousin has a 99 F-350 with the banks system on it and he said it will spin the tires. Trannie didn't last but has for several years after the rebuild.
chevman