With all of the changes coming in 2020 to the 3/4 tons...

otrfun wrote:
No doubt the new 7.3 is definitely going to be an improvement over the existing crop of V8's.

However, there's still going to be huge performance void between the 7.3 and the current crop of big-bore HD turbo diesels. The successful big-bore turbo diesels and the ultra-successful turbo-equipped Ecoboost 3.5's prove one thing, the towing/hauling/driving masses want/prefer near maximum torque at 2,000 RPM's. Unfortunately, the 7.3 is going to miss this mark as a naturally aspirated engine. Really have to wonder why the Big 3 can't legitimately fill this torque void with a mid-size, turbo gas or diesel powerplant.

I agree with this. Make an ecoboost motor designed for a 3/4 ton duty cycle, like a smaller turbo v8 and you would have the best of all worlds. I love the low end torque of my little ecoboost. Wayyy better than my last v8.

I don't think your going to see any significant increase in MPG. It certainly will be more powerful (speaking of both the 7.3 and 6.6) but there is no "low hanging fruit" on that tree. It takes energy to make power, and there is only so much improvement that is possible when squirting gas into a cylinder and igniting it. I think we are there. They will make it more powerful and any increase in efficiency that is produced with these engines will be consumed in the increase power rating. That's my take for both Ford and GM new HD gas engines, we will see what happens.

I hear all this love for the future 7.3 and 6.6 gassers and even the existing 6.4.
But we have been down this road before.
Back when we had big block gassers 454, 460 or even the Chevy 8.1. These big block gassers were not that popular. Trying to find a used 8.1 Suburban was nearly impossible. Even finding a 8.1 pick up was tough. That's because they were fairly rare to start with. Once diesels were turbo'd and became a fixture in the pick up truck big blocks lost their edge. Fuel prices also climbed and made it harder to bankroll a big block.
Now maybe CAFE standards, and MPG regulation led to their premature demise, but I don't think they would have faded away if they were truly popular.
Now that they are back, how many are going to actually spend an additional 4K to own one? Will fuel efficiency have an impact?
Yes in the RV0/towing world there maybe interest, but will big blocks be able to carve out a niche in the overall market place?
Is there room for small block,large block,baby diesel,full diesel, hybrid, electric and ego boost variants?
How quickly we forget gas spiking above $4.00 a gallon. It won't take much of gas increase to impact the big block market.
I like the idea of all these engine options, however I'm not sure the market can support all the choices.

No doubt the new 7.3 is definitely going to be an improvement over the existing crop of V8's.

However, there's still going to be huge performance void between the 7.3 and the current crop of big-bore HD turbo diesels. The successful big-bore turbo diesels and the ultra-successful turbo-equipped Ecoboost 3.5's prove one thing, the towing/hauling/driving masses want/prefer near maximum torque at 2,000 RPM's. Unfortunately, the 7.3 is going to miss this mark as a naturally aspirated engine. Really have to wonder why the Big 3 can't legitimately fill this torque void with a mid-size, turbo gas or diesel powerplant.

MFL wrote:
The gassers are going to get lots of attention. The transmission in the Ram gasser should be a huge improvement! I doubt the 7.3 Ford will have better mpg, and have more power than the 6.2, but just one or the other, will make for a great TV. It would be nice if they were all less money too, but no matter the price, they will sell.

Jerry

You might be right about not having more power and fuel mileage and it sounds reasonable. I would think that since the 7.3 is an upgrade over the 6.2 that it would definitely have more power. It seemed to me that since the guy doing the video on the 7.3 was excited about the fuel economy that it would get better mileage than the 6.2. Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part.

I think there are lot of people in the towing world who are really wanting to see the real world specs and testing of this engine. I know I am.

I think it'll pull a few for sure. But think about the numbers. Sure 10-15 year old diesel numbers vs the 500? Ft lbs that a new bug block gasser will put out would be a game changer. BUT the new diesels now have the same hp and almost twice the torque still as the biggest new gasser to hit the market. Some things never change?

All that said, I almost get a chub thinking about all the big power options in today's cars and trucks. I couldn't complain enough about the negatives of technology to wipe the smile off my face!
Where I do think this 7.3 engine will make a splash is in fleet sales. Take the 3/4 and 1 tons we run around that are very capable chassis that are kind of hamstrung for power in their gas variants. This engine (and the others to follow from GM and Ram) will be a big plus here.
I want my next work truck to have a 7.3 or 6.6 gasser! (Since they won't buy me a diesel, lol)

I’m excited about the new gas power plants. I’m thinking that the new gas engines will take more sales from the diesel arena. So it will be interesting to see what these new gas engines can do, performance, reliability, and sales.

I'd like to have a Ram interior in a GM chassis running the new 7.3 10 spd combo. Deep enough pockets I'm sure it could be arranged.

Lowering the 2020 Super Duty is a big plus. I'm 6'4" and anyone shorter than I struggles to even see in the bed.

I suppose one plus of my truck is that things are less likely to be stolen from the bed. They can't take what they don't know is there.

MitchF150 wrote:
A 445 ci gas engine in 2020.. Wow... And they say they are doing it for better fuel mileage ratings..

Cast iron block, push rods... Wow..

Cummins has a cast iron block and pushrods. Why is that a surprise?