Towing Limits of 7.3 Powerstroke
As my wife and I look at making the transition from a Truck Camper to a 5th wheel, the question about the suitability of our truck for the job comes into question. Someday a new truck with all the bel...
Forum Discussion
EGTs are definitely the limiting factor in getting solid performance out of the 7.3. Before I put in the new Turbo, (but with lots of other mods) the Truck had more than enough power for my needs but the limiting factor was the EGTs. I often found myself doing 45mph pulling up a grade watching to keep EGTs under 1200 with my foot only at half throttle. The power was there to be had but at the expense of possible damage because of the temps.
The latest round of mods and in particular, the upgrade to the KC turbo changed all of that. Going from 20lbs of boost to 30+ lbs of boost is obviously a huge help in getting the air moved through the engine and keeping it cool. I still keep an eye on the EGT gauge but in general the EGTs have dropped by at least 200 deg if not 300+ for the same pull up a long grade. The throttle response is also fantastic as well. I still have two upgrades in the plans, changing to a newer radiator and intercooler from Mishimoto and upgrading my already upgraded 3" exhaust to a 4".
The difference in what the newer turbos can do (along with other mods) is like night and day for the 7.3. Unloaded this 8000lb truck is surprisingly fast, maybe not going to take on a sports car fast but faster than any other car I have in my garage. That being said, the writing is on the walls that the truck will someday be replaced (not sold, you will have to pry my 7.3 off my cold dead fingers...). I think once we start doing some longer trips, the noise and lack of creature comforts will drive us to look at a newer truck.
All that being said, my goal isn't to pull up a 6% grade at 70mph. I agree with others that slow and steady both up and down is the right approach. If I can maintain 55mph (or worst case minimum 45mph) I'm pretty happy. It isn't that I necessarily mind going slower if I had to but at some point you become a hazard to others as they aren't expecting a slow vehicle and can end up on your bumper.
The latest round of mods and in particular, the upgrade to the KC turbo changed all of that. Going from 20lbs of boost to 30+ lbs of boost is obviously a huge help in getting the air moved through the engine and keeping it cool. I still keep an eye on the EGT gauge but in general the EGTs have dropped by at least 200 deg if not 300+ for the same pull up a long grade. The throttle response is also fantastic as well. I still have two upgrades in the plans, changing to a newer radiator and intercooler from Mishimoto and upgrading my already upgraded 3" exhaust to a 4".
The difference in what the newer turbos can do (along with other mods) is like night and day for the 7.3. Unloaded this 8000lb truck is surprisingly fast, maybe not going to take on a sports car fast but faster than any other car I have in my garage. That being said, the writing is on the walls that the truck will someday be replaced (not sold, you will have to pry my 7.3 off my cold dead fingers...). I think once we start doing some longer trips, the noise and lack of creature comforts will drive us to look at a newer truck.
All that being said, my goal isn't to pull up a 6% grade at 70mph. I agree with others that slow and steady both up and down is the right approach. If I can maintain 55mph (or worst case minimum 45mph) I'm pretty happy. It isn't that I necessarily mind going slower if I had to but at some point you become a hazard to others as they aren't expecting a slow vehicle and can end up on your bumper.
