7.3L vs. the latest 6.7L - Thoughts? Comparisons? Gripes?

lenr wrote:
I sure like the 6 speed transmission that comes with the 6.7 better than the 4 speed that comes with my son's 7.3. The narrow spread of the gear ratios are great for towing.

This is a big deal for me. I do a trip many times each year climbing over 7200 ft Donner Summit from sea level. There are 13 grades that require the truck to downshift from 4th to 3rd on the 4R100 transmission. Cruising at about 63, 1700 rpm or so. Downshift to third and now you are at 2300 and 55. Some of the grades it could pull in 4th if you started at 75 to keep the revs up. You could pull them at 65 if you are willing to run the engine 3000 rpm in 4th but I am not. 4th is 0.71, 3rd is 1.1 - that's a BIG gap. Another time, coming north against a 40 mph north wind, truck would not do it in 4th, had to run in 3rd for half a day.

On the new 6R140, 6th is 0.67, 5th is 0.86, and 4th is 1.15. The gap is plugged by 5th. Add that to about twice as much power and it feels quite different. Haven't been up to Tahoe yet with the new truck but I am expecting to be pleased.

Another difference: the 4R100 1st ratio is 2.71. On the 6R140 it is 3.97. No wonder it gets off the line quicker! I have been on one backroad grade (into Shelter Cove on the California north coast) that we had to pull in 1st gear, and I wasn't sure it would make it.

Not just the ratios but the transmission control is all around better behaved.

Sounds like someone has been hit with SOS...

Shiny Object Syndrome!

Let the shopping begin!!

I sure like the 6 speed transmission that comes with the 6.7 better than the 4 speed that comes with my son's 7.3. The narrow spread of the gear ratios are great for towing.

Kayteg1 wrote:
So good question is how much injectors for 6.7 cost?
I did not have to buy them for 7.3 but did hear some scary stories.

$3500 for a set. :E

So good question is how much injectors for 6.7 cost?
I did not have to buy them for 7.3 but did hear some scary stories.

Nope I agree. I have a Edge CTS monitor that reads and clears codes, so a mobile scanner with me always. I do love the ability of the technology to help trouble shoot for sure. I was eluding more to the fact of parts costs.

For example, a 7.3 turbo runs $700 or so. These new VGT turbo's are $2500-3000.

An injection pump for a 7.3 runs $900, a CP3 or CP4 is $1800-2000.

And so on. So, it worries me to run these newer diesels out of warranty more for cost of parts than anything. They break HARD....even though we have twice the power with similar mileage...the cost of technology is a double edged sword. Don't even get me started on emissions...dpf, def injection, regen....one reason mine fell off somewhere down the road....

We bought a new 2015 in sept 2014.
Our 2000 7.3 has 130,000 miles and is doing great. It didn't need replacing and we are still using it for non rving jobs.
The trucks are:
2015 F350 Lariat CC/LB DRW 6.7 PSD 4x4 6sp auto 3.73 gvrw 14000
2000 F350 lariat SC/LB DRW 7.3 PSD 4x4 6sp stick 3.73 gvrw 11,200
To say 6.7 has a little more power would be a gross understatement.
We have pulled our gooseneck gross weight of 26.000 lbs with both trucks and the 7.3 handles it very well but I do more down shifting to keep the same speeds and the go pedal spends more time all the way to the floor. The 6.7 rarely needs all of it's power.
The exhaust brake is fantastic. It holds the rig back enough so that I don't need the brakes to hold the speed going down hills.
I like my manual transmissions. I reluctently got an automatic (It's the only transmission offered) and I must say I really like this transmission and the tow haul and exhaust brake.
The comfort is better but the 2000 wasn't uncomfortable.
We haven't had our truck camper on it yet but we have pulled our bumper pull stock trailer with full loads of cattle which is around 10 to 12,000lbs and it's a rocking and rolling surging load and it handled it a little better than the 2000 which handles it very well.
It is all set up for the camper just waiting for a chance to get away.
The price is outragouse but it was on the 2000.
The mileage is very close to the 7.3. around 14 loaded and 18 empty. The regens knock it down a little. ours has Regenerated an average of every 440 miles. It uses about 1gal every thousand miles miles. We haven't gone on any long trips yet and we hope it will do better then. I add it when it is down to half full and it's not that big a deal.
Over all we are very happy with the truck.

Vinsil wrote:
..but when a new diesel breaks.....watch out. A lot of technology and expensive parts to make the power, emissions and mileage today's owners expect.

I am oldtimer mechanic, but over the years learned that digital technology really works and improves.
Bought one of the first fully digital vehicles back in 1998 and at the time the those vehicles have been black magic for 99% of mechanics.
But little by little with Internet help, I learned how to troubleshoot those things and in the mean time the technology become more reliable.
1998 MAF and CPS sensors were failing on massive scale.
The replacements made few years later last to this day.
When "simpler" older engines could take hours of crawling under, cleaning, checking, rechecking and analyzing, on newer vehicles I plug the scanner and within seconds have the problem narrowed down.
On some vehicles some problems can be troubleshooted from driver seat at 70 mph.
Sure "breaking the ice" can be hard, but once you get there, you will benefit.

Boatycall wrote:

jimh425 wrote:

woodhog wrote:
Powerstroke Expert Comments on them all

Here is a lot of really good expert info...

If you want expert Ford info including the Ford mechanics, go to Ford-Trucks.com. they have an forum for each diesel engine. BTW, I read the info on the link above, and it doesn't match the other experts although it does show a strong preference for the 6.0.

I have to agree. I read what he had to say and he seemed to bash pretty much anything, and gave a preferance to the worst one of the bunch. No *good* info. Almost as if he was employed by a Chevy dealer.

That guy is a fool. Any of the forums out there says the same about him as well. His bread and butter has been raking in the cash on 6.0's for years. Even in his video he states he buys them for resell. I owned a 7.3 and did months of research on 6.0's cause deep in heart I'm a Ford guy. The 6.0 can be fixed and made reliable, but takes money and more than your shade tree mechanic to get it done. In the end, it was worth going back to a Cummins for me and my situation. It is impossible to compare 20+ year old diesels to these new ones. It would be like comparing a 12 valve Cummins to my deleted and tuned 6.7 Cummins.

My 7.3 was reliable, loud, leaked oil but never left me stranded. It also worked hard to pull the toyhauler and camper/trailers but always got there. Do I miss it? I miss knowing I can work on it with ease and parts don't cost too much...my Cummins has WAY more power as would a new 6.7 Scorpion....but when a new diesel breaks.....watch out. A lot of technology and expensive parts to make the power, emissions and mileage today's owners expect.

I was looking closely at a new or newer 6.7 a couple of years ago but ended up putting up with my loud, paid for and reliable 7.3, buy a brand new boat and still have money left over...Best decision I have made in a long time.
That being said, those new trucks are pretty nice, just too costly for me.