De-Chipped my 7.3

Vinsil wrote:

Airstreamer67 wrote:
Quote about the 1996 7.3L Ford diesel: "...Not saying they don’t do work, they do and it is a fine engine. It doesn’t mod well until you get into the 99-03 model years with the learger and intercooled turbos and larger injectors, it also got a power bump to 250/525 those years."

Since your post was to set the record straight, I might note that the 7.3 Powerstrokes from '94.5 to '99 were supplied from the factory with forged rods that allowed the engines to be souped-up to the 600-650 RWHP range without other bottom-end work. Of course, the top end would need mods as you noted: chips, larger injectors, intercoolers, turbos, and other "stuff" the big-power crowd likes to put.

In contrast, it was the later 7.3s that could not be boosted that high without big bottom end work in addition to the requisite top-end work due to the powdered metal rods the factory chose to equip them with. Those poor guys can only get to around 500 RWHP without fear of a rod letting loose. I feel for them. :-)

True. The PMI rods were a source of weakness. Let me clarify..they don’t mod well in terms of easy or cheap power, like modern high pressure injection can get with simple cheap and effective methods of modding. But having done this with all my diesels, adding power is expensive. You can’t have a true 7.3 600 rwhp that tows 30k up hills either without it being kept cool we the egt’s getting nuts. A short burst, sure. Hold it to the floor up hills...nope.

That's one of the frustrating experiences in my opinion of the 7.3. With the chip and mods I have, I've never had an issue with having enough power, it's always been keeping the EGTs in check. Many a long climb under load I'm sitting at half throttle watching the EGT gauge like a hawk. I'm sure there are plenty of options available to keep those EGTs in check but my money and time are focused elsewhere right now.