After looking at prices I might be able to better afford a 1999-2003 Ford F250/F350. Is it a good engine? Can it be made to make more HP and torque than the almighty Cummins? Or would it be in my better just to wait to get the cummins (2001-present)

 

its a good motor, more hp and tq then a cummins, HP maybee tq never, better have a deep pocket book if you wana play hard with powerstroke

 

what do you mean?

 

Meanin

if u wanna modify a powerstroke to keep up with a cummins in HP and TQ its gonna cost u alot of money..

If i was lookin for a stroker, i would go with an 02-03 7.3. Those were the best of the best for these trucks. My uncles have two of them just like houses, cept different colors, one is green with arizona beige on the bottom, the other is arizona beige with blue on the bottom. Both over 400 rwhp, and both with ALOT of money in them...

Rick

 

So, would it be better stick with cummins.

 

Bingo! We have a winner.


Of course, you realize this is a Dodge Cummins website.....so we are a little biased. Welcome to DTR!

 

No bias here...Ill stand by the 7.3l until the day that I die! Don't hate me and call me a Ford guy...I like what is good and the 7.3l is an excellent motor.

 

The 7.3 powerstrokes are good motors all around. If you are looking for a lot of power though, you are better off going with a Cummins. If all you are wanting is 80-100hp more than stock, then the powerstroke would probably be fine for you. The problem with the later powerstrokes is that they have the powerdered metal rods instead of the forged rods like the earlier(01 and back i think??) strokes did, and supposedly the powdered metal rods will let go around 400hp, and sometimes less. Not as much low end torque as a cummins. They can put out decent HP. My cousin had a 94 powerstroke, and it was a good motor. I am an inline 6 guy when it comes to diesels, but this is basically my opinion... If you are going to want a lot of power. Go with the cummins. If you just want something with just 100hp over stock, then either will probably be fine.

Eric

 

My 7 day a week work truck is a E-350 7.3 with 325000 kms. Last winter it cost my boss a fortune to fix it, new injectors new IDM etc. I don't know about the pick ups from ford but the vans really eat up front ends and beaks (but that could be due to the constant city stop and go driving I do). The fuel economy isn't that great either.
Having said all that, the truck still starts every morning and has given me reasonably good service for over four years. I am the service guy so I have a bad habit to drive it like 5$ mule trying to get from one call to another so it is capable of absorbing a lot of abuse. I would never buy one for myself knowing what I know about the fuel econ. and high repair costs that's why I am currently looking for a Ram CDT.
As most things in life I think it boils down to you get what you pay for. I don't mean to bash the 7.3 in any way but I just think the Cummins is a better bet.
Good luck.

 

Is this a trick question? Powerestroke....Good = OXIMORON

I only know of 1 person who likes his Powerjoke and he is such a Ford fan, he wouldn't admit to having a problem if his life depended on it.

 

its fine..it would have been my 2nd choice...i'm one that actually likes the front leaf springs...and i like the better rated rear factory leafs as well ...i drive a 99 dually with the 7.3 and u gotta stand on the throttle to get it to move..i find it more gutless than when i had my 95 stock at 160hp with no gov springs...i did like it on the highway though...my dodge has plenty of power under 2000rpms and i rarely need to go over...but this thing neeeeeeds to stay well over 2000rpms to move...just my feeling on things

 

The 01-03 7.3's were great engines. Very expensive to get them to run with the big dogs though power wise.

 

Bingo. If you don't need mega HP, a 7.3 is a great all around engine. Well, the best diesel ever factory offered in a Ford pickup (350 and lighter) anyway.

My mom's got an '02 7.3-- been a GREAT truck for them. Good auto tranny and tough all-around truck. Consistent 20mpg hwy (but 2wd).

Then again, I have twice the power, and get just as good mileage on the hwy, with 4wd and no CAD.

 

The 7.3 is a dang good motor. Costs more to BOMB than a Cummins. Plus more to work to change the injectors out for bigger ones.

From a sig I saw (was a 6L though), the guy had 363hp and something like 650tq. I have the same hp, but almost 800tq.

 

What kind of mileage do they get?