The Unforgettable Ford 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel Engine (2023)

FAQs

What year was the best 7.3 Power Stroke made? ›

1994 - 2003

The 7.3L engines were an instant hit in the trucking world. Production ran non-stop through early 2003. By that time, this engine's performance and durability had made the Power Stroke name a legend among truckers. Diesel Power Magazine ranked the 7.3L one of the top ten diesel engines ever produced.

Robust, iron parts, conservative power and low engine speed are the key ingredients for any diesel engine lasting forever—and if a 7.3L has gone unmodified yet been well maintained its entire life, 400,000 to 500,000 miles is virtually guaranteed.

The 7.3 Ford Power Stroke engine is legendary in diesel circles. It is one of the main reasons the 1999 to 2003 Ford Super Duty trucks are still so popular today. Its reliability is unsurpassed and was produced just before emissions regulations added to diesel engines' cost, complexity, and reliability.

It's the 7.3L, the venerable O.G. of the Power Stroke nameplate and the first diesel power plant to reach 500 lb-ft of torque. It's also the engine that brought full electronic control and an extremely intricate (yet ultimately reliable) HEUI injection system to the diesel industry.

In summary, it is best to avoid the 7.3 Powerstroke engines between 2001 and 2003 due to their numerous issues such as malfunctioning camshaft position sensors, leaking fuel filter housings, faulty valve springs and pushrods, and overheating engines – to name a few.

A common problem is with the Injection Pressure Regulator Valve or IPR. These electromagnetic valves regulate oil pressure going to the fuel injectors in an HEUI system. They tailor individual injector sprays based on the engine's needs. Seals can get damaged or worn out, causing them to stick.

So when did Ford stop the 7.3L and why? The last year of the 7.3 Powerstroke engine was produced until about mid-2003 when it was replaced by the 6.0L because it did not meet emissions and noise standards required by the federal government and the “great” state of California.

The 7.3 L DI Power Stroke was in production until the first quarter of model year 2003, when it was replaced by the 6.0 L because of its inability to meet California noise regulations, not the commonly believed emissions standards.

Ford 6.7 Diesel mpg – 21. Ford 7.3 Gas mpg – 15.

7.3L Powerstroke V8

Many classic truck restorers consider the 7.3L Powerstroke the absolute best diesel engine ever made by Ford. It was produced from 1993 - 2004 as Ford's version of the Navstar T444E turbo-diesel.

How much can a 7.3 Power Stroke diesel tow? ›

Some important stats for 7.3 fluid capacity include: Engine oil: 15 quarts. Transfer case: 2.0 quarts.

The 7.3 IDI is not the same as the 7.3 Powerstroke engine. Despite sharing displacement designations, these engines have numerous differences. The 7.3 Powerstroke is computer-controlled, whereas the 7.3 IDI relies entirely on mechanical parts.

If you are interested in fuel economy as well as more horsepower gains on your Ford Powerstroke 7.3L we recommend the TS (6 position) chip. It goes up to 140HP and also includes settings of 50HP, 75HP, and 100HP. The 6 position TS chip comes with a knob to shift your settings to what you desire.

Ford's heavy-duty pickup truck is new from the tires up for the 2023 model year and gets revitalized engines in addition to its new looks. Under the hood, the 7.3-liter V-8 gets a revised air intake and refined tuning, and there's an all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel engine.

With a 7.3L displacement and 445 cubic inches, many might jump to the conclusion that the Godzilla engine is a big block Ford. However, because bore spacing dictates what is a big block or small block configuration, the Godzilla's 4.53˝ bore spacing makes it more a small block setup than big block.

Ford Diesel Engine Facts

Yes, even though it's an older model, the 7.3l power stroke is still a powerful and reliable diesel engine. However, it's best to avoid the years 2001-2003 because the PSMs and camshaft position sensors often fail.

How do I know if my 7.3 Turbo is bad? ›

The Power Stroke has more horsepower but slightly less torque, while the Cummins has the opposite. However, as noted by AutoWise, the Power Stroke ultimately produces more horsepower, which is a better indicator of engine strength in real driving situations.

Power Stroke Diesel Engine Warranty:

The powerful and hardworking diesel engines in your new Ford model is covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Maintenance Is Important to Longevity

That said, while most gas engines are intended to last at least 200,000 miles on average, a diesel truck that is well-maintained can potentially last 350,000 to 500,000 miles.

Take out the emissions systems and the 6.7 Powerstroke is a very reliable engine. Even with the few common problems the 6.7L Power Stroke should be good for 250,000+ miles. Maintain your Ford 6.7L engine well and chances are it will reward you with a great overall experience.

Venomous strike: The all-new 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 will produce 760 horsepower and 625 lb. -ft. of torque, making it the most powerful street-legal Ford ever – with the most power- and torque-dense supercharged production V8 engine in the world.

2008-2010 F-250 & F-350. If you're looking for the best example of how to make big plug-and-play horsepower, look no further than the 6.4L Power Stroke. With a programmer and free-flowing exhaust the '08-'10 trucks can produce 550 to 600 horsepower at the wheels and still tow just about anything you need them to.

On October 27, 2022, the Dearborn-based truck maker announced its high output version of the 6.7L Power Stroke, available beginning in '23, would turn out a colossal 1,200 lb-ft of torque. The massive milestone blows Ram's previous class-leading number of 1,075 lb-ft out of the water. But not only that, Ford's new H.O.

Stock GTP38 Turbo Sizing (For Reference): 60mm Inducer. 80mm Exducer.

As long as the 7.3L Power Stroke goes unmodified, the factory E4OD will generally live a while. Although, it can still be killed at the stock 210 hp and 425 lb-ft level with heavy abuse.

How much horsepower does a 7.3 Godzilla crate engine have? ›

The Megazilla produces 615 horsepower (458 kilowatts) and 640 pound-feet (867 Newton-meters) of torque.

Use motor oil meeting Ford Specification WSS-M2C171-F1. The manufacturer recommends 10W-30 for normal usage and 5W-40 for severe operations. If biodiesel fuel blends (B20 max) are used the use of 5W-40 or 15W-40 oil is recommended.

As it pertains to the 7.3L Power Stroke, once the engine oil level drops below 7 quarts (the engine holds 14) the high-pressure oil system that's required to fire the fuel injectors will cease to function, thereby safely shutting the engine down.

The 7.3L utilizes Hydraulically actuated Electronically controlled Unit Injectors, commonly referred to as HEUI or “HUEY” injectors. These injectors utilize high pressure oil which is controlled by a poppet valve inside the injector to achieve injection pressures of up to 21,000 psi.

As a general rule of thumb, less than a 30-percent duty cycle should be observed in a crank-to-start scenario (and also note that it takes 450 to 500 psi of ICP, minimum, to start a 7.3L).

The 7.3 Powerstroke is a two-valve behemoth which measures in at 444 cubic inches and has a maximum stock power rating of 275hp and 525lb. ft. of torque.

Produced between 1994 and 2003, the 7.3-liter power stroke V8 was among the most powerful diesel engines during those years. What is this? Even these days, the V8 is still incredibly powerful, with a maximum HP of 250 and roughly 500 lb-ft of torque in the later years.

Is the 1996 7.3 Power Stroke a good engine? ›

Great body style, Powerful, dependable, long lasting and gets decent fuel economy too. The 7.3 power stroke is the best engine ever put in a pick up truck.

But last year, Ford Motor Company did just that when it released its new 7.3L gasoline V8 dubbed “Godzilla.” The big V8 is designed for Super Duty trucks and produces 430 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and best-in-class torque with 475 ft. -lb.

The 7.3 L DI Power Stroke was in production until the first quarter of model year 2003, when it was replaced by the 6.0 L because of its inability to meet California noise regulations, not the commonly believed emissions standards.

2008-2010 F-250 & F-350. If you're looking for the best example of how to make big plug-and-play horsepower, look no further than the 6.4L Power Stroke. With a programmer and free-flowing exhaust the '08-'10 trucks can produce 550 to 600 horsepower at the wheels and still tow just about anything you need them to.

7.3L Horsepower/Torque

Power levels in the 7.3L Powerstroke started out at 215 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque for the 1994.5-1995 model years and were bumped up to 225 hp and 450 lb-ft for 1996-1997. It is no coincidence that these numbers were slightly higher than the 6BT Cummins of the same era.

2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R® Performance Highlights

Ford Performance took the most powerful engine in its engine lineup (the 5.2-liter V8 is the same engine that powers the Mustang Shelby GT500®) and optimized it for Raptor-level off-road performance and Built Ford Tough® durability.