New Ford guy, need 7.3 tips!

[scottm]

At 46 I now own my first ford - a 97 f250 4x4 supercab with 7.3 powerstroke, a hand-me-down from my dad. It has 187K of well maintained highway miles, so it is in excellent condition. I know people like the 7.3's a lot... It runs well but seems kinda weak compared to newer 7.3s and duramaxs. I would like to know more about the general background of it, as well as some tips for more poop. Any easy hopups? Good forums? Also, what was different starting in '99 that everyone liked so much?

[Baja Fool]

I have '03 7.3 with Edge Evolution Programmer and a Ford Severe Duty Air Cleaner System Part #Motorcraft FA-1759. Check the pipe leaving the turbo, if it is oblong, pitch it for a round after market pipe. Probably after that many miles you might want install a new high flow muffler. I know Ford has tweaked the engine management system. But possibly someone on the forum has that info.
Here's what I have.

7.3 is the best, most proven Powerstroke made so far....welcome to the club!

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99 has a totally different air filter that is not inter changeable with the late99-03. But you can put the late99 air cleaner assembly in the early99 truck. The only two aftermarket air filters that work on the early99 are the AFE stage 2 and the AIS.

99 track rod has smaller mounting bolts than the late 99-03.

99 has shallower rotors than the late 99-03.

99 has shorter hub-bearings than the late 99-03.

99 front axle U bolts are square where they go over the spring pack. The late 99 U bolts are round.

99 has a different pitman arm than the late 99-03.

99 does not have the AIH like the late 99-03.

99 does not have the automatic transmission fluid cooler in the radiator.

99 has no indicator light showing that "cruise" is on. Late 99-03 has a cruise light that will come on when you set the cruise control. Some of the early 99 truck have this light in the dash already. A newer PCM(Yes it will plug in and will run better too) must be used to make the cruise light illuminate. It is a green light on the right side edge, half way up.

[scottm]

Thanks BF! I have been reading a lot on powerstroke.org and magazines too. I do have the oval outlet, so I am going to get a Banks down tube and a new exhaust with egt sensor. Then I will get a better cold air intake - any recommendations? Also my dad said it has dropped a couple mpg over the last year or two, and from what I have read it may be due to the converter coming apart. But I am borrowed time at 187k on the stock trans anyway, right? So really I have to consider the trans before making any more power.

[ErikShallbetter]

I like this thread! I have a 2002 F350 with the 7.3L. I was going to start a thread asking about what other people with the same truck had done to theirs, but it looks like you got the ball rolling on this discussion. I have 250,000 miles on it and use it for DD, Towing, Chasing. I want to get a little more power out of it, but don't want to rob it of too much longevity. What have others done, advice on products, best bang for buck? Looking for suggestions/rants or raves.

[07FJRog]

I have '03 7.3 with Edge Evolution Programmer and a Ford Severe Duty Air Cleaner System Part #Motorcraft FA-1759. Check the pipe leaving the turbo, if it is oblong, pitch it for a round after market pipe. Probably after that many miles you might want install a new high flow muffler. I know Ford has tweaked the engine management system. But possibly someone on the forum has that info.
Here's what I have.

7.3 is the best, most proven Powerstroke made so far....welcome to the club!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


99 has a totally different air filter that is not inter changeable with the late99-03. But you can put the late99 air cleaner assembly in the early99 truck. The only two aftermarket air filters that work on the early99 are the AFE stage 2 and the AIS.

99 track rod has smaller mounting bolts than the late 99-03.

99 has shallower rotors than the late 99-03.

99 has shorter hub-bearings than the late 99-03.

99 front axle U bolts are square where they go over the spring pack. The late 99 U bolts are round.

99 has a different pitman arm than the late 99-03.

99 does not have the AIH like the late 99-03.

99 does not have the automatic transmission fluid cooler in the radiator.

99 has no indicator light showing that "cruise" is on. Late 99-03 has a cruise light that will come on when you set the cruise control. Some of the early 99 truck have this light in the dash already. A newer PCM(Yes it will plug in and will run better too) must be used to make the cruise light illuminate. It is a green light on the right side edge, half way up.

that is all good info, but he has a 97, needs the bigger newer turbo, intercooler and downtube you mentioned.

I have owned one of the first 99's and an 02, the trannies are the worst thing in them. by rating the 02 had more power, but the 99 pulled the same trailer easier and better mileage, go figure. also off the showroom floor the 99 was 2" taller than the 02. :confused:

bring back the 7.3 Navistar motor

[mebuildit]

I had a '96 and now a '02 dually with the 7.3. I put the banks kit on both and never regreted it. Keep all of your fluids changed regularly, and just drive it. I have had zero problems with both. Just remember when doing something to your truck, keep it simple.

Good luck, you have a great truck.

[f1sleepy]

The 7.3 is a great motor that will last forever if taken care of properly. I would definitely suggest putting money into the trans first and then upgrading the turbo/intercooler/intake system to get the truck comparable to the '99-'03 trucks. My father had an original '99 with the 7.3 and I wish I would have bought it off of him before he sold it. Before that he had an '87 f-250 and that was a gutless pig. He now has an '06 with the 6.0L and 5 speed trans. It's much quicker, but he has already lost a turbo, a couple coolers and blown a head gasket (all after the warranty was up of course). He also has an '03 F-350 dually work truck with the 7.3L and an '09 F-450 with the new 6.3L twin turbo monstrosity. It's nice and powerful, quiet and drives great, but the Engine compartment is ridiculous. Out of all the trucks, the 7.3L's have been the most reliable and as someone else mentioned, got better mileage while towing/under load. All in all, I would take the 7.3L over any other Ford motor out there.