Last weekend, just purchased an `03 250SD CC 7.3L, and was wondering if anyone has purchased a vehicle with Fords new 6L TD yet!? I noticed the power differences between the two 325h vs. 285h, and 560t vs. 525t.

I didn't test drive the 6L while I was at the dealership, because the truck I wanted had the 7.3L. Those have been around for years, and I know that just about anywhere you go (including Truck stops between here and the states I travel), have parts just about readily installable there at their shops. Who knows about the 6L.

I was just curious if anyone has driven the two, and were able to tell an overall drivability difference between them with the EFVT(sp?) Turbo, and the Torqshift(sp?) tranny, versus the 7.3, and the 4D100 (I believe) 6spd manual tranny that I have. Actually, come to think of it... I don't recall seeing a manual 6L yet.

Just filled up with gas the other day, and if I recall, the truck has a 32g tank, correct!? Well, when you buy a vehicle from the dealership out here, they fill it up with gas. But, just how full do they get. I think once the pump clicks, they stop, with all of us knowing you can usually top off with another gallon or two on top of that. For the first tank of the trucks life, I got 440miles with 95% of that being city driving short stops, etc. Is that about right, or could it go up or down!? I am going to Washington this weekend with the truck (I-5 all the way), and am curious what that thing will get mileage wise, being a bone stock 6speed manual on a 7.3L.

And last but not least, who actually makes the 7.3L and the 6L for Ford!? I noticed my sticker says "Motor Not Made By Ford" on the truck.

 

The motors are International. I have drove a Pre 1997 7.3L (which i own) a post 97 7.3L (my dads) and a new 6.0L (my cousin) The new 6.0L has definitly got the power. The Auto trans behind the 6.0L seems to act more like a car trans to me shifting more often. Once they get the bugs worked out of the 6.0L engine I think it will be a good one. Take a look at some of the problems on the 6.0L forum. The 7.3L may not have quite the power but also doesn't have all the bugs the 6.0L does. If it where me I would wait a couple of years and let them get all the bugs out of the 6.0 and then buy one til the 7.3L is the way to go.

Matt 1997 Crew Cab, Long Bed, 7.3L Diesel, 142,000 miles, Diablo 78 HP Chip

 

I agree with mcbryant. If you want a little more power for your 7.3, get a programer or a chip. You can gain 100 ft.lb. of torque with a programer on the 7.3 with no problem. It remains to be seen if the 6.0 is tough enough to withstand a significant increase in power without self destructing. Also, your 7.3 engine is equipped with a single mass flywheel and they've gone back to the troublesome dual mass unit on the 6.0.
If I were going to pull a heavy load with a manual transmission, I'd have bought the truck you've got but if I were going to do it with an automatic, I'd have bought the 6.0. Just my opinion.

 

That's what I wanted to hear. I know that I love the truck the way it is, and don't, honestly, see a reason to need more power although it would be nice to actually stay into the boost band a little more than 3400rpm (ha ha). And to get rid of the 96mph speed limiter on the truck! It would be nice to actually use all 100% of the 100mph speedo! ha ha

Thanks for the insight, guys!

 

What is real fun and interesting and maybe scary the first time is when you are in a newer 7.3L with a chip and you are going so fast that the speedometer falls back to 0 mph. Thought I had broke the spedo on dads truck. It will come back as you start to slow down.

 

Just how good do those chips work!? I know there are two different types, HyperTech and Jazz (don't honestly remember the 2nd) I think!? Which one is better!?

 

I purchased a F350 SRW 7.3 and love it. I have the Western Diesel "QuadPower" chip and it is numero uno! I have the Pyro guage (EGT) and Boost guage. My 2003 has a transmission temp guage on the dash. Pushing it to the floor I get 28 psi on the turbo boost! It is one heck of a feeling. My speedo hits the 100 mark and magically returns to zero....however, when you return to earth (under 100mph) it pops back to the proper speed! I can't say enough about the chip. With four settings, I leave it in the 4 (High Ouput) and don't change it around. However, if I were hauling something, I would go with the recommended setting. My gas milage has improved (currently 14.8) even though I am on the throttle constantly! Love to hear that turbo whine!

Good luck with whatever you go with.

 

I have the Diablo 3 stage Delta chip for my 7.3L and LOVE it. I highly recommend the gauges as well, if your going to get a chip. I had that sucker up to 110MPH on the highway no problem. DEFINATLY worth the money. It has just enough, if not more power than the new 6.0L. (and I've test driven the 6.0, so I can compare) I always tend to leave it in the 3rd stage as well

 

That is halfway true. The 7.3L PS was made when Cat redone the 7.3L IDI which was an International engine.

 

Cat didn't have anything to do with the design of the 7.3L Power Stroke engine nor was it a "redone IDI" engine. Cat WAS the producer of the 7.3L Power Stroke injectors although Navistar held the patents on them (except for the tungsten carbide coating of the barrel and sleeve -- Cat holds the patent on that process). We shared that technology with Cat in return for them building a plant and buying the equipment to produce them in. Cat them sold then to us as a supplier.

 

That's good info to know about the chips. How do you change the mode they are in!? I saw (sorry should have quoted) you guys saying you leave it in stage 3, 4, whatever. Are they switches on the chip, or different chips, or what!?

They guy next door to me has a 2k2 Dually 7.3 with the Centurion suspension kit, and his brother has a 7.3L 2k2 F250 SC with the Hypertech chip. Went for a cruise with him last week, and if he romps on it from the light, once the turbo winds up, if he stays on it, he can get the *** end to start letting loose. But, he said he has also had to have the turbo replaced 3 times under warranty because of the chip.

That's my only concern. I use the vehicle as a daily driver, and tow a 11k# trailer once or twice a month up and over the grapevine, and just wondering if the chip is worth risking the reliability of the truck. The truck now, with only almost 5k miles on it gets 18mpg, with cruise set at 94 (2k3's are governed at 96), and the AC going, so how is the chip going to play with fuel mileage!?

I do appreciate all the feedback, though!