I've finally gotten the cash to do this swap instead of just talking about it.

Both will cost me ~$4-5 thousand.

-408w stroker: My 351w block, aftermarket parts. ~400hp, ??tq. 10-12mpgs (might be more with a manual swap behind it.)

-7.3L PSD: F250/350 frame cut down, my bronco body put on it (dash swap, maybe manual swap.) ~??hp, 300tq? 18-20mpgs.


I'm not looking at difficulty of swap or even the cost of the swap. I am trying to figure out cost of maintenance for a 408 stroker vs 7.3 PSD because I have been told that even though 20mpgs is good (at 3.90 a gallon) is decent mpgs, but the cost of oil and filters is much more then it would cost with just oil/filter on a 408 would be even at 10-12mpgs.


Simple question. Which engine is going to be better to maintain. Will the cost of maintaining a PSD be more expensive then a gas guzzling 408 stroker?

 

You have some of the analysis. Figure the mpg difference and add in the miles per year you drive.

Also, do you really think a 7.3 will get a consistent 18-20? (I asked some gal in a diesel Excursion what her MPGs were, thinking high 20s. "13" she said....)

It also depends on how you are going to use it. If you are going to work it hard, the diesel is the way to go.

 

96-97 7.3 with chip and down pipe are 16-20 city from what I have heard/seen plus the truck won't weigh over 4,000 lbs.

It's going to be a daily driver/play toy (dunes/trails/mud.).

I car pool to work so I do maybe a few thousand a year. Occasionally I do pull a 9,000lb work trailer so..

 

I would go 408. When your out playing they are easy to fix.

7.3 if your dd the thing