I'm trying to swap out a 6.0 liter diesel in a e450 with an idi diesel. What idi would be the easiest to swap into the van? 6.9l or 7.3l? Year? I want an idi because I've heard they are cheaper to maintain and better for running on waste veg oil. Need some advice.

 

I'm no expert on diesels, but I'll give you some thoughts. From what I've heard, the 6.0, while not having the best reputation for reliability, was a step up in power from the 7.3L PowerStroke, at least comparing stock to stock. And the PowerStroke was a huge step up from the non-turbo IDIs. So expect to take a couple of steps backward in terms of power, unless you add a turbo. And from what I've heard, don't expect to get too much from a turbo'd IDI either since the head bolts aren't up to as much boost as the later engines.

If you still want to go that way, there was a turbo'd 7.3L IDI available as an option in one year ('94 I believe). That might be your best bet, but that's a pretty limited pool.

Other than that, I've heard some people say that the 7.3L IDI was more prone to cavitation than the earlier 6.9L, but I've heard others say there's no difference. So I can't help you there.

Hopefully others who know more about this than I will chime in.

 

a 7.3 IDI with turbo and tuned up properly will make as much or a little more power than a first generation powerstroke.

with that said, you will have a big job ahead of you trying to put an IDI in that van.

why not just take care of the 6.0 and call it good? there is nothing wrong with a properly maintained 6.0