Powerstroke or IDI?
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 62
Likes: 3
Powerstroke or IDI?
Hello everyone, I'm looking to get a truck that's also gonna be my first vehicle and I've decided an older diesel would suit my needs well. My question is, should i buy a 7.3 IDI or just go ahead and buy a 7.3 Power-stroke instead? The IDI has enough power/efficiency for what i need it to do but the Power-stroke would easily have enough power/efficiency and then some left over. But I'm on the fence about whether i should go with the IDI or Power-stroke because I'm worried that repairing the Power-stroke is going to be more challenging and maybe even more expensive because there are more electronics on it. (I plan on doing/learning to do most of the wrenching myself. I have a very firm understanding of spark ignition engines and how they work and how to repair them already.)
Tuned
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 294
Likes: 81
From: Wichita, KS
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,554
Likes: 2,034
From: North Texas
But paying $1/gal more for fuel makes economic sense? $1500 for a set of injectors? $100 oil changes. Better bust out the abacus and see what is less expensive to drive.
My dually does 9-10mpg city and 15s freeway unloaded. ECLB/S5-47 trans/4.10:1. I would rather a 460 due to cost of parts, fuel, etc. Then IDI. Then PSD.
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 62
Likes: 3
What does it get unloaded?
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 62
Likes: 3
But paying $1/gal more for fuel makes economic sense? $1500 for a set of injectors? $100 oil changes. Better bust out the abacus and see what is less expensive to drive.
My dually does 9-10mpg city and 15s freeway unloaded. ECLB/S5-47 trans/4.10:1. I would rather a 460 due to cost of parts, fuel, etc. Then IDI. Then PSD.
My dually does 9-10mpg city and 15s freeway unloaded. ECLB/S5-47 trans/4.10:1. I would rather a 460 due to cost of parts, fuel, etc. Then IDI. Then PSD.
Last edited by Fordeverything; Jun 1, 2022 at 01:51 PM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 62
Likes: 3
Curious, why the IDI?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,554
Likes: 2,034
From: North Texas
My pal lives in Sacramento, sent me a picture from Speedway. No 2 was $6.65 and 87 $5.99, 87 is what the gassers spec in this era of truck. Everyone knows that reoxygenated 91 bull**** you guys have there is crap and no one really uses it.
You are not getting reman injectors for a 7.3DI for $500. Sorry. https://bitterrootdiesel.com/collect...fuel-injection Cores are $500, I just purchased a set. IDI? Sure. https://idiperformance.com/shop/inje...ilt-injectors/ But, you are on a 7.3DI section. If you cannot handle the cost shock of just these items, you need to really reconsider what you are after. DI always have leaking uppipes, only good ones run you about $500. Manifolds like to leak. Anything this age will need a trans.
Long lasting is subjective. I have a gasser I6 with 330k. Another four pot with 250s. Two mod motors with 220+
I too would have preferred an IDI, I picked up my 7.3 after a natural disaster and needed a truck as other flooded. No way I would buy one before or post.
You are not getting reman injectors for a 7.3DI for $500. Sorry. https://bitterrootdiesel.com/collect...fuel-injection Cores are $500, I just purchased a set. IDI? Sure. https://idiperformance.com/shop/inje...ilt-injectors/ But, you are on a 7.3DI section. If you cannot handle the cost shock of just these items, you need to really reconsider what you are after. DI always have leaking uppipes, only good ones run you about $500. Manifolds like to leak. Anything this age will need a trans.
Long lasting is subjective. I have a gasser I6 with 330k. Another four pot with 250s. Two mod motors with 220+
I too would have preferred an IDI, I picked up my 7.3 after a natural disaster and needed a truck as other flooded. No way I would buy one before or post.
Tuned
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 294
Likes: 81
From: Wichita, KS
Most days 15-16, best I've gotten was 18 drive 60mph for most of that tank (back n forth to work) 60 miles round trip.
I bought mine because I always wanted a powerstroke, and I needed something to pull my camper with because my f150 dang sure wasn't going to do it lol..... I had no idea what kind of investment I had coming for me when I bought it though lol I wouldn't give it up unless someone offered me 30k, but between the truck and upgrades I have more than that in it, think I gave 6500 or something for it. Granted I didn't HAVE to go as big as I did, and some things I did twice because I wanted to make power on stock injectors (not smart....) I can tell you it's a flippin turd not modified at all, and no tuner. In the end though I still don't have in it what a new truck would cost and I'd be willing to venture a bet I have just as much HP and torque as the new trucks, it doesn't struggle at all pulling my 5th wheel camper.
I bought mine because I always wanted a powerstroke, and I needed something to pull my camper with because my f150 dang sure wasn't going to do it lol..... I had no idea what kind of investment I had coming for me when I bought it though lol I wouldn't give it up unless someone offered me 30k, but between the truck and upgrades I have more than that in it, think I gave 6500 or something for it. Granted I didn't HAVE to go as big as I did, and some things I did twice because I wanted to make power on stock injectors (not smart....) I can tell you it's a flippin turd not modified at all, and no tuner. In the end though I still don't have in it what a new truck would cost and I'd be willing to venture a bet I have just as much HP and torque as the new trucks, it doesn't struggle at all pulling my 5th wheel camper.
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 62
Likes: 3
So, how does fuel mileage of a unloaded, well maintained, '90's 460 compare to that of a unloaded, well maintained, 7.3 idi or Power-stroke assuming both are driven on the highway?
Last edited by Fordeverything; Jun 1, 2022 at 02:39 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,278
Likes: 1,658
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
I'm with Sicario X on this one, gassers are way cheaper to maintain, cost less to purchase and cheaper to re-fuel.
*Parts on Power strokes are Expensive *Maintenance is expensive (4 gallons vs 1.5 on a 460)
* And with it's age be prepare to dump in some good coin at it.
But if you are set on a diesel don't be afraid with the electronics of the powerstroke it's a simple design that with a proper scan tool you can figure stuff out quick if it goes bad.
*Parts on Power strokes are Expensive *Maintenance is expensive (4 gallons vs 1.5 on a 460)
* And with it's age be prepare to dump in some good coin at it.
But if you are set on a diesel don't be afraid with the electronics of the powerstroke it's a simple design that with a proper scan tool you can figure stuff out quick if it goes bad.
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 62
Likes: 3
I'm with Sicario X on this one, gassers are way cheaper to maintain, cost less to purchase and cheaper to re-fuel.
*Parts on Power strokes are Expensive *Maintenance is expensive (4 gallons vs 1.5 on a 460)
* And with it's age be prepare to dump in some good coin at it.
But if you are set on a diesel don't be afraid with the electronics of the powerstroke it's a simple design that with a proper scan tool you can figure stuff out quick if it goes bad.
*Parts on Power strokes are Expensive *Maintenance is expensive (4 gallons vs 1.5 on a 460)
* And with it's age be prepare to dump in some good coin at it.
But if you are set on a diesel don't be afraid with the electronics of the powerstroke it's a simple design that with a proper scan tool you can figure stuff out quick if it goes bad.