Hey all-

I have a 2001 F250sd, and I'm trying to decide on a plan for my engine build/modifications. I'm an amateur mechanic who is more familiar with the gasoline side of the equation (apostasy, I know...), and am trying to understand diesel mindset when it comes to amping up engine power.

In the gas engine world, there are people who say that if you build for torque, you get HP following along for free. Is this true in the diesel world too? If it is, given that the 7.3 is already built from the factory for heavy torque, is there a difference in building to maximize torque over HP in diesels? If so, what would you suggest for doing a torque build over just modding for more HP? I've been watching the threads in this forum for a while, and most of what I've seen seems to follow about the same mod schedule... gauges, fuel system mods (lift pumps, regulated returns, higher volume or multiple HPOPs, larger ID fuel lines, bigger injectors), turbos (larger and different compressor wheels), bigger exhaust diameter, programmers and once in a great while, methanol or propane injection. Just talking about the engine here, not suspension, transmission or gearing...

I gat the ideas behind the former, but I almost never see mention of some of the mods gas racing people like to use on their power plants like block mods (boring/stroking), using a competition cam (I know that at least one exists out there for the 7.3), valve train upgrades, exhaust mods (headers (I've seen 2 companies online who make them), head porting/polishing- though I know forced induction makes these mostly moot), higher compression ratios, timing changes, taking everything possible off the crank pulley (no belt-driven fans, water pumps, etc.). I've only seen mention of these on rare occasions. Outside the obvious blockade of cost, is there a reason these aren't talked about much? I know some diesel guys race their rigs... So Is there a reason that these are so uncommon?

Please set me straight. I'm sure I'm missing something here.

Thanks-
Farasien

 

Few things quickly:

Diesels have longer stroke allready for torque output.

High HP builds needs rather compression lowering due boost.

It's commonly known that 7.3 heads needs porting for big HP.

PMR rods are useless for high HP build.

​​​​​​All the timing is done by tuning,besides cam upgrades.

 

Head on over to Carson Stauffer Diesel....They have a few upgrades available.