I've read a number of posts regarding the inferiority of the powdered metal rods in later 7.3s. Does anyone out there know what their safe power limit is? I've seen several references to them not being up to the task if injectors or a bigger turbo is installed. Some hard info would be appreciated.

 

the rule of thumb is not to go over 350-375 rwhp. anything near 400hp and you risk windowing a block. forged rods are usually good for 600+hp.

 

makes me glad i have a 2000 even though i cant afford 600 hp. even 375 is a lot of rwhp

 

there are a few 400+ with pmr's but they are playing with fire big time. Might as well be holdin on to a firecracker with the fuse lit and theyre eyes closed lol.

 

Anybody know where to get the earlier forged rods? I remember seeing them availabe reconned from a website, but I can't remember which one and can't seem to find them since.

 

Get 'em here - http://www.dieselinnovations.com/di....products&cat=7

I don't think there is really a SAFE HP # for PMR's - there's a couple guys on TDS that windowed blocks with just a hot chip! I would never consider adding Nitrous, Propane, or Injectors etc. with a PMR motor.

 

yeah there are some that windowed with minimal mods such as a hot chip, but chances are they were running shoddy programming. With PMR's programming is VERY IMPORTANT! Always stick to guys who are well known: DP tuner, Tony Wildman, BTS, WOP, DI know what they are doing bc they have tuned hundreds or thousands of psds!

 

I'm with you there!! I was wondering how much hp my forged rods would take. Good to know the limit's that high. I've got some BIG (HP )plans for my baby over the next couple of years.

 

PMR's are far from inferior, in fact for the intended application they are superior.

The PMR's are excellent and will provide a lifetime of use as long as they used within thier limits. The PMR's in the 7.3 are not designed for high performance speed racing diesel engines, they are designed for about 300hp not 400-600hp. For that matter neither or the forged ones, but the forges ones have a little more room for modding. There are disadvantages to both. If you notice, trucks with PMR's tend to idle more smoothly and accelerate more smoothly and faster(stock), well thats due to the lighter and more refined pmr rods. the PMr's are just as strong as forged (for its intended use) but they just dont bend at all, instead they shatter or crack.

Here is kind of an example, may not be the best, but:

If you take a hollow steel tube and put a xxlbs weight on it, it wont bend at all, as you keep adding weight it will start to bend just a little, crack and eventually break in half(pmr's), but with a solid steel tube it will only bend, even with the more added weight, it will only bend more and more until its bent so much it isnt usuable or in some cases break in half(forged).

not sure if that was a good example, but im sure someone else will have a better one.

just my 0.01 worth

 

When did they start using the pmr's?

 

Sometime in mid-late 01' from what I have read. Someone will know the build date.

 

10/16/00 build date on engine was supposedly the first use of PMRs.

Cody

 

Thanks. Looks like I lucked into non-pmrs.

 

Wanna trade?

Just kidding. I shouldn't have problems with mine but you never know. It's not a dragster.

On the other hand, I really got the worst truck......
Engine build date of 01/01 and transmission build date of 03/01. Those fall into the windows for PMR's and the lovely 2nd roller clutch ("mechanical diode") transmission.

I guess I look at it this way: If the engine or transmission fails I can fix them myself. Then it's on to aftermarket rods and a M-M-M-MONSTER BOX!
Cody

 

You are going to fall in love.