Cummins conversion kit Ford
New User
Joined: Mar 2007
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Just my $.02 on the "which engine is better" conversation. I have owned two 7.3's('02 & '99), one '04 6.0 (never again), and an '05 Cummins. Hands down the 6.0 was the worst of the group. Mileage was worse, as well as engine problems. The '99 7.3 was a 6 speed, loved that truck, but it got wrecked. The '02 was an auto that I put a Banks system on. It wasn't quite as reliable as the '99 but still a good truck that got 17mpg day in day out (F350 srw 4x4). The Cummins is atleast 2mpg better on mileage (19), and starts easier in cold weather. It is a matter of preference and what you need. If I could buy a Ford with the Cummins, that would be my preference. I like the Cummins enging, but I like a lot of the features and the cab room of the Ford. You can definatley get more power from the 5.9, but the 7.3 is still a solid engine. With hindsight being 20/20, Ford is probably wishing they had held on to the 7.3 longer.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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"Ford is probably wishing they had held on to the 7.3 longer."
If it wasn't for the EPA they probably could have, of course if it wasn't for the EPA they would probably still be selling non turboed, indirect injection 6.9 diesels.
If it wasn't for the EPA they probably could have, of course if it wasn't for the EPA they would probably still be selling non turboed, indirect injection 6.9 diesels.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: hillsborough nj
epa needs to stop cracking down on diesels and hit the gas market more... diesel engines produce far less emissions than the gas engines... they produce much less harmful emissions, use less fuel, and it's a less refined fuel, which means that we're getting rid of all the extra crap in the fuel, not just moving it into some other substance
New User
Joined: Nov 2008
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Newer F-250 conversion question
has anyone heard of people doing the Cummins conversion to the new 08's? or even an 06'? i want to do it but dont know if id be wasting my money because the electronics dont match up. ive heard alot of swaps with the 02's and am jealous because i want to do it anyone have any information? thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,842
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From: hillsborough nj
has anyone heard of people doing the Cummins conversion to the new 08's? or even an 06'? i want to do it but dont know if id be wasting my money because the electronics dont match up. ive heard alot of swaps with the 02's and am jealous because i want to do it anyone have any information? thanks
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 70
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although the navistar 7.3 is a great engine, i dont believe its better than a cummins, the engines reliable, stronger( just my opinion) and obviously the potential for power is there. it has a much more reliable heating system, no glowplugs. i havent seen a powerstroke in a large application. nonetheless, it was still a pretty good engine besides for the 6.0.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
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i have 2 ford-cummins conversion trucks ones a 94 4 door 1 ton and the other is a 89 short bed 1/2 ton with 2.73 rears. i clocked the 1/2 ton at 111 with the governor still stock. i purchased the motor mounts for both trucks at ford-cummins.com. they are awesome people and helpful when you need help just call and ask them questions. i used the nv4500 and 12v p-pump engines for both conversions. each about 300 hp and simple at that. i am thinking about doing another one but with a common rail and automatic in my 97 obs when the psd blows up. my 1/2 ton is the funnest truck i have ever driven. and 20mpg to boot! the psd is like driving a brick and gets 10 mpg. although i love the 7.3, it just has nothing against the cummins. i dont have any pics, maybe thats what ill do today, take pics of my stuff.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 358
Likes: 1
I think the ideal Cummins swap is targeted at trucks with gassers, or if you have an older IDI with the truck still in good shape. The conversion is cheaper than buying a new truck. You don't have to go for mega horsepower all the time.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: hillsborough nj
although the navistar 7.3 is a great engine, i dont believe its better than a cummins, the engines reliable, stronger( just my opinion) and obviously the potential for power is there. it has a much more reliable heating system, no glowplugs. i havent seen a powerstroke in a large application. nonetheless, it was still a pretty good engine besides for the 6.0.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168
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i have a buddy with a 6.4 that runs on 6 cylinders and ford cant figure out whats wrong with it so hey just told him to drive it like that till it breaks down... i would be mad as a wet hen.. that has deterred me from ever buying a 6.4 truck unless i was going to rip it out and put a cumminns in. trust me, i have thought about it
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168
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cummins and international ford and dodge are all seperate companies. the whole "like screwing your sister" statement is way off to me. if you bought a ford to put a chevy motor in it, that would better fit the saying. but there are guys that do that too. and then there are guys that screw their sisters too for that fact, so i guess if you are going to do it, then you dont care about what others think anyways... lol
beauty is in the eye of the beholder
beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 216
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From: South Africa
I have read somewheres that Ford and GM are gonna share engin development. Aint Ford using Cummins in their Commercial trucks? Well Toy just got so financial strong they could probably out bid Ford. Also agree Cummins is the diesel motor to have (I6 fan), but aslong as the PSD hold up, i dont think it need to stand back for Cummins or anybody no?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 339
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From: Washington ,Mo.
Seems silly to me. I guess if you just have to have a 900 horsepower motor then it's the only way to go, but it certainly isn't cost effective. By the time you spend a couple of grand on a used 12 or 24 valve motor, and a couple of grand on the conversion kit, you still have to put a grand's worth of mods on it to get it to the power level of the stock PSD it replaced. Tens of thousands more if you want that 900 horse mill.
Moved to general diesel.
Moved to general diesel.
Dale
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Joined: Nov 2011
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1978 ford f250 cummins deisel conversion
Hi, my names pete,
im new to this site and i am thinking about doing a ford cummins conversion into a 1978 f250 that i am in the process of restoring. i would like to know how it is set up with the radiator fan and how everything fits in and what you need to do to modifie it. if you have any pictures or advice for me i would appreciate it. also what can you do for a transmition? i want to have a manual but i dont think the ford 4spd manual would be able to handle the torque so i was wondering what a godd heavy duty transmition that can handle the torque would be.
thanks, pete
im new to this site and i am thinking about doing a ford cummins conversion into a 1978 f250 that i am in the process of restoring. i would like to know how it is set up with the radiator fan and how everything fits in and what you need to do to modifie it. if you have any pictures or advice for me i would appreciate it. also what can you do for a transmition? i want to have a manual but i dont think the ford 4spd manual would be able to handle the torque so i was wondering what a godd heavy duty transmition that can handle the torque would be.
thanks, pete
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
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Nv4500 from a 1994-1997 dodge is the best transmission to use. You will need overdrive and a 3.55 gear ratio would be the best to use unless you are going to run a 37 or larger tire. Then I would go to 3.73 and anything bigger than a 40" tire use a 4.10 gear. I think that the frame crossmember needs to be cut down 2" on a 78 model truck. Go to fordcummins.com and get their phone number and call them they are very helpful. Also destroked.com