Hi all,
I am looking at used Super Dutys with Powerstrokes and manual trans. I have heard that the fuel economy on the 7.3s is pretty good (about 21 mpg?), however, I have not heard much about the 6.0. How is the 6.0 MPG? Also, I have heard that even though the 6.0 is about 50 more hp, if you are planning for more power, which I might be (probably just chip, intake and exhaust) the best engine is the '00 7.3 because of forged parts (pistons and rods?). I am just trying to decide whether I should have a preferance for either engine. Oh, any transmission differences in the manual between the two engines, are they both the same 6 speed with granny and OD?
Thanks,
Jack

 

I dont know much about the 6.0 except guys claim it can make more power, but the low end torque is not as good as a 7.3.

I will say you have to be a very conservative driver to get 21mpg out of a 7.3. I have done it with both of mine, but I wasnt setting any speed records(65 to 70) The X gets there easier than my pickup.

 

What RPM's does the 7.3 make its max torque at? 1800?

 

I would go review the 6.0 and 7.3 forums.

Yes, the 00 has forged rod in the 7.3, but they are going to have a lot more miles on them than an early 2003 7.3.

Yes, the 7.3 gets better mileage, probably more like 23 or 24 in a std. But i can get 21+ on summer fuel with my 6.0. (directly related to how hard you push the go pedal)

The 6.0 makes 100 more HP out of the box. You can mod the 7.3 to make as much as the 6.0 stock. I beleive the 7.3 is rated at 225 hp, my 6.0 is rated at 320 HP. The real story is torque, beleive my 6.0 is rated 595 lb-ft, dont recall but 7.3 is close to that.

the 6.0 can be modded for 120 more HP, has a WAY better Auto tranny (5 speed torqueshift).

They both use essentially the same ZF 6 speed manual. Pretty good manual, they are known to have issues if abused, pulling really heavy, good tranny overall. Easy and cheap to rebuild, easy to upgrade the clutch.

See sig, when I bought my first SD, I wanted to find a 2000 7.3 diesel with manual tranny and t-case. I could not find one anywhere. I should have ordered it and would probably have 400k on it by now. I dont have regrets on my 6.0. It pulls hard and has been trouble free. If you do get either, get an oasis to see what has been done before you buy. You dont want a problem child.

 

Something you may want to consider is that the 7.3 is buildt as a medium duty diesel and the 6.0 and newer are light duty diesels. 7.3 should last longer with fewer repairs. 7.3 has a track record also of fewer design issues then the 6.0 and newer engines. I have the revised intake and a 4" exhaust on mine and if I keep the pedal steady at 55 it has gotten 22 mpg on winter fuel.

 

How so? The 7.3 and 6.0 are used in the exact same vehicles.

Mike

 

I actually would advocate an auto with the 6.0 as it is by far the best auto that I have ever used. As far as I know there aren't any differences between the manuals though. 7.3s are pretty reliable from what I have heard, but I wouldn't trade my 6.0 for one. As far as mods, I think it would take a heavily modded 7.3 to reach where I am at with what little I have done to my truck. That extra 50-100 hp really does give it a big head start over the 7.3. I do think though there was a point where the 7.3 rods where swapped for inferior rods that depending on what model year you might have to swap them back or something, if I remember correctly.

 

The 7.3 was designed for medium duty truck apps and then put into pickups.The 6.0 was designed for pickups.

 

I'd sure like to get 20-22 mpg with my 1999 Ford F-350 Dually with a 7.3 liter diesel. At 60 mph I only get 18-19 mpg. How can I increase the mpg ? Other than to drive slower. Is a chip the answer ?

Papa Tony

 

no, chip is not the answer, the guys getting 20-22 are likely not duallies, the extra tires hurt mileage a bit

 

They put the 6.0 in Medium duty IH trucks, though.

 

I personally believe in the 7.3s because they have proved there selves time and time again. Though the later 06-07 6.0s were alot better then the previous years they were still more prone to break down then a 7.3.

IH does put the 6.0s in there medium duty trucks it is a VT365

 

A chip can help(doens't mean it will, but it can). Having a DRW does hurt the mileage ability though I can't argue that.

 

A chip (or programmer) could be the answer. On my dads 02 7.3l he got a hypertech programmer for it and on level three (which was 100hp and 200 torque) it would get 22mpg driving normal. If you babied it, it would get 23-24 mpg. With out the programmer it only got around 19 to 20 mpg.

 

Josh is that hand calculated or the Lie-o-meter? My 7.3s in top condtion have only got 20 at best 21 is about the best I have ever seen hand calculated.. Thats stock with a straight pipe and 6637 and keeping it under 2K.