Best 7.3 engine!?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
Best engine would be 99.5 to early 01, 2000 truck MY to be safe. For the truck however, 2003 would be the best year. So much different stuff year to year, ford had it right in 03. Do you guys with 01s and older know how loud your trucks are inside compared to a 02-03?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
I don't like to put words in anyone's mouth. I will say that was a fast truck. We don't know for sure what led to its demise. Myself, I am pushing 400 on PMRs. All of you naysayers can just bite me. The 7.3 can deliver even with PMRs to a decent level and keep going. Check your tuning, watch your right foot.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: southeat Ga.
I don't like to put words in anyone's mouth. I will say that was a fast truck. We don't know for sure what led to its demise. Myself, I am pushing 400 on PMRs. All of you naysayers can just bite me. The 7.3 can deliver even with PMRs to a decent level and keep going. Check your tuning, watch your right foot.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
I don't like to put words in anyone's mouth. I will say that was a fast truck. We don't know for sure what led to its demise. Myself, I am pushing 400 on PMRs. All of you naysayers can just bite me. The 7.3 can deliver even with PMRs to a decent level and keep going. Check your tuning, watch your right foot.
Pmr means powdered metal rods witch i have in my 03.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Powdered metal rods. Your truck has them. Beginning in 2001 the 7.3 began to ship with these cheaper, inferior rods probably to save production money over the cost of the stronger forged rods.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 0
From: Brinklow Md
PMR's stand for powdered metal rods, they tend to melt/blow up at around 400 hp. There are people that have pushed them past that mark though, I think Jodys truck is around 550hp but Im not sure of that.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
ha, beat me to it.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: southeat Ga.
Glad to know Ford downgraded part of the newer trucks to save money but compromised strength in the process.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Truth be told, they are more than adequate on stock engines and even mildly modified ones. Since a stock truck would likely put down less than 250HP to the rear wheels, and most PMR engines do just fine until somewhere above 350, they seemed to be OK from the bean counter standpoint. Most people say 400 and above is the crap shoot area. I'm glad I am only putting down 399.99. 
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
You're sure right on that one. Maintenance!
Welcome to FTE and our Happy Fizzies Party here on 7.3! You've found yourself amongst a great bunch of guys that all love what we drive! Most of us expect to get as many miles on ours as yours already has.
How did you rack up those miles? Hard work, or highway cruisin'? Any special secrets you'd like to share? Any aftermarket items that you think contribute to your rig's longevity? How long do you plan on keeping it?
Again, a big welcome from us!
Pop
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Mike, my 01' has forged rods. Not all the 01's have PMR.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,093
Likes: 147
From: San Diego, CA
Best engine would be 99.5 to early 01, 2000 truck MY to be safe. For the truck however, 2003 would be the best year. So much different stuff year to year, ford had it right in 03. Do you guys with 01s and older know how loud your trucks are inside compared to a 02-03?
All the 7.3s are great. It all depends what you want to do with it. If you want to drag it then you probably want a 99-01 with forged rods. If you don't plan to do anything beyond mild, like me, then I went for the newest one I could get. Which for me was an '03 with a build date of July 2002 (I think they switched to the 6.0 in October 2002).
I'd like to eventually get an +80 Hp tune but after I fix/upgrade the weak points (fuel, oil, headlights, tranny).
You really can't go wrong with any of the big blocks. Just my .02
