PR or Forge
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 520
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From: Frederica
Check you engine serial number on the valve cover build sticker or you need to look at the block where the oil cooler is bolted to it .
Start of production thru 1425746 are Forged Rods
1425747 thru 1440712 are Powdered Rods
1446713 thru 1498318 are Forged Rods
1498319 thru final production run are all powdered
More than likely you have PMR's but I still say look at them through the inspection hole. Heres a link that will help you with that 7.3 Inspection Hole for Powdered Metal Rod Determination
Start of production thru 1425746 are Forged Rods
1425747 thru 1440712 are Powdered Rods
1446713 thru 1498318 are Forged Rods
1498319 thru final production run are all powdered
More than likely you have PMR's but I still say look at them through the inspection hole. Heres a link that will help you with that 7.3 Inspection Hole for Powdered Metal Rod Determination
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Because the rods are a completely different design.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 5
Not only is it a different rod, but neither engines are known for throwing rods on stock programming.
By the time you buy all the gear to push the power that would wreck the PMR's, pulling the engine and swapping rods will seem cheap. Just my .02$.
Lots of engines use PMR's, they are nothing to be scared of, IMHO. I know a guy that had em, threw 1, rebuilt the engine with forged rods, and threw 1 again a week later and windowed the block. Maybe the forged are a little stronger, but I have yet to see any real benefit of swapping unless you're going all out on power.
By the time you buy all the gear to push the power that would wreck the PMR's, pulling the engine and swapping rods will seem cheap. Just my .02$.
Lots of engines use PMR's, they are nothing to be scared of, IMHO. I know a guy that had em, threw 1, rebuilt the engine with forged rods, and threw 1 again a week later and windowed the block. Maybe the forged are a little stronger, but I have yet to see any real benefit of swapping unless you're going all out on power.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 84
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From: Woodlawn TN
What he said ^^^^
And it's a smaller displacement engine. So less piston surface/weight pushing/pulling on a similar sized rod.
All you need to wreck PMR's in a 7.3 is a bad tune/sensor/maintance habit, etc...
On the other hand, tuners like Beans, Matt @ Gearhead, Swamps, and PHP have 7.3's out there well over 400 on PMR's. I think Jody even has a few.
It's all about tuning styles and techniques. Some have good luck makin 'em live, some don't.
DO not go startin a tuner war over that statement.
But as far as the forged rods go, the highest placing ford pullin truck in points in Indiana in 09 was runnin a stock forged bottom end. A truck in maryland runnin in the 11's that's 700 if not over, is on a stock forged bottom end. One in missouri that's over 600 is on a stock bottom end + one in VA, and there are many more I don't have time to name.
It's all in the time put into the tunes, IMO.
I have shot peened and polished forged rods and I'm not gonna worry unless I get bigger than a 275/200. FWIW, the guy in maryland is runnin 400/600's. Think there might be a small amount of luck there though.
And it's a smaller displacement engine. So less piston surface/weight pushing/pulling on a similar sized rod.
Not only is it a different rod, but neither engines are known for throwing rods on stock programming.
By the time you buy all the gear to push the power that would wreck the PMR's, pulling the engine and swapping rods will seem cheap. Just my .02$.
Lots of engines use PMR's, they are nothing to be scared of, IMHO. I know a guy that had em, threw 1, rebuilt the engine with forged rods, and threw 1 again a week later and windowed the block. Maybe the forged are a little stronger, but I have yet to see any real benefit of swapping unless you're going all out on power.
By the time you buy all the gear to push the power that would wreck the PMR's, pulling the engine and swapping rods will seem cheap. Just my .02$.
Lots of engines use PMR's, they are nothing to be scared of, IMHO. I know a guy that had em, threw 1, rebuilt the engine with forged rods, and threw 1 again a week later and windowed the block. Maybe the forged are a little stronger, but I have yet to see any real benefit of swapping unless you're going all out on power.
On the other hand, tuners like Beans, Matt @ Gearhead, Swamps, and PHP have 7.3's out there well over 400 on PMR's. I think Jody even has a few.
It's all about tuning styles and techniques. Some have good luck makin 'em live, some don't.
DO not go startin a tuner war over that statement.
But as far as the forged rods go, the highest placing ford pullin truck in points in Indiana in 09 was runnin a stock forged bottom end. A truck in maryland runnin in the 11's that's 700 if not over, is on a stock forged bottom end. One in missouri that's over 600 is on a stock bottom end + one in VA, and there are many more I don't have time to name.
It's all in the time put into the tunes, IMO.
I have shot peened and polished forged rods and I'm not gonna worry unless I get bigger than a 275/200. FWIW, the guy in maryland is runnin 400/600's. Think there might be a small amount of luck there though.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 684
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Just bought a 2001 F250 it has a MBRP exhaust, AFE stage 1, Super chip programer. Going to get rid of the superchip. With PMR rods I am pretty much limited to about 400hp correct? Where would a good tuner and an after market turbo put me? I'm guessing close to 300hp. Just trying to get a feel for what kind of parts i need to buy next.
