7.3L to 6.7L question.
 

Hi. My name is Rich, and I "hang out" in the 7.3L forum. I have been known to pose provocative questions (but not combative kind) over there. I posed this question in the 7.3L forum, and they asked me to get input from the fine folk here on the 6.7L forum. Just to be clear - nobody has been bashing any engines/vehicles, or the people who choose either platform. You can see for yourself: [LINK]

What If...

Say they make a time machine (don't give up yet... this is on-topic), and you can buy a 7.3L Superduty brand new, with the factory warranty that is valid from today. Just for leveling the playing field, you would have a modern sound system, backup cam, and GPS.

The other option is a 6.7L with the same trim... but of course, the 6.7L is quieter and has more bells and whistles and better suspension.

There is no difference in price between the two trucks, because the time machine round-trip (with an 8000-pound truck) is pretty expensive.

For those who have traded up from the 7.3L, and with what you now know about the 6.7L - what would you buy?

I bought a new '99 F-350 dually in February '98 when the new Superduty pickups first came out. It had 235 hp and 500 lbs torque with a 4 speed auto. My '12 F-450 has 400 hp and 800 torque with a 6 speed trans. The 7.3 was a great engine but most people have forgotten the injector problems that they were having at the time. A "new" 7.3 being sold today would have to have the same emissions equipment that the 6.7 has. I'd prefer not to have the emissions equipment but it has made it a very clean engine. My choice is the 6.7. Can't wait for my '15 F-450 to get here with the improved 6.7 with 440 hp and 860 lbs torque.

I've also had the Gm 6.2 diesel, 6.9 diesel, 7.3 NA, 7.3 turbo, 7.3 Powerstroke, 6.0 and 6.4 Powerstoke engines. The 6.7 has been my favorite.

I should clarify - time machine. The only change I propose would be a modern head unit, GPS, and backup camera. The emissions would be as they sold it then, and the "State" doesn't know you snuck it past them in the time machine - but the factory does, and they would honor the warranty.

Preposterous, I know. But... it eliminates the "Old Truck" argument for going with a 6.7L.

Knowing what I know now, I'd buy a Ram...

6.7 by far. I had a 99 7.3 and it was a decent truck and engine combo. The 6.7 is such a refined power plant with the 6 speed behind it.

I don't agree with the "buying a ram" but to each their own.. but back to the OP... there's to many "WHAT IF'S" to even try 2 do the pros/cons of which truck you would pick... apples/oranges different times not a fair argument either way.... I know every1 jumps for joy for a 7.3 but it's a dinosaur now...let it go! I love my "DELETED" 6.4 one of the strongest trucks I've ever driven....every truck has issues...but the biggest factor is usually MAINTENANCE/DRIVER ABUSE... From what my buddies say they love their 6.7's damn good trucks.. personally I like riding around with 600hp/1000lbs torque....but not every1 wants that.. maybe just a good solid truck that will let them travel, tow, work or play which could be any of the trucks above. That's just my 2cents:-drink

Rich I have talked with you a few times on the 7.3 section as I had one up I till a week ago. I got my 6.7 on Monday and I have to say I love it. I liked the 7.3 too don't get me wrong it was a great truck that never let me down only issue in 12 years was the hpop and I think that had a little to do with the dp tuner. I guess not even the trucks fault just my own. I loved the sound of my 7.3 compared to the 6.7 there was almost a culture shock when I heard it run. I also had a 6.0 for a few years got rid of it at 86,000 miles to get the 7.3 that at the time 2 years ago when I bought it had 35,000 just sold it Sunday with 47,000. Any way the 6.0 was a great truck as well I bought it with 38,000 and had it to 86,000 with not one issue but it was stock with just exhaust. I got rid of that truck because all the horror stories I was reading on here. But the point I am trying to make is I think they are all great trucks just depends how you treat them and take care of them. I love the new truck but have to admit I miss the 7.3 too

Having extensive experience with all versions of the 6.9, 7.3, 6.0 and 6.7 (no 6.4 experience), I would use the time machine to go visit the real dinosaurs before I wasted time on a 7.3! Every stock 7.3 that I have come in contact with had more money spent on it in the first 30,000 miles than my 6.7 has in 64,000 miles. They weren't as great as everybody wants to think they were/are. I always said the reason people think the 7.3 is so tough is because it doesn't make enough power to break anything!

Even if the 7.3 didn't have the new emissions controls, I'd still take the 6.7 over the 7.3. The 6.7 has nearly twice the power and is much smoother to drive. Hook it to a trailer and there's definately no comparison.

My local Dodge/Ram dealer takes Ford trucks in on trade all the time. Right now, they have a pop-up camper out front that I assume was traded in. You should consider stopping and chatting your local dealer up. Bet they could put something together for you.

6.7. The 7.3 and that pos 4 speed auto would not be worth 55k.

I wont jump right into bed with this saying, but it is true to an extent.
Cummins 5.9's churning out <200 hp made the cummins name for pickup trucks. 7.3's are also part of that same category.

I love lots of those lower powered engines, even the IDI's, but the 6.4 and 6.7 are capable of more power from the ground up, without major modifications.
The 6.7 had exhaust valve issues, but the thing it, if they started making 7.3's again, they might also have that issue, obviously a metal quality control problem.

It would be cool to see an HEUI 6.7 with old school turbo and zero emissions equipment, but what are you gonna do?

A "new" 7.3 with 235hp and a 4R100 transmission considering what's available today? No thanks, even the 6.2 gasser makes 75% more power and is 4X as reliable. The 7.3 had its share of problems like stranding you in the middle of traffic when the cam position sensor dies.

If I had my way, I'd get a "new" LBZ Dmax but that's not reality.

I'm way too far upside down in my truck to trade or it would have been a done deal a long time ago.

I had a '99 7.3 and at the time thought it was the coolest thing out there. Mine also had minor issues, but nothing that ever left me stranded or even in a hurry to get to a dealer for repair. That being said, I still prefer my '14 6.7. The out of the box power, smoothness and silence are great! Time will tell the story on the reliability of these new engines over the 7.3, or vise-versa.