7.3 Powerstroke | Recipes for Horsepower (2024)

FAQs

How much HP can you get out of a 7.3 powerstroke? ›

On average, a 7.3 Powerstroke engine can deliver about 275 HP, but with modifications, it could reach 300–500 HP!

Bigger Injectors

Aside from adding a chip, a considerable up-sizing of the fuel injectors is mandatory to get any kind of measurable horsepower out of a 7.3L Power Stroke. For us, the only option is to upgrade to a set of hybrid injectors, and specifically the 238cc version for 500hp goals.

Cold air intakes are a relatively inexpensive way to increase airflow into the engine. This helps turbo efficiency and can lead to gains of up to 15 horsepower. The other method for upgrading your intake system is to get an intercooler upgrade kit like the Banks intercooler upgrade kit for the 7.3 Powerstroke.

The 7.3 Powerstroke is a two-valve behemoth which measures in at 444 cubic inches and has a maximum stock power rating of 275hp and 525lb. ft.

'94.5-'99 7.3L: 380 to 400rwhp

Thanks to being wastegated (bleeding off potentially harmful, excess drive pressure), the turbo used on '99.5-'03 7.3L Super Duty engines, the Garrett GTP38, is capable of surviving slightly more horsepower than the non-wastegated unit found on '94.5-'97 mills (the Garrett TP38).

Powerstroke Engine Average Life Expectancy:

7.3L400,000-500,000 miles. 6.0L200,000-300,000 miles. 6.7L200,000-300,000 miles. 6.4L150,000-200,000 miles.

The 7.3 Powerstroke is considered one of the most legendary diesel engines. Its main claim to fame, besides its legendary reliability, is that it is the largest diesel engine to be put in consumer trucks and produced in high numbers.

This is a power curve from Ford based on the production engine: 430 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. 475 ft-lb of torque at 4,000 RPM.

One of the most critical 7.3 Powerstroke upgrades is the tuner modification. Tuners are the foundation of all modifications. They can boost the performance of every other upgrade and horsepower. You can upgrade your truck's tuner to an electronic chip instead of the traditional one that is handheld.

What problems does the 7.3 Power Stroke have? ›

The worst years

Model years 2001 to 2003 were the worst for the 7.3L Power Stroke. These engines were plagued by issues ranging from excessive noise to failure of the camshaft position sensor and fuel leaks. Beginning in 2001, the 7.3L Power Stroke developed a reputation for excessive engine noise.

2,180HP and 2,821 LB-FT

With the aforementioned 15mm P-pump and the 4.4-inch turbo bolted in place, the engine belted out 2,180 hp (at 4,600 rpm) and 2,821 lb-ft of torque. As far as publicly release numbers are concerned, this makes their engine the most powerful 7.3L on record.

Here you get an idea what happens to 7.3L powdered metal rods at high horsepower. While they can be made to live in the 500-rwhp range with adequate PCM tuning, this image actually speaks to how important custom tuning is on an engine equipped with bigger injectors.

Here you get an idea what happens to 7.3L powdered metal rods at high horsepower. While they can be made to live in the 500-rwhp range with adequate PCM tuning, this image actually speaks to how important custom tuning is on an engine equipped with bigger injectors.

Related Story. The result is 1450 hp and 1030 lb-ft of torque on an engine dyno.

2,180HP and 2,821 LB-FT

With the aforementioned 15mm P-pump and the 4.4-inch turbo bolted in place, the engine belted out 2,180 hp (at 4,600 rpm) and 2,821 lb-ft of torque. As far as publicly release numbers are concerned, this makes their engine the most powerful 7.3L on record.

One of the most critical 7.3 Powerstroke upgrades is the tuner modification. Tuners are the foundation of all modifications. They can boost the performance of every other upgrade and horsepower. You can upgrade your truck's tuner to an electronic chip instead of the traditional one that is handheld.