when i get performance injectors and a chip how would my truck compare to a stock '96 7.3L powerstroke

the 7.3 would still whoop your butt. you might be able to beat an old non turbo 7.3

My truck stomp's stock powerstrokes even 2005's. The 6.5 is a beast, the only problem is that GM engineered too short of a leash on it. But I'm lenghtening it one performance part at a time.

the 7.3 won't get out of it's own way from what I've whitnessed. I'd take a '92-93 stock, or a '94+ with a chip any day over the powersmoke. I think they got popular because they were loud and people thought they made lots of power. I've not been impressed by that engine, myself. Only my opinion, though.

A couple of months ago, Car and Driver or Road and Track (forget which one) did a comparison of the Big 3. IIRC, the 7.3 had a mighty impressive power curve. It didn't peak as high as the Duramax or the Cummins, but it suggested that the 7.3 could maintain high torque over a wider range than the other two.

I raced an 03 powerjoke with my anemic gasser (4600lb toyota 4runner 150bhp, 180btq) I OWNED it in 1st, by the top of 2nd he had caught up, but by the top of 3rd he was a full truck length ahead. My gasser's only strong gear is 1st...lol


I'd love to put the 6.5 against that one ton sometime - I'd get a HUGE launch on him, dunno about the rest of the gears though....lol

What about the 6.0L PS with common fuel rail, veriable turbine blades and pilot injection? I see them everywhere I go.

Have any of you guys actually owned a Powerstroke? I have, and I can say from experience, that a new Powerstroke will whip a moded 6.5 any day of the week. You are comparing apples to oranges. Besides you can mod a powerstroke to produce 500 hp or more, so please end this silly discussion.


The 6.5 is an OK light duty diesel, but it can not be comparred to any of the turbo direct injection heavy duty diesels currently offered by the Big Three.


GM was very smart to go to the Izusu engine. I just wish they had perfected the 6.5TD before they made the switch. I am convinced that with just a few more years of R&D, the 6.5TD could have been a nice, inexpensive light duty diesel engine. Not particular high on perfomance or towing capacity, but it would help your truck or Suburban to get better gas milage.

Very true John,





the 6.5L is known for weak cranks, mains, heads,pistons and oil pressure. You are teetering on disaster when you tweak this engine because the GM guys designed the block around a 135 hp n/a diesel. If they had designed it to handle 500 HP the 6.5L would not be LD.


Look at all the changes peninsuliar does to the block for it's 400 hp tt.


Look at DAS in canada and all the machining they do to the 6.5 main's, crank, cam, oil system.Edited by: quantum mechanic

Who are the big three? Cat, Cummins, and Ford?

They say the big three are GM, FoMoCo, and Diamler... More like Isuzu, IH, and Cummins...

The Big three in the Diesel world would probably be Mercedes, Isuzu and Cat, Cummins. Actually that is four. Oh well.<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />


However, Tahoe is right, the big three I am referring too is Ford, GM and Diamler.

ive driven a stock 96 and 97 powerstroke and you cant compare to a 6.5.

steiner43511,<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />


I couldn't agree more. However, I owned a '96 F-250 Powerstroke, and the Navistar 444 engine is an awesome piece of machinery. Before I sold my truck, I gave some serious consideration to putting that motor in my Burb. If I had half the knowledge some of these people on this site have, I would have done it. Even with 157k miles on the clock, I would prefer to have Powerstroke in my Burb.

I love my 6.5. Don't get me wrong if I was loaded I would have a D-Max in my driveway. But if you look at the short commings (which every engine ever made has some) of the 6.5 individually you can see where engineers could have done a better job.


-LOW BOOST-


-NO INTERCOOLER-


-PMD/FSD LOCATION-


-HIGH COMPRESSION- which only matters because there's no intecooler


-RESTRICTIVE EXHAUST-


-OIL SPRAY CHANNELS- one step forward for piston life , but one step back for block integrity, except in the late years (increased nickel)


-HEAD CRACKS- addressed in the late years, but could have been reduced with lower intake temps. ie. intercooler


This isn't all of them but almost all of these are fixable. Except for the early blocks with piston spray channels.


Before any one dogs the integrity of this engine design, realize that many of us with the modifications available are running near the power levels near the new super diesels at a fraction of the cost.


A diesel drag racing team is getting over 900 hp and over 1000ft lbs out of a detroit 5.3 litre.


Team Hummer is getting almost 500hp from its 6.5, and both these vehicles are ran under extreme conditions.


The diesel page has a 6.2 running over 560hp.


Every engine design has it's problems, but in my opinion you get out what you put in.

when i get performance injectors and a chip how would my truck compare to a stock '96 7.3L powerstroke


To really be a contender you will also need to control IAT, reflash and chip alone might/should allow you to keep pace, once you control IAT thru IC or WMI you will outpace a STOCK stroke easily, but run up against one that has been tweaked and you will have your hands full

i have raced several of the older powerstrokes and have come out on top each time and all i have is banks exaust.I have raced a newer PS and was ahead until 3rd gear and thats when he cruised on passed me easy but he had a complete exaust and computer on his but what can you expect from a $6000 truck against a $42,000 truck

Why not repower a chevy (burban or other) with a navistar 444? It would be a task but oh so custom. Edited by: quantum mechanic

i realize the 6.5 is not a powerhouse like the other diesels, but i guess the only way to find out what i really got is to find someone with a stroker and a big mouth. this is a little of topic, but i plan to get a dmax in the next year or so and iv told some ford and dodge owners to just wait till i get it, but they still seem to think i wont stand a chance aginst their cummins and stroker, are they just loyal ford and dodge fans or is their some truth to what their sayin

Why not repower a chevy (burban or other) with a navistar 444? It would be a task but oh so custom.


the cummins 12v fits as well, less complicated, more power potential...


i think the t444e/7.3psd is a stout engine, but if i was doing a repower on any truck, it'll get the cummins 12v or 24v w/mechanical injection pump...


i'd someday like to do a conversion on a 97-99 chevy CC SB truck if i could ever find one. with the cummins engine, and an allison slushbox behind it... it'd be one sweet ride.Edited by: nickleinonen

there's no doubt that the 6BT has proven repeatedly that it offers more power than its larger V8 competition in the 6.2/6.5 Detroit, 6.9/7.3/6.0 Navistar/IH and 6.6 Isuzu. Check these guys out...


http://www.dieselperformancemotorsports.com/ (http://www.dieselperformancemotorsports.com/commerce2002.html)

Heck why not swap in a cat C9? 8.8L...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif