First off, read my sig., I own a 7.3. My son and I went out today to look for a truck for him. We drove two dodges and one Ford. All were standards. The first Dodge (2001) had some Banks crap installed. It hauled *** but had the regular Dodge trademark - cracked dash. Couldn't believe how fast the boost climbed to 30 psi. Don't know if it was chipped or not. Know it had a Banks exhaust and Banks intake. Owner said it had $3000 worth of Banks upgrades. Worth less than $1000 IMO if I did the same mods but didn't use the Banks equip. Thuck also had several leaks below deck and oil covered intercooler boots - very dirty. Second was a 1999 24 v. It also hauled *** and had no mods. I couldn't believe how good those things move. No leaks, cracked dash, or anything else. Nice truck. Third was a 2000 7.3. Here is where I hate to be posting. This truck was a dog (as far as pickup, aka accelleration) even though it had less mileage than the other two. No mods, all stock. No leaks and a good looking truck. I know, I could add $1500 worth of mods to wake it up. But I sure didn't know the Cummins would run like that. Only consoling thing about the day was that I know my Ford will be around for a while but I wouldn't bet that on the Dodge. Now, how do I get that Cummins in my F250.

 

Take a look here http://www.fordcummins.com/ interesting reading

 

Find an F650+ donor truck and go to town...

 

Put a CR in it, using Destroked.com. I want to do that so bad, since it will move very quickly with just a chip. Ive been debating which route to take. Reliable 12's with a stroker(right now) very hard and expensive. Reliable 12's with a cummins still expensive, but not nearly as hard, and it will last. But i keep thinking of the cummins as a chevy small block, everyone does it so its just easy. I dont know if want to go against the grain or with it. The rate im going i might as well go against it.

 

John, you can also find a CAT in some of the heavier trucks. Maybe you can get lucky and find something like that to use as a donor. Having some yellow under the hood would definitely be "against the grain"!!!

Of course, finding one cheap enough to make it worth it is the trick....

Joe

 

The whole thing with me is either CR cummins or 7.3psd. I can't make up my mind, i bought the truck for the longevity of the motor, with only 165K on it, taking it out for a CR would defeat the purpose. Decisions suck!!!!!!!!

 

Another thing I noticed and, I think, made an *** of myself. I took off the air tube to the turbo on the first Dodge and tried to spin the turbo with my fingers. It was extremely tight and I had to grab it with thumb and finger to turn it. I told the sales guy it needed a new turbo and he needed to reduce the price to compensate. Did the same thing with the next Dodge and the turbo was the same way. Both turbos spooled up nicely but I am used to the Ford's free spinning blades. I got my son to start the truck with the air tube off and then turn it off while I was watching. The turbo spooled for quite a while after the truck was shut off. So I guess its just a difference in the way the turbos are built - Garrett vs Holset.

 

I went through the same delema about 6 months ago. If you can't find a manual tranny in a dodge do not look at it. The autos in them are more weak than the ones behind our 7.3's. My friend has an '01 Cummins five speed. Nice truck, but everything but the cummins is cheaply made. More air leaks in the door gaps, cheaper plastic(dash crack effect) and cheaper sheet metal for sure. Even my friend has agreed with me on these points. I think the ford is going to be a better built truck for the long term. If he is only planning on keeping it for a few years and then get rid of it, the dodge would be o.k. IMO. I love the power of my friend's cummins, but he has even complimented me on 7.3's power. Good luck in your decision.

 

There's no substitute for cubic inches...

 

I have never drove a cummins yet, but the 5.9 im sure is no better than the 7.3..

 

I believe the saying goes.... There's no replacement for displacement. Not sure if they applies to diesels though?

 

Thats true in overall displacement, but when it comes down to displacement per cylinder, the dodge takes the cake, especially with the new 6.7l motor. 7.3 has .9125 liters per cylinder, 6.0 has .75 liters per cylinder, 6.4 has .8 liters per cylinder. 5.9 has .983333 per cylinder, and now the new 6.7 has 1.1166666 liters per cylinder.
But theres a whole lot more to power in a diesel, then just the displacement.

 

BTW, the 6.7 is just a 5.9 with punched out cylinder inserts. I talked to a buddy of mine that used to work at Cat and on Cummins before that... Naturally, he's Dodge head, but currently drives a gasser....

 

Yah, but are 99% of them as happy with their cummins as we seem to be with our 7.3s? (See poll on this site-don't know how to link it) Your guys love and appreciation for this engine are what swayed me to buy a 7.3L
Cheers

 

IMO, I would stick with the Ford. I think the truck is better built overall. The Cummins engine is a good one, but I think the 7.3 is solid as well. No doubt these trucks do feel doggy when stock, but a few simple upgrades such as an intake, exhaust, and chip will really wake them up.

If you feel the need to swap a Cummins in the truck, I would look into Destroked as someone mentioned. However, if you run the cost vs. HP of swapping in a Cummins versus modifying the 7.3, I think you'll find them to be very comparable.