Best Powerstroke ever? What do you think?

Discussion
1

I’m curious—what’s everyone’s pick for the best Powerstroke engine? Personally, I think the 7.3 was “the best,” but the 6.0 is still my favorite.

2

It really depends:

  • The 7.3 is super reliable.
  • The 6.0 sounds amazing.
  • The 6.4 can be cheap to buy.
  • The 6.7 has the most torque.
3

Lior said:
It really depends:

  • The 7.3 is super reliable.
  • The 6.0 sounds amazing.
  • The 6.4 can be cheap to buy.
  • The 6.7 has the most torque.

Are 6.0s really that bad?

4

Perry said:

Lior said:
It really depends:

  • The 7.3 is super reliable.
  • The 6.0 sounds amazing.
  • The 6.4 can be cheap to buy.
  • The 6.7 has the most torque.

Are 6.0s really that bad?

I like mine, but it needs a lot of love and maintenance.

It feels quick for a 7,000 lb truck, and the engine sound is unmatched. Steering feels light and sharp with the hubs unlocked. My other car’s a Miata, and I still enjoy driving this.

I probably should sell it, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. :joy:

5

@Lior
What kind of maintenance are we talking about here?

6

Perry said:
@Lior
What kind of maintenance are we talking about here?

It’s mostly just fluids and filters. I replaced the radiator at around 200k miles because it sprung a leak. That’s been the only major thing so far.

7

@Lior
Honestly, that doesn’t sound like much at all. A radiator at 200k is fair game. Just do oil changes every 5k, fuel filters every 15k, and maybe add a coolant filter. It’s not that much more work than your Miata… just pricier fluids.

8

Perry said:

Lior said:
It really depends:

  • The 7.3 is super reliable.
  • The 6.0 sounds amazing.
  • The 6.4 can be cheap to buy.
  • The 6.7 has the most torque.

Are 6.0s really that bad?

My problem is that 6.0s go for $15-25k here in the Northeast, and on top of that, I’d have to spend another $5-7k to bulletproof it. For that price, I could get a newer truck or make a down payment on something brand new. Plus, anything in that price range has 200k miles and rust everywhere. Hard pass for me.

9

@Perry
I’ll sell you my 2006 F350 Lariat, super clean and stock, 135k miles for $14k. No dents, no rips in the interior.

10

Wilder said:
@Perry
I’ll sell you my 2006 F350 Lariat, super clean and stock, 135k miles for $14k. No dents, no rips in the interior.

Yeah, no thanks. I’m not buying a time bomb, and I avoid the 6.0 and 6.4 like the plague.

11

@Perry
Honestly, if you take a week and road-trip around the Southeast, you’ll find way cleaner 6.0s for $12-18k. I saw a solid 2005 6-speed for $16k in Alabama, with around 150k miles.

Bulletproofing isn’t a must if you aren’t towing heavy or pushing extra power. Just keep up on maintenance and monitor your EGR and oil cooler temps.

12

@Lior
Roadtrip to Enterprise to buy a truck I can’t tow anything with? Yeah, no thanks.

13

Perry said:
@Lior
Roadtrip to Enterprise to buy a truck I can’t tow anything with? Yeah, no thanks.

Or you could just have a better attitude about it. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

14

Perry said:

Lior said:
It really depends:

  • The 7.3 is super reliable.
  • The 6.0 sounds amazing.
  • The 6.4 can be cheap to buy.
  • The 6.7 has the most torque.

Are 6.0s really that bad?

They’re not that bad. Most people who talk trash about them haven’t done any research or owned one long enough to know.

15

@Jin
So basically just watch the oil cooler and you’re fine, right?

16

Perry said:
@Jin
So basically just watch the oil cooler and you’re fine, right?

More or less, yeah. Keep an eye on your oil and coolant temps. If the oil cooler plugs up, coolant won’t flow properly, and that’s where problems start. Use the right coolant (Motorcraft Gold) and change it regularly.

17

Perry said:

Lior said:
It really depends:

  • The 7.3 is super reliable.
  • The 6.0 sounds amazing.
  • The 6.4 can be cheap to buy.
  • The 6.7 has the most torque.

Are 6.0s really that bad?

At least they sound cool.

18

Perry said:

Lior said:
It really depends:

  • The 7.3 is super reliable.
  • The 6.0 sounds amazing.
  • The 6.4 can be cheap to buy.
  • The 6.7 has the most torque.

Are 6.0s really that bad?

Not as bad as the 6.4. But even with EGR deletes, the fuel system can still be a pain, and the valve train wears out. Honestly, I’d go Cummins or Duramax instead.

19

Lior said:
It really depends:

  • The 7.3 is super reliable.
  • The 6.0 sounds amazing.
  • The 6.4 can be cheap to buy.
  • The 6.7 has the most torque.

7.3 all day for the 450k reliability.

20

7.3 for stock, 6.0 for modding, and 6.7 if you need something modern.