Good power combo's for 99-03 7.3L Powerstroke

I'm planning on building a new 7.3L this winter and I am looking for some input on what combinations of performance parts work the best. I'm on a somewhat of a budget, but it is in the $10,000-$15,000 range. I want at least 450HP at the rear wheels. This should be doable, but I don't want to spend a ton of money guessing at what will get me there. For starters, I'll have a balanced and blueprinted lower end with forged rods, cold air intake, 4"+ turbo back exhaust and an SCT programmer. I have an ATS tranny( I know, I know. I haven't had a lick of trouble out if it in 2.5 yrs, though.)and will add a 2.5" lift. My biggest questions involve cams, heads and injectors. I would also like some input on turbo's, but so far I'm leaning toward Hypermax. Any ideas and help would be greatly appreciated.  

Alright... Before I type all of this, let me know you're still here. Or if anyone else wants to know. Let me know!  
Forged Rods, Tuning by Diesel Innovations, PowerStrokeNation.com L.P.C. President.
Veteran Combat Medic,

Ooh ooh I want to know To the OP what year is your truck?
Be sure to get a modded H2E with your hypermax kit.
Just another piece of advice that can be very helpful later, pick a good shop to get all of your parts through.  Try to get your tuning in the same place, I would recommend getting a six postion chip like the TS chip, but be sure to get it custom tuned.  If you have the shop you bought everything from tune your chip they will have a good idea how to tune it for your set up. Plus if later on down the road you have trouble with anything they will already know what you have and will have a better idea of which direction to point you to solve the problem.  Swamps would be a good one stop shop, there are others, and I am sure Sleeper will have more advice and info for you. Good luck, let us know what you decide.  

Yes, I'm still here. I was wondering if anyone was going to reply to this thread.
My truck is an '03 7.3L w/ AiRaid CAI, MBRP 4" turbo back/muffler delete. I have 3 gauge pillar cluster with EGT, Trans temp and turbo boost. Everything else is stock under the hood. I have an ATS trans. w/ 5star TC and co-pilot. Not sure if I wasted money there, because at my power levels I'm not really stressing anything. I went with an SCT Excalibrator programmer on the advise of a friend that has one for his 6.0L and the shop that installed my trans. I'm not against trying a chip, though.
My biggest questions involve heads, cams and injectors. I'm not sure at what power levels to add beefed up valve springs and stuff like that. This will be a daily driver, so I don't want to get too carried away.
Oh yeah, I'm building this thing on an engine stand. I want to have the whole thing turnkey before I stick it in the truck. This way I can hopefully build it up right and get some longevity out of it.  

Well. That's good to hear! I was afraid to tell you that you are going to HAVE to change your rods. 450rwhp doesnt happen on PMR's(powdered metal rods) very often!

I think the first things you need to focus on are reliability. So I'd get a fuel system. Diesel Innovations has a new High Pressure Air Dog, sounds like a nice deal.

You'll also benefit from a Regulated Return fuel system.


H11 studs, Diesel Innovations Push-Rods, and some Comp valve springs should be good enough for your heads.

As far as cams go, stock is fine, there are some aftermarket cams, but it's not worth it until a good bit past 450.

The turbo for this level is pretty much personal preferance.

The GTP38R from Garrett is an AWESOME drop-in turbo. Quick spooling, and is good for 450. Anything much over 450 is gonna need nitrous or a larger turbo. In my case, I'm going with something that's a little oversized for my application, but wont run out of air too early. You could go with a modded H2E have enough air for 500rwhp.

Good luck with the transmission. If it works good right now, I would DEFINATELY sell it before it breaks, and just go get a BTS trans. Or a John Woods.

I almost forgot injectors!!! Depends how much you want to tow... I would do a set of 230 Hybrids, with some 80% nozzles if you want to stay tame. Plus, the 38R is gonna have trouble keeping EGT's in check with anything larger than that unless you detune them.



Your buddy was confused. SCT is AWESOME in a 6.0. And can do everything a chip can, but a chip can switch tunes on the fly... I reccomend it. It's really nice to cruise around in a smokeless economy tune, and then if you get challenged, you swap it over to your drag file and haul butt!!

There's a lot I'm missing, but I'll be happy to address anything else you have questions about.  
Forged Rods, Tuning by Diesel Innovations, PowerStrokeNation.com L.P.C. President.
Veteran Combat Medic,

Thanks for all the info. I have been considering getting a 6 position chip for the reasons you mentioned, but that SCT was expensive. I can't think of anyone who would buy that ATS. I would also feel kind of bad if I'm selling a potential lemon to someone else. I think I'll keep it until it breaks then I'll go with one of those or a Sun Coast.
What kind of RWHP is possible with the Garrett GTP38R and stock injectors? I've been hearing a lot of talk from local diesel techs that getting aftermarket injectors can be a waste of money. Especially if you don't have the right set up. I don't know for sure, but I do know that a lot of the advertised HP gains can be deceiving, to say the least.  

There's nothing to be gained from getting a turbo without new injectors. My stock turbo still cleans up all my fuel, and I have my stock injectors completely maxed out.

Local diesel techs dont know jack.

I'm telling you what I know, and it's a FACT you will NEVER get over 400rwhp on stock injectors. Truth is, without big oil, you can have the best custom tuning available, and I doubt you'll get over 350rwhp.

I love talking to Ford "Diesel Techs". And people that are into "Diesel Performance"... 90% of guys out there dont know JACK, and just repeat what they read in a magazine about an engine that doesnt even apply.  
Forged Rods, Tuning by Diesel Innovations, PowerStrokeNation.com L.P.C. President.
Veteran Combat Medic,

That's exactly why I posted tis thread. There's so much information and disinformation that it's hard to tell what's what. I have a lot of experience building 454 gasburners for dragracing but I'm limited in my knowledge of what REALLY works with the 7.3L.  

Sounds good. As you get things done, if you have questions, dont think twice about asking.  
Forged Rods, Tuning by Diesel Innovations, PowerStrokeNation.com L.P.C. President.
Veteran Combat Medic,

I just read this interesting post and had a couple of my own questions.  I have an 02 with turbo back straight pipe, zoo dad intake, and a super chip.  I would like to gain a few more HP but am not sure where to start.  I keep the chip in tow mode because i use my 7.3 to haul equipment on a 40' gooseneck trailer.  I don't want to get crazy because i don't want to blow up my tranny.  I was considering a new turbo to push more air.  Any suggustions?  

You're not gonna get much more out of a turbo... It's a waste of money. A stock turbo is AWESOME... If you're having trouble with it, let me know.  
Forged Rods, Tuning by Diesel Innovations, PowerStrokeNation.com L.P.C. President.
Veteran Combat Medic,

If you're running any kind of chip or programmer, it's advisable to get an EGT gauge. EGT's can run up faster than your tach and over 1250 degrees F is hurting your turbo.  

Sleeper, I'm pretty sure I'll go with big oil. What do you think about Terminator or Stealth? I already have the crossover hose. Forgot to add that. I'm also going to put in bypass oil filtration and FASS fuel system. I want this build up to be as bulletproof as I can get it. Getting an engine in and out of a truck ain't cheap or easy.  Back to injectors, I see all of these different stages and CC's. Is it better to buy bigger and keep them detuned or buy as big as you think you'll need? I kinda like the idea of being able to go bigger by changing the tune but this shows my ignorance with diesels. I've seen way too many people overcarb or over inject gas engines because they didn't understand the concept of carbureation or fuel injection. In gas burners, bigger is not always better.
You've mentioned Diesel Innovations several times. Is that the shop out of Houston? I'm from the Houston area and that's where I'm getting my shortblock and probably most of my other internals.  

I ran a terminator on my 95, liked it had zero problems with it.  I also had the standard sized hybrids (238cc) with 100% over stock sized nozzles.  It is easier on the injector if you go bigger than you need, and have your tuner detune them for you.
Diesel Innovations(DI) is in Houston.  David, the guy that owns the shop is a good guy and knows his stuff on the 7.3. If you are already dealing with him, then listen to whatever he tells you.  Like in my earlier post if you can get everything through DI so you know your combination of parts will work like clockwork.  

Yup! Exactly what Stroke05 said. Diesel Innovations is awesome!

I personally would not run a Terminator setup, but only because I dislike the owner. LOL

Unless you're going with SUPER hungry injectors, like a B code, you should be fine with the Adrenaline, and I believe it will also be the most affordable. If you want more than that, Bob sells an Adrenaline with OverDrive.

David Lott of Diesel Innovations is a great guy! When you talk to him, tell him I sent you. I can guarantee, that if you go with David, he'll take care of you.

As for injectors...

The best tuners can make even HUGE injectors smokeless and mild mannered. I'd go a little bigger, since you can detune. If you're worried about tuning capability...


to be continued...  
Forged Rods, Tuning by Diesel Innovations, PowerStrokeNation.com L.P.C. President.
Veteran Combat Medic,