Help me compare 89 7.3 IDI to 94 up Powerstroke...
Hey guys, i'm looking at purchasing an 89 F250 with a 7.3 non-turbo IDI in it. Would it be possible to build this engine into a "Powerstroke" or make as much power as one? Also, what does IDI stand for? I'd guess something Direct Injection? How reliable are the newer Powerstroke engines compared to the older 7.3 IDIs? I need something that is going to be reliable and make a decent amount of power. Also, what kind of fuel mileage can I expect out of this truck? Are the non-turbos as good on fuel as the turbos are? A friend of mine has a 96 Powerstroke and gets around 20 mpg!!! Also, if anyone has any links where I could learn how diesel engines work, i'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
Re: Help me compare 89 7.3 IDI to 94 up Powerstroke...
IDI stands for "indirect injection" which means that the fuel is shot into a "precombustion chamber" instead of "directly" into the cylinder. Powerstrokes have far greater power possibilities due to a vast amount of aftermarket tuning parts. IDI's will only give you as much power as the pump and injectors can shoot, which isn't much over stock if you don't have a turbo. There are no computers to plug in "chips" on an IDI; it's all mechanical. Because it is mechanical, whenever you turn the screw, your foot is the only thing that can manipulate what kind of fuel economy you get. Computer programs for the Powerstrokes are set up to yield power and milage; the chip controls the parameters. As far as reliability, my family has had 6.9L and 7.3L IDI's go as far as 500,000 miles without any trouble. I can't say that they are bullet-proof, but they are far simpler and cheaper to work on than Powerstrokes.
As for fuel economy, my '88 F-250 7.3L IDI gets 16-18 mpg and my dad's Turbo 7.3 IDI only gets about 10-12. His has a turned up pump and turbo though, so it's easy to get carried away with the throttle, thus creating a great show for the people behind you but sacrificing lots of fuel.
If you search the forums on this site, there is much to learn. I learn more and more every time I log on.
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'88 F-250 7.3 IDI N/A, 4x4, ZF-5, 3.54, 285/75/R16 All Terrains, bowl removed, dual 2" custom exhaust with glasspacks (very unique sound)
'93 F-250 7.3 IDI N/A, future project
'88 F-250 7.3 IDI N/A, **spare parts**
'92 F-350 7.3 IDI ATS Turbo, 4x4, 4-door, ZF-5, 3.73, turned up pump, ISSPRO gauges, 6" I-beam bumpers, 35" Buckshot Mudders, custom 4" straight exhaust
'89 Bronco - future 7.3 conversion
Re: Help me compare 89 7.3 IDI to 94 up Powerstroke...
Welcome to the site. Lots of knowledgeable guys on here to help you out.
What do you plan on doing with the truck?
Like Faz said, IDIs are all mechanical, so it's easier to get power and MPG from a PSD.
My '91 with 4.10s gets 14.5 MPG unloaded around town, slightly more on the HWY if I watch my speed-- obviously less when towing or hauling, but that doesn't bother me, 'cause it still beats a gasser!
There's lots of PSD guys that get over 20 on their rigs with some mods, but again, it depends on what you want to do!
Good luck.
Re: Help me compare 89 7.3 IDI to 94 up Powerstroke...
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...it depends on what you want to do!
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Its going to be daily driven and will be used lightly pulling a car trailer once a month or so. I plan on either turbocharging the 7.3 IDI or swapping a Powerstroke into it. What do Powerstroke engines generally go for? I can pick this truck up for $1200 with a plow. Its an 89 F250 w/ a 7.3 IDI 4x4, 145k mi, few dings and dents on the body, mint interior, automatic trans. Is it worth it? What would it take to make this beast compete with the Powerstrokes? Other than a turbo obviously...Thanks for the super quick responses, this site rocks...
Re: Help me compare 89 7.3 IDI to 94 up Powerstroke...
$1200?? I'd buy it. As for your other questions, a "normal" rebuilt PSD runs around $7500 (I think), and a rebuilt IDI is about $4000, if I recall...
To "compete" speed wise with a stock PSD, a good turbo would help. But, without some serious time and money invested, don't expect an IDI to compete with a modded PSD. Either way, decide based on what is right for you. A PSD would give you much more upgrade options, but an IDI will cause you less headaches.
Re: Help me compare 89 7.3 IDI to 94 up Powerstroke...
If all you want to do is pull a car trailer and use it as a daily driver a IDI will do fine. Check the rear end ratio, a 3:55 will get you much better mileage and still get you by pulling a light trailer. If you are going to do the work yourself you can put a turbo on the 1989 and fix up what you need or want and have a reasonable priced truck. How ever it's always much cheaper to buy something that someone else has done the work on, very seldom do you get out of what you put into a project and most of the time they become a money pit and people become sick of them. That's when you find bargains. If you don't have the time and are going to have to have the work done at a shop get a PSD. Stay away from the later 94's and 95's. By 1996 they had most of the bugs worked out and they seemed to get better every year.
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1988 F250 7.3 diesel 4x4 auto C6 now ZF5
1990 F250 7.3 diesel 4x4 auto E4OD. now ZF5
1992 F250 7.3 diesel 4x4 ZF5
Re: Help me compare 89 7.3 IDI to 94 up Powerstroke...
Do the IDIs still blow black smoke everywhere if you want them to? If so, how do you do it? Is it just turning up the fuel? I know if you add too much more fuel and no more air, it'll melt your internals. Can I use any battery to get it to jump start to drive it around a bit, or does it have to be specific for a diesel engine? Like cranking amps and everything? How are the auto trannys in the 89s? I might use it to plow every once in a while, not a lot. What are some common upgrades for the 7.3 IDI n/as? Thanks again guys.
Re: Help me compare 89 7.3 IDI to 94 up Powerstroke...
A properly tuned IDI will smoke under load, but not under normal circumstances. I have to really step on mine to make it happen. But, you can do many things to make 'em smoke more. These engines will burn almost anything you put in them, used tranny fluid, engine oil, etc, which will give you more black smoke. Or, just mess with the IP timing.
As far as the trans goes, if it's an E4OD, some people have problems, some people don't. It's a decent trans, but tends to have some issues, mainly with the engine RPM sensor. Don't hear many complaints about the C6.
Re: Help me compare 89 7.3 IDI to 94 up Powerstroke...
Isn't it easy to cause detonation by messing with the IP timing though? I'm guessing C6 or E40D will be stamped on the casing somewhere? What else can I do to blow smoke w/o blowing up my engine?
Re: Help me compare 89 7.3 IDI to 94 up Powerstroke...
What is the fascination with making a diesel smoke black? To most of the driving public, it just makes you look like your driving a POS that isn't running right.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
Linear Mode
