Well the truck i'm looking at is an IDI so I'll just get it and see how i like it, Anybody need my never installed downpipe.

 

seems like it is a lot of personal taste but in the winter I deliver liquid cattle supplement with a 91 7.3 IDI non-turbo and my word is there ever a power difference in the two engines. Of course a lot of that has to do with the turbo. If you do any kind of towing I would say the PSD wins hands down.

 

Granted I havent even begun to make real power improvements on the 96 yet, but right now if you drive my 91 and then drive the 96 and didn't know anything else, you'd wonder what the big deal about the PSD is. The 91 is more fun to drive and feels more powerful. I will have to say that when you turn up a 7.3 or 6.9 you are closer to the edge, the PSD has more reserve built in to it. It really comes down to the electronics issue. If you hate electronics go with the IDI.
At least you'll have one thing that will run if we ever get hit with an EMP bomb!

 

Good info thanks guys.

 

99% of the opinions you get on here are biased. I just know a 6.9 is cheaper and easier to work on. It might not make as much power as a psd but that isnt my prioraty. I care more about operating cost and ease to work on. If I had the same problem I had with my PSD on a 6.9 I could have gotten the injection pump rebuilt a new set of injectors had them changed out in a day. It might have cost a little more than what I did on my psd but would have saved me a whole lot of time and grief so it would have been cheaper in the big picture.

 

IDI's are alot simpler, meaning mostly easy to work on, but ya can't beat having electronics, at least you will have a code or be able to run tests to help determine what's wrong. I wish I still had my old 6.9, I would make it my pulling truck, and my PSD would be my drag truck. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif

Dave

 

If i were buying one it would be a PSD. Im one that likes ot be able to get a little power out of stuff though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

Eric

 

but you also have a bitter taste in your mouth from the PSD, so it isn't quite an unbiased opinion...

Josh

 

I would go with an IDI anyday over a PSD.

 

I toldya, I got a p.m. Sorry for the hijack.

 

The difference is my Powerstroke will run circles around my Dad's IDI, maybe even running on 4 cylinders! Maybe not if we get someone else besides my Dad to drive his truck! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

 

The powerstroke is better.........That'll fire him up /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

if you take a 94 idi turbo--put on the ats turbo parts--turn up the pump--turn up the boost to 11 max--you wont believe the differance-i own one--and that thing will smoke the tires!!!!me thinks ford did this so people wouldnt try and compare the idi and the pwrsmke!!! and they are a h of a lot cheaper and simplar to work on--and i own a 85-the 94-and a 96 pwrsmke--

 

[ QUOTE ]
but you also gotta keep in mind that those trucks were probably not equal. i mean, was EVERYTHING regarding engine/drivetrain conditions completely equal? that is the only way to TRULY compare which engine was better...but the PSD is a pretty big jump over the IDI/Turbo motor

Josh

[/ QUOTE ]I'm sure the only thing they had in common was that they were both for sale. I have driven others though and yet to have a IDI impress me. I will admit they probably are cheaper to own. RB

 

but you also gotta keep in mind that those trucks were probably not equal. i mean, was EVERYTHING regarding engine/drivetrain conditions completely equal? that is the only way to TRULY compare which engine was better...but the PSD is a pretty big jump over the IDI/Turbo motor

Josh

 

I test drove a 94 IDI Turbo crewcab 4x4 the same day I test drove my Powerstroke and there must be a bigger power difference than whats on paper. The IDI couldnt get out of its own way. My 94 PSD was twice the truck that thing was. But I think everything is underpowered. RB

 

my brother has a '94 F250 with a 7.3 IDI with factory turbo. that truck has some POWER. it shocks the heck out of me. it also has about 260k on it now and still runs AWESOME. i wouldn't hesitate to buy one myself. maintain the cooling system religiously (keep 'er flushed and clean) and that will go a long way to prevent cavitation.

good luck!

Josh

 

Yeah, cavitation is a problem with the 7.3 IDI's, but the pumps can be cranked up to get some free power. My last truck was an 83 F250 4x4 with a 6.9, and turned up would routinely smoke my Dad's 93 7.3 IDI, which wasn't turned up. Those motors don't seem to rev as freely as my powerstroke though.

Dave

 

I would ask that question in the 7.3 idi room, they might be able to help you. I know you can ad a turbo to a 6.9 and make it run about the same as a stock PSD. I know the IDI is cheaper and easier to work on. in my opinion. Only problem with the 7.3 idi is thin cylinder walls, better chance of cavitation if they didnt use sca.

 

You know, I wouldn't know as much about the specifics on getting power out of an IDI. I have heard that turning up the injector pump can lead to premature failure and those things arent cheap. My neighbor has a '93 IDI Turbo and said that he wished he got a powerstoke. He tows a pretty good size camper with it...love the truck, just doesnt have the power he wants.

The powerstroke has SO many options available to it regarding power mods. I would take a look in the IDI forum below this one and see what they have to say about modding that engine. As far as I can tell its pretty limited to swapping a different turbo, exhaust upgrade, air intake...stuff like that, but maybe there's more I dont know about...i'd go have a look....

Good Luck,
Casey

 

But you can still get some good power out of the IDI engine right?
By turning up the injector pump and such?

 

Both can be GREAT engines. It really depends on how well it is taken care of. Some people like the older style motor because its not all electrical (some see it as a problem.) The IDI will not make as much power as the powerstroke nor can you modify the IDI like you can the PSD with chips/programmers and such.

A well maintained PSD and a well maintained IDI will both last a very long time. We've got both motors at work with some that have well over 6-700,000 miles on them.

Hope this helps some...if you have any more specific questions please ask.

-Casey

 

So they both have there advantages and drawbacks. Will they both run forever? Or will the IDI crap out sooner.

 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm looking at buying a 94 7.3 turbo diesel, Are these motors much different from the powerstrokes? I currently have a 95 powerstroke and like the way it runs. what is the main difference? Is there anything i should watch out for?

[/ QUOTE ]

Simply put, the IDI is a mechanical engine, the powerstroke is an electrical engine.

 

[ QUOTE ]
michaelb303 -- The following chart may help you with some of the differences between the 7.3L NA, 7.3L IDI Turbo, and 7.3L DI Turbo.

Engine Comparison

Cheers from Orlando, FL! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Dave

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks Dave, That's the most useful answer i've ever gotten on a internet board THANKS.
Chad