1999–2003 Ford 7.3L Powerstroke Buyer’s Guide: Specs, Upgrades & Buying Tips
Key Takeaways 7.3L Powerstroke: An Overview If you’re looking to buy a 7.3L Powerstroke, you’re shopping for one of Ford’s most recognizable diesel platforms. Built into Super Duty trucks and the Excursion through the 2003 model year, the 7.3L paired a 7.3-litre turbocharged V8 with HEUI direct injection and up to 275 horsepower and 525 […]
Turbo Sizes: How to Find the Right Turbo for Your Diesel Vehicle
Key Takeaways Getting the Right Turbo for Your Diesel Picking a turbo for your diesel isn’t a “bigger is better” game. Sure, a giant turbo might look mean sitting under the hood, but if it’s too large for your engine, you could end up waiting on boost when you need it most. Go too small, […]
6.4 Powerstroke: Common Problems, Years to Avoid, Reliability & Buyer’s Guide
Key Takeaways What Makes the 6.4 Powerstroke Problematic? The Ford 6.4 Powerstroke came out in 2008 as the 6.0’s replacement. At the time of launch, it promised more power and cleaner emissions. Instead, many owners faced years of frustrating repairs, which were mainly due to emission hardware like the EGR cooler and DPF. This engine […]
1st Gen Cummins: Buyer’s Guide, Specs, Common Problems & Best Upgrades
Key Takeaways Understanding the 1st Gen Cummins If you’re shopping for a 1st gen Cummins, you’re not just buying an old truck. You’re hunting for a piece of diesel history. Built from 1989 to 1993, these Dodge trucks packed a 5.9L 12-valve Cummins inline-six under the hood, delivering the kind of low-end grunt and mechanical […]
Common Variable Geometry Turbo Problems in Diesel Engines
Key Takeaways What Happens When Your Variable Geometry Turbo Stops Responding? A diesel truck that suddenly feels sluggish is not always dealing with a failing engine. In many cases, the culprit is a variable-geometry turbo (VGT) that has stopped adjusting its vanes properly. When that happens, boost pressure becomes inconsistent, acceleration suffers, and your exhaust […]
What Is a Charge Air Cooler? Function, Importance & How It Works
TL;DR Why You Should Consider Using a Charge Air Cooler A charge air cooler is a heat exchanger used in turbocharged and supercharged engines. The function of the charge air cooler is to reduce the temperature of compressed air before it enters the engine. When air is compressed, it heats up and becomes less dense, […]
All About Turbochargers You Must Know
TL;DR By recycling wasted exhaust energy, a turbocharger boosts engine power and efficiency. Understanding what a turbocharger does helps you make better decisions about vehicle performance and maintenance. A turbocharger captures energy from the exhaust flow to turn a turbine, which powers a compressor that pushes additional air into the engine’s cylinders. Turbocharging improves power […]
How Much Horsepower Does a Diesel Turbocharger Add?
TL;DR Turbochargers in diesel engines increase horsepower by forcing more compressed, oxygen-rich air into the engine, enabling more efficient combustion and higher power output. Horsepower gains vary by setup, but generally, a properly matched turbocharger can increase diesel engine power by 30-40%. Turbo performance depends on multiple factors, including turbo size and design, engine strength, […]
Turbocharger Wastegate: The Secret to Engine Power
TL;DR The wastegate system regulates turbo boost, preventing engine damage while allowing the turbo to deliver optimal performance. There are two types: internal (built into the turbo for standard cars) and external (separate, used in high-performance engines). It opens and closes based on pressure, diverting exhaust gases to control turbine speed and maintain safe boost […]
Exhaust Manifold vs Turbo Manifold: Key Differences in Diesel Engines
TL;DR Turbo Manifold And Exhaust Manifold: What Every Diesel Owner Should Know In diesel engines, every component that guides exhaust gases plays a crucial role in performance and efficiency. Two parts that often get confused are the turbo manifold and the exhaust manifold. At first glance, they may seem interchangeable; they both handle exhaust, but […]