mbutts wrote: Have you taken the Ex with the 7.3 on the freeway? See if you can put up with the noise.
The PSD X is much quieter than the V-10 X on the road simply because the engine does not rev as high. The PSD is in the 1700-2000 range vs 3-4K for the gasser.
This is from first hand experience. I have owned both. The 7.3 PSD is at its loudest in the interior when idling. When on the road engine noise in not nearly as prevalent especially when towing compared to a V-10.
07'Duramax dually,12'Open Range 399BHS
Hawkshead TPMS,Hensley BD3,Killerbee exhaust brake
Blue Ox Bedsaver,air bags w/compressor
Arvika pin box bike rack,Bak Flip tonneau cover
5500 Onan LP,EMS-HW-50
14'Porta Bote w/8.0 Nissan
Vu Cube 2000,Splendide 2000S
30,000 miles towing with a V10, and I can tell you it is one loud motor! It may be quiet at idle, but when your rapping out 4,000 rpm, you know its up there. It will run like that all day long, we wore ear plugs.
Larry and Debbie Kruzan
We never turn a corner without wondering in amazement at God's creation!
One thing I would worry about on that year 7.3L is if it has the mechanical diode in the transmission. If it does, hope it doesn't go south on you. You'll be looking at a rebuild tranny. You will also want to upgrade to the 6.0L trans cooler if you buy this.
That year V10 has the spark plug issue. All V10s have the exhaust manifold studs breaking. Other than those 2, this engine is bulletproof.
They stopped the diodes in March 2001. Would just need to look at build date. My 7.3 has been chipped at 20k miles pushing almost 380 hp and is beat on daily with no problems and this is with PM rods. The 2001 will have forged rods...much better.
mbutts wrote: Have you taken the Ex with the 7.3 on the freeway? See if you can put up with the noise.
The 7.3 is pretty quiet at cruising speed and I'm running straight piped exhaust,wicked wheel in the turbo with foil and AIH delete,open element AfE air box and some worked injectors with a chip turning 35inch tires. Get the 7.3 you won't be sorry.
Love those 7.3s, but I sure haven't heard one as quiet as a stock exhaust V10...yes the 7.3 is great and better than V10 in many ways, but quietness is not one of them! Though I'd rather listen to a modded 7.3 than a modded fart pipe V10.
They are what they are. 7.3 is awesome but you pay to play. And for the price difference the OP mentioned you can talk all day long but that 7.3 will take years to make up the difference in cost based on fuel economy, if ever. That's assuming there are not other issues to address on the 7.3.
Better ultimate quality of towing=7.3
Better potential longevity= 7.3
Higher cost to buy and do major repairs on= 7.3
cheap to buy and still does the job quite well, with only a few relatively cheap to repair chronic issues= V10
Rob a.k.a 69oiler
'03 Ford Excursion V10 4x4 3.73 XLT
'98 SunnyBrook 30DB
'05 Continental Cargo 16'x8' enclosed 9950 GVW
Former Ford IDI and 7.3 PSD guy, hope to get back into a diesel someday.
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