Top 13 Best Upgrades For 7.3 Powerstroke In 2023 [+Buying Guide]

Modify your vehicle with the best upgrades for 7.3 Powerstroke in the market. One of the great things about this engine is that you can actually get more power out of it.

Unfortunately, some drivers have a hard time choosing the right upgrades, and they end up spending hundreds of dollars on poorly chosen parts.

Don’t worry, though. We’ve already gone through that trouble.

Here, you’ll find the best upgrades for your vehicle to improve your car’s performance.

Before getting started, just know that we’ve chosen some aftermarket parts that are expensive and some that are cheaper.

With that being said, here is everything about these upgrades:

Complete Table of Best Upgrades For 7.3 Powerstroke

What is the Best Upgrade for 7.3 Powerstroke?

The gauges from GlowShift Gauges are the best upgrades you can get for the 7.3 Powerstroke engine.

When upgrading your vehicle, the first thing you should install is aftermarket gauges. That way, you’ll know precisely what boost your getting.

What’s more, with gauges, you can keep track of the temperature, preventing the engine from overheating.

In addition to that, we love how relatively easy these gauges are to install.

There’s still a lot of work ahead of you, but we have to give them some credit compared to others we’ve seen thus far.

Finally, these gauges come in different colors. So, you’ll be able to choose the color you like the most.

And when driving at night, they will dim up to 30%. Overall, you really can’t go wrong with this excellent purchase.

Top 13 Best Upgrades For 7.3 Powerstroke Reviews in 2021

Upgrades can make a world of difference, but only if you choose the right ones. With that out the way, here are the most efficient aftermarket parts for the 7.3 Powerstroke engine:

01. GlowShift – Boost & Temperature Gauges – Best Overall

 

Highlighted Features

• Bright LED lighting
• Customizable colors
• UV-protected gauges
• Built-in temperature sensor

Take the 7.3 Powerstroke engine to the next level with Glowshift’s upgrades. When it comes to upgrading your engine, this brand is your best bet.

This set of gauges is by far our favorite upgrade. And it’s all thanks to its simple design, which allows the driver to read the engine’s readouts easily.

Furthermore, you can change the color of the gauges. And regardless of the color you choose, you’ll still be able to make out the gauge readouts.

Another feature we love is that no matter what color you choose, they’re still pretty visible at night.

They’re not distractive at all, so you won’t feel dizzy taking a look as you’re going down the road.

We also really like that the needle glows read so that the driver can have a much easier time looking at the gauge readouts.

As far as the installation process goes, we’d say it’s pretty easy compared to other models we’ve come across up until now.

For example, they included a T-Fitting adapter, which can be installed without drilling.

“But it’s not all flying colors. Our biggest problem with this model is that the connections feel pretty cheap. They could’ve used more durable materials for the connections. That would’ve been perfect.”

What We Liked

• Easy to set up
• Needle glows red
• Crystal-clear gauges
• Selectable LED lights

What We Didn’t Like

• The connections feel pretty cheap

02. Mishimoto Transmission Cooler Upgrade – Best Upgrade for Towing

 

Highlighted Features

• Low-pressure drop
• Compatible with OEM
• Fluid capacity improvement
• 37 cooling rows

Gauges are pretty useful to know what’s going on with your vehicle. But what about 7.3 Powerstroke upgrades for towing?

Well, we’ve got a perfect solution to this. And it’s the MMTC-F2D-99SL transmission cooler from Mishimoto.

The installation process for this cooler couldn’t be any easier.

This brand has made sure to include everything for the assembly process, so you won’t have to go to any hardware store.

What’s more, you don’t need to modify your vehicle to install it.

Consumers have also pointed out just how much of a difference this cooler has made.

For example, many drivers manage to reduce the temperature from 220 degrees to 170-160 degrees.

“The only thing we’re not so happy about is that they should’ve included a manual to install the transmission cooler. For beginners, this would’ve been the cherry on top. Nonetheless, that’s a minor inconvenience.”

What We Liked

• Reduces high temperature
• Better than the factory cooler
• Built to last
• No modification needed

What We Didn’t Like

• The connections feel pretty cheap

03. Bosch Electric Fuel Pump – Best for Hot-start Performance

 

Highlighted Features

• Radio interference reduction
• Hot-start decrease
• Anti-fuel pulsation
• OEM-like design

Want to make your engine even more efficient? Well, you might want to look into getting an electric fuel pump.

To make this easier, we’ve chosen one from none other than the guys at Bosch.

One of the main reasons we chose this brand over the others is that they use premium materials for their builds.

Many aftermarkets reduce production costs by adding cheap materials. That’s not the case for this one.

Considering that this is an OE replacement, we can’t really complain.

What’s more, this model does a pretty good job of reducing hot-start issues.

If you’ve ever tried to start your car and it wouldn’t start no matter what, chances are, it’s related to the fuel.

When fuel cannot circulate, the vehicle will not start. This model will take care of this issue.

“If there’s one thing consumers are not so happy about is the lack of a terminal. Considering that you’re paying a premium for this one, that’s a little bit disappointing. Other than that, we don’t have much to say.”

What We Liked

• Easy to install
• Reduces vibration
• Matches OEM
• No need to modify your vehicle

What We Didn’t Like

• Does not come with a terminal nut

04. Donaldson Car Filter B085011 – Best Budget-Friendly Upgrade

 

Highlighted Features

• Lightweight build
• High airflow
• Air-filtration
• Premature wear protection

Need to upgrade your old air filter but can’t find a decent fit? Look no further.

We’ve got the perfect replacement for the stock one. And that’s the air filter from Donaldson.

Thanks to its robust and compact design, the engine has a much easier time breathing. As a result, the car will run faster.

Designed as a replacement for the 7.3 Powerstroke engine, this model is not much different than the stock one.

In fact, some consumers might argue that this one is way better than the factory one.

As to how durable this one is, we’re actually impressed. For example, this manufacturer suggests replacing the air filter after nearly 12,000 miles.

“Perhaps the biggest complaint some people have pointed out is that this model might be a little bit hard to install. If you have an early 7.3 Powerstroke engine, you might find yourself in a tough spot as modifying the vehicle is needed for it to fit in.”

What We Liked

• Not much different than OEM
• Increases horsepower
• Easy to install
• Keeps the engine safe

What We Didn’t Like

• Hard to install on old 7.3 engines

05. Mishimoto Aluminum Reservoir Tank – Best Upgrade for Fluid Levels

 

Highlighted Features

• Pitch-black finish
• Made of aluminum
• 1/8-inch NPT port
• Transparent tank

Let’s keep it a buck fifty. How many times have you replaced the reservoir tank?

This is one of those things most people never bother to upgrade. But if you’re in for an excellent upgrade, consider giving this model from Mishimoto a try.

The quality of this model deserves some credit. It is made of aluminum, which is an excellent material for a reservoir tank.

You can probably throw a rock at it, and it will not damage the tank.

When It comes to bringing out the beauty of your vehicle, this model takes it to a whole new level.

It is coated in a pitch-black finish, which looks fantastic inside the car. If somebody ever pops the hood, they’ll bring it up.

Moreover, consumers love how easy it is to see through the tank.

This is a sight glass tank, which is perfect for drivers to see liquids and gas levels in real-time without using a flashlight.

What We Liked

• Easy to set up
• Super easy to monitor liquid levels
• Beautiful design
• Prevents cracking

What We Didn’t Like

• Super expensive for a tank

06. Sinister MFG Thermostat Housing SINSDTHERMO73 –  Best OEM Replacement

 

Highlighted Features

• Corrosion-resistant
• Reinforced build
• Leak prevention system
• Made of stainless steel

We know how annoying OEM thermostat housings can be. You’d expect more from a stock part. Fortunately, Sinister MFG is here to make our days better.

This brand knows just how much damage corrosion can do to your vehicle.

As a result, they’ve made this one corrosion-resistant so that the driver can sleep well at night knowing they don’t have to deal with it anymore.

This model is designed to replace OEM, but a better one. This means that it’ll fit right in, and you won’t have to move other parts around or modify your vehicle.

On top of that, we love the finish they used for this model. It looks pretty cool and won’t wear out as quickly as the stock one.

But as good as that sounds, we’ve seen some complaints from a few buyers saying that the bolts they send are too short. This can be annoying as you might have to get new ones on your own.

What We Liked

• Prevents corrosion
• Performance boost
• Perfect OEM replacement
• Beautiful finish

What We Didn’t Like

• Bolts might be small for your vehicle

07. K&N Cold Air Intake 57-2530 – Best for Aggressive Engine Sound

 

Highlighted Features

• Airflow boost
• Horsepower increase
• Towing capacity
• Torque improvement

Another excellent method to slightly increase horsepower is to get a high-performance cold air intake.

And that’s precisely what we have here. This air intake from K&N will make your vehicle run a lot faster.

Designed to give your vehicle that slight improvement it needs to rule the streets, the K&N cold air intake will help you notice the improvement almost right away.

Bring the sound of a furious beast into your engine with this cold air intake.

There’s just something about making your vehicle sound more aggressive that anyone into tuning can’t ignore. If you’re into that, you’ll love this model.

Better yet, this model is super easy to maintain. And you only need to clean it after nearly 100,000 miles.

“The biggest downside to this cold air intake is that it’s pretty hard to install. Seriously, you have to go through a lot of steps to install this unit. “

What We Like

• Super easy to clean
• Increase HP & torque
• Keeps the engine healthy
• Better towing

What We Didn’t Like

• Hard to install

08. Mishimoto Radiator Hose MMHOSE-F250D-99RD – Best for Pressure Tolerance Improvement

 

Highlighted Features

• Heat-resistant
• Made of silicone
• Oil-damage prevention
• Available in different colors

The Mishimoto silicone radiator hose is the perfect fit for your vehicle if you’re looking to replace your rubber radiator hoses.

Designed to resist heat, these radiator hoses are among the most durable hoses we’ve come across up until now.

They can withstand up to 330 degrees, and they’ll still be in great shape by the time you turn off the engine.

Ever heard of blowouts? They’re pretty bad for your vehicle.

To prevent that, this model is made of silicone, which is an excellent material to increase pressure tolerance inside the hoses.

This way, you’ll avoid any blowouts in the future.

One of the most remarkable features this model offers is that it has a protective shield against oil.

As you might know, oil can do some nasty stuff to the hoses over time. With this one, you don’t have to worry about that.

“Silicone radiator hoses will look shinier for a couple of days. However, they tend to get pretty dirty after some time as silicone tends to attract more dirt. Nonetheless, they’re more durable than rubber ones.”

What We Liked

• Super durable build
• Easy to mount
• Better than OEM
• Gorgeous build

What We Didn’t Like

• They can get pretty dirty

09. Auto Parts Prodigy Fuel Pump & Hose Lines – Best Upgrade Kit

 

Highlighted Features

• Pre-cut hoses
• Heat-resistant hoses
• Reinforced fuel pump
• Consistent performance

Looking to replace your old fuel pump and hose lines? Well, you’ll undoubtedly love this kit from Auto Parts prodigy.

Perfectly designed to fit your vehicle, this model will accommodate underneath the hood as any other factory parts would do.

The hoses are pre-cut to the perfect length and the fuel pump.

The installation process for both the hoses and fuel pump is a piece of cake.

Since the manufacturer pretty much made sure to match OE parts, you should be able to breeze through the assembly process.

“Our biggest problem with this kit is that it is not as durable as the stock ones. But if you need an affordable upgrade as soon as possible, this kit will do wonders for you.”

What We Liked

• Pretty similar to OEM
• Easy to mount
• Kit fits perfectly
• Excellent performance boost

What We Didn’t Lile

• Not as good as the factory ones

10. Auto Parts Prodigy Fuel Lines F81Z-9J338-NA – Best Fuel Lines For 7.3 Powerstroke

 

Highlighted Features

• Heavy-duty metal
• Reinforced seals
• Pre-assembled fuel lines
• Corrosion-resistant

When it comes to replacing old fuel lines, Auto Parts Prodigy will not let you down.

They are pretty durable, and they will make a massive difference in your ride quality.

Unlike some shady models you find online, these fuel lines are made of heavy-duty metal.

They hold up pretty well over time and don’t feel cheap at all.

Furthermore, these fuel lines are corrosion resistant.

Meaning you can install them on your vehicle, and you know for sure they won’t get corroded as time goes by.

What’s more, they’ve made sure to meet OEM standards so that they can fit right inside your vehicle.

So, you won’t have to modify your truck and spend unnecessary time working on it.

“The only negative thing we can say about these fuel lines is that they’re somewhat expensive compared to other aftermarket parts. But they’re certainly more durable than other options.“

What We Liked

• Works like OEM
• Easy to mount
• Excellent fit for 7.3 Powerstroke
• Holds up pretty well to abrasion

What We Didn’t Like

• More expensive than other brands

11. Xotic Exhaust Turbo Rebuild Kit 8239 – Best Kit for Rebuilding a Turbo

 

Highlighted Features

• Leak-prevention seals
• HP improvement
• Heavy-duty bearing
• Reinforced bolts

Want a 7.3 Powerstroke upgrade kit for your turbo to get more horsepower but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars?

We got you. This turbo upgrade kit from Xotic Exhaust will drastically improve your driving experience.

While many other turbo kits are pretty hard to install, this brand made sure to make the installation process as simple as possible.

Since it matches OEM, you shouldn’t have difficulty setting it up for the first time.

Better yet, this brand has included all the seals you need to rebuild your old turbo.

If the current one is leaking, and you need those seals, this kit could be an excellent investment.

Moreover, consumers have expressed the vast improvement compared to OEM.

“If anything, we can only complain about the fact that they did not include a stepped gap turbine seal. That would’ve been a great addition to the kit. But this might not be a problem if you aren’t in the market for this kind of thing.”

What We Liked

• Simple installation
• Great performance
• Durable seals
• Matches OEM

What We Didn’t

• Does not come with instructions

12. Yjracing Valve Cover Gasket Kit – Best Kit for Improving Engine Performance

 

Highlighted Features

• Waterproof plugs
• Oil-leak prevention
• Temperature-resistant wiring
• Heat-resistant valve cover

Is smoke coming from around the engine? Well, it’s time to replace the valve cover gasket. And for this one, we’ve chosen the guys at Yjracing.

Now, this kit includes more than a valve cover gasket. This kit also includes a durable injector glow plug harness.

What’s more, these injector plugs are waterproof. These injectors are regularly exposed to water, and they could get damaged if they’re not water-resistant.

The same goes for the valve cover gasket.

This is pretty much the closest you can get to OEM without spending that much money on a kit.

All these parts are designed to match the factory ones. This also means that they will fit in your vehicle just fine as they’re no different from the stock ones.

“Like some of the other upgrades we’ve covered, this one does not include any instructions. You’re on your own here. Luckily, there are plenty of videos out there if you need any help installing them.”

What We Liked

• Waterproof plugs
• Matches OEM quality
• Includes pigtails
• Gets rid of a rough running engine

What We Didn’t Like

• Does not come with instructions

13. Diesel Site Wicked Wheel WW38 – Best Upgrade for Horsepower

 

Highlighted Features

• Made of billet aluminum
• Airflow improvement
• Whistling sound
• Lightweight build

One of the best 7.3 Powerstroke performance upgrades you can get to improve your vehicle’s throttle response and handling capabilities is the WW38 wicked wheel from Diesel Site.

When it comes to performance, you can always count on this brand.

While the stock turbo on the 7.3 Powerstroke struggles to be efficient enough, this brand makes it relatively easy for the driver to increase their car’s throttle response.

As soon as you install this one, you’ll immediately tell the difference.

Better yet, this model increases airflow going into the engine. As a result, the vehicle can burn more fuel, which results in more horsepower.

Moreover, you don’t need to install anything else to get this turbo running unless you want to rebuild the old one.

But if that’s not the case, simply replace the old turbo, and you should be good to go.

Finally, once you’ve installed this turbo on your vehicle, you’ll hear a whistling sound, which some consumers love to have on their cars.

“Some consumers have reported that installing the threads can be challenging as it might prevent the wicked wheel from getting in.”

What We Liked

• Increases horsepower
• Relatively easy to install
• Whistle sound
• No need to modify the vehicle

What We Didn’t Like

• Threads can get in the way

What to Consider when Buying an Upgrade for 7.3 Powerstroke

If you have no idea how to go about choosing the best upgrades for 7.3 Powerstroke, here’s a helpful guide to get started:

OEM Quality

There are plenty of aftermarket products out there. And as much as they claim they’re pretty similar to OEM, they are far from perfect.

As a result, you’ll end with a bigger or smaller product than you initially thought.

To get around that, we suggest looking up the dimensions of the product. Any decent company should be transparent enough about their sizes.

This will allow you to pick up the right one, and you won’t have to modify your vehicle for it to fit in.

Gauges

If you’re planning on adding a turbo to your vehicle, you need gauges to know how much boost you’re getting.

But as good as they are, you have to know a few things. First, the needle should glow red.

This way, you can easily see the boost you’re getting. This step is vital as some needles can be hard to see, especially at night.

Second, they should dim up at night. Driving at night can be challenging for some people.

And looking at your gauges as you’re going in a dark place is certainly not the most straightforward task. As such, your gauges should dim up to 30% more at night.

Finally, any set of gauges you plan on getting should be UV-protected.

Keep in mind that they’re constantly exposed to the sun. So, it’s not out of the question to think they will eventually get damaged.

Electric Fuel Pump

Want to get rid of your old manual fuel pump and get an electric one? Well, you should be aware of a couple of things.

Any decent electric fuel pump should mitigate or get rid of hot-start issues.

What’s more, they should also reduce any noise. Finally, it should also get rid of annoying radio frequency interference.

Reservoir Tank

The reservoir tank, that little tank, that pretty much nobody changes. But if you’re in the market for a new replacement, you need to make sure it is made of aluminum.

This is pretty much the go-to for anybody who wants a new reservoir tank. It holds up pretty well, and chances are you won’t have to replace it any time soon.

Finally, your new reservoir tank should be transparent. Regardless of the finish you choose, you should still be able to see through it.

Otherwise, you won’t be able to make out the fluid levels without removing the cap.

Aftermarket Transmission Cooler

Any high-end transmission cooler should lower your vehicle’s temperature from 220 degrees to 170 degrees.

That’s the sweet spot for most engines. And what you should aim for when getting a new aftermarket cooler.

Moreover, make sure the hoses fit your vehicle nicely. Sometimes, they’re not the right length, and you’ll have to cut them, which is somewhat annoying.

Your transmission cooler should also be designed for towing. Transmission coolers do not increase towing capacity.

However, they do help cool down the engine. Keep in mind that towing puts a lot of pressure on the engine, which can be harmful.

Towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads for hundreds of miles can overheat the engine.

As a rule of thumb, get a transmission cooler with a decent gross vehicle weight rating.

For example, a decent one would be a model that supports up to 20,000.

Silicone Radiator Hose

As you might know, rubber radiator hoses are pretty weak and don’t hold well to heat.

When this happens, your engine will overheat, and it might start leaking coolant. To prevent that, get a silicone radiator hose.

These radiator hoses are more likely to get dirty after a couple of weeks. But they sure are strong compared to the rubber ones.

In addition to that, make sure they’re oil-resistant. Radiator hoses and oil don’t get along too well. So, watch out for that.

Turbo Upgrade

The 7.3 Powerstroke engine is one of the most reliable engines in the market to this day.

Any driver with this engine knows that pretty well. However, there are certainly better options nowadays when it comes to horsepower.

To get around that, drivers tend to install turbos. The main objective of that is the increase of power.

However, it requires a lot of work to install one, as you might need to install other aftermarket parts for it to work.

Instead, get a turbo compressor wicked wheel from Diesel Site. This model is pretty much plug-and-play.

Cold Air Intake Upgrade

There’s just so much you get by getting a better cold air intake.

And as crazy as it might sound, spending that much money on a cold air intake to get that sweet whooshing sound is definitely worth the money.

But as great as that sounds, you still need to keep a few things in mind when getting a better cold air intake.

The first thing you should consider is the material. It should be made of durable heat-resistant materials.

Don’t forget that it’ll be exposed to lots of heat under the hood.

So, if you want it to be by your side for many years to come, it should be able to withstand high temperatures.

The intake should also be waterproof. Now it’s pretty rare when water gets inside. So, chances are you’ll never get to experience that.

But if you ever drive it through high water, you’re not going to have a fun time. Water getting inside can lead to terrible engine issues in the long run.

Finally, consider the shape of the air intake. Curved intakes have a much harder time keeping up with your engine.

Since it is curved, air can’t flow freely, whereas a straight cold air intake is more efficient when it comes to airflow.

Best Upgrades For 7.3 Powerstroke: Buying Questions

For more information about the benefits you get from upgrading your 7.3 Powerstroke engine, consider checking this section out:

How much horsepower can you get from a 7.3 Powerstroke?

You can add more power to your 7.3 Powerstroke engine and make it sound ferocious. However, you can only do so much.

Depending on how many aftermarket parts you add to the engine, any horsepower is subject to change—for example, a water-methanol injection, flow downpipes, a transmission cooler, and so on.

All of these aftermarket parts are designed to improve horsepower. But some of them might need additional mods to work correctly.

Does a transmission cooler really help?

Yes, a transmission cooler does make a huge difference. Overheating engines are a concerning problem among drivers.

Installing a transmission cooler would allow you to reduce the abnormal heat significantly.

What’s more, vehicles don’t have enough transmission cooling to cool down the engine.

And if you have a truck and plan on towing heavy loads for thousands of miles, a transmission cooler would help cool down the engine during that trip.

How much does it cost to rebuild a 7.3 Powerstroke?

There are plenty of brands out there that sell turbo kits. One of the most noticeable ones is Xotic Exhaust.

You can get a brand-new turbo kit from them for roughly $100.

The installation process is relatively simple, and there are several videos out there showcasing the technique.

But if you take the vehicle to the local mechanic, expect to pay about $800.

When doing this, the fluid level might drop, and you should see bubbles inside. Once it is running, and you can see steam, top it off.

How can I get more power out of my 7.3 Powerstroke?

There are hundreds of ways to get more power out of the 7.3 Powerstroke engine.

One of the most well-known methods is to upgrade the old turbo.

And if you’re willing to spend more money on upgrades, consider getting a DP tuner.

Finally, you should also a transmission cooler to get more power out of the engine.

How can I improve my 7.3 Powerstroke gas mileage?

Upgrading your throttle body should improve gas mileage. This is a simple installation and is not as expensive as adding aftermarket mods.

What’s more, you can clean the throttle body, and your gas mileage should improve.

Do cold air intakes really make a difference?

Yes, upgrading your cold air intake will make a difference. They can help the system pull in as much air as possible, which results in more horsepower.

In addition to that, you’ll have a much easier time towing with a high-performance cold air intake.

But if you’re willing to spend that much money on a cold air intake, we suggest getting lighter wheels and better tires.

They will make a more considerable difference than the intake alone.

Conclusion

The best upgrades for 7.3 Powerstroke will make your riding experience way more enjoyable, and you’ll get more power out of your old engine.

That said, we did plenty of research before settling for any of the upgrades covered above.

The 7.3 Powerstroke engine is powerful, but you can’t just put anything on it. We hope you can now make your machine more efficient.