No Cummins Engine Swap
Sean felt tempted to install a Cummins, due to its race reputation, "but I knew that there were a lot of other Ford 7.3L owners out there that were at the same crossroads," he points out, referring to the lack of performance options for the Power Stroke. Rather than give up on the International engine, he persevered. His passion for staying with the 7.3L engine really played a large part in completing the ATS Aurora 5000 turbo package for the Ford Power Stroke. "Now, everyone has the opportunity to build the same engine combination utilizing the same fuel system, injectors, and Aurora turbo system that I have on the Great White."
7.3L Performance Parts
As already noted, this setup didn't come without some teething problems from adding a new turbo. "After putting this baby on for the first time, I hit 52 pounds of boost. I was stoked until I blew the heads off," he winces. "Then I realized I needed head studs, and around this time is when the firering was developed. So that's when the motor came out for the first time. Once the firerings and head studs were designed, the common 7.3L head issues were a thing of the past."
The internals of the engine include modified rods, ceramic-coated pistons, and firerings for the heads. Pinnacle Headers by Jerry Jardine feed exhaust to the ATS Aurora 5000's turbine, with 30 percent more flow, Sean says. "Plus, it sounds like a V-8 gas engine, with a 4-inch intake coming from the turbo down underneath the front of the truck," he adds.
He also added 500cc injectors and twin high-pressure oil pumps to actuate the stage III injectors, along with twin aftermarket fuel pumps feeding each head. Sean also runs an ATS E-Power tuner, all of which is good for 637 horses and an abundant 1,200 lb-ft of torque.