What cc are stock 7.3 injectors?

Stock 7.3 injectors deliver roughly 180–195 cc of fuel per injector per injection event under typical operating conditions.

The exact cc value is not a single published Ford spec. The 7.3L Power Stroke uses hydraulic electronic unit injectors (HEUI) powered by a high‑pressure oil system, and the amount of fuel delivered depends on oil pressure, injector timing, engine speed, and load. As a result, manufacturers and tuners typically discuss injector size in terms of "cc per injector" with common stock values cited around 180–200 cc per injector; aftermarket injectors are labeled with higher or lower cc ratings to support different horsepower goals.

What "cc" means in this context

In diesel jargon, cc per injector is the volume of fuel an injector can deliver during each injection event. On the 7.3’s HEUI setup, that volume is calibrated to work with OEM fuel and oil pressures to meet the engine’s power and emissions targets; it is not fixed like a mechanical injector on a gasoline engine. The amount delivered per event changes with rpm and oil pressure, so "stock cc" is a baseline rather than a precise constant.

Stock injector size ranges for the 7.3L Power Stroke

Below is a general guide to the stock injector size ranges that owners and tuners report for the 7.3L Power Stroke. Use as a starting point and cross-check with your specific VIN/date code.

• Most stock 7.3L injectors are cited around 180–195 cc per injector, per injection event, under OEM fuel/oil pressures.


• Some revisions or production runs show values closer to 170–185 cc or 190–200 cc, depending on calibration differences.


• Overall, the typical band you’ll see used in performance discussions is roughly 170–200 cc per injector.

Conclusion: The exact cc of stock 7.3 injectors varies by year and calibration, but the practical range is commonly cited as roughly 180–195 cc per injector, with small variations by revision. If precise numbers are needed for a build, check the injector part number, service bulletin, or VIN‑specific factory data from the original manufacturer documentation, or contact the injector maker and your tuner for confirmation.

How injector size affects tuning and upgrades

When upgrading, most people classify injectors by cc per injector, such as 180cc, 190cc, 210cc, 225cc, 250cc, and beyond. Increasing cc allows more fuel per cycle, but you must pair with appropriate airflow and fueling control to avoid excessive smoke or damage. For the 7.3, this typically involves matching injectors with the engine’s oil pressure and ducting, plus ECM tuning adjustments.

Summary: For the 7.3L Power Stroke, stock injector delivery is roughly in the 180–195 cc per injector range, but exact numbers vary by year and revision. Understanding cc in this context helps when evaluating replacements or upgrades, and always verify with manufacturer data for your exact engine.

Why is the #8 injector different on a 7.3 powerstroke?

The #8 injector on a 7.3L Powerstroke is different to fix a "cackle" or misfire noise caused by low fuel pressure at that cylinder, which is the farthest from the oil pump. This special injector, often called the "long lead" or AE type, delivers a slightly larger pilot shot of fuel to compensate for the pressure drop and is also used in some late '99-'03 models. 
This video explains the difference between AD and AE injectors and the reason for the long lead injector: 1mPro Diesel RepairYouTube · Jul 26, 2020
Why #8 is different

• Fuel starvation: The #8 injector is the last one in the line and is the furthest from the high-pressure oil pump. This position can lead to lower fuel pressure, causing a misfire or "cackle" sound at idle. 
• The fix: To solve this, Ford used a different injector for the #8 position (and sometimes #1) that compensates for the pressure loss. This is often identified as an AE or "long lead" (LL) type, which is designed to deliver a slightly larger initial "pilot" shot of fuel. 

What this means for you

• Identifying the injector: If you have a late '99 to '03 7.3L, your #8 injector is likely the AE ("long lead") version. You can identify it by the "AE" code or "LL" marking on the solenoid, according to Cardone and Engine Builder Magazine. 
• Replacement: When replacing injectors, ensure you use seven AD or AB type injectors and one AE ("long lead") type for the #8 cylinder to maintain the original factory setup. 
• Aftermarket systems: If you have an aftermarket regulated return fuel system, the "long lead" injector is usually not necessary, and you can use all the same injectors for all eight cylinders. 

How much HP can 52lb injectors handle?

52lb injectors can typically handle approximately 510–650 horsepower with a power adder (like a turbo or supercharger) or 610–775 horsepower in a naturally aspirated setup. The exact horsepower ceiling depends on factors like the engine's specific fuel needs, engine type, fuel quality, and required injector duty cycle. 
Horsepower ranges for 52lb injectors 

• With power adder (turbo/supercharged): 510–650 HP
• Naturally aspirated: 610–775 HP 

Factors that influence the actual horsepower a 52lb injector can handle

• Engine Type: The engine's specific demands, displacement, and design will influence the required fuel flow. 
• Fuel Type: Different fuels have different energy densities. Ethanol, for example, requires more fuel volume than gasoline to achieve the same power output. 
• Injector Duty Cycle: Injectors are most efficient when not used at their absolute maximum. Running an injector at a higher duty cycle (e.g., 90%) can reduce its effective flow rate and lifespan. A higher duty cycle is often needed for power-adder applications. 
• Fuel Pressure: Increasing fuel pressure will increase the injector's flow rate. 
• Engine Specific Needs: Some engines are simply more demanding than others. A high-performance, forced-induction engine will require more fuel than a standard engine of the same size. 

How to calculate a more precise estimate
To get a more precise calculation for your specific application, use this formula:
Horsepower = (Injector Size [lb/hr] x 0.5 x Number of Injectors x Duty Cycle) / Brake Specific Fuel Consumption 

• Injector Size: The flow rate of your injectors (e.g., 52). 
• Number of Injectors: The total number of injectors in your engine (e.g., 8). 
• Duty Cycle: The percentage of time the injector is open (e.g., 0.8 or 80%). A safe maximum is usually 80-90%. 
• Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC): This is the amount of fuel consumed per horsepower. 
  • Naturally Aspirated: ~0.45–0.50 
  • Supercharged: ~0.55–0.60 
  • Turbocharged: ~0.60–0.65 

Example for a turbo engine:
(52 [lb/hr] x 0.5 x 8 x 0.8) / 0.65 = 510 HP
(This calculation shows that under a worst-case scenario, with a 510 HP engine, the 52 lb/hr injectors are operating at their maximum duty cycle.)

How big is the stock turbo on a 7.3 powerstroke?

The stock 7.3L turbo for the 1999.5-03 Powerstroke is a Garrett GTP38, which has a 60mm inducer and an 80mm exducer. For earlier 1994-1997 models, the stock turbo has a 1.15 A/R ratio.
 
This video demonstrates the differences in turbo sizes between stock and modified versions of the 7.3L Powerstroke turbo: 50sKC TURBOSYouTube · May 24, 2025

• 1999.5-2003 Models: The stock turbo is a Garrett GTP38. 
  • Compressor inducer diameter: 60mm60 m m60𝑚𝑚 
  • Exducer diameter: 80mm80 m m80𝑚𝑚 
• 1994-1997 Models:
  • The stock turbo has a 1.15 A/R ratio. 
  • The turbine wheel diameter was about 30mm30 m m30𝑚𝑚. 

What size are the stock injectors on a 1999 7.3 Powerstroke?

Standard Stock AD Injectors are 130-135cc, these flow 15% more - a nice Enhanced Stock Injector set for Optimal Performance in your 1999-2003 Ford Powerstroke Superduty!