The 4-day affair that celebrates all things 7.3L Power Stroke returns—and proves that efforts to both preserve and advance the coveted, HEUI-fired V-8 are as strong as they’ve ever been.
Even 23-plus years after OEM production of the 7.3L Power Stroke ceased, it continues to enjoy a huge, loyal and, some might even say, growing following. Simply put, there is still a market for the 7.3L. Realizing this, Power Hungry Performance created Summit 7.3, a multi-day affair based on both preserving and advancing the coveted, HEUI-fired, 444 cubic inch V-8 platform. For 2026, Summit 7.3 kicked off with a calibration training day, where PHP familiarized current and novice 7.3L tuners with its Minotaur tuning software. Days 2 and 3 brought networking and educational conferences into the fold, with PPEI’s Kory Willis and Powertrain Training’s Tony Salas even stopping by to speak.
On Day 4, a public truck show commenced and produced a parking lot chock full of potent 7.3L Super Duty’s and OBS Fords—along with the first supercharged 7.3L rat-rod we’ve ever seen. Throughout the week, Summit 7.3 attendees were privy to newly released products from several event sponsors, including becoming BETA testers for PHP’s new Medusa Interface, getting up close and personal with KC Turbos’ latest turbo for OBS 7.3L’s, spying CNC Fabrication’s new valve spring compressor, and snagging an IPR nut solution from RD2 Fuel Systems. A huge hit with 7.3L enthusiasts, shop owners, and manufacturers alike, Summit 7.3 is here to stay—and next year’s dates are already set for March 3-6. Same time. Same place.
Out of everything that went on at Summit 7.3, many would agree this creation stole the show. Built by Diesels And Dirtbags, a group of hands-on diesel truck enthusiasts and a parts manufacturer with a significant following on social media, it’s based around the use of a Peterbilt cab, is technically a rat-rod wrecker, and boasts a blown 7.3L Power Stroke. How’s that for unique? Fittingly, the one-of-one build spent time parked in front of the entrance to the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College, the Cumming, Georgia facility where Summit 7.3 is held. While on the grounds, the “Wreck-Master 444” received some calibration tweaks from Power Hungry Performance’s Bill Cohron, proved why it’s the “loudest 7.3L in the universe,” and took home the Wild Card trophy during Day 4’s public truck show.For the second year in a row, Goose Bellows’ “Buckin’ Behemoth” took home Best In Show. Larger than life literally in every possible way, Goose’s ’94 Bronco Centurion body sits on a ’96 F-250 frame and sports 18-inch travel coilovers—along with 21/58-24LT (58-inch) Mickey Thompson Baja Pro XS tread mounted on 24×16-inch forged TIS wheels with simulated beadlocks. Of course, it’s been 7.3L swapped, and the Power Stroke was built by Gap Train Performance’s David Keyser. Full Force Diesel Stage 1 injectors, a 4-line feed fuel system from CNC Fabrication, a FASS fuel supply system, a KC Turbos KC300x stage 1 charger in the valley, a Terminator Engineering T500 high-pressure oil pump, and a Power Hungry Performance Hydra Chip programmed with Jelibuilt Performance files help get Buckin’ Behemoth up and moving.The Diesel Source’s Christian Brezik wasted zero time building this OBS after losing his previous ’96 F-250 on the way home from the 2025 Summit 7.3 event. This version (also a two-wheel drive F-250 crew cab), which is equipped with many carryover parts from its wrecked predecessor, sports a short bed, a T-4 turbo mount, and an intercooler. In looking at the driver side of the truck, you can also see that it’s been converted to a hydroboost brake system. Christian’s F-250 earned the Best OBS award at this year’s truck show.One of the perks of attending Summit 7.3 is an ability to get an exclusive look at the latest products in the 7.3L aftermarket. This year, attendees were privy to receiving Power Hungry Performance’s new Medusa interface and becoming BETA testers. The Medusa combines PHP’s best-selling Hydra Chip with the use of an Edge Insight monitor. With Edge Products’ color touchscreen (CTS) Insight being the most popular monitoring device in the diesel truck industry, it only made sense for Power Hungry to partner up with them.Here, you get an idea of how the Medusa interface works. It allows you to get rid of the Hydra Chip’s standard digital display box and plug directly into an Insight—and then control your power levels via the color touchscreen monitor. With most 7.3L owners running a Hydra Chip in conjunction with an Edge Insight monitor, integrating the two makes perfect sense, and we fully expect that the pairing will (once again) revolutionize the 7.3L tuning segment. Check out ReviewDiesel.com’s take on Medusa here and look for a public release in the months ahead.CNC Fabrication was on hand with its recently released valve spring compressor tool. Whether you’re removing or installing valve springs in a 7.3L’s heads with them off the block or still in place under the hood, this hold down tool’s open design was engineered to ease the process of removing the valve keepers. Made 100-percent in-house at CNC Fab, and with utmost durability in mind, its valve spring compressor features a tough, cold-rolled steel body, a hardened threaded stud for maximum longevity, and zinc plating for corrosion resistance. With stiffer valve springs being one of the first upgrades a higher horsepower 7.3L needs, veteran mechanics and DIYers alike will benefit from having one of these in the shop.KC Turbos has supported Summit 7.3 since its inception. and once again the Mesa, Arizona-based company sponsored, presented, and ran a booth at this year’s show. KC’s latest turbo system, the KC300x Gen 3 Stage 1 conversion kit for OBS 7.3L’s, was on display. A complete kit, it allows you to install KC Turbos’ E99 KC300x Gen 3 charger on your OBS, and comes with the custom outlet flange, pedestal, and up-pipes required to make it possible. The turbo itself features a redesigned Gen 3 7×7 SXE style compressor wheel and a thick shaft Gen 3 SXE style turbine wheel, which combine for quick spool up and exceptional-flow up top. The turbo supports injectors up to 205/30’s and the kit retails for $1,690.Though not exactly a brand-new product, RD2 Fuel Systems’ IPR nut upgrade is one of those pattern problem solutions that never gets old. Many 7.3L Power Stroke owners know that the factory Tinnerman nut is notorious for vibrating loose and falling off the back of the injection pressure regulator (IPR). When this happens the engine stalls and you’re dead in the water. Oftentimes, you can find the Tinnerman nut sitting in the lifter valley, on the side of the road, and on top of a 200-degree engine… RD2 Fuel Systems’ IPR nut upgrade offers six times the thread engagement and can be torqued twice as high. It retails for $49.95.One of the most highly anticipated guest speakers at Summit 7.3 was PPEI’s Kory Willis, pictured here with ReviewDiesel.com’s Vinny Himes. In his time on stage, Kory covered his ongoing fight with the EPA, the progress he’s made in D.C. with the current administration, the leadership role he took upon himself following Hurricane Laura, and even the rediscovering of his faith—all of which have combined to make him one of the most driven, respected, and followed leaders in the diesel industry. The ill-effects of the EPA’s over-regulation of the diesel industry were discussed in detail—including the possibility of his facing five to seven years in prison and being forced to pay a $40 million fine—as were the “climate tax” and “fuel penalties” modern diesel owners are all being forced to pay. On a positive note, Kory emphasized that “the current administration is listening to us” and is working with diesel industry experts to end what has essentially been a war on diesel. You can find most of their conversation in the PowerstrokeBoiz Youtube recap of Summit 7.3 here.Tony Salas has been teaching light and medium duty diesel classes for over 35 years and is the current course instructor for Powertrain Training. As expected, when he took the stage at Summit 7.3 everyone listened intently. During his presentation, Tony stressed the importance of today’s technicians and mechanics being able to think critically in order to be capable of diagnosing in-depth problems, and that a technician’s attitude must be positive in order to work effectively. In particular, he advised a good understand of electrical as being paramount, as unfortunately it’s one of the skill sets that’s lacking the most in diesel shops these days. On the electric failure side of things, Tony disclosed he’s seen an increase in burnt up 7.3L PCM’s in recent years.Speaking of technicians, the current crop is only getting older. This means the next generation of diesel mechanics will soon populate many shops. As both a diesel technology instructor and an assistant professor of diesel service technology, Byrne Diesel Performance’s Joanna Byrne made it very clear that working with Gen Z will be mandatory in the future, if it isn’t already. She also made it known that Gen Z’ers are, despite the general consensus of older generations, highly motivated to both learn and work. Her best advice? Don’t waste their time (and yours) by offering them low wages. Pay them. Invest in them. And even entertain the idea of offering incentives such as paid training and specialty tool allowances.
