International T444E Diesel Engine
The Navistar International T444E is a similar engine to the 7.3 Power Stroke. Of course, International built the 7.3 Power Stroke for Ford and they use this engine variant in their own applications, such as International trucks. However, there are a few differences. Below are some specs for the Navistar T444E engine. At the end of the article we also discuss differences between the T444E and 7.3 Power Stroke.
Navistar T444E Specs
Engine | Navistar International T444E V8 Turbodiesel |
Displacement | 7.3 Liters (444 cu in) |
Aspiration | Turbocharged with wastegate |
Material | Cast iron block and heads |
Bore x Stroke | 4.11″ x 4.18″ |
Valvetrain | Single overhead cam (2 valves per cylinder) |
B10 Life | 200,000 miles |
B50 Life | 350,000 miles |
The T444E engine name comes from a few things. T stands for turbocharged. 444 represents the 7.3L engine displacement in cubic inches, and E stands for electronically controlled. As with the 7.3 Powerstroke, the Navistar 7.3 variant uses a cast iron block and heads. International T444E engines use a slightly over-square design with a longer stroke than bore. This is the same exact block and cylinder designs as the 7.3 Power Stroke made for Ford trucks. That also applies to the single overhead cam design with 2 valves per cylinder.
B10 life suggests 90% of the T444E engines survive beyond 200,000 miles with 50% of the engines making it to an impressive 350,000+ miles. This is also where the info comes from for the Ford 7.3 PS engine.
International T444E Power & Torque
HP Rating | Peak Power | Peak Torque | Redline |
175 HP | 184 @ 2,200 RPM | 460 @ 1,400 RPM | 2,600 RPM |
195 HP | 195 @ 2,300 RPM | 520 @ 1,400 RPM | 2,600 RPM |
210 HP | 215 @ 2,400 RPM | 540 @ 1,500 RPM | 2,600 RPM |
215 HP | 225 @ 2,200 RPM | 560 @ 1,400 RPM | 2,600 RPM |
230 HP | 238 @ 2,300 RPM | 620 @ 1,400 RPM | 2,600 RPM |
Different power ratings are for different applications with different PCM software. Power for International T444E engines is less than the 7.3 Power Stroke. However, the Navistar engines offer more torque than the 7.3 Powerstroke in some versions. Again, the overall design of the engines is very similar. However, the Power Stroke variants target a bit more power and less torque.
7.3 Power Stroke vs International T444E
As mentioned briefly with the engine specs the overall design between the 7.3 Power Stroke and T444E are very similar. They use the same block design, material, bore and stroke, etc. A few of the primary differences include:
- Powertrain Control Modules (PCM)
- International T444E and 7.3 Power Stroke engines use different PCM’s. The tuning is different for the various applications. Ford trucks are tuned for more power, but International offers examples with higher torque. A lot of T444E engines were used in school buses where additional torque is needed, but power is less important.
- Turbochargers
- To help facilitate the various needs, the International Navistar T444E uses a different turbocharger design
- Engine paint
- T444E engines receive blue paint on the block. Otherwise, the blocks are identical
- Mechanical fuel pump
- Fuel pumps on the Navistar T444E are mechanically driven, which also means the engine receives a different camshaft than the Ford 7.3
- Engine sensors
- Some sensors on the engines are different
There are also some other minor differences between the engines. However, for the most part the Ford and International 7.3L diesel engines are identical. The primary differences come down to PCM software rather than actual mechanical differences. Though, the T444E does use slightly different cams, fuel pumps, etc.
T444E Reliability
We wrote an article about the 7.3 Power Stroke common problems here. Given the similar design the International Navistar T444E is likely to suffer from many of the same issues. Nonetheless, the T444E is a reliable engine overall.
These engines came out before the days of extremely strict emissions laws. Many of the headaches present on modern diesels were not an issue on the T444E engines. Additionally, International T444E B50 life of 350,000 miles goes to show these diesel engines are workhorses that provide reliable ownership for a long time.
What is the longest period that you know personally someone has owned an International T444e in a Roll Back.?
Not very good. Most of the trucks that never made it to B10 were not school busses, they were other commercial use trucks. Ive worked at a Freightliner dealer for 13 years and thats my experience. Most of my diesel mechanic friends really despise this engine over the DT466. Theres a reason that nobody uses V8 diesel for actual work.
I have seen this engine from someone I personally known get upwards of 500K. IF ALL MAINTENANCE AND GOOD service was performed.