In its use in Ford Motor Company trucks, vans, and school buses, it is the first of the Power Stroke family of diesel engines.

The T444E was manufactured from 1994 to 2003, replacing the 7.3L IDI V8 designed by International Harvester.

As a result of its inability to meet California noise regulations, the T444E was discontinued midway through the 2003 model year, replaced by the all-new 6.0L VT365.

In total, nearly 2 million 7.3L Power Stroke V8s were manufactured for Ford at Navistar's Indianapolis, Indiana, plant before switching to the 6.0L.

In 2000, power was once again upped to 250 hp (186 kW) at 2700 rpm with automatic transmission and 275 hp (205 kW) with manual transmission, and 525 lb⋅ft (712 N⋅m) of torque at 1600 rpm.