So you have a 6.0 Powerstroke, and many people consider it a problematic engine that may have a lot of issues.
But these engines can be quite a performer with the proper care and regular maintenance, as well as oil frequent oil filter changes.
But these engines can also be upgraded in many ways to improve their performance drastically for more power and better overall performance.
Some Issues with Stock Parts
There are some problems with the stock engine parts, and that is, for instance, the head bolts will not handle more power.
So you need to get rid of the old head bolts and replace them with a stronger head bolt.
If you intend to go for a larger turbo, you need to get the very best head bolts you can find. The problem with the stock head bolts is that they tend to stretch quite easily, even on a standard engine.
So to keep the head in place and the head gasket intact, you should go for the 250-4205 head stud kit.
This is the best of them all and strong enough even for a larger turbo that you may add to the engine.
Free Airflow
This is one of the first things to do when it’s time to get some more performance out of the 6.0 Powerstroke.
So you need to find a high-performance intake system to replace the stock airflow system of this vehicle.
To achieve better airflow with the Powerstroke, you will need to find the right intake system for more intake power.
Unrestricted airflow is the first way to go, to get more air and fuel into the engine for better performance.
It is very important that you get more cold air into the air intake system instead of hot air that is less dense.
So the higher density of the cold air will allow more oxygen into the engine and therefore increase the performance.
So a basic air intake kit will do wonders for the overall performance of your 6.0 Powerstroke engine and more power.
This single unit is very easy to install on the engine and does not cost that much compared to the benefits.
Care should be taken what type of kit you get for the 6.0 Powerstroke engine to provide maximum benefit.You would want a type of filter that is isolated from the heat of the engine bay to get cold air sucked in.
This air intake system should be able to get cool air from outside the vehicle to get maximum performance from the kit.
The S&B cold intake air kit is one of those kits that is ideal for the purpose you need.
It is designed to fit perfectly on the Powerstroke engine and provide better performance and more power and better fuel consumption.
The filters are made from silicon that will last longer and is more resistant to heat, and that is what you need.
As with any diesel, the cold air intake will increase power as well as efficiency, and you will have more horsepower and torque.
For instructions on how to properly install the S&B Air intake kit, see the following YouTube video –
Upgrade the Turbo
Turbos may seem like the obvious choice when you need more power from a stock motor with a standard turbo. As soon as the head issue is sorted out, you can go for a turbo with a much larger compressor wheel.
With this type of upgrade, you can push the 6.0 Powerstroke into the 700HP range with ease for more power.
With the stock turbocharger, you can get a maximum of 475HP out of the Powerstroke with standard pistons and rods.
To start with, more air in this engine is the best way to begin the journey of adding more power.
Then it would be best if you looked at the turbocharger to boost the 6.0 Powerstroke engine to a much higher power level.
To add a larger turbo to the Powerstroke engine will cost quite a bit and may not be the best option to go for.
It may also need some professional experience to install the turbo properly, which may cost you even more.
The Fleece Cheetah FWM turbo with a 63mm compressor wheel may be able to improve the performance of this engine drastically.
See this video about the great turbos that drives many Powerstroke engines out there to perform much better overall –
Other Ways To Increase Horsepower
Apart from the above methods to increase horsepower, there are many other ways to improve the performance of the Powerstroke engine.
- Upgrading the exhaust system may also improve the power of this engine drastically to perform better and be more efficient.
- A better fuel pump than the one that is installed will also improve the power of this engine.
- Even a high-pressure oil pump replacement may further increase the power of the 6.0 Powerstroke engine and efficiency.
- A better and more improved diesel injector set will also help to increase the power of the engine to perform much better.
- There is also the improvement you will get when a better intercooler system is installed to allow the engine to run cooler.
These are only a few more ways to increase the power on a 6.0 Powerstroke engine for better performance and efficiency.
See this video on how the tuning of the engine will improve performance drastically with only the programmer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqkwOTcqFOo
Conclusion
There are a myriad of ways to improve the power on the 6.0 Powerstroke engine, and with proper maintenance, keep it running.
Some of these methods will cost you only a few bucks, but others may be quite costly.
Some of these expensive upgrades are not available to everybody, but most of them are affordable to many people.
So do some research and find the best ways to increase the power on that Powerstroke engine for better horsepower.
It is in everyone’s reach to improve their favorite truck to last longer and perform better.