6.0 Powerstroke Turbo Diesel Performance

Even though 6.0 Powerstroke turbo diesel trucks ended production in 2007, their popularity is bigger than ever. They have undergone a resurgence led by the aftermarket. Companies are offering better parts for daily driver / towing setups – and going fast. We talked with the owner of a 6.0 Powerstroke 1000 hp sleeper and it got us thinking about a build. This post is about 6.0 Powerstroke performance and why it is ascending the dollar-per-horsepower build ladder.

When it comes to pre-DPF trucks, the 6.0 Powerstroke offers tremendous upside. First, while it has emissions controls, it’s not as stringent as 2008-current Powerstrokes. There’s no need for DEF fluid, which is a huge benefit with supply chain issues the market is facing. Second, the purchase price of a 2003-07 6.0 Powerstroke can save lots of money vs a 5.9L Cummins or LB7-LBZ Duramax. This means more money for go-fast parts!

The 1000 hp number has been a benchmark for a street truck for a long time. In the past, a 1000 hp 6.0 Powerstroke was unheard of, or the ones that did make that power weren’t daily drivers. In 2022, that’s no longer the case. There are a ton of companies specializing in turbos, injectors, HPOP’s, oil coolers, fuel additives, transmission parts, and tuning, your choices are almost unlimited.

Can 6.0 Powerstrokes compete at the highest level? The Ultimate Callout Challenge this year proved they can. While the 6.0 didn’t win, they are going past 2000 hp in race applications and the competition isn’t stopping. 5 years ago, if someone said they wanted a 2000 hp 6.0, people would laugh. Places like KC Turbos are proving it’s no laughing matter and they are on the track backing up the dyno numbers and track times.

With money being tight and inflation high, it can be hard to justify a $30,000-$40,000 15-year-old truck to build and have fun with. This is where we see the 6.0 Powerstroke saving the budget racing segment. All used vehicle prices are inflated, but the early perception of the 6.0 has insulated it from the crazy prices of the Cummins and Duramax world. Torque is torque, regardless of what engine platform it comes from. So is the smile from hitting the track and testing yourself and the truck against other vehicles. The 6.0 Powerstroke platform offers new diesel owners a way to get into the community, upgrade as funds allow and not hit a roadblock as they approach 750, 900 or 1500 hp.

One theme we hear from all 6.0 Powerstroke podcast guests is, that they love the truck. They love being different and not picking the Cummins or Duramax build that’s been done thousands of times. They love bucking the trend and showing what was once thought as the worst diesel of all time, is turning into a solid, reliable engine. This post was about what we’ve learned and hopefully, it helps you if you plan on a 6.0 Powerstroke for the street, strip, or all-out racing!