Best Turbo for 6.0 Powerstroke: The 6 Best Upgrades (2023)

There are several ways to improve the performance of your truck's 6.0L Powerstroke engine. However, if you want to get the most out of your engine upgrade, replacing the turbocharger is the best place to start.

But buying an aftermarket turbo can be daunting. There are many options to choose from. Choosing the best turbo for 6.0 Powerstroke requires understanding some technical aspects. To help you navigate the buying process, we've put together a buying guide on some of the things to consider.

More importantly, we've also compiled a list of aftermarket turbos for the 6.0-liter Powerstroke that are worth every penny.

This is at the top of our list6.0 POWERSTROKE KC STUFE 2 TURBO. It was the best option among those we tested. And while it's not cheap, it's well worth the high price tag.

In second place is theGarrett Powermax-Turbolader. Similar to the KC second stage, the Powermax offers exceptional performance over the stock turbo.

A quick comparison of our top picks

Why do you trust our rating?

We want to know which is the best turbo for 6.0 Powerstroke. And so we tested some turbos. We ran an extensive review of each of the six we narrowed down to and gave our honest opinion of them, including their pros and cons.

How we select the best

We took a few things into account when we selected the best turbos for the 6.0 Powerstroke. Key to this was the ease of installation, the performance, and the accessories that each of the turbos came with.

What is a turbocharger and what does it do?

Like a jet engine, a turbocharger forces more air into the engine, causing it to produce more torque. In a diesel engine, the air is first compressed before fuel is injected. A turbo compresses more air, resulting in more air and fuel mixture being used in combustion.

That means a supercharged engine doesn't have to be big to produce more power. This results in an overall weight reduction of a car as it can use a small engine without compromising on power output.

What are the advantages of turbo engines?

• Improved Power Delivery:The most obvious advantage is the higher power output of the engine. A turbocharger forces more air into the engine, resulting in more power. This in turn leads to high speeds and improved towing capacity for trucks.
• Environmentally friendly:At the heart of a turbocharger is the concept of energy recovery from exhaust gases. This ensures lower CO2 emissions and at the same time improves the efficiency of the engine's combustion process.
• Smaller engines:Turbocharged engines are typically smaller compared to non-turbocharged engines. This means a lighter vehicle without sacrificing performance.

How do you carry out checks on a turbocharger?

• Physical Inspection: Check the intake compressor and rotate the shaft. Be careful of excessive shaking or roughness when rotating the shaft. Also, rock the shaft up and down and check for radial wear.
• Check boost pressure: Use a vacuum or pressure gauge to check the boost pressure of the turbo. If the airflow is higher than the boost pressure indicates, this can be a sign of a leak in the intake tract.
• Check the Wastegate: You can also use a vacuum gauge and pump to check the wastegate. Connect the pump to the wastegate actuator and actuate the watergate. Make sure there is no pressure drop.

How do I know if my 6.0 Turbo is defective?

There are several symptoms that indicate a bad turbo. Some of the most common are;

White or gray smoke from the exhaust. If you notice excessive white or gray smokefrom your exhaust, this may be due to an engine oil leak or worn turbocharger internal seals.

Increase oil consumption:

Another sign is when your car needs more oil than usual. This can be due to an oil leak in the turbocharger and will affect turbo performance.

Engine warning lamp lights up:

If your check engine light is on, one of the culprits could be a faulty turbocharger.

How is the 6.0 l Powerstroke turbocharger removed and installed?

Removing the turbocharger on a 6.0 l Powerstroke is a multi-stage process. The process of removing will entail.

The first step is to remove the turbocharger intake manifold. This is located between the compressor housing and the air filter. Next, disconnect the charge air cooler inlet pipe.

The next step is to remove the push pins that secure the wire harness that runs from the passenger side to the drive side. Again, position this strap so that it does not get in your way. Also remove the intercooler pipe.

Next, remove the Marman clamp. Use a sleeve to remove both the top and bottom tube Marman clamps. An 11mm jack should do the job.

There is a magnetic clamp mounted on the compressor housing that you must remove. Also, disconnect the VGT solenoid valve connector. Next, using a socket, disconnect the oil supply line from the top of the turbocharger.

The turbocharger is usually held in place by three mounting bolts. To make them easier to remove, apply a lubricant to the screws. The left and right screws are easily accessible. However, the rear bolt is not as accessible as it is positioned behind the compressor housing.

Use a socket wrench to remove the three bolts securing the turbocharger. For example, you can use a 10mm jack. Once the turbocharger is off, remove the oil drain tube. You can do this by dragging it towards the radiator and rocking it from side to side.

Installing a new turbocharger can take longer than removing it. First you need to clean the sealing surface of the oil supply line. Next, position the turbocharger back on top of the engine. Make sure it sits on top of the drain hole. This may take several attempts and then reinstall all other parts including the oil drain tube and air intake.

Best 6.0L Powerstroke Turbocharger

The 6.0 L Powerstroke engine was introduced to replace the 7.3 L Powerstroke. For Ford Super Duty Trucks, however, it only lasted until 2007. In the Ford Ecoline vans, the engine lasted until 2009, while in the Ford Excursion SUVs it lasted until 2010. If you need a 7.3 turbo, check these outbest turbos for 7.3 powerstroke.

With a single variable geometry turbocharger, the 6.0 L engine was more fuel efficient than its predecessor. But it wasn't without its problems, which is why it was discontinued. Since it's a decade old, it might be time to replace the stock turbo with an aftermarket one.

6.0 POWERSTROKE KC STUFE 2 TURBO

If performance is paramount to you and cost is not an issue, we recommend the KC Stage 2 Turbo for 6.0 Powerstroke. This is the perfect turbo for anyone driving a 2004-2007 Ford F250 or F350.

What exactly is it about this turbo that earns it the top spot on our list? First, it comes with a 10-blade turbine. The latter allows for increased airflow and produces a loud whistle. There's also the billet wheel with extended tips that allows for high boost capability.

We also love the fact that the Turbo came with a VGT solenoid included in the package. Additionally, we found it to be easier to install than most other turbos we've tested. So we recommend it for beginners.

However, as mentioned earlier, this turbo doesn't come cheap. So if you're looking for something on the budget side, we recommend looking around. Also, we found that it is only compatible with a limited number of models. So it's not the best option for everyone. However, if cost is not an issue, this is the best turbo upgrade for 6.0 Powerstroke.

Garrett Powermax-Turbolader

This Garret Powermax turbocharger is designed for the 0.45 to 0.7 Powerstrok 6.0 engine. As such, it is sold as a direct turbo replacement for the stock turbocharger. But should you replace your stock turbo with this one? let's find out

First, this is a larger turbo than the stock turbo and produces more power. Therefore, with this installation, you should see a significant increase in engine power. You should also expect much faster thrust than your previous model.

What about the sound? As you would expect, this Garret turbo produces an excellent whistling tone. In fact, we rank it among the best sounding turbos on the market.

While it's an excellent option for peak performance, it takes a little time to boot up from a dead stop. Also, getting that turbo installed properly can be a challenge. For example, it took us quite a long time to place it on top of the oil drain.

Overall, though, this is the best aftermarket turbo for 6.0 Powerstroke. It's a definite improvement over the stock. In addition, it is compatible with 2004 to 2005 6.0 Powerstroke. So if you're looking to replace your stock 2006 f350 turbo, this might be a good option.

Garrett GT3782VA Original-Ersatzturbo

If you are on a budget, we recommend the Garrett GT3782VA. The latter is less expensive than others on our list. However, it's still a capable turbo and outperforms more expensive models in a few areas.

The first thing we noticed about this turbo when installed is the quick spool up. This is mainly because it has a larger inductor and fewer cores. Regarding the installation, all the necessary accessories for the installation have been included.

In the package you get a gasket, O-rings and spacers. Mounting screws are also included. It should fit the F 250 trucks from 2003 to 2007. It features a typical ten-bladed exhaust wheel that produces a whistling sound.

Although it comes with all installation accessories, we found it difficult to install. Also, the V-clamps can break if overtightened. Overall, though, this is an excellent turbo for the price.

6.0 POWERSTROKE – KC STUFE 1 TURBO

Another KC turbo is the KC Stage 1 Turbo for the 6.0 Powerstroke. This is designed to fit the 2004-2007 Ford models. In addition, it is quite light and small compared to other turbos.

In terms of performance, we found it spooled up fairly quickly. In addition, thanks to its 10-blade wheel, it is able to allow increased airflow, which translates into improved performance. Also, the sound it produces is pretty awesome.

A new VGT magnet was included in the scope of delivery, which is always nice to look at. And while it's lighter than most of its competitors, it retains the same boosting abilities. This is thanks to the stick wheel with extended tips. In addition, it works great with stock injectors with no turbo lag.

Similar to the other KC models on our list, we think this one is a bit pricey given its features. Also, it is only compatible with a limited number of models. As such, it may not be the right option for most people.

GARRETT – POWERMAX TURBO

The Powermax is slightly more expensive than its counterparts, which begs the question: is it worth the hassle? First, this turbo has a beautiful design that features a taller compressor wheel.

This larger compressor wheel helps increase the power output of your engine. Therefore, you should see improved engine performance when installing this turbocharger. In addition, it has nine movable wings.

This helps improve the efficiency of the turbines, which in turn improves airflow. In addition, the turbo's drop-in design made installation easier. As a result, installation was easier compared to some of the other options on the list.

While it's a great turbo, its price might be a bit high for most. Therefore, its price tag is its biggest downside. However, if cost is not an issue then this is a device we would highly recommend. It is designed for 6.0 Powerstroke engines from 2004 to 2007.

Garret Turbolader GT3782VA

The GT3782VA turbocharger is intended to replace the stock turbocharger on the 2005-2007 6.0 Powerstroke Ford engine. And this turbo will be a significant improvement over the stock turbo.

This turbo features an updated center housing. This prevents moisture from accumulating under the unison ring and thus preventing corrosion in the area between the ring and the turbine housing.

In addition, this turbo features brand new unison rings and guide vanes. This will ensure proper clearance which will help improve engine performance. A VGT magnet is also included in the package.

It comes with a two-year warranty and is the same size as the stock 6.0 Powerstroke Turbo. This means it should slot easily into the 6.0 Powerstroke engine. Overall, installation is relatively easy.

Best Turbo for 6.0 Powerstroke Buyers Guide

So you've decided to buy a new turbocharger for your car's aging and worn out one. Well, there are a few things to consider before deciding on one. The main things to consider are.

vehicle compatibility

The first and most important thing to consider is compatibility. Each turbocharger is designed for different car models. It is therefore important to check whether a turbocharger is designed for your car model before you buy it.

When buying online you will find compatibility tools to check if a specific turbo is compatible with your specific car model.

The mark

As with any other product, some brands have a better reputation for making turbochargers than others. However, brands like KC have a solid reputation for making quality turbos. They also offer warranties on their products.

If you choose a turbo from a trusted brand, you can be confident in its performance.

Ease of installation

In the case of turbochargers, ease of installation is not always guaranteed. Overall, these components are not known for being easy to install. Still, some models are easier to install than others. For example, models with a drop-in design are usually easier to install.

Also check if the turbo comes with any accessories needed for the installation process. This saves you the purchase of additional accessories.

Guarantee

A guarantee gives you peace of mind and gives you the option of getting a replacement if the product is damaged. Find out about the warranty conditions of a turbo. Some have shorter warranty terms than others. Of course, an extended warranty is better.

durability

You want a unit that will last. The construction of the turbo should be and should be of good quality. The center case design should help reduce moisture build-up as this causes corrosion. Overall, the construction and design of a turbo affects its longevity.

frequently asked Questions

Diploma

The Powerstroke 6.0 liter engine was an evolution of the previous 7.3 liter diesel engine. However, it wasn't without problems, some of which concerned the turbocharger. Replacing the stock 2005 f350 6.0 turbo with a quality turbo can help resolve these issues.

More importantly, with the best turbo for the 6.0 Powerstroke, you get better performance than the stock supercharger and get the maximum power, torque, and fuel economy.

Last updated on February 2, 2023 byRifen

Last update on 10/12/2022 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API