Ford 6.0 Powerstroke Bulletproofing

In this article, we discuss the idea of bulletproofing the Ford 6.0 Powerstroke engine to improve reliability. The engine ultimately suffers from poor reliability due to problems with its emissions equipment, oil, and fueling systems. Therefore, the process of bulletproofing has arisen to improve the engines weaknesses and ultimately improve reliability.

What is “Bulletproofing”?

The term originates from the company bulletproofdiesel.com. They’re well known for building some great aftermarket parts for the diesel world. However, the term quickly caught on in the 6.0 Powerstroke scene. BulletProof Diesel does offer a few kits aimed at improving the weak points of the engine. Although, the term “bulletproof” more generically refers to upgrading the weak points of the engine to improve reliability.

In this post, we’ll mostly be focused on parts from the company BulletProof Diesel. There are of course plenty of other options out there. However, we’re narrowing it down to discuss which of the “bulletproof” upgrades are worth the cost.

6.0 Powerstroke Bulletproof Upgrades

• Oil cooler
• EGR cooler
• Water pump
• Fuel injector control module (FICM)
• Head gasket & head studs

These are a few of the most problematic parts on the 6.0L turbodiesel engine. Some consider these to be the main “bulletproof” items. Some add in more stuff while others believe you should only do a couple of the above. Upgrading all 5 of the above items can be pretty costly. Is it worth it to tackle all of them? What upgrades should be skipped?

We’ll discuss each of these upgrades throughout the post and provide advice on whether or not they’re worthwhile mods. At the end of the blog we also discuss a few other small upgrades some may consider. Let’s dive right in.

If you’re less focused on bulletproofing and more focused on modifying, we cover the 7 Best 6.0 Powerstroke Mods in another article more focused on building power. However, building power without first addressing the reliability issues with the 6.0 is usually not the best advised route.

1) Oil Cooler Upgrade

The 6.0 Powerstroke oil cooler can potentially cause a string of failures. Coolant passages may become blocked on the factory oil cooler. This starves the EGR cooler, which may cause it to overheat and fail. When the EGR cooler fails coolant may enter the intake thereby creating high pressures that cause the head to lift. Point is – the oil cooler on the 6.0L is a serious reliability issue.

Oil cooler systems from BulletProof Diesel come in around $2,000-2,500. It’s not a cheap upgrade. The EGR cooler is also a problematic area regardless of the oil cooler problems. As such, it’s still a good idea to do the EGR cooler even if you’re upgrading the oil cooler.

Is an Oil Cooler Upgrade Worth It?

We would probably skip the oil cooler upgrade unless you plan on keeping the truck for a long time. Install can run about $700-1,000 so the upgrade can cost upwards or beyond $3,000 all in. Compare that to a factory 6.0 Powerstroke oil cooler for about $300. Add in labor and you can still replace the factory oil cooler about 3x before the bulletproof 6.0L oil cooler upgrade is worth the cost. Factory oil coolers usually hold up for about 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

It’s still a great upgrade for peace of mind. Those planning to keep their Ford for the long-run should definitely consider upgrading the oil cooler. Otherwise, simply replace it with the OEM Ford parts.

2) EGR Cooler Mod

As discussed in the previous section, the EGR cooler is prone to failure. Some Ford 6.0 diesel owners opt to simply go with an EGR delete kit. It’s a solid option since you can pick up 6.0 EGR delete kits for under $100. However, there are some emissions reasons to not delete the EGR cooler.

Enter the Bulletproof 6.0 Powerstroke EGR cooler. This EGR upgrade should last the life of the engine and help avoid the hassle of potential emission problems. Deleting the system is the safest way to go but due to the continuing tightening of emissions regulations it’s easier to upgrade the EGR system rather than delete it.

Is an Upgraded EGR Cooler Worth It?

Yes, we believe the EGR cooler upgrade from Bulletproof Diesel is well worth the cost. If your EGR fails and you need a new one then we highly recommend going for the upgrade. However, if emissions aren’t a concern then an EGR delete kit is a good option too.

3) Water Pump Upgrade

Water pumps are yet another common problem on the 6.0 Powerstroke. The OEM water pump features a plastic impeller prone to failing. You’ll usually notice a puddle of coolant under the truck when the pump fails. It will also cause the 6.0 to quickly overheat if coolant flow is lost.

Water pump upgrades from BulletProof Diesel use an aluminum impeller. They also upgrade the bearing assembly, seal, and housing. It basically knocks out all of the areas prone to fail on the factory water pump.

Should You Upgrade the Water Pump?

We would skip this upgrade for now if your Ford water pump is still functioning. However, if and when the water pump fails it’s definitely worth the upgrade. The Bulletproof 6.0 Power Stroke water pumps come in at $350. You might also consider their complete cooling system upgrade that knocks out all of the weak points with the 6.0L cooling system.

4) FICM Bulletproofing

The Fuel Injection Control Module (FICM) controls the fuel injectors. Damaged FICM’s will cause the diesel engine to have trouble starting or not start at all. Other common symptoms include rough idle, stuttering, and power loss.

There are a handful of different options to go with. 6.0 FICM failures are often due to the power supply. However, Bulletproof and others offer full upgrades for the FICM. This includes the actual power supply upgrade with a new Ford OEM logic board.

Is the FICM Upgrade Worth It?

We’ll consider the Bulletproof 6.0 FICM option a toss up. The full upgrade runs around $800-1050, so it’s not cheap. Even the power supply alone runs $500. We recommend going for the TechSmart FICM power supply with an OEM cover. At $230 it’s a much better price that won’t break the bank.

5) ARP Head Studs

We’re circling back to the first topic of oil coolers here. The 6.0 head lifting isn’t really a manufacturing defect with the head, gaskets, or head studs. Rather, it was a chain event of the oil cooler failing. This leads to failure of the OEM 6.0L EGR cooler, which can cause the head to lift.

Basically, the head and head studs aren’t the problem here. Make sure you upgrade to the bulletproof EGR cooler or delete it. If this is done the head studs should not be a concern.

Are Head Studs Worth It?

Skip the ARP head studs on the 6.0L Powerstroke unless you are planning on adding tuning and other power mods. The ARP studs come in around $600, but labor is pretty intensive. If you’re in there anyways then it can’t hurt to upgrade them if you’re willing to spend on the parts.

Other 6.0 Powerstroke Bulletproof Mods

We wrote about a post here regarding the most common problems on the Ford 6.0 Power Stroke engine. It’s still not a totally exhaustive list. However, there are a few other problems on the Ford 6.0L that aren’t considered a normal part of bulletproofing. As with several of the things on this list, it’s probably not worth it to replace this parts preventatively.

Simply knock out the repairs as they pop up and upgrade when and where it makes sense. A few other upgrades to consider include:

• Fuel injectors
• Turbocharger
• High pressure oil system
• Cooling system

Again, we wouldn’t go out and upgrade these 6.0 Powerstroke parts unless they fail. We’re just pointing out that there are many upgrades available. If the price is right then upgrade parts as they fail.

Summary

Ford 6.0 Powerstroke engines didn’t earn the best reputation for reliability. They suffer from quite a few common problems; many of which are due to emissions requirements. Nonetheless, it can be a reliable engine. The idea of bulletproof mods took off and became a common term. However, Bulletproof is really a company that makes tons of great upgrades for the Powerstroke engines.

A few popular upgrades to build a bulletproof Ford 6.0 include the oil cooler, EGR cooler, water pump, FICM, and head studs. The EGR cooler or delete is a great start. However, most of the upgrades don’t make sense to do up front. Simply knock out any upgrades possible – assuming the budget allows – when actual problems pop up.