Truck manufacturers typically do what’s most suitable for the everyday driver when using OEM parts, which is putting a muzzle on many folks’ needs who want a more robust engine. Aftermarket upgrades can remove that muzzle from your engine and turn it into a powerhouse because of its several benefits.

Both aftermarket and OEM parts are safe to install, so it all comes down to what works best for you. However, aftermarket parts often match or exceed OEM parts. This is particularly helpful because OEM replacement parts only have one option—the original manufacturer.

Meanwhile, going the aftermarket route allows you to explore options like bulletproofing. Let us teach you how to tell if a 6.0 has been bulletproofed to understand whether the engine is as strong as claimed.

Why the 6.0 Ford Power Stroke?

Going with OEM parts with the Ford Power Stroke 6.0 isn’t the best strategy. There’s a consensus among the diesel community that the 6.0 is one of—if not the most—flawed Ford engine.

The crux of issues at large is Ford’s OEM include: water pump, fuel injector control module, head studs, oil, and EGR cooler.

These are the five primary areas worth fortifying. Some may argue that you should focus on a few, while others include even more. We’ll go over each of those five main options a little later.

What "Bulletproof" means?

A term you will see thrown around quite often when referring to a diesel engine is “bulletproof.” While you’re not going to turn your vehicle into an armored car or some version of the Batmobile, bulletproofing an engine—a 6.0 Ford Power Stroke in particular—is a way of bolstering the engine with aftermarket upgrades that differ from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

Many use the word “bulletproof” as a figure of speech when they upgrade their diesel; however, bulletproofing actually originates from the brand Bulletproof Diesel. It's an overly misinterpreted terminology that simply sound good, a great marketing tool for the company since it caught fire. 

Get in touch with Blessed Performance today to discover why so many folks nationwide resort to our establishment for all their "DO IT RIGHT" or if you must "BULLETPROOF" philosophies. You won’t have to worry about your engine overheating even while towing a lot of weight. And if your a daily driver, or even a race truck we can get you where you need to be fast. 

How To Know if It’s Been Bulletproofed

Identifying a bulletproofed engine might be challenging because of the widespread use of the phrase. When discussing the 6.0L Power Stroke, it is not enough to just remove the EGR cooler and install head studs to strengthen the engine, especially since altering an EGR system in any fashion would make you a federal criminal.

Learning about the components of a bulletproofed 6.0L Power Stroke engine is the quickest method to identify one. The following are those five components:

Oil Cooler

The oil cooler is the most common suspect for the poor performance of the 6.0 Power Stroke. An oil cooler is another small radiator, and a blocked or limited one may be more undetectable than other problems. The only way to truly know if the oil cooler is the problem is by thoroughly examining it. Silicon sand from the coolant system clogging it is the most common issue with the oil cooler.

Worth It?

Although it is the most common problem facing the 6.0, it may not be worth the investment if you don’t plan on driving the vehicle for the rest of your days. Replacing the oil cooler can be a quarter of the cost of bulletproofing the engine, which may be too much for something you could sell in a few years.

An OEM cooler may be less expensive and relatively effective, assuming you consistently inspect it and ensure everything is in working order. Therefore, an aftermarket oil cooler is a fantastic update to improve the engine for the long haul, but if that long haul isn’t your plan, it may be worth skipping if your budget is tight.

EGR System

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is responsible for cooling exhaust gas before it returns to the intake manifold. In the event of a failure, fluids may leak into the manifold, leading to white smoke from the exhaust from a loss of coolant.

The EGR valve of a 6.0 may also lead to failures because of carbon buildup. If this is the case, you’d see black smoke from the exhaust with a fluttering sound. Compromised EGR could lead to turbocharger issues.

Worth It?

Investing in a bulletproofed EGR cooler is a wise decision. You can ride out the OEM EGR until it begins to falter, but we recommend going with the aftermarket version when you need to replace it.

FICM

Serious engine complications could occur from faulty fuel injection control modules (FICM). Lower-quality gasoline and lubricant may quickly damage fuel injectors. If you notice you’re having difficulty starting your vehicle and idling, it could be a sign the fuel injectors are failing, particularly if it’s accompanied by gray or black smoke.

Worth It?

If you have the money for it, a FICM upgrade is a worthwhile investment. The only downside of a FICM upgrade is its cost. Even if it’s worth every penny, you’ll be lucky to get the final cost under $1,000, and maybe those pennies are running thin.

Cylinder Heads

The 6.0’s original torque-to-yield (TTY) studs can be a problem. You’ll have to switch out the studs to improve the vehicle’s performance. The 6.0L Power Stroke’s configuration beneath the hood makes replacing the head studs difficult. This process may be time-consuming for a skilled diesel technician, but it’s almost necessary.

Worth It?

Similar to the FICM upgrade, it takes a chunk of your wallet, but it is a nice upgrade. Another thing worth considering besides the cost is the intense labor involved in making the switch.

Water Pump

Ford’s OEM water pump isn’t the most reliable part of the engine. Its impeller is plastic, leading to many malfunctions that could overheat the engine because of leaked coolant. Bulletproofing the water pump involves upgrading to an aluminum impeller. Other seal, housing, and bearing assembly upgrades also come with bulletproofing.

Worth It?

Akin to a new oil cooler, the water pump is probably unnecessary to upgrade if your current water pump is functioning properly. Ideally, the water pump is the punctuation mark at the end of the bulletproofing sentence. You should upgrade every part before looking at this one. Of course, if the pump breaks, it’ll move up on the to-do list.

Many people selling an engine may try to claim it’s bulletproof, but now you know how to tell if a 6.0 has been bulletproofed officially. If the parts don’t have the stamp of approval from the fine folks at Bulletproof Diesel, it can still lead to bullets (problems) affecting the vehicle.

Blessed Performance wants to ensure your engine is purring with zero flutter, and our Ford 6.0 turbo back exhaust can help you accomplish that! We can be your one-stop shop for aftermarket parts to improve your Power Stroke, Duramax, or Cummins engine!