Upgrading your diesel engine to improve its performance is a great idea, but it’s not one to pursue without planning for potential consequences. Most engine upgrades can boost its horsepower, improve efficiency, turn up the torque, and extend its life. An upgrade can be as simple as bringing your car or truck in for a tuning or performing a more complex procedure. To help make your decision a little easier, check out the first four diesel performance upgrades you should make.

Cold-Air Intake

Whether you’re working on a 6.6 Duramax engine or individual parts, the easiest and smartest upgrade is the cold-air intake. This component brings cool air into the engine, which means more oxygen for combustion while preventing overheating. You’ll notice an immediate increase in horsepower. Additionally, the engine will take in less dirt and debris that interferes with its performance. Cold-air intake installations are relatively cheap and easy adjustments for any mechanic.

Talking About Turbochargers

A turbocharger compresses the air that flows through an engine’s cylinders, leaving more room for fuel to burn in the engine. This boosts the engine’s power by around 30–40 percent. While adding a turbo is relatively simple, it requires special tools and mechanical knowledge. Still, the payoff is noticeable. You’ll feel increased horsepower and torque from your vehicle right away!

Differential Dealings

Upgrading your differential makes your vehicle operate better off-road and while towing heavy loads. Your vehicle’s current differentials provide good performance on paved roads, but an upgrade delivers more power to the axle and lets the wheels operate at different speeds. This gives the vehicle better traction and keeps the wheels from spinning without gripping the ground. Driving through mud, sand, and other off-road terrains will be a breeze with this upgrade!

Altering ECMs

Another diesel performance upgrade you should make is altering or replacing the engine control module (ECM). This on-board computer monitors and controls engine functions, including air-fuel mixture and preset standards. If you want to improve its performance, replacing or reprogramming the ECM can remove factory limits and add horsepower and torque. It can also make your engine “smarter” about using fuel, which can help you save money at the pump!