Power up my 04 6.0L Powerstroke - Page 2

carringb · 12-17-2016, 07:48 AM

Ps -4.10 is a must. 3.55 are the base option and only good for 16,000 pounds combined.

Also keep in mind that the tall roof increases HP needs so too will need more than you ram had to pull at the same speed.

pugslyyy · 12-17-2016, 08:14 AM

When I do my 4x4 conversion (on 35 inch tires) I am going to 4.56 and a full float rear.

JoeH · 12-17-2016, 08:26 AM

I stand corrected on the gearing. 3.55 doesn't sound like a good match for the powerband on the 6.0 esp esp for towing but I bet the hwy mileage is good. Another thing to consider when adding power is the engine will lug at lower rpms, especially with a FICM tune, so it's even more paramount to have a lower gear ratio.

Another wear item to replace while the top half of the motor is off and the radiator out is the Brake Booster Vacuum Pump. 4C2Z-2A451-AA

Seems like most of us have had to replace it before hitting 100,000 miles and it's not a good scenario when it goes.

carringb · 12-17-2016, 08:52 AM

I just noticed this statement:

Quote:

So my plan is to get my van to the power output of the trucks without compromising reliability.

IMO that's not possible. Stock, the early 6.0s are not anywhere near as reliable as even the first year of the 6.7L. I recommend thinkingg long and hard about what you want. For what it would take to fully build a powerful and reliable 6.0, you might be better off just swapping in a Cummins.

JoeH · 12-17-2016, 09:00 AM

So hard to tell with these things. The OP apparently did get 135k out of a stock early generation 6.0.

Cummins also has to come with an Alison. No small deal that swap.

SteelheadJones · 12-17-2016, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeH

Cummins also has to come with an Alison. No small deal that swap.

Yeah, ask MG!

JoeH · 12-17-2016, 01:40 PM

What MG is doing is beyond cool in so many ways but once you really look into a cummins swap you can see why so few do it.
-even used a cummins is steep expensive.
-trans issue. There isn't a stand along controller that works with the 5R110. So, the Allison comes along for the ride.
-6.0 is PCM controlled.
-Arguably less HP unless you do some big fuel upgrades

Since the OP hasn't been back to check on his thread since his opening post I'll just continue with the thread hijack. I would argue that the HOLY GRAIL is a 6.0 that is studded with the EGR issues taken care of. Just pull that sucker and get the job done. ARP headstuds and a stage 1.5 turbo and you can make 400 HP and tow all day long. Take care of the known issues and you've got an engine that can make some serious power and is just as reliable as the 7.3.

SteelheadJones · 12-17-2016, 08:49 PM

I'll piggyback your hijack...

Dig drove my '99 7.3 across country for me. The brake master cylinder failed 60 miles from his house in Chatsworth. (Story for another thread, but yeah, yikes!)

Anyway, I had it towed to Ultimate Truck Performance in Camarillo (now Oxnard). Another shop actually referred me to them and they had really good reviews online so I gave them a shot and was very happy with their work.

Interestingly, every mechanic there except one drove a 6.0 with their bulletproofing. The exception was saving to get one. They all said the 6.0 is a better engine: quieter, more powerful, and reliable once the kit is in.

I said, "Yeah, but if it breaks you guys have a shop to fix it in."

And they said, "Yeah... but they don't break."

Of course 6.0's still require more maintenance and there's less room to do it in. But after hearing (barely) my neighbor's 6.7 Powerstroke, any noise reduction from my loud-as-hell 7.3 would be welcome.

Also of course, now that I'm reconsidering a 6.0, '08+ RB's with barn doors never seem to pop up on CL. Why doesn't Ford get the message? The E-series is still in high demand!

pugslyyy · 12-18-2016, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelheadJones

Also of course, now that I'm reconsidering a 6.0, '08+ RB's with barn doors never seem to pop up on CL. Why doesn't Ford get the message? The E-series is still in high demand!

Over the course of almost a year of diligent searching, I found 2 unmolested 2009-10 6.0s (I wanted the new interior as well as the new exterior). One was at a dealer and it sold before I could get a look at it, and the other was being sold by the owner.

The contractors I talk to don't like the Transit and are running their Econolines into the ground. They feel like the Transit is just too "delicate".

egpeil · 12-18-2016, 10:48 PM

I sure appreciate the advice - doesn't sound like I'm gonna make my budget but I guess if I want to keep my van I guess it should be done right. I know it's not gonna compare to my 6.7 Cummins - would just like to get it up to what the 6.0 trucks are. I see a lot of them towing sizable campers - mostly 5th wheel but most of them are more than 12K lbs so 6.0 truck power should do fine towing my 11K lbs.