Whether the platform is Power Stroke, Duramax or Cummins, experienced tuners, knowledgeable mechanics, and well-informed enthusiasts know exactly how much power they can squeeze out of their preferred power plant. Thanks to being overbuilt from the factory, the engines produced for use in the truck segment all offer exceptional breathing room for growing horsepower.
The Key Differences Between Early and Late Model ’03-’07 Power Strokes
If you own a 6.0L Power Stroke, you have an engine that is almost 20 years old. And if you haven’t yet had to venture under the hood, you soon will. Contrary to what many outsiders believe, catastrophic engine failures are few and far between with the 6.0L. However, intermittent component failures are inevitable and can sideline you and your truck if you aren’t prepared.
It’s an engine that is tough as nails, extremely efficient on fuel, and highly affordable at the present time, yet some of you never knew it existed—until now. It’s the 3.0L M57 inline-six diesel from BMW, and it’s arguably as chock-full of performance potential as a common-rail Cummins. When it debuted stateside back in 2008 (as an ’09 model available in the 335d), it packed a unique sequential turbo arrangement (compounds) and boasted 265 hp and 425 lb-ft of twist.
In bringing CGI block technology, reverse-flow cylinder heads, air-to-water intercooling, 400 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque to the diesel truck segment, Ford’s 6.7L Power Stroke was big news. Since its release in 2011, the 6.7L Power Stroke has all but been perfected by Ford, and hundreds of thousands of happy customers agree. Its performance potential and dependability has even converted Duramax and Cummins fans to Ford owners. But why?
The Cummins. It’s the engine that brought inline-six architecture, direct injection, the P-pump, and true, industrial-level strength to the ¾-ton truck market. In either 5.9L or 6.7L form, its stroke dwarfs the competition and produces the most usable off-idle torque of any engine in the segment. Higher in the rev range, it’s always been able to hold its own in the horsepower department as well. Not surprisingly, the majority of all aftermarket endeavors are geared toward the ’89-present 5.9L and 6.7L Cummins mills.
We hear it all the time, timing makes power. But how much power? Well, there are a number of variables but it was a question we decided to try and answer with our pretty much stock 12v P-Pump Cummins project Green Monster. In our last installment we had put in a set of Scheid Diesel 5×0.018-inch injectors. To make the most of these new injectors though, we needed to add timing.
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