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Most definitely, the first time you heard about bulletproofing a 6.0 Powerstroke, you thought it was about fortifying the engine against gunshots. Well, that’s not it – in this context, “Bulletproofing” means upgrading your 6.0 Powerstroke engine by changing some specific components believed to significantly influence the engine’s performance.
The first “Bulletproof 6.0” surfaced online; it was actually a company called “Bulletproof Diesel,” which made 6.0 Powerstroke upgrade components.
But today, when most people talk about bulletproof 6.0, they aren’t referring to that company but trying to let you know that the engine being talked about has been tweaked in some specific ways. But how much does it cost to bulletproof a 6.0 Powerstroke engine?
For about 4 – 6 grand, you can get your Ford 6.0 Powerstroke engine bulletproofed. But before you bulletproof your 6.0 engine, it is important to know the consequences. This article explains everything you should know about bulletproofing a 6.0.
Can You Bulletproof a 6.0 Powerstroke?
When you hear people talk about bulletproofed trucks, they are most likely referring to tweaked and upgraded Ford 6.0 Powerstroke trucks. Yes, 6.0 Powerstroke engines can be bulletproofed – in fact, they are the exact engine being talked about when you hear the word “bulletproof.”
But before a 6.0 Powerstroke engine can be said to be bulletproofed, some specific components must have been changed. Merely deleting the EGR doesn’t make your 6.0L engine bulletproof. To make it clearer, hereunder is a more detailed explanation of what bulletproofing 6.0 means.
What Does It Mean To Bulletproof a 6.0?
To start with, bulletproofing a 6.0 Powerstroke engine means carrying out some specific tweaks on the engine to improve the performance. This particularly means deleting the stock oil cooler and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems, then re-installing the bulletproof-supported models.
Also, a complete bulletproofing process may include changing the engine’s head gasket and the stock head bolts to high-strength studs. When these identified components are changed, the 6.0 Powerstroke engine can be said to be “Bulletproofed.”
The five (4) main components tweaked or changed while bulletproofing a 6.0 include the EGR cooler, Fuel Injection Control Module (FICM), oil cooler, head studs (or head gaskets), and water pump.
So, you can easily spot a bulletproofed 6.0 Powerstroke by checking on these aforementioned components if they’ve been changed/upgraded from the stock options.
A lot of 6.0 Powerstroke owners see bulletproofing as an important upgrade for their trucks. If you’re considering bulletproofing yours, hereunder is a rundown of what you may have to spend.
How Much Does It Cost To Bulletproof A 6.0 Powerstroke?
On average, bulletproofing a 6.0 Powerstroke would set you back about $4,000 for the required parts, while labor costs can be anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000 or even higher. Here’s a chart to make you under better.
| Parts | Cost |
| Oil Cooler | $1,800 – $2,300 |
| EGR Cooler | $300 – $500 |
| FICM | $500 – $800 |
| Head Studs (Head Gaskets) | $500 – $1,500 |
| Water Pump | $350 – $450 |
The most expensive parts are the oil cooler and EGR cooler (you could see some EGR coolers listed at a $1,000 starting price).
Apparently, the prices listed above are just the basic average costs of the indicated parts; you could get them cheaper or far costlier depending on the store you’re buying from and your location.
Total Cost To Bulletproof A 6.0?
Looking at the table above, it is clear that parts alone could cost up to $4,000 or much more, while labor costs sit at an average of $1,500. In total, you’d be spending up to $6,000 simply to get your old truck bulletproofed for better performance and to get more miles.
But does bulletproof really improve a 6.0 engine? The answer is YES; you’d notice a significant difference!
But, since bulletproofing a 6.0 Powerstroke could possibly cost up to $5,000 – $7,000, some people would prefer trading in their 6.0 Powerstroke truck and then add the five or seven grand to get a newer model with a seemingly more powerful engine to deliver better performance.
Bulletproofing is actually not worth it unless you’ve got some spare grands to throw around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bulletproofing a 6.0 Worth It?
Bulletproofing a 6.0 can get up to $12k; of course, that’s a lot of money. Unless you really have a bulk sum to throw around, it is not worth it to bulletproof a 6.0 Powerstroke. Even so, if your truck still looks new and everything is well in shape, it’d be best to sell and get a newer model with higher specs to give you the better performance you seek.
But then, we don’t have the power to decide what you should do with your truck! Some drivers would prefer bulletproofing their 6.0 rather than getting a new truck, and that’s pretty fine for anyone who could afford it.
How Long Will a Bulletproof 6.0 Powerstroke Last?
The bulletproofing isn’t what would make your 6.0 Powerstroke last longer – maintenance and a conservative driving style would do. A bulletproofed 6.0 can last anywhere from 200,000 to 350,000 miles if you always service the engine and go for regular maintenance when due. Notwithstanding, after covering several miles, you may need to re-bulletproof your 6.0 to maintain its effectiveness.
How Do You Tell If a 6.0 is Bulletproof?
You know a 6.0 is bulletproofed when about four to five important engine parts – particularly the EGR cooler, FICM, oil cooler, head studs (or head gaskets), and water pump – have been changed to some seemingly higher performance parts.
Does Bulletproofing 6.0 Void Warranty?
When you change the engine parts, you have automatically voided the OEM warranty on your 6.0 Powerstroke; any further issue you’d experience as a result of the tweak won’t be addressed or fixed by the engine manufacturer.
What More?
How much does it cost to bulletproof a 6.0 Powerstroke? It costs an average of $6,000, and the price can go up to $12,000 depending on quite various factors.
While bulletproofing may seem a great thing for some 6.0 Powerstroke owners, the extremely high cost may turn off a number of people.
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