Top 6 Best Cold Air Intake for 6.0 Powerstroke – Complete Guide
Are you looking for the cold air intake for 6.0 Powerstroke engine in your Ford truck? In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know to give your truck that power rush.
From examining the best CAI systems on the market to understanding what you need to consider before buying, this guide will help you make the right choice. You’ll also learn how to replace the stock air intake with the new one.
Make sure to read the entire post as every section is important.
Click here to skip to our recommended pick!
- Fitment: 2003-2007 Ford
- Engine Compatibility: 2003-2007 Ford F-250/350/450/550 Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8 6.0L
- Increased HP: +9
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your aFe Power Magnum 54-30392 Cold Air Intake for Ford Diesel Truck 03-07 V8 6.0 at Amazon!
- Fitment: 2003-2007 Ford
- Engine Compatibility: 2003-2007 Ford F250/350 Powerstroke Diesel 6.0L
- Brand: SUPERFASTRACING
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your SUPERFASTRACING Cold Air Intake for 2003-2007 Ford 6.0 Powerstroke F-250 F-350 at Amazon!
- Fitment: 2003-2007 Ford
- Engine Compatibility: 2003-2007 Ford F-250/350/450/550 6.0L V8 Diesel
- Output: 240+ HP
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your K&N Cold Air Intake 57-2546-1 for 2003-2007 Ford SuperDuty at Amazon!
- Fitment: 2003-2007 Ford
- Engine Compatibility: 2003-2007 Ford F-250/350 6.0L Diesel
- Brand: S&B
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your S&B Filters KF-1039D High-Performance Replacement Filter at Amazon!
- Fitment: 2003-2007 Ford
- Engine Compatibility: 2003-2007 Ford 6.0L V8 Powerstroke Diesel
- Brand: BETTERCLOUD
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your BETTERCLOUD High Intake Elbow Fit For Ford 6.0L V8 Powerstroke Diesel 2003-2007 at Amazon!
- Fitment: 2003-2007 Ford
- Engine Compatibility: 2003-2007 Ford Super Duty 6.0L V8 Diesel
- Brand: Spectre Performance
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your Spectre Performance Air Intake Kit SPE-9973 For 2003-2007 FORD F250, F350, F450, F550 at Amazon!
How Much Horsepower Does a Cold Air Intake Add to a 6.0 Powerstroke?
One of the 6.0 Powerstroke cold air intake benefits is that it can increase the horsepower of the engine. But how much exactly it increases the hp varies from one CAI system to another.
Most brands behind the cold air intakes test the products beforehand and mention the amount of hp increase it will provide to the compatible engine. Typically, it ranges between 5 to 15 hp, which is quite a decent range.
You should look out for the tests conducted to meet this benchmark. It almost always is also accompanied by a test for an increase in engine torque. So you have tested and certified information at hand before you make the call.
Here’s how much Ford 6.0 cold air intake horsepower gain is for some of the top products:
The aFe Power Magnum Cold Air Intake
The aFe Power Magnum Cold Air Intake 54-30392 adds 9 hp, as per its dyno testing chart.
K&N Performance Air Intake System
The K&N Performance Air Intake System 57-2546-1 adds 15.53 hp, as per its test results.
Run Title: Stock 03 F-350 6.0 Turbo Diesel at 3g*
Run Notes: Stock baseline run. 321 miles. 3rd gear run
Run Date: 5/22/2003 1:25:53 PM
Stock.001: 92.59 °F, 28.96 in-Hg, SAE: 1.04
Run Title: FIPK 03 F350 6.0 Diesel at 3g*
Run Notes: K&N Intake Kit installed. 321 miles. 3rd gear run
Run Date: 5/22/2003 2:26:55 PM
FIPK.002: 95.24 °F, 28.91 in-Hg, SAE: 1.05
Horsepower gains based on specific or similar vehicle dynamometer test. Results will vary. For more information, lookup vehicle and/or testing protocols at KNFilters.com
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
aFe Power Magnum Force Performance Intake System for Ford Diesel Truck 03-07 V8 6.0
The overall number one pick for the 6.0 Powerstroke diesel engine is the aFe Power Magnum Force Performance Intake System. Here’s why:
- Five-layer filter
- Marked increase in horsepower
- Legal in all states
This product is a fully compatible 2003-2007 Ford cold air intake for V8 6.0 Powerstroke. It has high-quality construction, which is why it’s the top pick.
The highlight of this cold air intake is the five-layer cotton filter, properly oiled. A good air filter can make all the difference in the engine performance.
It’s a washable filter, so you won’t need to replace it any time soon. The one-piece powdered body makes installation a breeze.
It improves the air intake by 39 percent as compared with the factory-installed intake. Therefore, it produces an increase in horsepower of 9 hp and the torque by 39 lbs x ft.
This can really give your diesel truck 6.0 Powerstroke engine a performance boost. That, in turn, will improve its fuel efficiency, which is something Powerstroke engines struggle with.
Cold Air Intake for 6.0 Powerstroke Benefits
The cold air intake installed in your engine already only does an adequate job of drawing in the cold air into the engine. Replacing it with a custom-built CAI system equipped with a better filter can have many benefits.
The 6.0 Powerstroke engine still remains one of the best diesel engines by Ford. You can get more out of it through a quality cold air intake.
Improve Power
Aftermarket cold air intakes are known for delivering a power boost to the engine. You can get a measurable increase in horsepower and torque of your truck.
While 6.0 Powerstroke is pretty powerful, adding that small performance improvement can really take it to the next level. It’s all the more relevant for trucks that do a lot of heavy-lifting like hauling and towing.
Fuel Economy
The Powerstroke engines didn’t exactly have a great reputation when it came to fuel economy and emissions. But Ford has worked on it in the early 2000s when 6.4 Powerstroke permanently replaced the 7.3 Powerstroke.
That said, it can still use some improvement in fuel economy. A quality CAI air filter for the 6.0 Powerstroke would ensure that the truck gets more fuel-efficient, which would ultimately save you a lot of money.
Engine Sound
For any truck owner, the roaring sound of the diesel engine is music to their ears. One of the noticeable improvements a cold air intake can make is boosting the engine sound. Check out the difference in sound it makes here.
Best Cold Air Intake for 6.0 Powerstroke
The top best product [hide]
aFe Power Magnum 54-30392 Cold Air Intake for Ford Diesel Truck 03-07 V8 6.0
The five-layer, well-oiled filter makes the most impact. It’s washable and long-lasting, so no replacements necessary.
The aFe cold air intake 6.0 Powerstroke is one of the few cold air intakes that are legal in all 50 states. This means you can even use it in a few states, for example, California, where cold air intakes have to follow very strict standards.
Compatibility: 2003-2007 Ford diesel trucks with V8 6.0 engine
SUPERFASTRACING Cold Air Intake for 2003-2007 Ford 6.0 Powerstroke F-250 F-350
It’s meant for off-road use diesel trucks, so if your truck usage fits the profile, this product should be your choice. It has a 4-inch mandrel-bent tube paired with a conical filter. The superior construction comes at a very reasonable price, so it’s also the best budget choice.
Compatibility:
- 2003-2007 F250/F350 diesel trucks
- Only works with the stock MAF sensor
K&N Cold Air Intake 57-2546-1 for 2003-2007 Ford SuperDuty
This K&N cold air intake 6.0 Powerstroke features a high-quality filter that doesn’t require cleaning for at least 100,000 miles. So it’s very low maintenance. The filter protects the engine from any contaminants.
This is ideal for towing trucks that do a lot of heavy-duty work. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to install with less than an hour of assembly and installation time.
Compatibility:
- 2003-2007 Ford SuperDuty trucks with V8 6.0
S&B Filters KF-1039D High-Performance Replacement Filter
The flange height is one inch, while the flange inner diameter is 4.5 inches. It’s highly efficient and helps improve fuel economy and engine performance.
Compatibility: S&B Filter 75-5070D Cold Air Intake
BETTERCLOUD High Intake Elbow Fit For Ford 6.0L V8 Powerstroke Diesel 2003-2007
The black powder coating finish looks immaculate. It can really help improve the airflow to the engine, as compared with the stock cold air intake system.
Compatibility: All 2003-2007 Ford Diesel trucks with V8 6.0 engine
Spectre Performance Air Intake Kit SPE-9973 For 2003-2007 FORD F250, F350, F450, F550
This low-maintenance system’s filter doesn’t require cleaning for at least 100k miles. It will improve the overall engine performance, especially when going uphill and towing or hauling. It’s the best cold air intake for 6.0 Powerstroke if you’re looking to get a boost in both the sound and performance of your engine.
Compatibility: All 2003-2007 Ford Diesel trucks with V8 6.0 engine
How to install Intake for 6.0 Powerstroke – Step by step guide with photos
Replacing the cold air intake for 6.0 Powerstroke shouldn’t be that difficult, regardless of the model of the Ford truck you have.
Here’s a detailed Step By Step Guide of cold air intake installation for 6.0 Powerstroke Diesel.
Step 1 – Start by removing the air filter, this truck happens to have an aftermarket air filter and box. Gonna remove that and then start working on the stock intake ducting.
Step 2 – Remove the MAP sensor.
And we can work on the coolant lines want to get those off to the gas pedal and then start on the bracket from the ficam to the intake ducting on the turbo.
Step 3 – Remove that ducting and PCV then install the new boot onto the turbo. Installed the two clamps. These are seven-millimeter clamps. Make sure to have those lined up perfectly straight with the boot
Step 4 – Next we can take the diesel air intake and install the factory MAP sensor.
Step 5 – Next we can work on the PCV tubing. For this truck, we’re going to cut it to four and three-quarters of an inch so that it will fit in between the sinister diesel ducting and the valve cover.
Going to install the bracket for mounting the intake ducting onto the intake and make sure that it is lined up for the factory support. Going to install that PCV and then slide into the boot. Make sure that PCV is connected and then going to install the support bracket into the factory location.
Step 6 – Next we can install the air filter. Make sure the clamp is loose before trying to shove the air filter onto the ducting. We can line up the clamp parallel with the filter and tighten down we can reconnect the coolant lines to the D gas bottle. And connect the MAP sensor to the new location.
Step 7 – Next, we can tighten down the second clamp that will bolt on to the intake ducting. Make sure that is also lined up with the boot and intake duct.
And there you have it.
Here’s the finished product!
Cold Air Intake for 6.0 Powerstroke – Buyer’s Guide
Here’s everything you need to consider before buying an air intake system for 6.0 Powerstroke.
Compatibility
First thing’s first, you should see if the air intake you’re buying is even compatible with the truck you have. The 6.0 Powerstroke engine was used in many of the Ford diesel truck models, including the popular ones like F150, F250, and F350.
Make sure to check the specs for the cold air intake in question to see whether the make and model of the truck you have been mentioned. Typically, a cold air intake compatible with 6.0 Powerstroke works in all the models that have it.
Airflow Improvement
The main reason you’d want to replace the stock air intake is to give your engine better airflow. The more air and more oxygen flow to the engine, it leads to better fuel economy and more power for the engine.
While cold air intake systems mention the proposed hp and torque increase, the airflow increase percentage is another indicator. Anything above 30 percent is a decent change.
Filter Type
The filter is the key component of the air intake system. It can make or break the effect it has on your vehicle. Make sure the filter is of high-quality materials and properly oiled.
Synthetic materials are the top choice, as they last a lifetime and don’t require as much maintenance.
