Project Super Duty

Part Three: Improving The 6.4l Power Stroke For Superb Usability

- Jacob White

Introduced a few issues back, this 2008 6.4L Power Stroke has already seen an array of bolt-on upgrades intended to not only increase power for pulling, but to do it more efficiently than it did in stock form. Used as a daily driver, this higher-mileage F-250 doesn’t see much more than 35 mph on small town streets during the week, but come Friday afternoon, it’s hitched to a big living-quarters horse trailer or 38-foot RV trailer almost every weekend from April to September. It sees a lot of highway miles traveling the Idaho rodeo circuits, and getting up and down steep mountain grades while keeping EGTs, coolant temps and fuel stops to a minimum is of utmost importance to the owner.

Part One addressed the power and efficiency of the big Power Stroke while maintaining all the factory emissions equipment and keeping it 100% compliant with CARB-certified parts. The Banks Big Hoss Bundle offered a great package for improving horsepower while maintaining cool fluid and exhaust temperatures under heavy load on hot summer days. The high-flow Techni-Cooler intercooler and Ram Air intake ensure cool, fresh air gets into the motor, while the dual-tip Monster exhaust helps usher spent gases out. For tuning and in-cab monitoring, the Banks Six Gun with IQ offers full-color touchscreen technology and gains up to 100 hp over stock, along with control of the turbocharger’s variable vanes via the optional Speed Brake controller for additional braking on downhill grades.

Part Two covered upgrading the front end with a tough Throttle Down Kustoms steel front bumper. This not only improved the look of the truck with its aggressive styling and near-perfect fitment, but it offers added protection against potential run-ins with wildlife on backcountry highways in the middle of the night. The optional push bar was the perfect place to mount an additional light bar to help light up those lonely, desolate mountain highways.