Bulletproofing a 6.0 (obviously talking about Ford’s Powerstroke 6.0 engine) doesn’t mean fortifying it against gunshots.
First, there’s an American diesel engine manufacturer called “Bullet Proof Diesel.” But when people talk of “bulletproof 6.0,” it simply refers to tweaking, customizing, or fortifying a Ford 6.0 engine in a way that gives you more power, efficiency, and rigidity.
How much does it cost to bullet proof a 6.0? If you’re thinking of bulletproofing your 6.0 diesel engine, it’s not a bad decision, but it’d set you back an average of $5,000. Bulletproofing a 6.0 implies changing quite several components, which costs an average of $800 each for parts and labor.
What Does It Mean To Bulletproof a 6.0?
Bulletproofing a Ford 6.0L centers on changing or tweaking the oil cooler and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems. Some people may also change the head gasket as part of the bulletproofing process and upgrade from stock head bolts to high-strength studs.
A 6.0L Powerstroke engine is said to be “Bulletproofed” when about four to five major engine components have been changed, modified, or tweaked.
The main components touched during bulletproofing are typically the EGR cooler, oil cooler, Fuel Injection Control Module (FICM), head studs (or head gaskets), and water pump.
That said, if you want to check if a 6.0 is bulletproofed, simply check the above-mentioned components of the engine; if they’re still the stock options, the 6.0 isn’t bulletproofed, but if they have been changed with seemingly higher options, then the 6.0 is bulletproofed. But, how much exactly does bulletproofing cost?
How Much Does It Cost To Bullet Proof a 6.0
The final cost depends on how much you spend on the parts and labor. Definitely, the cost of the parts can fall between $3,000 – $4,000, and labor costs can be anywhere between $1,000 to $2,000 or even higher. So, it costs an average of $5,000 to bulletproof a 6.0 – hereunder is a breakdown of the parts costs.
| 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 |
If you’re willing to throw six grand or more on your 6.0 truck, listed above are the things that would consume the money, but of course, you’d get the value you desired. Bulletproofed trucks tend to perform better than normal ones and also last for a long time with proper maintenance.
It’s quite expensive to bulletproof a 6.0, so some people would prefer to trade in their 6.0 and put in the money they’d have used to bulletproof it to get a newer model truck with, of course, a bigger, better engine, along with newer features and techs. To some drivers, bulletproofing a 6.0 is not worth it.
Is Bulletproofing a 6.0 Worth It?
The cost of bulletproofing a 6.0 can get up to $12k – that’s a lot of money. If your truck is still very sound, you can trade it in and pay less than $12k to get a newer model that’d probably outperform your current 6.0 in every aspect.
Notwithstanding, some people would rather bulletproof their 6.0 than get a newer model or just another “upgraded” truck. That said, whether bulletproofing a 6.0 is worth it or not depends on the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Power Does Bulletproofed 6.0 Deliver?
Depending on how the engine was tuned, a typically bulletproofed 6.0L engine can output a whopping 600 rwhp or even far more rear wheel horsepower. It does deliver high horsepower outputs – much more than what you can get from a non-bulletproofed one.
How Long Will a Bulletproof 6.0 Powerstroke Last?
It’d last as long as a non-bulletproofed Powerstroke; the main thing is proper maintenance and regular tune-ups. Also, in the long run, after many miles, you may need to change/replace the bulletproof components for more effectiveness.
Does Bulletproofing 6.0 Void Warranty?
Yes, it can void the OEM warranty on your truck. If you want to keep your car’s original warranty, do not bulletproof it. However, the bulletproofing components you bought all have individual manufacturer warranty coverage.
Conclusion
Summarily, how much does it cost to bullet proof a 6.0 engine? You should budget from $5,000 to $12,000, depending on the bulletproofing components you want to install. You may want to consider trading in your truck for a newer, higher-specced model than going for bulletproofing.
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