Looking to give your 6.7 Powerstroke a performance boost? Upgrading your cold air intake is a great way to start. In this guide, we’ll explore top brands like S&B Filters, Banks Power, and No Limit and show you how intercoolers and piping can further amplify your truck’s power and efficiency. Whether you’re aiming for more horsepower or improved fuel economy, the right cold air intake can make a noticeable difference.
How to Choose the Best Cold Air Intake for 6.7 Powerstroke
When picking out a cold air intake for your 6.7 Powerstroke, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, check the materials. You want something that can handle high temps and rough conditions—basically, it should be tough and reliable. Next up, look at the filter. A high-quality filter traps dirt while letting in plenty of air, which keeps your engine clean and performing well.
Also, consider the cold air intake’s design. A good system will improve airflow to your engine, which means cooler, denser air and better performance. Installation should be straightforward, too. Choose a cold air intake with easy-to-follow instructions and minimal tweaks needed. And don’t forget to go with a brand known for quality—S&B, Banks, and AFE are all solid choices. Finally, make sure it fits your 6.7 Powerstroke perfectly, and check out reviews from other owners for real-world feedback.
Is a Cold Air Intake Worth It on a 6.7 Powerstroke?
Upgrading to a cold air intake (also known as a CAI) is a smart move for any 6.7 Powerstroke owner looking to boost their truck’s performance. A cold air intake replaces your truck’s stock air intake system with one that pulls in cooler, denser air. This extra airflow helps your engine burn fuel more efficiently, which translates into better performance and a noticeable increase in power.
With a cold air intake, you’ll experience a significant boost in horsepower. The increased airflow enhances engine efficiency, which is especially beneficial when towing heavy loads or cruising down the highway. Improved fuel economy is another major advantage. By burning fuel more effectively, your engine will deliver better mileage, saving you money at the pump. Additionally, cold air intakes come with high-quality filters that keep dirt and debris out of your engine, ensuring smooth operation and longevity.
Consider the advanced S&B air box for the 2011-2016 Ford 6.7 Powerstroke as an example of a worthwhile upgrade. It offers two airflow configurations: use the silicone box plug to seal the air box for focused airflow, or open it up for maximum intake. This design not only improves airflow but also protects your engine with an auxiliary inlet featuring a foam piece to prevent blockages. The intake tube runs through a silicone seal, accommodating engine movement while shielding against heat.
The S&B air box is also easy to install and comes with filter options. You can choose between an oiled, reusable filter that you can clean and re-oil or a dry, disposable filter that you replace when dirty. Both options provide excellent performance and protection.
In summary, upgrading to a cold air intake offers multiple benefits, including increased horsepower, better throttle response, and improved fuel economy. It’s a valuable investment for your 6.7 Powerstroke’s performance and efficiency.
What to Look for in a 6.7 Powerstroke Cold Air Intake
When shopping for a cold air intake, keep an eye on these key features:
- Material Quality: Choose a CAI made from durable materials.
- Filter Efficiency: Look for a high-quality filter.
- Airflow Design: Ensure the CAI maximizes airflow.
- Ease of Installation: Find a CAI with straightforward installation.
- Brand Reputation: Go with trusted brands like S&B, Banks, or AFE.
- Compatibility: Make sure it fits your vehicle.
- Customer Reviews: Look at reviews for insights into performance.
Top Cold Air Intake for 6.7 Powerstroke Brands
Several brands stand out in the market for their high-quality cold air intakes. Here’s a closer look at the best options for your 6.7 Powerstroke.
S&B Cold Air Intake
S&B Filters is a top choice among diesel enthusiasts, known for engineering cold air intakes that significantly boost airflow, leading to improved horsepower and performance. Crafted from durable materials, these intakes withstand the heat and tough conditions your truck faces daily. A standout feature is their versatility, with an enclosed package offering a silicone plug to adjust airflow for tailored performance. S&B also provides filter options—oiled and reusable or dry and disposable—to match your maintenance preferences.
With their new open-style intake for the Ford 6.7L Powerstroke, S&B has gone even bigger, offering their largest filter ever. This open design maximizes airflow and unlocks a more appealing engine sound, further enhancing performance. The intake tube features a larger diameter for increased airflow, and an innovative insert ensures compatibility with the MAF sensor, preventing check engine lights. A black zinc-plated support bracket adds stability and ease of maintenance.
S&B intake tubes are made from heavy-duty polyethylene that resists heat and impact, while the filters are protected (on enclosed kits) by their polyethylene enclosures. Premium silicone components resist cracking and degradation, ensuring S&B intakes withstand extreme conditions and deliver consistent performance.
S&B has earned a solid reputation for quality and reliability in the diesel community. Their intakes are easy to install and deliver a performance upgrade with minimal effort, making them a popular choice among truck owners.
No Limit Cold Air Intake
No Limit Fabrication’s cold air intakes are a popular choice for 6.7 Powerstroke owners due to their impressive design and performance. These intakes improve airflow to the engine, resulting in increased horsepower and torque—ideal for towing or off-roading.
Built from robust materials, including high-quality aluminum intake tubes and reinforced silicone couplers, No Limit intakes are designed to withstand high temperatures, resist corrosion, and endure tough driving conditions. They also reduce heat buildup, ensuring your engine gets optimal air for better performance.
No Limit’s intakes offer aFe-made high-performance filters in both oiled and dry options: a cleanable dry filter, an oiled filter, and the Pro Guard 7 with seven layers of oilable media for maximum protection. You can also choose the intake tube finish—raw, polished, or black powder-coated—to suit your preferences.
The easy installation process makes upgrading your truck a hassle-free experience. Praised for both performance and durability, No Limit Fabrication’s cold air intakes are a top pick for truck owners looking to enhance their 6.7 Powerstroke engine’s capabilities.
aFe Cold Air Intake
aFe Power is renowned for its cold air intakes, and its offerings live up to the reputation. Designed to improve airflow, aFe intakes help your engine breathe better, which results in improved horsepower and torque. Whether you’re hauling, towing, or driving, you’ll notice the difference.
Its intakes are built from high-quality materials to withstand demanding use and harsh conditions which include stainless steel t-bolt clamps and heavy-duty silicone couplings. They also feature advanced filtration technology that traps more contaminants while allowing for better airflow.
Depending on your preferences, the aFe comes with filter options as well. For example, on its Momentum HD system for the 2020-2022 Ford 6.7 Powerstroke, choose between the Pro 10R and the Pro Dry S filters. The Pro 10R, features ten layers of cotton gauze and a pre-oiled design, ideal for off-road use, offering maximum filtration and extended maintenance intervals.
In contrast, the Pro Dry S is an oil-free filter with three layers of synthetic media, perfect for street use, providing strong filtration and convenience without the need for oiling. The Pro 10R focuses on off-road performance, while the Pro Dry S emphasizes ease of maintenance for everyday driving.
aFe Power’s cold air intakes are known for their high performance and durability, making them a reliable choice for boosting your 6.7 Powerstroke.
Sinister Diesel Cold Air Intake
Sinister Diesel’s cold air intakes are recognized for their exceptional build quality and performance. Constructed from premium-grade, mandrel-bent aluminum, these intakes are designed to withstand extreme conditions and heavy use, ensuring long-lasting reliability.
They enhance engine airflow, improving combustion and delivering noticeable gains in horsepower and torque. Advanced filtration keeps the engine clean and efficient by utilizing oversized, reusable cotton filters and polished, powder-coated Sinister blue tubing that resists corrosion and looks great under the hood.
The kit includes all necessary mounting hardware and silicone couplers for a straightforward, drop-in installation with basic tools
Banks Cold Air Intake
Lastly, Banks Power offers cold air intakes for the Ford 6.7 Powerstroke, too. Banks Power is well-regarded in the diesel community, and their cold air intakes are a key reason why. These intakes are designed to improve airflow with an optimized intake path and a high-performance filter. This means your engine gets a steady supply of air, leading to better combustion, increased horsepower, and improved torque.
Durability is a significant feature of Banks’ intakes. Made from top-quality materials, they can handle tough conditions and high temperatures. For example, their Ram-Air intake for the 2020-2022 trucks, features the “XLPE” airbox and tubing which is made up of cross-linked polyethylene. These are highly resistant to high temperatures and impacts.
Lastly, with reinforced silicone couplers, they manage engine movement with ease without cracking or degrading from the vibrations. They also come with an easy installation process that makes it simple to enhance your truck’s performance.
Oiled Versus Dry Air Filters
When you’re making a choice on which design to go with, the oiled versus dry air filter debate will come along with it. What is the difference? What do I need? We can easily explain this for you to hopefully take the guesswork out of your decision.
Oiled air filters use a special oil to trap dirt and dust, with the oil applied to a multi-layer media often made of cotton gauze. These filters generally offer better filtration and airflow because the oil helps capture finer particles.
They require regular maintenance, including cleaning and re-oiling, using specific products designed for this purpose. Oiled filters are ideal for off-road or heavy-duty applications where maximum filtration and performance are essential. They are also well-suited for high-performance engines that demand the best airflow and protection.
Dry air filters use synthetic materials or non-oiled media to trap dirt and dust without the need for oil. Made from materials like polyurethane or synthetic fibers, these filters are easier to maintain as they only require periodic cleaning with compressed air or a dry cleaning solution. Dry filters offer good filtration and are convenient for daily driving. They are best suited for street use and applications where convenience and lower maintenance are priorities, as well as situations where oil bypassing the filter might be a concern.
In conclusion, the choice between oiled and dry air filters depends on your needs and maintenance preferences. Oiled filters provide superior filtration and performance, making them ideal for off-roading and heavy-duty use but require regular cleaning and re-oiling. Dry filters offer convenience and lower maintenance, making them a great option for everyday driving and simpler upkeep. Consider your driving conditions and how much time you want to spend on maintenance to choose the filter that best suits your needs.
Upgrading 6.7 Powerstroke Intercooler And Piping
If you’re looking to get more out of your 6.7 Powerstroke, upgrading your intercooler and piping is a smart move. Here’s why:
The stock intercooler and piping on these trucks can be pretty restrictive. They’re often fitted with rubber or plastic components and those flimsy clamps that fail over time. As your truck racks up miles, the rubber and plastics can harden, crack, and let air escape. This leakage means you’re not getting the full boost from your turbo, and that can lead to a noticeable drop in performance.
No Limits Fabrication offers a great solution with its upgraded intercooler and piping. Their components are built from heavy-duty 304 steel, which means you’re getting a robust setup that can handle high temperatures and tough conditions. The larger diameter of the steel piping ensures that more air is delivered to your engine, reducing heat soak and keeping things running smoothly. The silicone couplers and No Limit’s WarLock clamps make for a secure and hassle-free installation.
PPE’s recent release of their new intercooler is another top choice. It features an all-aluminum bar and plate construction, which is much more efficient than the stock setup. The PPE intercooler has a core that’s 50% larger and is 63% less restrictive than stock. This upgrade not only improves cooling efficiency but also helps reduce exhaust gas temperatures and boosts fuel economy. With better airflow and less pressure drop, your turbo can work more effectively, translating to better performance whether you’re towing heavy loads or just cruising.
These high-performance intercoolers aim to keep pressure drop low. Pressure drop in intercoolers is the reduction in air pressure as it flows through the intercooler core. This pressure drop will reduce engine performance because less air is reaching the engine. Targeting below a 1-2 psi drop will minimize the impact on the engine’s performance. Stock intercoolers have a higher pressure drop and get worse as the miles stack up. Upgrading to a better intercooler and piping will reduce this pressure drop.
If you’re serious about enhancing your Powerstroke’s performance, investing in a high-quality intercooler and piping setup is worth considering. It’ll help your engine run cooler, and more efficiently, and ultimately give you that extra power and reliability you’re after.
Secure the Best Cold Air Intake for 6.7 Powerstroke Performance
Investing in a high-quality cold air intake for your 6.7 Powerstroke can significantly help your truck’s performance and efficiency. A good cold air intake improves airflow to the engine, resulting in increased horsepower, better throttle response, and improved fuel economy. It also helps protect your engine with superior filtration and durable materials.
To get the most out of your upgrade, choose a cold air intake from reputable brands like S&B, Banks, No Limit Fab or AFE. These brands are known for their reliability and performance. Look for features like high-quality construction, effective filtration, and easy installation to ensure you make the right choice.
Explore the wide range of cold air intakes available on Diesel Power Products to find the perfect fit for your truck. For more information or assistance, visit our website. Upgrade your 6.7 Powerstroke today and experience the benefits of a top-notch cold air intake!