Top 13 Best Upgrades for 6.4 Powerstroke Reviews In 2023

Add more power to your vehicle with the best upgrades for 6.4 Powerstroke in the market. The 6.4 Powerstroke is one of our favorite engines when it comes to modifications. There are just so many aftermarket parts available for this engine.

It doesn’t matter if you want to tow a trailer, improve your airflow, get more power out of the engine, or simply replace a worn-out head stud.

We’ll show you the right way to improve this engine. That being said, let’s get into all the aftermarket parts you can add to boost your performance.

Table of Best Upgrades for 6.4 Powerstroke 

What is the best upgrade for 6.4 Powerstroke?

The best upgrade you can get right now is the cold air intake 57-2576 from K&N. Hands down to this fantastic upgrade.

Installing this one only requires household tools. It barely takes any time, and you probably can get it done without that much experience.

This mode is also designed to fit your vehicle. Since it is identical to the factory one, you won’t have to modify it when installing it.

For towing, this one won’t let you down. This an excellent investment if you plan on carrying or towing heavy loads for several hours.

It’ll cool down the engine as you drive and improve your horsepower.

Last but not least, you only need to clean after you’ve reached 100,000 miles. So in that regard, we have to give it a 10 out of 10.

Best Upgrades for 6.4 Powerstroke Reviews in 2021

Below, you’ll find all the cool upgrades to make the 6.4 Powerstroke a more reliable engine:

01. K&N 57-2576 Cold Air Intake – Best Overall

 

Highlighted Features

• Air pressure boost
• Towing capacity
• Overheating prevention

The K&N 57-2576 is one of the best upgrades for Ford 6.4 Powerstroke you can get. With this cold air intake, your car will sound like a beast.

Featuring a powerful and robust engine sound, this cold air intake is designed to improve your engine’s sound.

Once you’ve installed this one, you’ll notice the massive and furious engine sound. You’ll rock the streets.

In addition to that, we love just how durable this model is. For example, you don’t need to clean it up until 1000,000 miles.

Considering that reaching that many miles is no easy task, it’ll be with you for quite some time.

Furthermore, this cold air intake has a protective shield to stop harmful contaminants that could damage it in the long run.

As far as the assembly process goes, we’d say it is pretty straightforward.

This is a bolt-on cold air intake, meaning you can set it up with basic tools you have at home.

Finally, if you’re in the market for a cold air intake for towing, this is the one you need.

Consumers have expressed just how much of a difference it has made for the vehicles. They can now go on a trip without worrying about the engine getting hot.

“Perhaps the only thing some consumers have disliked is that this cold air intake makes the engine louder. If you’re not in the market for that kind of thing, you’ll definitely hate the extra sound.”

What We Liked

• Improves throttle response
• Makes towing easy
• Slightly improves horsepower
• Easy to install

What We Didn’t Like

• Bolts can be hard to see

02. Xotic Performance CP875 Head Studs – Best For Fatigue Strength

 

Highlighted Features

• Hardened parallel washers
• 200,000 PSI head studs
• Reinforced nuts

We get it. Finding a good brand for head studs can be the beginning of a long journey.

But that’s where the guys at Xotic Performance come in handy. When it comes to making high-performance head studs, they know a thing or two.

If you’re replacing the head gasket along with the head studs, you know that it’s no easy job.

But, this brand has been nice enough to add an in-depth manual showing every single step to install them.

The kit includes head studs, nuts, and parallel washers. Like the head studs, both the nuts and washer are pretty durable.

What’s more, we’re impressed with how durable these head studs are. To put it into perspective, they are rated at 220,000 pounds per square inch.

Now, here’s the real deal: they’ve included a lubricant along with the kit. You heard that right.

They’ve included one. You’d be surprised with how rare it is to find a brand that contains one. Most of the time, you’re on your own.

“The only thing some people can’t wrap their heads around is that the head studs are torqued like the stock head bolts. This is a minor inconvenience, and you might not even notice it.”

What We Liked

• Comes with clear instructions
• Improves torque
• Super durable head studs
• Has a lubricant

What We Didn’t Like

• Need to be torqued like stock head bolts

03. Mishimoto Silicone Radiator Hose – Best for Preventing Blowouts

 

Highlighted Features

• Available in different colors
• Oil-protection
• O-ring design

Trying to replace your old radiator hoses but can’t find the right upgrade? Then you’ll love the quality and performance Mishimoto has to offer.

For improved performance, these radiator hoses are shaped like an O-ring.

There’s one significant advantage to this design: it is more efficient in preventing air pockets from getting inside the system.

Moreover, these hoses are perfect when it comes to withstanding extreme heat. So, in that regard, they won’t let you down.

And if that were not enough, these are silicone radiator hoses. Unlike the rubber ones you might have on your truck, these are more efficient.

For example, they’ll increase the pressure to prevent blowouts over time.

It also has a protective layer that keeps the oil away. We could say these hoses are a fair competition for the OEM counterpart in oil protection.

Drivers that care about the appearance under the hood will love the design and colors. They look incredibly shiny and are available in different colors.

“Installing these radiator hoses will be a pain in the neck. It takes a lot of time, but it’s definitely worth the effort.

Other than that minor drawback, there’s nothing else that bothers us.”

What We Liked

• Hold up pretty well to heat
• Prevent blowouts
• Outperforms stock hoses
• Made of silicone

What We Didn’t Like

• They are hard to install

04. Mishimoto MMOC-F2D-08 Oil Cooler – Best for Preventing Clogs

 

Highlighted Features

• Reinforced O-rings
• Hardened seals
• Overheating protection

Ever noticed how your engine overheats even though you replaced the thermostat and coolant?

Well, you might need to upgrade your oil cooler. And for this, we’ve chosen this super-efficient oil cooler from Mishimoto.

While many other competitors struggle to prevent clogging, this oil cooler has a structure that prevents both clogging and leaking.

This is all thanks to the FKM seals and O-rings it comes with.

What’s more, this model is designed to protect your engine from high temperatures.

For example, if you’re sitting in traffic in summer, it’ll cool down the engine so you won’t have to deal with overheating even if you plan on driving for long periods.

Since the unit comes with everything you need to replace the oil cooler, you’ll breeze through the assembly process.

And since it matches the stock one, you won’t have to modify the vehicle in any way.

“The only that is not so great about this product is that it is not different from the stock one. So, chances are you won’t notice a big difference between this one and the stock oil cooler. Nonetheless, this is cheaper than the original.”

What We Liked

• Easy to mount
• Comes with seals and O-rings
• Prevents overheating
• Similar to OEM

What we didn’t Like

• Performance is similar to OEM

05. NPBoosted NP-64LTTRK Twin Turbo Kit – Best for Rebuilding Turbo

 

Highlighted Features

• Reinforced O-rings
• Strengthen bolts
• Performance boost

Rebuild your twin-turbo with NPBoosted NP-64LTTRK. This is the best turbo upgrade for 6.4 Powerstroke. With this kit, you’ll bring your turbo back to life.

This turbo kit is suitable for anybody who wants to rebuild their old 6.4 Powerstroke turbo.

What’s more, even if you have a low and high-pressure turbo, you’ll still be able to use this kit.

Better yet, the thrust bearings they’ve included are incredibly durable. They’re also super smooth, which allows the turbo to work as efficiently as possible.

The O-rings are not to be underestimated. They’re not your ordinary O-rings.

With these ones, you’ll safely be able to rebuild the twin-turbo without worrying about poor performance.

There’s also no need to worry about compatibility.

Since this kit is designed to match OEM, you won’t find yourself spending hours trying to fit the journal bearings or any other part.

Finally, all of these aftermarket parts are heat-resistant, meaning they’ll be under the hood and still withstand heat from the engine. Overall, you can’t go wrong with this turbo repair kit.

”The installation process is by no means a walk in the park. But since they have included everything, you won’t have to go out of your way to get new parts as you take everything apart. Other than that, there’s nothing that bothers us” about this kit.

What We Liked

• Works with both low and high pressure
• Resistant to high temperature
• Pretty similar to OEM
• Sturdy bolts

What We Didn’t Like

• It can be hard to install

06. Mishimoto Intercooler Pipe Kit – Best for Airflow Boost

 

Highlighted Features

• Made of aluminum
• Oil protection
• Extreme holding power

As you can see, we can’t have enough of Mishimoto. They just have the best performance upgrades for 6.4 Powerstroke.

That said, this time, we have a high-performance intercooler pipe kit for the 6.4 Powerstroke.

This cold-side intercooler is for those drivers who need to get rid of the old and weak stock intercooler.

It is made of aluminum, which is an excellent material for any intercooler.

Moreover, for those folks who want a gorgeous and high-performance intercooler, this one is the perfect fit. It has a beautiful polished finish that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Better yet, they’ve included robust T-bolt clamps to increase the holding power. This way, it won’t come loose as you’re going down the road.

But things will get even better from now on. This kit increases airflow throughout the system, unlike the factory system.

By doing this, you’ll get more horsepower, and the intercooler will be able to handle all the heat from the 6.4 Powerstroke.

Finally, this model is designed to withstand both oil, fuel, and pressure. That way, you won’t have to put up with constant blowouts.

“If there’s one thing we wish they would’ve spent a little bit more on is the size. This model would’ve been perfect if it were a bit narrower. Nonetheless, you’ll still be able to install it just fine.”

What We Liked

• Robust holding power
• Can withstand heat
• Prevents blowouts
• Relatively easy to install

What We Didn’t Like

• Not enough clearance between the radiator

07. TamerX TX64FB-AF Air Bleeder – Best for Bleeding Air Out of The Cooling System

 

Highlighted Features

• Crimped ends
• Reinforced banjo bolt
• Plug-and-play bleeder

Ever noticed how your engine stalls out of nowhere? Well, you probably have air inside the fuel filter.

To get rid of this, upgrade your vehicle with TX64FB-AF TamerX. In no time, your vehicle will be back on the road.

This is probably one of the easiest fuel filter air bleeders you can install. Anyone can hook them up to the truck to bleed the air out of the system.

And they’ve also included easy-to-understand instructions in case you need them.

This is pretty much a must for any 6.4 Powerstroke owner.

Considering how terrible it is for air locking, spending a couple of bucks to keep the vehicle healthy is worth the investment in the long run.

In addition to that, the kit includes a sturdy 12mm banjo bolt for the bleeder.

And when you’re done using it, you can even leave the banjo bolt in the system if you ever need it again.

“Our biggest problem with this air bleeder is that it has fine threads, which are not the best types of threads for bleeding the system. They are not as efficient and can be hard to use.“

What We Liked

• Super easy to use
• Banjo bolt can be reused
• Designed for the 6.4
• Instantly gets rid of air

What We Didn’t Like

• Has fine threads

08. Mishimoto MMBK-F2D-08BK Boot Kit – Best OEM Replacement

 

Highlighted Features

• Heat-resistant
• Shield against oil
• Blowout-prevention
• Heavy-duty clamps

Are your old boots not cutting it anymore? Then let us introduce these over-the-top boot kits from Mishimoto.

To start off this, this model holds up pretty well to chemicals.

Oil, gasoline, and diesel fuel can damage your vehicle’s boots. But with this kit, you’re pretty much safe from all those dangerous chemicals.

They’ve taken it to the next level with the temperature rating. This model is rated to withstand up to 572 degrees.

That number is insane, and we’re pretty confident this model will be by your side for many years to come.

When it comes to holding power, this brand never lets us down.

They’ve included durable and sturdy T-bolt clamps for extra holding strength. That way, the new boots won’t come loose any time soon.

As far as the installation process goes, consumers seem to breeze through it.

Keep in mind that this model is designed to compete with the stock one. So, it meets all the requirements to fit inside the vehicle.

Finally, the most apparent reason these boots are so well-known is that they’re pretty good when it comes to reducing the odds of small leaks and blowouts.

“But as durable as these boots are, they’re not as efficient as the stock ones. They’re a great replacement, but don’t expect them to be as good as the factory ones.”

What We Liked

• Hold up pretty well
• Fit right in
• Can withstand oil
• Superior resistance to high temperature

What We Didn’t Like

• Not as good as OEM

09. Mishimoto MMINT-F2D-08SL High-performance Intercooler – Best Premium Intercooler

 

Highlighted Features

• Massive airflow-improvement
• Pressure drop reduction
• Heat-resistant

Upgrading the intercooler is considered to be one of the best upgrades for most vehicles.

Especially if you’re into dragging, if that’s what you’re after, you’ll love this performance intercooler from Mishimoto.

What makes this model, so attractive over so many other options is the heavy reduction of the stock system’s restrictions.

For example, it gets rid of many restrictive bends, increasing horsepower.

And thanks to its less-restrictive design, it can stop the engine from overheating when driving for long periods.

And if you plan on towing a vehicle, you should also notice a massive decrease in engine temperature.

On top of that, the installation process is a walk in the park. Seriously, at most, you might spend 30 minutes.

And since the company sends everything for the installation, you won’t spend unnecessary time on other stuff.

We’re also pleased with how durable this model is. It is made of durable aluminum, which is what you’d expect from a high-end intercooler.

The cold-side pipe is also made of aluminum. That way, you’ll have way more airflow than you’d do with the stock one.

“The only drawback to this model is that turbo response is somewhat slower. But considering that you pretty much get a massive horsepower boost from installing it, that’s not a dealbreaker.”

What We Liked

• Easy to install
• Decreases turbo stress
• Better than the stock one
• Improves airflow

What We Didn’t Like

• Reduces turbo response

10. Mishimoto MMUS-F2D-08 Support Bar – Best for Decreasing Front End Flex

 

Highlighted Features

• Powder-coating finish
• Heavy-duty steel
• Cast-steel anchor points
• Front-end flex reduction

Want to reduce front-end flex? Then let the Mishimoto MMUS-F2D-08 take care of your 6.4 Powerstroke.

This brand makes the assembly process child’s play. Seriously, they’ve taken care of pretty much everything.

For example, there’s enough clearance between the upper support arm and the cold-side intercooler. So, they won’t touch when driving.

We really like that they went with heavy-duty steel for this build.

This is precisely what you’d want to get from an upper support arm, as it holds up pretty well to external damage.

On top of that, the anchor points of this model are on a whole new level.

They are what hold the unit together, so they must be strong enough. As such, they’ve used cast-steel for this model.

Finally, we love that they decided to use powder coating over any other paint.

Unlike traditional paint, powder coating is way better when it comes to metals coating as it does not wear out as easily.

“The only thing that is somewhat concerning about this product is that it might rub against the intercooler.“

What We Liked

• Pretty easy to install
• Balances out the truck
• Built to last
• Gorgeous finish

What We Didn’t Like

• Might touch the intercooler

11. YAZHE Glow Plug Control Module – Best for Optimal Fuel Combustion

 

Highlighted Features

• Corrosion-resistant
• Wear-resistant
• OEM-like performance

The glow plug control module is responsible for providing the ideal fuel combustion. Without it, Diesel engines wouldn’t be as efficient.

To replace the stock one, we spent lots of time until we came across the model from Yazhe. So far, we’re satisfied with its fantastic performance.

Installing one of these is a walk in the park. Since it is designed to match the stock one, the assembly process will be much easier than it’d be with any other aftermarket part out there.

After installing it, you won’t have to worry about environmental retrogression by toxic chemicals.

For instance, this model is designed to prevent corrosion or any other toxic chemical that could damage it.

Furthermore, the clips of this unit are pretty durable. They feel pretty sturdy, so you know they won’t break down the line.

On top of that, if your scanner says the glow plug is out, installing a new one will fix the issue. And, the vehicle will also start a little bit faster.

“Had this kit controller come with the glow plug control module wires, it would’ve been the perfect controller. But for this price tag, that’s to be expected. Besides that, we don’t have much to say about it. Pretty much the perfect replacement.”

What We Liked

• Super easy to install
• Slightly improves engine start
• Holds up to abrasion
• The clips are super-sturdy

What We Didn’t Like

• Does not come with connectors

12. AirDog A6SABF494 Lift Pump –  Best for Consistent Fuel Pressure

 

Highlighted Features

• Quiet performance
• Consistent pressure
• Fuel pump bypass
• 165-GPH capacity

Did you recently install a pressure gauge and now need a fuel lift pump? We got you. This time around, we’ve chosen AirDog to get consistent fuel pressure on your vehicle.

This model is designed to beat the stock fuel lift pump. For example, it takes a second to fill the entire jar. Compared to the stock one, which takes forever.

Not only will you get consistent fuel pressure on your truck, but you’ll also be able to increase the speed of your vehicle.

For such an affordable price, we’d say it’s a steal considering the massive upgrade.

What’s more, if you’ve recently got into tuning, this model will do wonders for you as it is designed to be compatible with slightly modified vehicles.

As far as durability goes, we give it our seal of approval. We’re pretty satisfied with the build they used.

They didn’t try to cheap and used premium materials for extra durability.

“The installation process for this model is pretty hard. So, don’t expect to get it done within a couple of minutes.

On the F350 6.4, you’ll have to cut the steel lines so that the lift pump can fit in. And the instructions are not so clear.”

Finally, this fuel lift pump is relatively quiet. You should be able to start the engine and go about your day without the constant noise coming from the pump.

What We Liked

• Long-lasting performance
• Better than the stock fuel pump
• Increases HP
• Similar build to OEM

What We Didn’t Like

• Difficult to install

13. Mishimoto MMRT-F2D-08EMWBK Reservoir Tank – Best for Keeping Track of Liquid Levels

 

Highlighted Features

• Fully-welded design
• Wear-resistant finish
• Aluminum build

Hate your old and dirty reservoir tank? Well, then you’re in for a hell of a ride with this gorgeous model from Mishimoto.

This brand truly redefines what it means to make durable reservoir tanks. For example, this model is designed to withstand lots of heat.

That way, you can safely drive and know that it is holding pretty well under the hood.

In addition to that, we love how easy it is to see through the tank.

There’s no need to use a flashlight to view the liquid levels. Simply pop the hood, and you’ll be able to make them out.

Moreover, we love the finish they used for this one. They went with a powder-coated finish. It looks pretty elegant and holds up pretty well to wear.

Finally, what made this product stand out from the crowd is that it won’t crack or leak coolant. This is thanks to its fully-welded design.

”The only thing that bothers us is that you need to modify your vehicle to install this aftermarket part. You need to cut off the battery tray to fit it in.”

What We Liked

• Resistant to heat
• Super easy to see through
• Relatively easy to install
• Gorgeous finish

What We Didn’t Like

• Must cut off the battery tray

How We Picked: Best Upgrades for 6.4 Powerstroke

As car owners, we know the struggle of choosing the best upgrades for 6.4 Powerstroke. It takes a lot of time, and sometimes it feels like a never-ending job.

To make things easier, here are the most critical factors you must know before upgrading the vehicle:

High-Performance Cold Air Intake

You should bear in mind that the number one thing when getting an aftermarket cold air intake is that it should be resistant to heat.

It is continuously exposed to heat, so it’ll get damaged in no time if you skip this over.

Moreover, any decent cold air intake must be waterproof. It’s pretty rare when water gets inside, but it can definitely happen.

Finally, make sure it improves your engine’s sound. That’s pretty much the whole point of getting one.

Head Studs

If you’re trying to get head studs to get rid of your old head bolts, make sure they are rated at 220,000 PSI. That’s pretty much the sweet spot for the 6.4 Powerstroke engine.

You should also know that you’ll need much more torque to properly install them if you get larger studs.

As a result, you might pull threads and even damage the head casing. As such, make sure they’re the right size for your vehicle.

Cold-Side Intercooler Kit

Intercoolers are one of those aftermarket parts many drivers try to get when upgrading their vehicles.

There are plenty of reasons why you should install one, including better airflow and horsepower boost.

But before you get one, there are some things you have to take into account. Make sure it gets rid of the restrictive bends the stock one has.

If you want to play it safe, get any mandrel-bent intercooler. It is an excellent investment for airflow improvement.

That’s the most important thing you should bear in mind when getting one of these.

Radiator Hose Upgrade

Both the upper and lower radiator hoses play a considerable role in your vehicle. After all, the coolant goes through them.

So, to ensure you don’t end up getting weak ones, here are a couple of things you should know:

First, make sure they are made of silicone. Those types of radiator hoses are pretty strong, and they’ll be by your side for many years to come.

They’re way more durable than the rubber ones.

Second, they should also withstand high-temperatures. Keep in mind that they’ll be exposed to lots of heat under the hood.

As time goes by, they could break and then leak coolant all over your vehicle.

Finally, make sure they’re oil-resistant.

Air Bleeder

If you’re trying to get rid of the air inside the vehicle, the most important thing you should know is that your banjo bolt should be reusable.

That way, you can leave it inside the vehicle and use it if air ever gets inside the fuel filter again.

Air getting inside is pretty typical for the 6.4 Powerstroke, so it’s best to have that nice feature.

6.4 Powerstroke Upgrades: Common FAQ’s

For more information about the upgrades we’ve covered and how they can make your vehicle more efficient, check this section out:

How can I make my 6.4 Powerstroke reliable?

The 6.4 Powerstroke has had a hard time ever since its release.

It is said that they took a lot of shortcuts when making it, hence its questionable performance. Nonetheless, you can still get some power out of it.

One of the best ways to make the 6.4 is by installing a cold air intake.

This aftermarket part will cool down the engine and slightly increase horsepower. And to make things better, you should get an air bleeder.

Are head studs better than bolts?

Yes, head studs are way better than bolts. One of the main reasons they’re more efficient is that they are designed to withstand high-pressure turbo systems, whereas bolts have a much harder time keeping up with turbo pressure.

Do cold air intakes really add horsepower?

Cold air intakes are designed to improve airflow, which translates to more horsepower since the engine has a much easier time breathing.

And if you plan on towing a trailer for several hours, installing a high-performance would cool down the engine during that time. Finally, it’ll help improve your engine’s sound.

Is a lift pump necessary?

It is worth the investment. There’s nothing wrong with the stock one on the 6.4 Powerstroke.

But when it comes to fuel efficiency, you’re not going to find that on the factory pump.

If you’re in the market for one, get one from AirDog. This brand is the best when it comes to aftermarket lift pumps.

How much HP can a 6.4 Powerstroke handle?

The great thing about the 6.4 Powerstroke is that you can get more power out of it with minor mods.

For example, you could get a high-performance intake and drastically improve your horsepower.

And if you add a couple more aftermarket parts, you could easily reach over 600 HP.

Conclusion

Ready to install the best upgrades for 6.4 Powerstroke we covered above?

All the parts we’ve chosen are engineered to meet most driver’s demands. With them, you’ll drastically improve your performance.

We chose all of these aftermarket parts based on the 6.4 Powerstroke needs. For example, bleeding the air out of the system, airflow improvement, horsepower boost, and so on.

Regardless of which one you choose, you’ll still notice the massive boost.