Building a 1,000-Plus Horsepower 6.0L Power Stroke
After pushing his previous 6.0L Power Stroke past 700 horsepower and bending multiple connecting rods, Joshua from Powerstroke Central knew the next step couldn't be a small one. Instead of dialing things back, he teamed up with Cameron from KC Turbos to do the opposite-build a 6.0L capable of four-digit horsepower.
Cameron didn't shy away from his role in the previous engine's failure. "I might have bent seven or eight of his rods last time," he joked. This time, the plan was clear from the start: a fully built engine with enough support to survive-and thrive-at extreme power levels.
A Foundation Built for Abuse
The new engine was built to handle serious cylinder pressure. At its core was a reinforced J&K long block equipped with Wagler connecting rods and secured with ARP 625 head studs. Supporting systems were upgraded across the board, including a Warren Diesel dual high-pressure oil system to keep injector demand under control.
Airflow came from a compound turbo arrangement designed to move massive volume efficiently. A KC Turbos Stage 3 68mm turbo handled duties in the valley, while a large S400 from O'Dawg's Diesel served as the atmospheric charger, creating a setup capable of sustaining extreme boost without sacrificing control.
Finding the Key on the Dyno
The first dyno session didn't go as planned. Power numbers stalled well short of expectations, forcing the team to reassess the tune and data. The breakthrough came when injector control pressure was increased.
KC Turbos owner Charlie Fish explained just how dramatic the change was. "We bumped ICP from 4,000 to 5,000," Fish said. "That alone took us from about 760 horsepower to over 920. That was the turning point."
With that discovery in hand, the second day on the dyno turned into a steady climb toward the goal. Pull after pull edged closer-946 horsepower, then an agonizing 994-until the final adjustment pushed the truck over the line.
Four Digits on Fuel Alone
The milestone pull delivered 1,039 wheel horsepower on fuel only, officially eclipsing the original 1,000-horsepower target. With the goal achieved, the team turned things up even further, adding nitrous to see just how far the combination could go.
The final result was staggering: 1,404 wheel horsepower, cementing the build as one of the most extreme 6.0L Power Stroke combinations to date.
When Power Becomes the Limiting Factor
Dyno numbers are one thing-but street manners tell a different story. On the test drive, the truck struggled to put power down, spinning the tires even at highway speeds. As Charlie Fish summed it up, "Way too much power for two tires. You've got to be in four-wheel drive to use it."
The build was so successful that concerns shifted away from parts failure entirely. When Joshua asked what component might be at risk next, the response wasn't mechanical. "He told me he was more worried about me wrecking the truck," Joshua laughed.