I was reading some older posts and read something about bullet proofing the 6.0L motor. What is a list of things needed to be done and how much money total I am looking at to do them? I am also thinking of new injectors since I just had one of them replaced 2 weeks ago. Now I'm scared the others will go bad too.

Thanks,

Mike

 

It really depends on who you talk to as to what is involved in getting the 6.0 bombproof. Some people will say you need to upgrade or delete certain parts that I don't think needs to be done for a stock truck.

What is your end goal with the truck?

 

Just some ideas here:
Since you're tying to bulletproof this engine:
1) Coolant filter
2) Oil cooler/EGR cooler if it's called for (> 15* delta for ECT vs. EOT. If it's even close, I'd do it anyway)
3) Head studs/head gaskets
4) Replace STC fitting on the HPOP
5) Fuel pressure regulator spring
6) Check FICM voltages and R&R if required

I was in the same situation as yourself when this thing left me on the side of the road in the middle of the desert. I swore that I would do everything in my power to eliminate as many of the known problems as I could. Could it break down again ?. Sure, but at least I know that I made a valiant attempt at fixing the problems. As far as costs go, it can vary widely depending on your mechanical skills.

Best

Peter

 

That's one thing I'm not an advocate for, but it is a relatively cheap thing to do. I could see the argument for it, but I just can't bring myself to advocate it.

Are we talking fixing, upgrading, or bypass/deleting?

Don't really need to do anything with the stock gaskets. I'm over 500HP and I still use stock gaskets.


That would be something that I would do if it were to ever go bad on you or if you were already going to tear into the truck far enough to it isn't any biggie to go ahead and do that.


I would actually suggest more of a Fuel Regulated Return kit to help with fuel pressure concerns. Particularly the dead-head design on the fuel rails.


I would actually try to make this more of a regularly checked item. Every so often go in and check the voltages. A lot of bad things can happen from something that can be as simple as lower voltage on some parts.

 

We really don't know much about what he OP had in mind nor do we know his budget for making this engine as reliable as can be. I was assuming (usually a bad idea) that the OP was going to tear into the thing. If that's the case, I would do all of it providing that they were needed.
Head studs ---- A known issue with many stock trucks.
EGR/Oil cooler ---- A known issue with this engine. Either delete, bypass or replace. OP's choice but at least do the oil cooler.
HPOP fitting ---- A known issue.
FICM --- Check. R&R as required
Coolant filter --- Won't bulletproof the engine but may help against future issues. Can't do any harm.
Fuel pressure -- Again I would do this to make the engine as bulletproof as possible.
These are the things I've done to my truck and feel that I have made the engine as reliable as possible just trying to correct the most common causes of failure. Some of these items may or may not be needed. In my case they were.